True Blue Conversations Podcast

The role of Army Chaplains is not limited to the religious or spiritual requirements of Defence personnel. During World War 1, Army chaplains enlisted to serve in the Australian Imperial Force. Since then, they have played a role in Australia's Defence Services that is often little understood outside of military circles. Former Australian Army Chaplain, Stephen Neuhaus shares his perspectives about how the role has changed since WW1 to modern times. Currently serving with the Army Reserves, Stephen offers personal insights about the challenges involved in balancing religious beliefs with the necessities and duties of military life.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Stephen Neuhaus, Former Army Chaplain (2007-2013) Australian Army now Australian Army Reserves

Editor: Kyle Watkins

David Howell on Anzac Day 2020 is reflecting on Kokoda. He is interviewed by the grandson of a 39th Battalion Veteran, Dan Jones from Dan Jones Backstage. David will be covering some of the little known aspects of the service and sacrifice of the 39th Battalion and the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels roles in the Campaign.

By November 1916, the Somme battlefield was in a condition that is almost incomprehensible to 21st century perceptions of war. Men and animals drowned and disappeared in mud. The men fought not only their opponents but also the muddy conditions reputed to be even worse than those of Ypres and Flanders. Fought near the small French village of Flers, The Battle of Flers, a part of the Somme Campaign, witnessed Allied victories and losses in the bitter struggle to advance. Somme battlefield guide and resident of Flers, Pete Smith shares his unique perspective of the events of 5th November 1916.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Pete Smith - Battlefield guide for Mat Mclachlan Battlefield Tours

Editor: Kyle Watkins

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In April 1918, determined to stop the German Army from breaking through, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig famously urged the British and Commonwealth troops to fight grimly with their 'backs to the wall' and 'to the end'. Included in the troops was the Australian 1st Division. The German Army was intent on dislodging the Allies from the strategic French town of Hazebrouck as it supplied the Allies with food and munitions. Dr Meleah Hampton from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra provides insights about the Battle of Hazebrouck and the tenacity of the Allies in repelling the formidable German Army.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Dr Meleah Hampton - Australian War Memorial

Editor: Kyle Watkins

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For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below:

https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

The Rats of Tobruk hold a special place in Australian military history for the role they played in the Siege of Tobruk in World War II. Besieged by General Erwin Rommel's undefeated Afrika Korps, the Rats relied upon ingenuity and dogged determination to provide the Allies with a morale-boosting victory. pproximately 14,000 Australian and 12,000 British and Indian troops were involved. Dr Karl James from the Australian War Memorial shares insights into the events of 1941 and the men for whom being described as a 'rat' became a badge of honour.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Dr Karl James - Australian War Memorial

Editor: Kyle Watkins

For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory.

For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below:

https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

World War 1 saw husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, cousins, uncles and nephews enlist for a war that would shatter families in Australia and in every country affected by the war. For the men, the bonds of family were strong. Some served together. Some died together. The stories of their service and heartbreak have been left behind in diaries, letters and other memorabilia. Author Adam Holloway has used these sources along with family oral histories to re-create the story of 11 members of his extended family who fought and died in the cauldron of the Great War from Gallipoli to the Western Front.

For your chance to win a copy of Duty Nobly Done leave a comment or review to this podcast and the winner will be announced on the next episode!

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Adam Holloway - Author of Duty Nobly Done

Editor: Kyle Watkins

For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory.

For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below:

https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

The Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 was the Australian Imperial Force's brutal introduction to the realities of war. Suffering alongside them were soldiers from other Commonwealth countries. In this podcast, Adam discusses with oral historian Peter Hart, the British Army's experience of Gallipoli. Peter provides a British perspective of what occurred and the campaign's significance in British military history.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Peter Hart - Oral Historian

Editor: Kyle Watkins

For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory.

For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below:

https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

Battlefield historian Pete Smith joins Adam to discuss 1918 as victory was not apparent for the Allies as the beginning of 1918. The fierce fighting of previous years had cost the AIF dearly in the numbers of men killed, wounded or permanently injured. Harsh lessons had been learned as both sides of the War came to terms with the new technologies and strategies being used. The German Spring Offensive pushed the Allies to their limits and led to changes in the command structure which sought to better co-ordinate their efforts. The One Hundred Days Offensive finally broke the German Army's resolve and ensured victory for the Allies.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Pete Smith - Battlefield guide for Mat Mclachlan Battlefield Tours

Editor: Kyle Watkins

For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory.

For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below:

https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

The Western Front in 1917 was a place of grim statistics and bitter fighting for the AIF. The Allied and the German armies were locked in a fierce struggle for supremacy which saw both sides suffer heavy casualty losses. While some of the battles that occurred during this year are well known by Australians, others have been slower to achieve widespread recognition. At home, the true cost of the War was becoming painfully clear. By the end of 1917, despite the bravery and sacrifice of the troops, victory still appeared to be a distant possibility.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Dr Aaron Pegram

Editor: Kyle Watkins

For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory.

For more information on how to research your relatives during the World War 1 visit below:

https://answeredthecall.mykajabi.com/webinar

In just under seven weeks, from 23 July – 9 September 1916, the Australian Imperial Force suffered almost as many casualties as they had in the torturous Gallipoli campaign. The Battle of Pozières was one of the AIF's bitter introductions to fighting in the Somme Offensive on the Western Front. The goal was to break the German Army defences along the Somme River, capture the high ground and break through their formidable front line. The cost of the attacks and counter-attacks during the Somme Campaign was so high that both sides lost over a million lives each in what has been described as one of history's worst bloodbaths. For the volunteer Australians, this battle was part of what some survivors called a 'bloodthirsty war'.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Mat McLachlan, Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours

Editor: Kyle Watkins

For more great episodes visit TrueBlueHistory.com or Subscribe to our Youtube channel TrueBlueHistory, join our Facebook page TrueBlueHistory, follow us on Instagram and twitter @TrueBlueHistory.