The WWI "phantom soldiers" who pulled off the biggest explosion in history | 60 Minutes Australia
Nov 15 2023
In this 60 Minutes story from 2010, Australia's phantom soldiers finally get their moment in the spotlight. Previously long-forgotten from history books, these World War I diggers were immortalised in the Australian film, Beneath Hill 60.

*Synopsis | The Big Bang (2010)*

As Australians, we're raised on the legend of Gallipoli - that heartbreaking story of mate ship and glorious courage, of miserable defeat and retreat. But did you know that our boys were also responsible for one of the greatest successes of the First World War? The place was Belgium, and the architects were a bunch of larrikin Aussie miners. They were, quite literally, diggers. And they pulled off the biggest explosion in human history. It's a great yarn, and somehow got lost over time. Now, the true story of Hill 60 is about to blast onto the big screen, finally granting our phantom soldiers their rightful place in history.

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For over forty years, 60 Minutes Australia have been telling Australians the world’s greatest stories. Tales that changed history, our nation and our lives. Reporters Liz Hayes, Tom Steinfort, Tara Brown, Nick McKenzie and Amelia Adams look past the headlines because there is always a bigger picture. Sundays are for 60 Minutes Australia.

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