In a recent blog I wrote about the problems faced by the New Zealand Broadcasting Unit in getting their reports cleared by military censors. But in March 1941, the problem was getting close enough to the action to report on it at all, as I have discovered by listening to recordings they made about theContinue reading “Hugh Sullivan’s escape: a soldier’s tale from Greece”
Tag Archives: WWII
“Five Māori…set out to do the impossible” – reporting the story of Takrouna
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”
With the Kiwis in Japan – voices of J Force
On August 15, 1945 Japan surrendered to the Allied forces marking the end of World War II. With hostilities over, a new relationship with Japan was required. The United States took over military government of the country while a British Commonwealth Occupation Force, or BCOF, was set up to de-militarise Japan. Around 12,000 New ZealandersContinue reading “With the Kiwis in Japan – voices of J Force”
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”
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.”