Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Australian War Memorial historian Michael Kelly. He spoke about Australia's forgotten war - Korea.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with World War II veteran Antony Greatrex. The RAAF veteran is the younger brother of the late Barney Greatrex, who our long-time podcast listeners will remember from Season 1. Barney had an epic war – a bomb aimer in Bomber Command, shot down, the only survivor of his Lancaster, eight months fighting with the French Resistance against the Germans, ending in a Legion of Honour in 2016 and a book in 2017. The memory of Antony’s war has always lived a bit in Barney’s shadow. Antony, along with half a million other Australians who put on a uniform, never went overseas to fight. He had a logistical support role – a high-frequency direction finder, or Huff-Duff operator. But after knowing the family some years, Antony invited Alex Lloyd to his home to finally go on the record about his World War II service.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. For today’s bonus episode of Life on the Line, Alex Lloyd attended the Reserve Forces Day Parade - the 20th and final such parade in Sydney. This podcast is a mix of highlights from the parade, including performances by the Lancer Band.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Air Vice-Marshal Tracy Smart AM, currently serving with the Royal Australian Air Force. Tracy has seen a variety of deployments, including the UN mission to Rwanda. Our thanks go to Defence Media for organising the interview.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is from our archive vault, an interview with World War II veteran Don Caldwell Smith.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with a career navy man, Vice Admiral Peter Jones AO, DSC (Ret'd). Peter served for many years, including commanding the Maritime Interception Operations in the Arabian Gulf. He is now the President of the Australian Naval Institute and has launched the Australian Naval History Podcast.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Alex Lloyd spoke with Doug Baird, father of the late Cameron Baird VC, MG. Cameron served in the 2nd Commando Regiment and was killed in action during his final tour of Afghanistan in 2013. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia. Doug spoke to Alex about his late son's life, death and legacy.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is the second instalment of Sharon Mascall-Dare’s conversation with Dr Dan Pronk, a Special Forces doctor with the SAS and 2nd Commando Regiment. Dan partook in over 100 combat missions with Special Forces. His conversation with Sharon picks up after four tours of Afghanistan, where the reality of combat was taking hold.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Dr Dan Pronk, a former Special Forces soldier. Dan served with the regular army in East Timor before undertaking four tours of Afghanistan with Special Operations Units - the 2nd Commando Regiment and the Special Air Service Regiment. Dan spoke with Sharon Mascall-Dare about his journey to Special Forces, the trauma of combat and life as an elite soldier. This is the first instalment of a two-part episode.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Bevan Harris. Bevan shared with Angus Hordern his father's experiences as a stretcher bearer in World War I, his own experiences in World War II, and those of his late school friend, David Boyall.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with two Vietnam War veterans: 'tunnel rat' national serviceman Ross Tulloh, and signals officer Ian Willoughby.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Frank Woodhams. Angus Hordern spoke to Frank about his longstanding association with the NSW Scottish Regiment, the history of the Scottish Rifles and the modern Reserves.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Lieutenant Colonel Todd Vail, currently serving in the Australian Army. Todd is formerly of the 1st Commando Regiment and was ADC to the Governor of New South Wales.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with a World War II and Korean War navy veteran, Doug Symes Snr. Doug shared stories of his childhood, his family's wartime service and his own experiences of life on the sea. This conversation focuses a lot on Doug's life pre-war, showcasing how this cataclysmic conflict affected the average Australian family.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with East Timor, Solomon Islands and Middle East veteran, Mark Wales. A former member of the Special Air Service, Mark saw multiple deployments to the Middle East as an elite soldier. Alex Lloyd spoke to Mark about aspiring to become Special Forces, his experiences abroad and how his military skills have served him in life after.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Charlie Baker, son of Jack, a Royal Australian Air Force veteran who served with British Coastal Command in World War II.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with World War II veteran Victor Power. With both his parents disfigured from World War I, Victor had no interest in joining the fight. He was conscripted in 1939 and found himself at the front in Belgium. Then the order to retreat came - evacuate to Dunkirk.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Vietnam veteran David Buckwalter. David spoke to Angus Hordern about an historical topic he is passionate about, the Battle of Wau from the Second World War. David has researched the topic, spoken with the veterans and trekked the battlegrounds of New Guinea.
David's conversation about his service in Vietnam was with Alex Lloyd in Season 1. Listen here.
The photograph captions have been supplied by David Buckwalter. (Not visible on all mobile devices.)
David Buckwalter exploring New Guinea.
Heading along the Buisaval Track towards Skindiwai.
Typical jungle the war was fought in.
This shot was taken in Aulac Creek on the Black Cat Track. After crossing this creek in a westerly direction, the Japanese headed up to the ridge line and into Wau.
North of Wau, looking back south.
The hill in the distance is where the Battle of Wau took place.
The battlegrounds.
This shot was taken from the Wau end of the Black Cat Track, looking up the ridge line now known as the 'Jap Track'. The left-hand end of the previous picture is what you can see in this picture.
Another shot of Aulac Creek.
A B-17 Flying Fortress shot down over Lae.
It tried to make it to Wau, but failed. One crew member died, the rest rescued by Australians from the Buisaval Track.
The Bitoi River valley.
The Black Cat Track follows the river on the right-hand bank.
Signs of battle.
This shot was taken on Observation Hill above Mubo. I'm holding a Japanese 75 mm mountain gun round that we found nearby.
Being interviewed by Angus Hordern for the podcast.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Commodore Allison Norris, currently serving with the Royal Australian Navy. Allison has seen a variety of deployments, including the Arabian Gulf and the search for MH370. Our thanks go to Defence Media for organising the interview.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is from our archive vault, an interview with World War II veteran Phil Stevenson.
