The RAAF in the Pacific War, 1941-1945 - 21 September 2011
Release Date: 08/12/2012
Shrine Stories: Night Flyers
Shrine of Remembrance
Renowned for his bright, whimsical style, artist Dean Bowen is best known for works that bring joy to audiences. But in this episode, we explore a surprising shift. Inside the Shrine’s Galleries hangs Night Flyers, a powerful departure from Bowen’s usual tone. Join us as Dean shares the story behind this work and why he felt compelled to create it.
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Behind Eucalypts of Hodogaya: A Landscape of Reconciliation
Shrine of Remembrance
Nestled in the quiet hills of Yokohama lies a place few Australians know about, yet its story binds us to an important chapter of our past.Yokohama War Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 1,500 Commonwealth service personnel who lost their lives during the Second World War. But this cemetery tells more than a story of loss. It speaks to reconciliation not only between former enemies, but between the very nations that shaped its creation. The story of the cemetery is shared in the Shrine’s special exhibit Eucalypts of Hodogaya. Join two of the exhibition curators,...
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Shrine Stories: The Lone Pine
Shrine of Remembrance
You've probably heard of the Lone Pine Tree. It's one of the most iconic symbols in the world of military botanicals. But how much do you know about its origins? And how can you tell if a Lone Pine is actually the real deal? In this episode, we're diving deep into the roots (pun intended!) of this living memorial with Shrine volunteer Mary Ward.
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Shrine Stories: The Saddle
Shrine of Remembrance
Discover the unlikely, and at times almost unbelievable story behind a horse saddle on display in the Shrine's Galleries of Remembrance. Former Warrant Officer Leon Dimmack joins us to uncover the tale and how the saddle went from almost being thrown in the trash to an invaluable treasure.
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Hide and Seek: The History of Camouflage
Shrine of Remembrance
Uncover the world of camouflage with author and academic Professor Ann Elias. Explore the artists, creatives, and naturalists who shaped camouflage techniques during conflict, the challenges they faced, and how their creative contributions influenced the Australian military. From face paint to full scale deception, you’ll discover there’s more to camouflage than meets they eye.
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Shrine Stories: The Lotus Shoes
Shrine of Remembrance
These detailed, intricate shoes may look beautiful, but they have a horrific history. In this episode of Shrine Stories, join Exhibitions Coordinator Katrina Nicolson as she uncovers the story behind a pair of Lotus shoes on display in our galleries, and their unlikely link to stories of service. WARNING: This episode contains themes that may be distressing for some audience. Listener discretion is advised.
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Shrine Stories: The Shrine Guard
Shrine of Remembrance
If you've been to a service at the Shrine, you will have seen our Shrine Guard dressed in their distinct uniform. And this year marks 90 years of their service to the Shrine. In this episode you'll uncover how the Shrine Guard were formed, what their role looks like today, and importantly, how long it takes to shine their shoes with Senior Protective Services Officer David Rose'Meyer.
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Taste of Combat: Major Ruth Hayes OAM & Captain Brett Williams (Retd)
Shrine of Remembrance
The saying goes, ‘an army marches on its stomach’, but in theory what does this actually look like? How is food prepared in a makeshift kitchen during deployment? Who coordinates getting fresh food to these kitchens? And how are military chefs trained to withstand such a high-pressure environment in the face of conflict? Discover all this and more with Major Ruth Hayes OAM and Captain Brett Williams (Retd), who between them, have decades of experiences in the world of military catering.
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Taste of Combat: Ross Coad
Shrine of Remembrance
Ration packs are perhaps one of first things that spring to mind when we think of food in the military. But have you ever stopped to consider how they're developed? From their weight to their ability to be dropped from high altitutudes and withstand boiling and freezing climates, the science behind ration packs is incredibly complex. Ross Coad spent more than three decades working at the Defence Science and Technology Group in Scottsdale, Tasmania. This involved research on food packaging, food processing, the nutritional requirements of military personnel and, of course, ration packs....
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Taste of Combat: Commander John Goss
Shrine of Remembrance
What did you have for dinner last night? Imagine if we took your dinner plans, put it 100 metres below sea level, multiplied the mouths to feed to about 60 and took out any fresh fruit or vegetables. This was a daily reality for Commander John Goss during his career as a cook in the Navy. John’s story is one of many shared in the Shrine’s special exhibition Taste of Combat: The Evolution of Military Food, which uncovers often-invisible service of catering for the military and the challenges, research and innovation involved in feeding the forces. Listen as John unpacks his career and how...
info_outlineMark Johnston. Australian airmen engaged the Japanese on the first and the last days of the Pacific War, as well as most of those in between. By 1945, the RAAF had grown from a numerically and technologically inferior force to the fourth largest in the world. Using the testimonies of the airmen themselves, Mark Johnston traces the inspiring but bumpy journey of the RAAF in the Pacific from defeat to victory.