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This #photofriday I am reading the excellent ‘In the Footsteps of Ghosts’ where Bill Spencer and the 2/9th Bn are heading home to Australia after the fierce fighting at Buna and Sanananda. In August 1943 the 2/9th will return to New Guinea and then fight in the Battle of Shaggy Ridge. #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This #photofriday I am reading ‘In the Footsteps of Ghosts: With the 2/9th Battalion in the African desert and the jungles of the Pacific’ by Bill Spencer. This is Bill’s story of the 2/9th Bn and the battles he fought in from Giarabub to Balikpapan. It’s a terrific read. #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

This #photofriday I am with the 2/9th Battalion in Milne Bay and also reading Peter Brune’s chapter on that battle in ‘A Bastard Of A Place: The Australians in Papua: Kokoda, Milne Bay, Gona, Buna, Sanananda’. I first read this book five years ago and I heartily recommend it. #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This week my #photofriday offering is the book I am currently reading which is ‘Never Late: The 2/9th Australian Infantry Battalion 1939-1945’ by Gordon Dickens. As part of the 18th Brigade, the 2/9th Bn fought in North Africa, Syria, Papua, New Guinea and Borneo. #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Apologies for not turning up to the last #histbookchat. Unfortunately, I came down crook on the day. Happy to offer up a newy this #photofriday: “The Admirals Fremantle 1788-1920” by Ann Parry. Of the admirals covered, Admiral Sir Charles Howe Fremantle (1800-1869) is the one I am most keen on. /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

My offering this #photofriday is one from the TBR and I reckon it’s a good’un! ‘The Big L: American Logistics In World War II’ edited by Alan Gropman - Mobilisation, Infrastructure, Lend-Lease, and the Pacific and European theatres. Hoping to get this one read by the end of the year! 📚 #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

For #histbookchat and #photofriday I am reading ‘Purple And Blue’ by Lt-Col. Frank Allchin. The 2/10th, having completed their training in Australia, sailed on the Mauretania to England and that’s where we currently find them. I love the early formation stories and this one made me laugh! /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

@mtmcgurk.bsky.social I’m now on the lookout for the unit history ‘History of the 43rd Engineers in the South-West Pacific’ by Colonel John Brauns. Great work at Milne Bay and I’d be most interested in reading more of their story!

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

#reading ‘Purple And Blue: The History of the 2/10th Battalion, A.I.F (The Adelaide Rifles) by Lt-Col. Frank Allchin, M.M.

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Still going with ‘Milne Bay 1942’ and absolutely loving it. It’s just extremely well put together and every page offers an interesting description, quote, story, fact or photo. Quite surprising at times, it’s a great tribute to the terrific fellas who fought at Milne Bay. #photofriday #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

This #photofriday I am still reading ‘Milne Bay 1942’ and truly loving every word of it. Another of my Milne Bay books is ‘Onward Boy Soldiers’ by James Henderson, a 16 year old signaller from Western Australia, who was sent to Milne Bay in 1942. This is his story of the battle. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

This #histbookchat I am still reading ‘Milne Bay’ so my offering is from the TBR ‘The Voyage Of Their Life: The Story of the SS Derna and its Passengers’ by Diane Armstrong. This book was a present from my Aunty and we had a great chat after I rang her to say it was my #photofriday book choice. /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

For #histbookchat this week I’m reading ‘Milne Bay 1942: The story of ‘Milne-Force’ and Japan’s First Military Defeat on Land’ by Clive Baker & Greg Knight. I’m so excited for this one as it’s got the lot: AIF, Militia, US forces, the RAAF, an airstrip defence and the first Japanese land defeat. /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

An extra #histbookchat this week is my current read: ‘The Second World War and its Australian Army Battle Honours’ by Major General Gordon L. Maitland. It’s a concise history of the war and also the story of the 100-odd ‘honoured’ battles fought by Australian soldiers. It’s a little beauty! /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

This week I finished ‘Heroes at Sea’ by Don Wall. The mens’ stories of loss, their courage, compassion and determination during the desperate days of survival and the care provided to them upon rescue by US submarines PAMPANITO, SEALION, QUEENFISH and BARB were so incredibly moving. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Spent last week in Sydney and had a great time: 2 x 4-hr train trips, 2 x 20km walks and a 6-hr read in the Anzac Memorial library of my favourite book of all time. In fact, reading the 1975 edition of The Grim Glory - history of the 2/19th Bn - was the main objective of my trip. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

This week I am reading ‘Heroes of F Force’ by Don Wall. My #histbookchat offering this week is another Don Wall book ‘Heroes at Sea’ which looks at the sinking of a number of Japanese ships and the 1800 Australian prisoners and internees who were lost at sea. /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

This week I am still with Don Wall and his 2/20th Bn in Singapore where the Japanese are starting to send out their various POW slave labour work forces. My next read will be ‘Heroes of F Force’ by Don Wall which describes the suffering of this force on the Thai-Burma Railway. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

This week’s #histbookchat is my current read ‘Singapore and Beyond’ by Don Wall. This is the history of the 2/20th Battalion AIF and like the 2/18th, 2/19th, 2/29th and 2/30th battalions covers the battalion’s formation, training, fighting in Malaya and Singapore followed by Japanese captivity. /

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

My offering this week is my next read ‘Against All Odds: The History of the 2/18 Battalion A.I.F’ by James Burfitt. The cover shows the wooden cross erected at the site of heavy fighting in the Nithsdale Estate between the advancing Japanese and the 2/18th, Johore Bahru, Malaya. #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Bit late to #histbookchat this week due to browser problems. Switched to a desktop pc for now and can finally see videos! Last week I finished the Grim Glory history of the 2/19th Bn and it was the best book I have ever read. I'm still thinking about it but now reading the 2/29th history. /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

This #photofriday finds me still with the Grim Glory of the 2/19th Bn so I am hoping my offering of ‘The Price of Admiralty’ by P & M McGuire might be of interest. It is the story of HMAS Parramatta and also represents the story of her sister ships shown in the list on the right. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Went out for the day kickin’ rocks in the Snowy-Monaro area of NSW. Ended up with this nice haul of red jasper. It will polish up a real treat! Or it will just sit in the garage with all the other rocks. 🤓 Not far from my mind, the 2/19th Bn was raised from the Snow-Monaro and Riverina areas.

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

”From 8th to 15th February 1942 the 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion fought to save Singapore. From 15th February 1942 to 15th August 1945 they would fight a very different battle.” Just adding an extra photo thread to my #photofriday #histbookchat offering this week. It’s such a beautiful book. /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

This week I am about halfway through ’The Grim Glory’ and the 2/19th Bn is up against it as the Japanese landings begin on Singapore Island. Also facing the Japanese is the newly arrived 2/4th Australian Machine Gun Bn and the exquisite ‘Colour Patch’ is my #photofriday #histbookchat offering. /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

This #photofriday I am reading ’The Grim Glory: The Official History of 2/19 Battalion A.I.F’. This is the story of my favourite battalion and it is also the most treasured book in my collection. I am most grateful to own a copy although the 1975 edition remains the Holy Grail! #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

This #photofriday my offering is ‘Where Fate Calls: The HMAS Voyager Tragedy’ by Tom Frame. On the night of 10 Feb 1964, during exercises off Jervis Bay, the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne collided with the destroyer HMAS Voyager resulting in the loss of 82 of Voyager’s 314 crew. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

I am having the same problem loading photos this #photofriday. Will try again at random times over the weekend. #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

#histbookchat #photofriday ‘No Lost Battalion’ is a brilliant book. 💕

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Bluesky wouldn’t accept my #photofriday #histbookchat last week. At first I thought it was because of the shirtless 2/29th Bn soldiers on the cover but I think Bluesky is just a bit glitchy with my posts at times. I’ll try again this weekend but if I can’t post photos it won’t be a #photofriday!

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Reposted by Chez

Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

It has been a huge team effort over many years, but the Australian War Memorial's new Anzac Hall is open. This includes "Kandahar Workhorse". It was a great privilege to meet many Chinook veterans & family members, & share their untold stories of bravery & loss, professionalism & humour.

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

This #photofriday I am reading ‘Galleghan’s Greyhounds’ with the 2/30th currently on the retreat to Singapore. It’s a great read! My offering this week is a book on the CO which I read in 2023 - ‘Black Jack: The Life and Times of Brigadier Sir Frederick Galleghan’ by Stan Arneil. #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

This #photofriday I am reading ‘Galleghan’s Greyhounds: The Story of the 2/30th Australian Infantry Battalion, 22 November 1940 to 10 October 1945’ by A.W. Penfold, W.C. Bayliss and K.E. Crispin. As part of the 27th Brigade, the 2/30th fought in the Malaya Campaign and Singapore. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

This #photofriday I am reading ‘Nippon Slaves’ by Lionel de Rosario. Lionel was a member of the Singapore Volunteer Corps. He was imprisoned in Changi as a POW and later forced to work on the Thai-Burna Railway at the remote Songkurai camp just south of the Thai border with Burma. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

I had the pleasure of watching Eivør in concert in Sydney tonight with my son. I last saw Eivør a couple of years ago as support for Heilung. Both are fantastic shows!

youtube.com

Eivør - Hellfest (2024) - ARTE Concert

YouTube video by LIve Show

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

I was locked out of Bluesky all day yesterday and now I’m waiting on a bus to take me away for the weekend. Not ideal for #photofriday so just a quick offering this week: ‘The Singapore Chinese Massacre’ which I finished the other day and ‘Staff Wallah’ which is my current read. #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

This #photofriday finds me with Peter Brune and his ‘Descent Into Hell’. Today we meet the 2/30th Australian Infantry Battalion (Galleghan’s Greyhounds) at their ambush at Gemencheh Bridge near Gemas where 800 troops of the Japanese 5th Division were killed, wounded or went missing. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

The rain has set in down the coast. Raising new divisions and making do.👌📚 #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

This #photofriday finds me packed up and ready for a long weekend down the coast and with my current read ‘Descent Into Hell: The Fall of Singapore - Pudu and Changi - the Thai-Burma Railway’ by Peter Brune. A brick at 800 or so pages but absolutely worth the pack weight. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

This #photofriday finds me with my feet up at home, having finished my holiday read, ‘The Coast Watchers’ by Patrick Lindsay, and getting stuck into the book I left behind, ‘Wewak Mission’ by Lionel Veale, which I’m about halfway through. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

This #photofriday offering is a new purchase ‘Milne Bay 1942: The Story of ’Milne-Force’ and Japan’s First Military Defeat on Land’ by Clive Baker and Greg Knight. I’m very excited about this one and will probably percolate it to the top of the TBR after the Coastwatchers. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

This week I am reading ‘Wewak Mission’ by Lionel Veale but it’s too precious to chuck in my backpack for a trip away next week so I’ll probably have to run two books on the go for a bit. In the meantime, please accept this shelfie as my humble #photofriday #histbookchat offering. 📚 🇦🇺

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

My #photofriday offering this week is ‘Crimea: The Great Crimean War 1854-1856’ by Trevor Royle. I very much enjoyed reading two of his concise regimental histories last year and now this very handsome and substantial volume on Crimea is a welcome addition to the TBR. #histbookchat

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

This #photofriday finds me with, Commander Eric Feldt, R.A.N, the Allied Intelligence Bureau and the network of courageous and dedicated Coastwatchers. An upcoming book in this series is ‘Wewak Mission: Coastwatchers at War in New Guinea’ by Lionel Veale. #histbookchat /2

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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

By the outbreak of WWII the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) had recruited hundreds of coastwatchers in Australia and the South Pacific. Responsibility for the network fell to Lieutenant Commander Eric Feldt, an intelligence staff officer at Port Moresby. My #photofriday and next #histbookchat read:

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