No battles, except on the most unusual sporting field!

This one has two parts.

It looks firstly at the YMCA in the Middle East Theatre in World War One. 

Secondly a fun look at the Imperial Camel Corps sports day in February 1918 so if you want to learn about 'The Galoot' then listen in.

It never stops does it? The Holy Land is in the news now as it was in 1917. We take a look at the fall of Jerusalem and the entry of General Allenby into the city marking the start of just over 30 years of British rule. Oliver Hogue, a 10th Light Horse trooper and a local bystander tell the story of the attacks leading up to the surrender of Jerusalem and how Allenby entered the old city on foot.

This one covers fan-boy Oliver's description of the work done by General Allenby, the widely attributed last cavalry charge of history by the Australian Light Horse on Beersheba and later battles around Gaza and Khulweilfe. We also cover the death of a great Aussie cricketer, Albert 'Tibby' Cotter and the unsubstantiated claim that his mates killed the Turks that killed him... It does happen but there is no proof it happened this time.

This one is about the hardships of living in the desert, the Bedouin, camels, Mount Sinai and blowing up railway lines. All fun stuff, to be sure.

Be advised: Politically incorrect language and poor pronunciation warnings!

We won that battle, didn't we? .... We did, we did! Trust us, we'd never lie. Honest!

Spin doctors were alive and well in WW1 and they worked overtime on the Australian and British public after the disastrous battles around Gaza in the Holyland in early 1917. 

Oliver gives a reasonable account of the battles, anecdotes about the troopers and lastly advice to a certain young actress.

The little known Battle of Rafah was the last in the Sinai Desert Campaign. The Aussies, Kiwis, British and Indians including the Cameleers with their 'Bing Boys' gunners had to attack a fortified position deep in the desert with absolutely no cover. Guess what? ... They won and here is their story.

Finally for the 100th real episode the long promised interview with Len Jones' grandson Murray. We talk about Len, the family and the service of Len's son and grandson, Norman and Murray. 3 wars for the price of one, folks!

Episode artwork is Len in later years courtesy of Murray Jones.

I actually enjoyed editing this one which covers not only the Battle of Maghdaba, but also the Battle of Bir-el-Abd. Oliver has a gripe about a job he wants and the way the Middle East is covered in Australian press. It is a good one, please enjoy the 99th full episode of the podcast. Episode level artwork is the Standard of  the Turkish 80th Infantry Regiment (AWM Item: RELAWM15159) captured by the 2nd Light Horse Regiment at Maghdaba. Link posted in Facebook.

Just a brief update on what is in store for the podcast.

Here's Part 10 of the saga of Trooper Bluegum. One of the major battles in the Middle East during WW1 secured much of the Sinai in Allied Hands. This is Oliver's and a Boer War Veteran description of the battle. Episode artwork is Brig. Royston, courtesy AWM