Best Mat McLachlan Podcasts (2024)

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Ep229: War Photographer Damien Parer 41:47

22m ago41:47

41:47

Damien Parer was one of Australia's greatest war photographers and cinematographers. His images and footage of Australians in the Second World War helped define the conflict, both for the people who were in it and for generations to come. His camera work on 'Kokoda Frontline' helped earn Australia its first Academy Award, and his work with American…

1
SPECIAL: RNR - Pre-War and Mobilisation 54:51

1h ago54:51

54:51

Pete and Gary revisit one of their most popular series - the story of the Royal Norfolk Regiment in the Second World War. The first episode deals with the formation of the regiment and its mobilisation at the outbreak of war. Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary in 2025! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more information! Presenters: Peter Hart and Gary Bai…

1
Ep228: Australian War Memorial - Behind the Scenes 1:07:24

4d ago1:07:24

1:07:24

Mat visits the Australian War Memorial in Canberra for a special behind-the-scenes tour of the artefacts and large items that are rarely on public display. During this special visit he is guided by Head of Military History Dr Karl James, and speaks to historian Dr Lachlan Grant about the new Australians in Bomber Command exhibition. Topics discusse…

1
Walking Ypres with guidl 8:28

6d ago8:28

8:28

Join Mat to hear all about guidl, a new audio tour app that he is contributing to. guidl takes you on walking tours to the world's most historic sites, narrated by leading historians. Mat's first guidl tour is of wartime Ypres and, in this special episode, Mat shares the first chapter of his Ypres walking tour. Download the app and find out more ab…

1
SPECIAL: Walking Ypres with guidl 8:28

1d ago8:28

8:28

Join Mat McLachlan to hear all about guidl, a new audio tour app that he is contributing to. guidl takes you on walking tours to the world's most historic sites, narrated by leading historians. Mat's first guidl tour is of wartime Ypres and, in this special episode, Mat shares the first chapter of his Ypres walking tour. Download the app and find o…

1
Walking Ypres with guidl 8:28

1d ago8:28

8:28

Join Mat to hear all about guidl, a new audio tour app that he is contributing to. guidl takes you on walking tours to the world's most historic sites, narrated by leading historians. Mat's first guidl tour is of wartime Ypres and, in this special episode, Mat shares the first chapter of his Ypres walking tour. Download the app and find out more ab…

1
Ep229: Laugh or Fly - This is the End, 1918 45:16

1d ago45:16

45:16

The war is drawing to a close, but men are still dying. How will it all end for the RFC? Pete and Gary continue the stories of the men of the Royal Flying Corps, based on their new book, Laugh or Fly. Order the book now! https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Laugh-or-Fly-Hardback/p/50848 Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more…

1
How to Visit the Somme 39:51

12d ago39:51

39:51

The Somme region in northern France was the scene of some of the bloodiest fighting of the First World War. Today, it is one of the most important and evocative battlefields for Australian visitors. In this special episode, Mat explores the Somme region and tells you where to go, where to stay and what you will see when you are there. Watch the vid…

1
Ep227: How to Visit the Somme 39:51

14d ago39:51

39:51

The Somme region in northern France was the scene of some of the bloodiest fighting of the First World War. Today, it is one of the most important and evocative battlefields for Australian visitors. In this special episode, Mat explores the Somme region and tells you where to go, where to stay and what you will see when you are there. Watch the vid…

1
Ep228: Laugh or Fly - Bombs Away! 1917/18 49:22

7d ago49:22

49:22

We think of the air war during the First World War as mostly about fighters and dogfights. But as the war progressed, the opportunities for aerial bombardment steadily increased. By 1917 bombing was a key weapon in the air arsenal of both sides. But how did they do it, and was it effective? Pete and Gary continue the stories of the men of the Royal…

1
Ep227: Laugh or Fly - 1918: Could it Get Any Worse? 49:09

23d ago49:09

49:09

By early-1918 the strategic situation of the Great War had shifted dramatically. New partners were joining the fight, and old Allies were dropping out. And on the ground the pressure was mounting, as the Allies faced a new German onslaught. In the skies over the Western Front, the men of the RFC kept fighting, and kept dying. Pete and Gary continue…

1
Ep226: Walking Long Tan with Dave Sabben 25:58

22d ago25:58

25:58

Live from Vietnam! In this very special episode of the podcast, Mat is joined by veteran of the Battle of Long Tan, Dave Sabben, MG. Mat and Dave have just walked the entire Long Tan battlefield on the 58th anniversary of the battle, and share their thoughts about this very special experience. Presenter: Mat McLachlan Guest: Dave Sabben, MG Produce…

1
Ep225: Sinking the Tirpitz 38:00

23d ago38:00

38:00

During the Second World War, the Allies were desperate to sink the two biggest battleships in the German fleet, Bismarck and her sister ship Tirpitz. Bismarck went to the bottom in 1941 but in 1944 Tirpitz was still threatening Allied shipping. In a series of daring raids over the icy waters of Norway, Royal Air Force bombers eventually sank the mi…

1
Ep226: Laugh or Fly - Ypres of Trouble, 1917 49:07

1M ago49:07

49:07

Following the bitter campaign during the Battle of Arras, the British switch their attention north, to the Ypres sector. This change presents a new set of challenges for the airmen of the RFC and their crews. Pete and Gary continue the stories of the men of the Royal Flying Corps, based on their new book, Laugh or Fly. Order the book now! https://w…

1
Ep224: 1918 - On to Victory (Part 4) 59:14

1M ago59:14

59:14

The First World War is drawing to a close, as the unstoppable forces of France, Britain and America grind the German army into the ground. But some of the toughest fighting of the war is still to come before an Armistice is finally signed. How did the men keep going through this terrible ordeal, knowing that the war could end any day, and yet death…

1
Ep225: Laugh or Fly - Up the Arras, 1917! 52:27

1M ago52:27

52:27

The men of the RFC are still battling hard, as the focus shifts from the Somme to Arras in 1917. Can they survive a resurgent German air campaign? Pete and Gary continue the stories of the men of the Royal Flying Corps, based on their new book, Laugh or Fly. Order the book now! https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Laugh-or-Fly-Hardback/p/50848 Visit Gal…

1
Walking Gallipoli with Mat and Peter Hart! 33:04

1M ago33:04

33:04

Mat McLachlan and Peter Hart are going to Gallipoli! In this special episode of the podcast, the two historians and chums discuss their upcoming tour in May 2025, which will discover the battlefields of Gallipoli by walking in the footsteps of the men who were there! The 10-day tour begins in Istanbul on May 21, 2025, and we'd love you to join us (…

1
BONUS: Walking Gallipoli with Pete! 33:04

1M ago33:04

33:04

Mat McLachlan and Peter Hart are going to Gallipoli! In this special episode of the podcast, the two historians and chums discuss their upcoming tour in May 2025, which will discover the battlefields of Gallipoli by walking in the footsteps of the men who were there! The 10-day tour begins in Istanbul on May 21, 2025, and we'd love you to join us (…

1
Walking Gallipoli with Peter Hart 33:04

1M ago33:04

33:04

Mat McLachlan and Peter Hart are going to Gallipoli! In this special episode of the podcast, the two historians and chums discuss their upcoming tour in May 2025, which will discover the battlefields of Gallipoli by walking in the footsteps of the men who were there! The 10-day tour begins in Istanbul on May 21, 2025, and we'd love you to join us! …

1
Ep224: Laugh or Fly - Success on the Somme, 1916 53:29

2M ago53:29

53:29

Fighting during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 wasn't just taking place on the ground. There was also a bitter aerial war taking place in the skies above the trenches. Pete and Gary continue the stories of the men of the Royal Flying Corps, based on their new book, Laugh or Fly. Order the book now! https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Laugh-or-Fly-Hard…

1
Ep223: Krithia - Gallipoli's Forgotten Anzac Battle 49:16

1M ago49:16

49:16

The Battle of Krithia was one of the bloodiest ordeals at Gallipoli, and cost the Australians and New Zealanders nearly 2500 casualties. But for some reason the battle has slipped through the cracks of history, and barely rates a mention in the Anzac story of Gallipoli. Mat McLachlan's new book, Krithia: The Forgotten Anzac Battle of Gallipoli, red…

1
Ep223: Laugh or Fly - The Fokker Scourge, 1915 48:56

2M ago48:56

48:56

The tables are turning in the skies over the Western Front! The Germans have brought hundreds of new planes into service, and Allied pilots are paying the price. Pete and Gary continue the stories of the men of the Royal Flying Corps, based on their new book, Laugh or Fly. Order the book now! https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Laugh-or-Fly-Hardback/p/…

1
Ep222: 1918 - Monash and the Australians (Part 3) 1:20:15

2M ago1:20:15

1:20:15

In three years of combat the Australian Imperial Force evolved from a keen but inexperienced group of new recruits who landed at Gallipoli, to one of the elite assault forces on the Western Front. No discussion of the closing days of WWI would be complete without exploring the key role played by Australian troops, and their enigmatic leader, Lieute…

1
1918 - Four Battles in Four Days 1:12:50

2M ago1:12:50

1:12:50

After the successes of August 1918, the Allies are smelling blood and, in one of the most overwhelming series of attacks launched during the entire First World War, they deal the Germans a savage blow. The French and British, supported by Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Americans, launch four huge attacks in four consecutive days in Sept…

1
BONUS: Olympian and Soldier, Cecil Healy 31:24

2M ago31:24

31:24

In this bonus episode, which originally aired on our sister podcast, BattleWalks, Mat is joined by historian Pete Smith to tell the story of Australian Olympic gold medallist and WWI officer, Cecil Healy. Hosts: Mat McLachlan and Pete Smith Producer: Jess Stebnicki Subscribe via Patreon to receive exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening and spe…

1
Ep222: Laugh or Fly - At the Front, 1914 47:12

2M ago47:12

47:12

Pete and Gary continue the stories of the men of the Royal Flying Corps, based on their new book, Laugh or Fly. In this episode they tell the story of life at the front during the first year of the war. Order the book now! https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Laugh-or-Fly-Hardback/p/50848 Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary in 2024! Go to https://phbt.uk…

1
Ep221: 1918 - Four Battles in Four Days (Part 2) 1:12:50

2M ago1:12:50

1:12:50

After the successes of August 1918, the Allies are smelling blood and, in one of the most overwhelming series of attacks launched during the entire First World War, they deal the Germans a savage blow. The French and British, supported by Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Americans, launch four huge attacks in four consecutive days in Sept…

1
1918 - The Last Days of WWI 1:27:29

2M ago1:27:29

1:27:29

The Germans have battered themselves to the point of exhaustion in their Spring Offensives of March and April, 1918. Now it's time for the Allies to strike back! Beginning with French actions on the Marne, the great Allied offensive that would eventually lead to the total defeat of the German Army begins. And the attack is soon taken up by the Brit…

1
Ep220: 1918 - The Final Days of WWI (Part 1) 1:26:46

2M ago1:26:46

1:26:46

The Germans have battered themselves to the point of exhaustion in their Spring Offensives of March and April, 1918. Now it's time for the Allies to strike back! Beginning with French actions on the Marne, the great Allied offensive that would eventually lead to the total defeat of the German Army begins. And the attack is soon taken up by the Brit…

1
Ep221: Laugh or Fly - Up, Up and Away! 44:16

2M ago44:16

44:16

It's a brand new series! Pete and Gary have a new book out, Laugh or Fly, and in this special series of episodes they will break down the story of the men who flew in the Royal Flying Corps during the Great War. On the ground there was no end to the amusements they could enjoy. But in the air, combat was no laughing matter, and death lurked behind …

1
Ep219: WW2 Secret Agents with Clare Mulley 39:56

2M ago39:56

39:56

The Special Operations Executive was a secretive British organisation that engaged in espionage and supported resistance movements in occupied Europe during the Second World War. In this episode Mat is joined by historian Clare Mulley to tell the story of several women who played vital roles in SOE operations - many of whom lost their lives in the …

1
Ep220: Haig Apres la Guerre! 45:03

2M ago45:03

45:03

The war is over! But what does this mean for Douglas Haig, commander of the British forces? It's the latest instalment in Pete and Gary's deep-dive into the military career of Sir Douglas Haig. Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary in 2024! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more information! Presenters: Peter Hart and Gary Bain Publisher: Mat McLachlan Produ…

1
Ep219: Haig in 1918 - Part 2 51:43

3M ago51:43

51:43

It's the second part of Pete and Gary's deep-dive into the career of Sir Douglas Haig in 1918. How will the war end? Visit Gallipoli with Pete and Gary in 2024! Go to https://phbt.uk/ for more information! Presenters: Peter Hart and Gary Bain Publisher: Mat McLachlan Producer: Jess Stebnicki Become a member to listen ad-free and receive special bon…

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Ep218: D-Day 80th - Juno Beach (Part 5) 44:15

3M ago44:15

44:15

Juno Beach was sandwiched between Gold and Sword, and was the responsibility of Canadian forces to secure. But in scenes reminiscent of Omaha Beach to the west, the Canadians came ashore in the face of withering German fire and suffered heavy casualties. What made Juno Beach such a deadly place to land on D-Day? In the final episode of our special …

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