We won that battle, didn't we? .... We did, we did! Trust us, we'd never lie. Honest!

Spin doctors were alive and well in WW1 and they worked overtime on the Australian and British public after the disastrous battles around Gaza in the Holyland in early 1917. 

Oliver gives a reasonable account of the battles, anecdotes about the troopers and lastly advice to a certain young actress.

The little known Battle of Rafah was the last in the Sinai Desert Campaign. The Aussies, Kiwis, British and Indians including the Cameleers with their 'Bing Boys' gunners had to attack a fortified position deep in the desert with absolutely no cover. Guess what? ... They won and here is their story.

Finally for the 100th real episode the long promised interview with Len Jones' grandson Murray. We talk about Len, the family and the service of Len's son and grandson, Norman and Murray. 3 wars for the price of one, folks!

Episode artwork is Len in later years courtesy of Murray Jones.

I actually enjoyed editing this one which covers not only the Battle of Maghdaba, but also the Battle of Bir-el-Abd. Oliver has a gripe about a job he wants and the way the Middle East is covered in Australian press. It is a good one, please enjoy the 99th full episode of the podcast. Episode level artwork is the Standard of  the Turkish 80th Infantry Regiment (AWM Item: RELAWM15159) captured by the 2nd Light Horse Regiment at Maghdaba. Link posted in Facebook.

Just a brief update on what is in store for the podcast.

Here's Part 10 of the saga of Trooper Bluegum. One of the major battles in the Middle East during WW1 secured much of the Sinai in Allied Hands. This is Oliver's and a Boer War Veteran description of the battle. Episode artwork is Brig. Royston, courtesy AWM 

Part 2 covering the life of one of Australia's greatest soldiers. Harry Murray recalls the Battle of Bullecourt in great detail "Now, there were many furious arguments in billets and dugouts as to who — Jacka or Murray — was the Aussie with the greater number of decorations. “Murray killed yet?” Was always the first query shot at a 13th man whenever he went visiting. The answer was, “No, still going strong,” and the visitor would have some new tale to tell of Murray's latest piece of daring. Everybody wondered how long it could last!" (Trove)

He was the most highly decorated Australian soldier of WW1. Brave dashing and highly resourceful, Harry Murray rose from the ranks to command a machine gun battalion. This is the first of a 2 part series on the man who shunned the limelight after the war, always maintaining that he did not deserve the attention he received. Listen and decide for yourself. Warning, this one contains a lot of action! Harry describes Gallipoli, Moquet Farm and the battle where he wins the Victoria Cross.

In 1916 the Imperial Camel fought the Ottoman backed revolt by the Senussi in the Western Desert of Egypt. Oliver talks about training, patrols, deaths and near deaths from lack of water, including the ultimately pointless act of self-sacrifice by a British Pilot in the desert. We meet their 'hooshta' and hear how the Aussies hated these animals at first.

The Turks bombarded our lines and hurled half-a-dozen shells into our trench, smashing down parapets, wrecking rifles and gear, splattering bullets and splinters everywhere, and yet miraculously missing everybody. Later on, a single stray bullet found its way through a loophole, ran along the barrel of a rifle, ricocheted off at an impossible angle, and killed young Trooper Bellinger.