On April 23, a new film Sergeant Haane opens in cinemas, telling the story of a small group of Māori Battalion men fighting in North Africa. In this blog, I take a look at how the NZ Broadcasting Unit reported the extraordinary story. In April 1943 in the midst of World War II, the NewContinue reading ““Five Māori…set out to do the impossible” – reporting the story of Takrouna”
Tag Archives: world war II
Her father’s voice: the travels of a wartime sound disc
From Canada to New Zealand, then to Egypt and back – this blog explores the travels of one wartime sound disc and how its contents enabled a New Zealand woman to hear her father’s voice for the first time, 82 years after it was recorded. The observant reader will notice it has been a longContinue reading “Her father’s voice: the travels of a wartime sound disc”
Listening to the “Boys Overseas”
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””
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.
Where are the women? Recordings of New Zealand nurses in World War II
At least 90 percent of the New Zealanders recorded by the Mobile Unit were men – but there ARE some women’s voices. Who were they and where are they?