The battle of Mandalay and the New World screwworm

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History episodes from the BBC World Service.

Our guest is Dr Elisabeth Fondren, Associate Professor of Journalism at St John's University in New York, USA.

We start by hearing some groundbreaking frontline reporting from the Battle of Mandalay in World War Two.

Then, we hear how in 1950s Canada, a controversial government scheme saw the relocation of nearly 30 thousand people.

Next, a pioneering scientist on his role in the fight against a flesh-eating parasite, the New World screwworm in the 1950s.

Plus, the extraordinary life and times of India's "Queen of Melody", Asha Bhosle.

Then, the formation of the English Premier League in 1992.

Finally, how, an Australian recipe book brought novelty birthday cakes to the masses in 1980.

Contributors: Dr Elisabeth Fondren - Associate Professor of Journalism at St John's University in New York, USA. Douglas Cleverdon - BBC radio producer (Archive). Don White - one of thousands relocated under a Canadian government scheme (Archive). Edward Knipling - entomologist known for his development of the Sterile Insect Technique (Archive). Asha Bhosle - celebrated Indian playback singer (Archive). David Dein, co-founder, English Premier League. Agnes Lee - former home economist at The Australian Women's Weekly.

(Photo: British and Indian Troops of the 14th Army in Burma, March 1945. Credit: Keystone/Getty Images)