WW1 Digger History Podcast

Phil Mannell

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

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  1. Oliver Hogue The Great War Blogger Bluegum Part 1

    EPISODE 1

    Oliver Hogue The Great War Blogger Bluegum Part 1

    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 through. Oliver Hogue was an interesting man, take the time to hear the first part a look at his life and works.

    22 min
  2. Bluegum and Frantic Bluegum Part 2

    EPISODE 2

    Bluegum and Frantic Bluegum Part 2

    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!

    29 min
  3. Its not the Love Boat Bluegum Part 3

    EPISODE 3

    Its not the Love Boat Bluegum Part 3

    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!

    30 min
  4. In Egypt Bluegum Part 4

    EPISODE 4

    In Egypt Bluegum Part 4

    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!

    54 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Gravel Crushers Bluegum Part 5

    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 offering bribes of tobacco and cigarettes to the men in the firing-line to swap places with them just for ten minutes."

    30 min
  6. Cop it in The Nek Bluegum Part 6

    EPISODE 6

    Cop it in The Nek Bluegum Part 6

    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.

    40 min
  7. The war is a fair cow Bluegum Part 7

    EPISODE 7

    The war is a fair cow Bluegum Part 7

    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).

    57 min
  8. Done like a dinner Bluegum Part 8

    EPISODE 8

    Done like a dinner Bluegum Part 8

    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.

    40 min
See All Season 8 (17)

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

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