Lecture Double Feature
FIRST LECTURE by Virginia Handel starting 10:30AM: Three George Cross Heroines of the WW2 Special Operations Executive
The secret organisation the Special Operations Executive (SOE) was formed by the British Government in 1940 to “coordinate, inspire, control and assist the nationals of the oppressed countries who must themselves be the direct participants”.
Thirty-nine women of the SOE did extraordinary things in the course of duty. Three of these women were awarded the highest civilian gallantry honour, the George Cross. They each displayed extreme courage and sacrifice in non-combatant roles as couriers and wireless operators in enemy occupied France: their names were Violette Szabó, Odette Hallowes and Noor Inayat Khan.
This talk will present the history of the George Cross and the stories of these extraordinary women.
SECOND LECTURE by Major Paul Handel RFD (retd) starting 11:20AM: The AustralianCruiser Tank – Sentinel
During WW2 the Australian Army was unable to obtain armoured vehicles from the United Kingdom because of losses sustained in France. Factories were engaged at capacity in producing vehicles for the British Army. Australia had already started to build light armoured vehicles, but tanks had never been manufactured here.
The design and manufacture of the Sentinel Tank was thus a great industrial feat; the only time Australia has produced a tank.
This presentation will look at the design, manufacture and service use of the Sentinel Tank.
Lecture Time & Venue
Saturday, 1 August 2026, 10:30AM-12:30PM, Auditorium, Anzac Memorial Hyde Park, corner Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets, Sydney CBD. Admission is free of charge but a donation would be appreciated. For further information call 0419 698 783 or email: president@militaryhistorynsw.com.au.
Our Venue – Anzac Memorial Hyde Park
The current venue for The Military History Society of New South Wales lecture program will be the Auditorium at the Anzac Memorial Hyde Park, corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets, Sydney CBD. Numerous bus services stop at the location and Museum railway station is only 160 metres away. The venue will be opening its doors at around 10:00AM.
Our Recent Lectures
Dr Rhys Crawley, Centre for Strategic and Defence Studies, Australian National University on Reconsidering the August Offensive, the climax at Gallipoli, 1915.
The Brigadier E. J. H. (John) Howard CBE Commemorative Lecture for 2015 with Dr Rhys Crawley, Centre for Strategic and Defence Studies, Australian National University on Reconsidering the August Offensive, the climax at Gallipoli, 1915.
Benjamin Howell on The Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo
Benjamin Howell has studied the Napoleonic Wars for the past 20 years and has previously presented to the Society on both the Russian and Spanish / Iberian campaigns. The lecture will cover Napoleon’s Elba exile & return to France, and the 100 days (including the famous Battle itself from both the French and Allied English perspectives).
Mr. Ravdan Bold, Ambassador of Mongolia to Australia, on The Battle of Khalkhin Gol (Nomonhan)
This lecture reviews the historic and decisive ‘Battle of Khalkhin Gol’, which resulted in the 1939 defeat of the Japanese Sixth Army on the border of Mongolia and Manchukuo.
Dr. Stephen Bourke, Archaeologist, Sydney University and Director of the Pella Excavation on The Invasion of the Sea Peoples
The Military History Society of NSW Inc presents Dr. Stephen Bourke, Archaeologist, Sydney University and Director of the Pella Excavation on the Invasion of the Sea Peoples on Saturday, 9 May 2015.
Dr Rhys Crawley on Gallipoli and the strategic significance of the Dardanelles
Dr Rhys Crawley, Australian National University, will lead a half day seminar on the personalities (in London and in theatre) with a focus on GHQ and how it worked together and with the Navy (or did not work together) in planning (strategically and operationally) the events of April 1915.
Mr. Steve McGregor on Warfare in Ancient Egypt, Weapons and Tactics of the Greek Phalanxes, the Roman Legions and more
The Military History Society of NSW Inc presents Mr. Steve McGregor on Warfare in Ancient Egypt, Weapons and Tactics of the Greek Phalanxes, the Roman Legions and more on Saturday, 14 March 2015.