Australia's Military History through the stories of those they served. A Bi-Weekly Podcast
Hey Friends,
Voting for the Listeners Choice category of the Australian Podcast Awards is now live and it'd be awesome if you could take a second and vote for I Was Only Doing My Job Podcast
I'd really appreciate it if you did (and I won't bug you about it)
https://www.australianpodcastawards.com/voting
The latest episode of the I Was Only Doing My Job Podcast will go live on Sunday.
it is about the live service and legacy of Private Claude Herbert Roberts and was actually requested by his Great Niece. It truly was an honour to bring him back to his family after so long.
"I Was Only Doing My Job" is a fortnightly (Bi-weekly) Australian Military History podcast hosted by Ross Manuel. Instead of focusing on maps and dates, each episode is devoted to chronicling Australia's Military History through the individual stories of those who served; where they grew up, what th...
So apparently 15 years ago today, I started my first podcast, I'm fairly certain it was called "The Doc Report" but I have no actual memory of what it was about or where it is now.
All I do know is that it was absolute garbage.
Introducing the American branch of the Armoured Emu Brigade.
Modelled on the US Armoured Corps patch, I enjoyed making it as a member of my community remarked on a US version of the patch.
Not sure if I will also make it a patch or not
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of the last Australian Rat of Tobruk, Thomas Page Pritchard at the age of 102 on August 3rd.
Thomas joined the army in 1940. With France having fallen, the war appeared to be going badly at the time, and so Tom enlisted with two friends, despite being underage. Like many other young men at that time, he had put his age up and although Tom’s mother wasn’t too pleased, his father didn’t stand in his way. Tom was assigned to the 2/5th Field Ambulance, a unit that was eventually attached to the 18th Infantry Brigade.
The Rats of Tobruk:
The Australians attacked Tobruk on January 21, 1941, with the loud cry from a lieutenant of the 2/1st Pioneers shattering the pre-dawn stillness: “Go, you bastards!”
And go those bastards did, overwhelming Italian positions after bitter fighting. A day later, the cable came from Cairo asking how many Italian prisoners there were, and the answer from the Australians made it into the official report given to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill: “20 acres of officers and 100 acres of other ranks!”
Which was one thing. Holding it from the forces of General Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps, now sent by Hi**er to take back Tobruk, was another. Nothing had stopped Rommel to this point. It was for Australia’s General Sir Leslie Morshead, commander of the fortress, to organise his initial forces – Australian infantry on the perimeter, British artillery on the inside – to withstand Rommel’s devastating Panzer tanks, infantry, artillery and Stuka bombers. The key was to dig in, to effectively live underground to be able to withstand the bullets, bombs and shelling, and only come out to repel enemy attacks.
The first battle took place in the early hours of April 14, 1941, as the Afrika Korps attacked en masse, their tanks rumbling forward, with the infantry behind – attacking positions already shelled by artillery. Of course there were casualties, and driver Tom Pritchard VX23441 – a young man from Portland, Victoria, whose father had fought in the famous battle of Hill 60 in the First World War – was one of those in the thick of it with the stretcher bearers of the 2/5th Field Ambulance rushing his fellow Diggers to aid stations. Some men were missing limbs. Bathed in blood, the stretcher bearers did their work, knowing that at any moment they risked being engulfed by Rommel’s forces. But the most amazing thing happened.
When the smoke had cleared, the Afrika Korps had retreated. Sixteen of Rommel’s tanks had been destroyed. For the first time in World War II the German army had been stopped.
Few could believe it, least of all the British traitor and propagandist Lord Haw-Haw, who broadcast from Berlin shortly afterwards that Tobruk was now being held by “the sons of sheep herders”, these “self-supporting prisoners of war” who were now surrounded by the mighty German and Italian armies, and were caught like “rats in a trap”.
“These rats of Tobruk,” he infamously sneered. “Living like rats, they’ll die like rats.”
The Diggers reeled. Looked at each other. Laughed. The “rats of Tobruk”! They loved it.
The Australians and their allies continued to hold back the Germans in succeeding months, with Pritchard among those constantly going out under fire to rescue and provide succour to the wounded.
In awe of what they were achieving, the ABC correspondent Chester Wilmot wrote the immortal words on site that were subsequently broadcast throughout Australia.
“The spirit which has made Australia is the spirit which has held Tobruk,” he typed. “The inspiring and binding force in Australian life isn’t tradition or nationalism or social revolution. It’s quite a simple thing. Henry Lawson called it MATESHIP … the spirit which makes men stick together. In Australia, by sticking together, men have defied drought, bushfire and flood. In Tobruk they’ve scorned hardship, danger and death, because no Digger would ever let his cobbers down. In Tobruk, for the first time in this war, the Germans were thrust back by a spirit that even tanks and dive-bombers could not conquer.”
Lest we forget 🇦🇺 🍍🍍🍍
The Latest episode of From Duty to Dishonour is a remaster of my Season 1 two-parter about the Breaker, Harry Breaker Morant. Its now all condensed into one episode and no longer sounds like it was recorded with a potato.
as it is a remaster I decided to release it on all platforms, but for future episodes, check out patreon.com/IWODMJ
7-SEPTEMBER-1901. While serving with the Bushveldt Carbineers, a British Irregular Mounted Unit, during the Second Anglo-Boer War, Lt Harry Harbord Morant, better known as "Breaker Morant" allegedly ordered the ex*****on of eight Boer Prisoners of War, along with several Dutch civilians, and a Germa...
Can't financially support the podcast? patches aren't really your thing? But you still want to support the Podcast get into the ears of people who need to listen to it?
The best thing you can do is leave a rating (preferably 5 stars if you think the podcast deserves it) and leave review of the podcast on your favourite Platform (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict etc) the way the algorithms work is the more reviews a podcast has, the more it is pushed to the masses.
Also word of mouth also helps the podcast, and if you have any feedback on how the podcast can improve, or know someone who needs covering, please reach out!!
정말 감사합니다. 한국이 역사 팟캐스트에서 66위를 차지했습니다.
So I just found out that I Was Only Doing My Job Podcast is now charting at 66 in South Korea!!! That is my highest ranking anywhere.
Thank you so much
On the YouTube version of the last episode, comments were made that suggested that it was more scholarly than narrative and that I was showing off my research.
There are times when history is just the dull recitation of facts and figures. But I have taken the feedback on board
The latest episode of the I Was Only Doing My Job Podcast focuses on not only the life, service and legacy of Lance Bombardier Leslie James Greenwood, but the 2nd Mountain Battery, and in particular the lives of the six men who tragically died in an accident just prior to Christmas 1943
16-DECEMBER-1943. While serving as part of the 2nd Mountain Battery of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force, Lance Bombardier Leslie James Greenwood, a professional soldier within the Permanent Milita...
I mentioned this during my episode about the sinking of the Prince of Wales and Repulse episode.
The Chinese dredger suspected of plundering two World War II Royal Navy shipwrecks last year has been detained by Malaysian maritime authorities. MV Chuan Hong 68 and the entire crew is being held for paperwork violations including port clearances and having 60 unregistered LPG containers aboard and...
A special shout out to the Australian Histories Podcast for doing amazing content and yes I promise I will get a promo to you ASAP
it is always a good day to see that I need to contact A1 Insignia - Custom Embroidered Patches to re-order the Morale patch because stock is running low.
head to https://ko-fi.com/iwodmj/shop and secure yours now as supplies are very limited
I've opened a Ko-fi shop. Come take a look!
And its thanks to the National Archives of Australia that the podcast is even possible
Did you know that the Ko-Fi store is currently the only way to get podcast merch, but right now the question is what kind of merch do you want for the podcast?
I Was Only Doing My Job Podcast added a poll on Ko-fi
Yininmadyemi - Thou didst let fall
Erected by the City of Sydney in 2015, Yininmadyemi – Thou didst let fall, honours the bravery and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served their country.
The artwork by Sydney-based Aboriginal Girramay artist, Tony Albert, was inspired by his grandfather Private Eddie Albert, who served in the Second World War.
In April 1941, Albert was captured following a German armour attack in Libya, where he was serving with the 2/15th Battalion.
He was one of many prisoners sent to Benghazi before being transferred to a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy. After spending two years interned in an Italian camp, Albert escaped in 1943 and joined the local partissans.
In April 1944, the groups was recaptured by Italian Fascists. Three of the seven allied soldiers were executed. Albert was among those to be handed over to the Germans, and he remained in captivity until the war ended.
The sculpture comprises four standing bullets representing those who survived, and three fallen shells to signify those who were executed.
the latest episode of the podcast is now live on your favourite podcast platform
20-JUNE-1940. While serving as an Orderly in the 17th Australian Infantry Brigade during the Second World War. Sergeant Henry Armstrong Lacey Snr received the British Empire Medal for exemplary service and dedication to his duties, which is understandable, as he wasn't a 35-year-old fresh soldier, b...
This is awesome!
Brand new Armoured Emu Brigade unit patch just dropped thanks to for yet another awesome patch.
$5 each + shipping
It is available on my webstore
https://ko-fi.com/s/aa4781a1f9
The second part of the story of Captain William Holmes Travers is now live.
This episode was made in partnership with History Guild and is one of five stories made.
The First at War: Capt William Holmes Travers: Part Two: From Crete to Captivity
3-JANUARY-1941. While serving as a Platoon Lieutenant within the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion, Captain William Holmes Travers participated in the first major engagements of the Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War including the capture of Bardia, Tobruk and the disastrous cam...
I trekked the 1.5km off-road through the Fairbairn Pine Plantation to reach the Air Disaster Memorial,
The cairn commemorates ten people, including three Commonwealth Ministers and the Chief of the General Staff, who were killed in 1940 when their Royal Austra...
In time for day Trove Treasures has a story on 'Trench Art'.
"Soldiers would make objects from discarded ammunition and any other material they could find, take raw photographs of their surroundings, and write poems for their loved ones back home."
🔗 https://trove.nla.gov.au/blog/2024/04/17/discovering-trench-art
The 25-pounder Short was an interesting stopgap that served a purpose even if better guns existed
On this day, in 1940, Leslie "Bull" Allen, 21 years old, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He was deployed to reinforce the 2/5th Infantry Battalion, which was training in Palestine. He was made a stretcher-bearer in 'D' Company.
He is the focus of episode 1 of the podcast
The first of five sponsored I Was Only Doing My Job Podcast episodes are now live thanks to History Guild for the support.
3-JANUARY-1941. While serving as a Platoon Lieutenant within the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion, Captain William Holmes Travers participated in the first major engagements of the Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War including the capture of Bardia, Tobruk and the disastrous campaign in Greece before becoming a Prisoner of War following the failure at Crete. In this episode, we focus on the first involvement of the Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War, the Capture of Bardia during Operation Compass and Operation Lusture, the Failed Rearguard Operation to Defend Greece from German Invasion.
This episode was made possible due to support from History Guild.
'This Autumn I Was Only Doing My Job; An Australian Military History Podcast has Partnered with History Guild to bring you a series of episodes dedicated to telling the life service and legacy of four Australians, of the tens of thousands who served in the Mediterranean during the Second World War, playing a vital role in the theatre. History Guild has created this project so more people can discover the stories of service and sacrifice of the Australians who fought there, and Honor them by visiting these battlefields. The History Guild website, historyguild.org, has guides to help people visit and understand battlefields in Crete, Greece and Malta.'
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/iwasonlydoingmyjob/episodes/The-First-at-War-Capt-William-Holmes-Travers-Part-One-North-Africa-and-Greece-e2iff2e
3-JANUARY-1941. While serving as a Platoon Lieutenant within the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion, Captain William Holmes Travers participated in the first major engagements of the Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War including the capture of Bardia, Tobruk and the disastrous cam...
some awesome photos of the fly over taken by Photox Canberra Photography Services
Now this is an awesome image
Canberra, ACT
2913
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The latest episode of the I Was Only Doing My Job Podcast is now available on all your favourite platforms. This episode focuses on the life,service and legacy of Lance Bombardier Leslie James Greenwood and a tragic accident on 16 December 1943 that claimed his and the lives of five of his battle brothers #iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast #history #iwasonlydoingmyjob #wwiipodcast #militarypodcast #podcast #australianmilitary #australia #iwodmj
While the Charge at Beersheba was impressive, it was neither a Cavalry Charge nor was it even the last one. There were nearly twenty in the Second World War alone (and none of them were against tanks)
Australian military involvement in peacekeeping operations has been diverse and included participation in both United Nations-sponsored missions and those as part of ad hoc coalitions. Indeed, Australians have been involved in more conflicts as peacekeepers than as belligerents; Although Australia has had peacekeepers in the field continuously for 60 years – the first occasion being in Indonesia in 1947, when Australians were among the first group of UN military observers – its commitments have generally been limited, consisting of small numbers of high-level and technical support troops (e.g. signals, engineers or medical units) or observers and police. in the 1990's, Australia increased their commitments deploying significantly large units of combat troops in support of several missions including those in Cambodia, Rwanda, Somalia and later in East Timor. Australia has been involved in close to 100 separate missions, involving more than 30,000 personnel and 11 Australians have died during these operations #militaryhistory #histroytok #unpeacekeeping #unitednations #peacekeeping #internationaldayofunpeacekeepers #pkday #29may #peacebegins
It's been quite a ride to get Herr and a whole lot of fun https://discord.com/invite/zUwff5EEJg #iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast #history #wwiipodcast #iwasonlydoingmyjob #militarypodcast #podcast #australianmilitary
The 25-pounder Short was an interesting stopgap that served a purpose even if better guns existed #australianmilitary #militaryhistory #histroytok #ww2 #artillery #Australia #miltok
The 25-pounder Short was an interesting stopgap that served a purpose even if better guns existed #australianmilitary #militaryhistory #histroytok #ww2 #artillery #Australia #miltok
Initially, 21,000 Australian's volunteered for overseas service as part of the Australian Imperial Force in 1914. By 1917, the Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes had proposed to British Authorities to grant these volunteers the ability to return to Australia. Unfortunately, by the time this ANZAC leave was granted, only an estimated 7,000 members of the first contingent were still alive in Europe or North Africa. #australianmilitary #military #iwodmj #history #ww1 #milhistory #historytok #australia #firstworldwar
I've finally covered the Great Emu War. General Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith served during the First and Second World Wars and was an adviser during the Korean War, but his claim to infamy was a military wildlife management operation in 1932. #historytok #australia #military #iwodmj #emuwar #history #miltok
This part of Australia's military history causes me unknown levels of frustration.
The Battle of Montbrehain was the last Australian action of the First World War #iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast #history #remembrance #iwasonlydoingmyjob #militarypodcast #podcast #australianmilitary #australia #ww1 #ww1podcast
The significance of the Battle of Long Tan is so great that the anniversary of this battle that it was the date chosen to commemorate the service and sacrifice of all Australian's who served in the Vietnam War. #iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast #history #remembrance #iwasonlydoingmyjob #militarypodcast #australianmilitary #militaryhistory #vietnamwar
Just prior to the battle of Amiens, Australian Corps Commander Lt General Sr John Monash sent a message of support and encouragement to his men, and they did not disappoint. #iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast #history #military #militaryhistory #ww1 #aif #ww1podcast
The Battle of Amiens was the first time that the Australian Corps fought as a complete unit, and fought alongside fellow Dominion Force the Canadian Corps. these two units then undertook the greatest single day Allied advance of the entire First World War. #iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast #history #militarypodcast #australianmilitary #onthisday #australianmilitaryhistory #ww1 #aif
#onthisday 16/6/1925 the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm was first established. while initially short lived it would be reinstated in 1948, persisting to this day. in fact some of the first planes flown off a warship was with HMAS Australia back in 1917 #navy #royalaustraliannavy #ran #faa #airarm #history #Iwasonlydoingmyjobpod #iwodmj
#Onthisday 1965, 1RAR was committed to Vietnam, marking Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War By Wars end, over 60,000 Australians, including ground troops, air force, and navy personnel, would go on to serve in Vietnam, with 523 losing their lives and almost 2,400 wounded. #australianmilitaryhistory #education #militaryhistory #military #IWODMJ
After 81 years, the Japanese Cargo Ship SS Montevideo Maru has been located, and with it the grave of approximately 1060 Allied Prisoners of War and Civilians, along with approximately 68 Japanese sailors and guards. Its sinking is the largest maritime disaster in Australia's history with approximately 979 where Australians. #montevideomaru #secondworldwar #australianmilitaryhistory
Part 4.0 of Debunking Mephisto Rumours is that we did so secretly. Surprisingly its hard to move a 30 ton tank without anyone noticing #IWODMJ #tanktok #ww1 #mephisto #germantank #a7v #iwasonlydoingmyjob #military #militaryhistory #education #europe #aif
From the commemoration of the landings at Gallipoli to become a cornerstone of the Australian Experience, ANZAC Day (25 April) serves to show thanks to those who served, those who continue to serve, and the families that love and support them #iwasonlydoingmyjobpodcast #history #remembrance #placeofpride #iwasonlydoingmyjob #militarypodcast #australianmilitary #australia #iwodmj
Wishing something to be true, doesn't generally make it so. #militaryhistory #military #ww1 #mephisto #ww1podcast #germantank #ausmilitaryhistory #a7v #IWODMJ
The RAAF organised for a B-57 Canberra Bomber to do a flyover of Canberra for the RAAF 102nd Birthday #canberrabomber #raaf102 #happybirthday #raaf #royalaustralianairforce #australianhistory #Australia #military #militarypodcast #militaryhistory
