True Blue Conversations Podcast

During the majority of her twenty-two-year career in the Australian Army, former Major Kellie Dadds (Ret.) served as an Intelligence Officer. Some of her multiple deployments included Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and the Solomon Islands. Kellie also completed the grueling Army Commando selection process. Following her service, Kellie has been actively involved in voluntary work in a variety of community groups that aim to support veterans. Kellie shares her perspectives on the demands of working in Intelligence and her passion for helping veterans.

Presenter: Adam Blum Guests: Major Kellie Dadds (Ret.) Editor: Kyle Watkins Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike Researcher: Justin Guion

The roles played by the generals during The Great War have been the source of much scrutiny by historians and the public for over one hundred years. Some were remembered with fondness and respect by the men who served under them; others were despised. Debates have often centred on whether or not the leadership of the generals was either incompetent or inspired. Military historians Peter Hart and Gary Bain discuss some of the myths surrounding the generals and offer their perspectives on the generals' performances.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guests: Peter Hart, Gary Bain

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Academic Adviser: Margaret Strike

Researcher: Justin Guion

Following a thirty-four-year career in the Australian Army, former Warrant Officer Donna Bourke reflects on the highlights and challenges of life in the military and adjusting to civilian life. Donna's service included numerous deployments included peacekeeping operations in East Timor and also serving in the Australian Intelligence Corps. Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, Donna relates how she faced and overcame the toll of mental and physical obstacles. Donna's memoir, Hidden Courage, shares her story of life as an Australian soldier.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Donna Bourke

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Episode 5 goes beyond Kokoda as we look at the 7th Division's next campaign. This week David is joined by best selling author and historian Philip Bradley as they discuss the battle of Shaggy Ridge.

Presenter: David Howell

Guest: Philip Bradley - Author and Historian

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Genocidal massacres and human suffering cost the lives of an estimated one million barely describe the terror endured by Rwandans in the mid-1990s. Australian peacekeepers were sent to help as part of United Nations peacekeeping efforts. However, constrained by the UN peacekeeping rules-of-engagement, Australian peacekeepers watched in horror as the Rwandan Patriotic Army brazenly murdered over 4,000 people at the Kibeho Displaced Persons Camp on 22 April 1995. Platoon Sergeant Kevin 'Irish' O'Halloran was an eyewitness of the massacre. Kevin discusses his book, Pure Massacre, and shares his insights into what many have described as a time of pure evil.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Kevin O'Halloran

Editor: Kyle Watkins

An army marches on their stomachs, so what did Australian soldiers eat during the Kokoda Campaign? Join David Howell as he discusses rations with archaeologist Owen Budd, President of the 2/25 Battalion living history group.

Presenter: David Howell

Guest: Owen Budd, President of the 2/25 Battalion living history group.

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Regarded by many historians as one of Australia's finest feats on the Western Front, the Battle of Mont St Quentin was part of the Allied counter-offensive against the Germans during the last months of the war. In a fierce struggle of attack and counter-attack, the Australian achieved an important strategic victory that stunned the Allied leaders. Battlefield historian Mat McLachlan shares his unique insights about the Battle and how the men were able to claim victory over a key part of the German's defence before the Hindenburg Line.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Mat McLachlan, Battlefield Tours

Editor: Kyle Watkins

This week on Kokoda Kast David speaks with historian and best selling author of Jungle Warriors -Adrian Threlfal. The two discuss Australian soldiers moving from First World War tactics and fighting in the desert to being introduced to Jungle fighting. Where the Australians as prepared as the Japanese? Where did we first fight in the jungle?

Presenter: David Howell

Guest: Adrian Threlfal author of Jungle Warriors

Editor: Kyle Watkins

A fearsome Allied onslaught of 75,000 men, approximately 500 tanks, almost 2,000 aircraft, armoured cars and artillery on 8 August 1918 signalled the start of what has become known as the One Hundred Days Offensive. The Battle of Amiens raised the morale of the Allied troops while simultaneously demoralising the Germans. Ultimately, the success of the Allied strategies convinced the German High Command that the war was unwinnable. With victory within their grasp, the Allies utilised the combination of bitter experience gained from four years of fighting and tactics that made better use of the new forms of warfare. Military historian Paul Reed discusses the battle strategies, the men who created them and those executed them on the battlefield.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Paul Reed, Military Historian

Editor: Kyle Watkins

In this episode David speaks with Gary Traynor from Medals Gone Missing about the uniform and equipment Australian soldiers used during the Kokoda Campaign. From Khaki uniforms and leather leggings of the militia to the dyed green jungle greens of the AIF. This episode details everything from what the soldiers carried in the packs to what they wore on their feet.

Presenter: David Howell

Guest: Gary Traynor author of Medals Gone Missing

Editor: Kyle Watkins