Victory Loan advertisement, The Listener, 15 Sept 1944, p.4 An article I have written about how radio listeners back home in Aotearoa New Zealand responded to the work of the mobile Broadcasting Units, has just been published by the New Zealand Journal of Public History. It discusses the overwhelming audience reaction to hearing the voicesContinue reading “Listening to the “Boys Overseas””
Tag Archives: 2NZEF
Voices of the Long Range Desert Group: the brains behind the S.A.S. “Rogue Heroes”
In World War II, a new British military unit was formed for raiding and reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines in the desert regions of North Africa. It was made up of men who were independent, self-reliant, physically and mentally tough. They had to be able to survive in the desert, without support, enduring extreme conditionsContinue reading “Voices of the Long Range Desert Group: the brains behind the S.A.S. “Rogue Heroes””
Jazz at Shepheard’s Hotel, 1941
British officers on the terrace at Shepheard’s Hotel during WWII [Photograph by George Rodger] In both World Wars of the twentieth century, New Zealand forces found themselves fighting in the Middle East. When on leave in Cairo, a fortunate few with sophisticated tastes and cash to spend, might have found themselves enjoying a drink atContinue reading “Jazz at Shepheard’s Hotel, 1941”
Life on board a 2 N.Z.E.F. troop ship: cramped, concerts and “Crossing the Line”
Some of the earliest recordings made by the Broadcasting Unit provide insight into life on board a 2NZEF troop ship, as it headed towards the war in late 1940.
Wounded, then shipwrecked: the powerful story of “A Simple Country Lad”
Wartime broadcasters called this story of a New Zealand gunner who was wounded and then shipwrecked “the most outstanding personal experience we have yet recorded.”