Victoria Cross

The long awaited battle of Isandlwana, The British Empire marches forth into the interior of Zululand in 1879 and clashes in a meeting encounter with the massed regiments of Zulu warriors that shocks the Empire to its core

This episode is the foreruner of the battle of Isandlwana and Roukes Drift where we explore the events to lead to the day of 13 Victoria Cross being awarded.

"If I had to take hell, I would use the Australians to take it and the New Zealanders to hold it." -Erwin Rommel.Listen to the conclusion of Charles Uphams 3 part series and his exploits in the North Africa Campaign and in how the first battle of El Alamein put a halt to rampage towards the Nile.

Join us tonight as we look at the Fallschimjager and its last hoorah at Crete against the Poms and the Anzacs and see how Charlse Upham won his first VC

Operation Marita, German: Unternehmen Marita) is the common name for the invasion of Allied Greece by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany in April 1941 during World War II.

For most conspicuous bravery and extraordinary devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun section in the front line trenches, in which a strong enemy raid was attempted.

Well its been a bit of a slog putting this together but I think you will find that that it will be worth it, share this with any Canadian friends you know, as I think they will love it. Fingers crossed.The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions of the German 6th Army. The battle took place from 9 to 12 April 1917 at the beginning of the Battle of Arras, the first attack of the Nivelle Offensive, which was intended to attract German reserves from the French, before their attempt at a decisive offensive on the Aisne and the Chemin des Dames ridge further south.The Canadian Corps was to capture the German-held high ground of Vimy Ridge, an escarpment on the northern flank of the Arras front. This would protect the First Army and the Third Army farther south from German enfilade fire. Supported by a creeping barrage, the Canadian Corps captured most of the ridge during the first day of the attack. The village of Thélus fell during the second day, as did the crest of the ridge, once the Canadian Corps overran a salient against considerable German resistance. The final objective, a fortified knoll located outside the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, fell to the Canadians on 12 April. The 6th Army then retreated to the Oppy–Méricourt line.

William Speakman-Pitt, VC, known as Bill Speakman, was a British Army soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the first person to receive an honour from Queen Elizabeth IIReferences:Bill Speakman ReferencesPrimer Podcast, Prelude to the action of Bill speakman.https://www.mhhv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/The-battle-of-Maryang-San-Associate-Professor-Bob-breen.pdf Interview with frank Hassetthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29qMQa7viX0 https://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/koreanwar/https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/korea https://www.kosb.co.uk/sergeant-william-speakman-vc-obituary-and-funeral-arrangements/ Flowers in the foresthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNxCs7g8_vs

In early October 1951, 3RAR (3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment), in conjunction with British Commonwealth troops, attacked a group of hills near the Imjin River. The attack was named after the biggest of these hills and became known as the battle for Maryang San or “Operation Commando”.

Albert Jacka VC was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Jacka was the first Australian to be decorated with the VC during the First World War, receiving the medal for his actions during the Gallipoli Campaign. He later served on the Western Front and was twice further decorated for his bravery. This week we look at Albert's exploits in France

Albert Jacka VC was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Jacka was the first Australian to be decorated with the VC during the First World War, receiving the medal for his actions during the Gallipoli Campaign. He later served on the Western Front and was twice further decorated for his bravery.ReferencesAustralian dictionary of Biographyhttp://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jacka-albert-6808http://www.awmlondon.gov.au/battles/poziereshttp://www.ddoughty.com/albert-jacka-vc.htmlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXFJfeChviEJackas action is explained at 3:40 mark of videoSam Neils speech on Ataturkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzfq2Ta-J3cSpecial Thanks to this beautiful arrangementhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFwxUxeHJSwPeter Sculthorpe earth cryhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwtrXxicBjs&list=OLAK5uy_mF4JDWtmXNi_N08WmiPdKOSAYssI0nuIA

A stoic Gurkha that takes multiple MG nests after been git by grenade

Major General Sir Luke O'Connor, VC, KCB (20 January 1831 – 1 February 1915) was a British Army soldier from Ireland. He was the first soldier to receive the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.ReferencesTHE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO THE VICTORIA & GEORGE CROSShttp://www.vconline.org.uk/sir-luke-oconnor-vc/4587786137 The history channel website:https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/crimean-war William Howard Russell, The British Expedition to the Crimea, Routledge & co. 1858. BritishBattles.comhttps://www.britishbattles.com/crimean-war/battle-of-the-alma/ Wikipedia page for Luke O'Connor PageMusic source from YouTube with special thanks from:EEpic Heaven MusicAntti Martikainen Musicwww.beckgoldsmith.co.uk@beckgoldsmith "I Vow to Thee My Country"Title Music:Ronan Hardimanexcepts from "Cry of the Celts"