WW1 Digger History Podcast artwork

WW1 Digger History Podcast

119 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 48 ratings

True accounts of the First World War / The Great War / WWI as told by the soldiers themselves!

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Episodes

Episode 8.16 Jerusalem Bluegum 16

February 24, 2024 03:29 - 42 minutes - 27.1 MB

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.

Episode 8.15 Beersheba Bluegum 8.15

October 01, 2023 10:35 - 39 minutes - 24.7 MB

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.

Episode 8.14 The desert patrol Bluegum Part 14

June 26, 2023 21:29 - 40 minutes - 23.9 MB

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!

Episode 8.13 The battles of Gaza and spin doctors Bluegum Part 13

April 07, 2023 01:53 - 28 minutes - 17.3 MB

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.

Episode 8.12 The Battle of Rafah Bluegum Part 12

January 23, 2023 00:46 - 28 minutes - 17.7 MB

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.

Episode 1.11 Keeping up with the Joneses

December 26, 2022 22:08 - 42 minutes - 22.5 MB

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.

Episode 8.11 The Battle of Maghdaba Bluegum Part 11

October 24, 2022 00:20 - 39 minutes - 25.1 MB

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.

Episode 0.6 Podcast Update 6

October 07, 2022 23:16 - 3 minutes - 1.99 MB

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

Episode 8.10 The Battle of Romani Bluegum Part 10

August 02, 2022 11:00 - 55 minutes - 32 MB

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 

Episode 6.9 Battle of Bullecourt Harry Murray VC Part 2

June 29, 2022 10:50 - 1 hour - 87.5 MB

Part 2 covering the life of one of Australia's greatest soldiers. Harry Murray recalls the Battle of Bullecourt in great detail "Now, there were many furious arguments in billets and dugouts as to who — Jacka or Murray — was the Aussie with the greater number of decorations. “Murray killed yet?” Was always the first query shot at a 13th man whenever he went visiting. The answer was, “No, still going strong,” and the visitor would have some new tale to tell of Murray's latest piece of daring....

Episode 6.8 I wasnt mad Harry Murray VC Part 1

May 22, 2022 23:49 - 1 hour - 44.7 MB

He was the most highly decorated Australian soldier of WW1. Brave dashing and highly resourceful, Harry Murray rose from the ranks to command a machine gun battalion. This is the first of a 2 part series on the man who shunned the limelight after the war, always maintaining that he did not deserve the attention he received. Listen and decide for yourself. Warning, this one contains a lot of action! Harry describes Gallipoli, Moquet Farm and the battle where he wins the Victoria Cross.

Episode 8.9 Ugly smelly creatures Bluegum Part 9

April 24, 2022 00:15 - 31 minutes - 16.8 MB

In 1916 the Imperial Camel fought the Ottoman backed revolt by the Senussi in the Western Desert of Egypt. Oliver talks about training, patrols, deaths and near deaths from lack of water, including the ultimately pointless act of self-sacrifice by a British Pilot in the desert. We meet their 'hooshta' and hear how the Aussies hated these animals at first.

Episode 8.8 Done like a dinner Bluegum Part 8

March 05, 2022 00:54 - 40 minutes - 23.6 MB

The Turks bombarded our lines and hurled half-a-dozen shells into our trench, smashing down parapets, wrecking rifles and gear, splattering bullets and splinters everywhere, and yet miraculously missing everybody. Later on, a single stray bullet found its way through a loophole, ran along the barrel of a rifle, ricocheted off at an impossible angle, and killed young Trooper Bellinger.

Episode 8.7 The war is a fair cow.

December 28, 2021 10:56 - 56 minutes - 31.8 MB

In this one we meet a 'gentleman' nicknamed 'Tommy' a sergeant who after the war went back to being, ahem, a gentleman... stick around for the rather long bios to hear about that. We also have Brigadier Ryrie doing chicken impressions, Oliver in his dugout, mail call, and we reacquaint ourselves with old friends, Billy Sing and the 'Old Bird' Major Midgely. So maleesch, settle down and don't imshee until it's finished. No baksheesh! (You'll work it out).

Episode 8.7 The war is a fair cow Bluegum Part 7

December 28, 2021 10:56 - 56 minutes - 31.8 MB

In this one we meet a 'gentleman' nicknamed 'Tommy' a sergeant who after the war went back to being, ahem, a gentleman... stick around for the rather long bios to hear about that. We also have Brigadier Ryrie doing chicken impressions, Oliver in his dugout, mail call, and we reacquaint ourselves with old friends, Billy Sing and the 'Old Bird' Major Midgely. So maleesch, settle down and don't imshee until it's finished. No baksheesh! (You'll work it out).

Episode 6.7 Jim Martin The youngest Anzac to die

November 24, 2021 09:30 - 25 minutes - 14.8 MB

Guest presenters, 12 year old Abbey, 11 year old Xavier and their teacher, Mr Rob Coughlan, from St Michael's School in Western Australia bring you the story of Jim Martin, believed to have been the youngest Aussie Digger to die at Gallipoli. He was just under 14 years and 10 months old when he died of disease on a hospital ship. It is very fitting that a couple young Australians, just a few years off Jim's age present this true story. Lest we forget!

Episode 8.6 Cop it in The Nek Bluegum Part 6

October 19, 2021 07:14 - 39 minutes - 23.9 MB

In this episode Oliver describes actions in the Battles of Lone Pine and The Nek, as well as profiles of a cook named George and three brave sergeants. There is an 'N' word warning for this one.

Episode 8.5 Gravel Crushers Bluegum Part 5

August 17, 2021 00:55 - 30 minutes - 18.5 MB

In this one the 2nd Light Horse Brigade take their place in the front line trenches at Gallipoli and have their first cracks at 'Johnny Turk.' Here is a bit of it: "The day after the big attack General Birdwood asked one of the 1st Light Horse Regiment if he had killed many Turks, and he answered, "Yes, miles of the cows." As a matter of fact the Australians were almost quarrelling for positions in the firing-line that night. When the fight was at its hottest, men in the supports were offe...

Episode 8.4 In Egypt Bluegum Part 4

August 05, 2021 02:03 - 53 minutes - 29.8 MB

In this one, Oliver and the men of the Light Horse are in Egypt when the Infantry go to Gallipoli. The men get restless and some rip the bad part of Cairo up in a brawl known as The Battle of The Wazzir. Finally the men get the word, they are going to Gallipoli.... without their beloved horses!

Episode 8.3 Its not the Love Boat Bluegum Part 3

May 30, 2021 00:50 - 29 minutes - 17.9 MB

Do you fancy a cruise? Do you like travelling with pets? What was life like on a cruise liner with nearly 500 horses on board. Oliver and the Light Horse travel to Egypt on the SS Suevic. Don't worry, it's not as boring as it may sound. So wrap yourself up in some tarpaulin ... never mind, just come aboard!

Episode 6.6 The ode

April 24, 2021 01:00 - 6 minutes - 6.25 MB

In September 1914, English author and poet, Laurence Binyon was so appalled by the casualty lists coming out of France that he penned the 7 stanza poem, "For the fallen". Little did he know that the middle, 4th stanza, would become the most remembered and solemnly cited verses in at least 4 countries. From 1921 this stanza became known as "The ode" and an integral part of remembrance services on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.

Episode 6.5 The desert columnist Ion Idriess

April 24, 2021 00:44 - 37 minutes - 20.1 MB

Ion Idriess was arguably the greatest adventure novelist Australia has produced, writing 53 books in a 40 year career. As a young man in the iconic Australian Light Horse he kept a diary which he later turned into his most enduring book, "The Desert Column". This is his story.

Episode 8.2 Bluegum and Frantic Bluegum Part 2

March 14, 2021 09:31 - 29 minutes - 17.8 MB

Well, who is the future famous star of stage and film that stole a soldier's heart before he went to war? Find out in this second episode on the life of Trooper Bluegum, Oliver Hogue!

Episode 8.1 Oliver Hogue The Great War Blogger

January 16, 2021 23:52 - 22 minutes - 14.2 MB

Trooper Bluegum became a household name in Australia during The Great War, a journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald he wrote numerous articles widely published in the press, turning these into 2 books after his semi-fictional "Love Letters of an Anzac". These letters were fake but his real love interest would become a Broadway Star and Oscar nominee. Follow him through Gallipoli and the Battles in the Holyland. But this man's fate has a modern irony and I give you a spoiler alert part way ...

Episode 6.4 Billy Sing Gallipoli sniper

December 19, 2020 07:52 - 1 hour - 43 MB

Billy Sing was arguably the greatest sniper ever produced by Australia but as a Chinese Australian he was nearly denied enlistment and after the war almost forgotten. Billy died almost a pauper and alone at the age of 57. Here is his story. The Ballad of Billy Sing is presented with the permission of Mr Jeff Brown.

Episode 0.5 Podcast Update 5

November 16, 2020 07:04 - 7 minutes - 5.84 MB

Just an update on where we are going with the podcast!

Episode 7.7 The return of the Verdi Part 7

October 27, 2020 00:36 - 50 minutes - 28.9 MB

The 7th and final part to the WW1 memoirs of Verdi Schwinghammer, who fought in the battles of Broodseinde and St Quentin Canal. There is no fighting in this one with Verdi sight seeing in Paris, Brussels, England and Ireland with some great observations of the immediate post era. Verdi returns home to his folks and we follow a little of his post war life. 

Episode 7.6 The Empire strikes back Verdi Part 6

September 12, 2020 01:50 - 38 minutes - 43.3 MB

In this one, Verdi and 3rd Division take us through the Battle of St Quentin Canal with the Americans of the 27th & 30th Divisions, through Armistice and on to the early post war period. Of particular interest is the episode where Verdi treks through the old battlefields to find his cousin's grave and on his Aunt's request....

Episode 7.5 A new hope Verdi Part 5

August 11, 2020 08:51 - 45 minutes - 54.4 MB

When some of our men went to bury the dead after the Battle of Mont St Quentin, when they were lifting up some of the dead bodies, bombs would explode and many of our men were killed this way. He laid these traps for us – placing a bomb under a dead soldier and when the body was lifted the catch from bomb would be released and the bomb exploded. That night enemy planes came over all night long dropping bombs, and several of the men at the rear of us were killed and wounded, by long-range s...

Episode 7.4 The German Spring Offensive Verdi part 4

July 11, 2020 04:35 - 39 minutes - 47.9 MB

The Australian 3rd Division Memorial sits above the town of Sailly-le-Sec for a good reason.... "We eventually arrived at Heilly. Passed a few stragglers – Tommies – the remnants of Gough’s British Fifth Army, which had been overtaken by disaster. The citizens had evacuated Heilly before we arrived. Here we dumped our packs and belongings and got into battle order."

Episode 7.3 In and out of the line Verdi Part 3

May 31, 2020 00:39 - 28 minutes - 33.9 MB

We were each given a tin of fruit and a tin of preserved sausages for our Christmas dinner. My pal and I were hungry, so we both opened our tins and ate half the contents for breakfast, putting the remainder in the tin on a shelf in our dugout – covering them with a board with a stone on it. The rats were very bad in the trenches and dugouts. As we were off duty, we went to sleep for a couple of hours and on waking and going to get our dinner found that the rats had knocked off the coverings...

Episode 7.2 The Battle of Broodseinde

May 10, 2020 01:15 - 32 minutes - 39.4 MB

"Men do not go into battle sad and gloomy (as many civilian people wrongly imagine). They are quite the opposite, even though they know the dreadful things they have to face and that some of them are going to their death," Verdi Schwinghammer describes the Battle of Broodseinde, part of 3rd Ypres in this, the second part of his memoirs.

Episode 7.1 The Memoirs of Verdi Schwinghammer Part 1

April 24, 2020 01:29 - 46 minutes - 54.9 MB

An ANZAC Day Special .... well kind of! The first part of a 7 part series from the memoirs of Verdi Schwinghammer. Here is a taste of it, "That night a big air raid took place and we enjoyed watching our guns shooting at the German planes – which were caught and held in the searchlights – several close hits being secured. No bombs fell on us but one fell on the horse lines close by, killing and wounding several horses and mules." The episode covers his enlistment, training, voyage to Europe,...

Episode 0.4 Podcast Update 4

April 16, 2020 07:10 - 6 minutes - 7.6 MB

This is just a few words to let you know what is planned for the podcast.

Episode 6.3 The man with the donkey

February 28, 2020 22:57 - 51 minutes - 50 MB

Simpson was the most famous 'Anzac' of all. On the second day of the Gallipoli Campaign, Jack found a small donkey, wrapped a red cross band around its forehead and started ferrying wounded men down to the beach. For three weeks he did this, slogging through the bullet and shrapnel wrapped gullies until finally... But who was John Simpson Kirkpatrick? Listen to his letters home and descriptions of his exploits from other men at Anzac Cove.

Episode 5.6 The Battle of Fromelles Part 6 Lambs to the slaughter

December 24, 2019 07:01 - 7 minutes - 8 MB

This is a very short episode on the Glosters and their part at Fromelles. Short because? Well, unfortunately I can't find any written accounts of the battle by these boys. Famous war poet Ivor Gurney was in their sister battalion over to the right and one of his poems sounds just like Fromelles.

Episode 6.2 The Lost Warrior SG Pearse VC

November 14, 2019 09:20 - 41 minutes - 49 MB

100 years after winning the Victoria Cross in North Russia, the remains of Welsh born Aussie soldier, Samuel George Pearse are thought to have been rediscovered in a scrap yard at Archangel. At the time of his death, recently married Pearse, was already a war hero with a Military Medal won at Glencorse Wood 2 years earlier.

Episode 6.1 Leon Gellert Gallipoli Poet

September 09, 2019 12:30 - 18 minutes - 21.9 MB

Leon Gellert, a 23 year old Physical Education Teacher from Leabrook, South Australia is considered to be the best Great War poet from Australia. This episode focuses on his war experience and his poems. I watched the place where they had scaled the height, The height whereon they bled so bitterly Throughout each day and through each blistered night I sat there long, and listened - all things listened too I heard the epics of a thousand trees, A thousand waves I heard; and then I...

Episode 5.5 The Battle of Fromelles Part 5 Hakings Scapegoats

August 16, 2019 00:17 - 27 minutes - 30.7 MB

To the right of the Australian 5th Division at Fromelles was the 61st Division of the BEF. These were second line territorial troops that had never seen action before. They had slightly different problems to the Australians but both Divisions suffered from bad generalship and primary among these bad generals was Lieutenant General Sir Richard Haking. We look at the men of the 184th British Brigade, men that were part of the nick-named "Sixty-worst Division". I think this was unfair, see wh...

Episode 5.4 The Battle of Fromelles Part 4 Australian Galahad

July 03, 2019 02:41 - 1 hour - 71.7 MB

Pompey Elliott's Australian 15th Brigade attacked the unbreakable 'Sugarloaf' on 19 July 1916. This is the story of this disastrous attack. Teddy Roosevelt befriended one of the survivors. Hear T.R.'s words and hear his friends description of Fromelles. This is some of what he wrote: "I lay for half an hour with my arms around the neck of a boy within a few yards of a German "listening post," while the man who was with me went back to try and find a stretcher. He told me he had neither m...

Episode 5.3 The Battle of Fromelles Part 3 Real Men

May 21, 2019 21:37 - 1 hour - 90.2 MB

13 year, 11 month old Leonard Jackson was able to fool the enlistment officers and go overseas to Egypt but his father Joe wasn't fooled. It was impossible to find the lad among all the thousands of recruits in khaki so Joe enlisted and followed the boy. Instead of bringing Len home, Joe joined him in the 55th Battalion and both fought at Fromelles. Corporal Harold Roy Williams of the 56th Battalion wrote a successful book, "The Gallant Company". You'll love the story of "Skinny" Elliott a...

Episode 5.2 The Battle of Fromelles Part 2 Tiveys heroes

April 06, 2019 01:32 - 1 hour - 84.9 MB

'The sergeant comes up shouting, "Hey! Haven't y' gone yet? Got cold feet?" "Cold feet yourself," Ted retorts. And then seeing Bert, who has been missing for some time, Ted produces a note-book and calls, "Here you are, Bert, write your next-of-kin's name and address." There is no farewell. They grasp their rifles, and Ted slings the phone over his shoulder. "You all set? Come on!" he calls, and away they go. He shouts "Good luck lads!" as they climb over the parapet. God! what sight...

Episode 5.1 The Battle of Fromelles

March 09, 2019 02:01 - 35 minutes - 42.9 MB

"A young sergeant led a section that passed in artillery formation, and I shall never forget that godlike youth while life shall last. To think of him now is an inspiration, for he was Australia, young, handsome, earnest, and grim. His eyes were lit with the flame of duty, and he never flinched beneath the swish of shrapnel that Fritz had now directed on our advancing troops. He led his brigade and could not falter." ... Lieutenant George H Wilson. Enough said!

Episode 4.2 Jim Briant Part 2 Prisoner of the Turks

January 29, 2019 11:21 - 55 minutes - 39 MB

Jim finishes his wartime recollections with descriptions of his time as a "guest" of the Ottoman Empire after his capture at Es Salt in May 1918. Jim describes the conditions in the prison camp, working on the Berlin Baghdad Railway, lice, poor food, bad clothing, other prisoners and the Turkish guards. He also recounts his repatriation, first to Alexandria, then England and then home to Adelaide.

Episode 4.1 Interview of Jim Briant Part 1

January 05, 2019 20:30 - 56 minutes - 44.1 MB

In 1973 Keith Tidswell placed a microphone in front of his grandfather, cameleer, light horseman and field ambulanceman. Over an hour later Jim had recounted his training, the trip over, a little about Beersheba, Es Salt and... Well, that is as far as we get in this episode. It's a "ripper of a yarn" as Jim might have said but you'll have to wait for Part 2 to hear how Jim's war ends! Apologies for the lateness of this one folks, I have been busy with work and home matters!

Episode 0.3 Podcast Update 3

December 15, 2018 10:44 - 6 minutes - 7.45 MB

Just a quick note to let you know why i haven't released any episodes for a while and what is in store for the future.

Episode 3.4 Flogging German civilians

November 12, 2018 01:59 - 26 minutes - 29.5 MB

In late October 1914, English born missionary, Reverend Cox was assaulted and flogged with a cane by several Germans and a Belgian on the island of New Ireland. What followed was one of the few blemishes on  the career of Major General William Holmes. The Germans went so far as to ask the US Ambassador to London enquire about the punishment without a trial. The SS Matinga visits Rabaul on one of her supply missions, but it is her last supply run in 1917 that is interesting when she meets t...

Episode 3.3 The AE1 the Sydney and the Emden

October 21, 2018 05:53 - 38 minutes - 43 MB

This one is action packed, Bill hides stores, watches the surrender of New Guinea, is present when the submarine AE1 went missing and heard first hand about the sinking of the SMS Emden by HMAS Sydney. We also look at the capture of the German vessels, Nusa and Komet and Tok Pisin!

Episode 3.2 The Battle of Bita Paka

September 23, 2018 00:13 - 38 minutes - 43.4 MB

Although a minuscule battle by WW1 standards, about 37 men were killed in the Battle of Pita Paka, the fight to take the German colony of New Guinea in September 1914. Bill Lane was amongst the fighting: "Owing to the thickness of the bush, a few of us got separated from the mob. With shooting go on all around, we not knowing whether it was the enemy or our own men. Us, not knowing the German uniform and not knowing they had natives fighting for them, we were in danger of shooting our own me...

Episode 3.1 Our first man to die

August 31, 2018 09:41 - 52 minutes - 54.8 MB

Who were the first Australians to die in World War 1? They were British soldiers, "Old Contemptibles" actually, but what next? Gallipoli? No! Australia fought its first land battle at New Guinea....“If your Ministers desire and feel themselves able to seize German wireless stations at Yap in Marshall Islands, Nauru on Pleasant Island, and New Guinea, we should feel that this was a great and urgent Imperial service”. So there you go, this short series examines this campaign.