Defence Force

NZ theatre sister Wills recalls caring for the wounded near the front line in France. After large battles the hospital often didn’t have enough beds for the wounded who were laid on the floor on… Audio

At the battle of Passchendaele allied troops were slaughtered while attacking well-fortified enemy positions. Stretcher bearers, including Maori from the NZ Pioneer Battalion, were armpit-deep in mud… Audio

NZ soldier recalls an incident during the battle of Passchendaele involving an Australian soldier searching the battle field for his hand which had been blown off earlier. But it was a ring on one of… Audio

Showing the internationally recognised flag with a red cross on a white background, British and German soldiers recover their wounded during the battle of the Somme. Audio

How soldiers tackled the hopeless task of trying to keep themselves clean in the Gallipoli trenches. Fresh water was severely rationed and it was dangerous to swim in the sea because of Turkish… Audio

A description of the variety of jobs carried out by soldiers in the trenches at Gallipoli. These tasks mainly involved maintenance of the trenches as defensive positions and making it easier to spy… Audio

Engineers known as sappers tunnelled under each other’s trenches at Gallipoli with the aim of blowing up the enemy trenches.  Audio

Sergeant Cobb recalls an armistice to bury the dead from both sides at Gallipoli, May 1915. Burial lessened the threat of disease and was in the interests of both the allied and Turkish forces. Audio

A NZ soldier recalls being wounded at Gallipoli and applying his own basic first aid to his shattered knee. He is then carried to medical facilities on the beach which are totally inadequate. Audio

Sergeant Cobb, Wellington Mounted Rifles, recalls constructing trenches at Gallipoli and conditions in the trenches. He notes that the outdoor living experienced by many NZ soldiers back home gives… Audio

NZ soldier R.J. Waite recalls ways and means of dealing with a shortage of water after landing at Anzac Cove April 1915. Audio

New Zealand and Australian troops land at ANZAC cove, 25 April 1915. There’s panic among NZ troops when first they come under Turkish fire but an officer with a drawn revolver re-establishes… Audio

On a military front, the centenary commemorations of the Gallipoli landings come as New Zealand troops leave again for the Middle East, this time Iraq. Audio

With just two days to go before Anzac Day, preparations at Gallipoli are in full swing. Ten thousand New Zealanders and Australians will attend the Dawn Service, followed by an Australian service at… Audio

The 7 Battalion Reserve Army band won't be playing at Wellington's ANZAC dawn service this year. It's the end of a 50 year tradition. We talk to bandmaster Rick Herderson about what that means to the… Audio

Bruce Gatward-Cook talks about the not-so-tasty and very hard biscuit his grandfather brought back from WW1 Audio

In two days time, the Auckland War Memorial Museum will host tens of thousands of people for the country's biggest Dawn Service. Audio

The Labour Party says a newly released Cabinet paper reveals how weak the case is to send troops to Iraq. Audio