This episode looks at the development of artillery doctrine leading up to 2nd Battle of El Alamein. 2nd Alamein was the apogee of Australian Artillery in the Second World War and we will look at the role that BRIG Ramsay from 9th Div Arty built a team and capability to support the 9th Div and MAJ GEN Morshead. The lessons learnt from Ex Bumper - the largest exercise ever conducted by the British Army in preparation for a German invasion of England. The required improvements in artillery C2...

We look at the roles of Artillery, including how it integrated with all of the Forces within 8th Army. 2nd Alamein is the apogee of Australian Artillery in the Second World War and we will look at the role that BRIG Ramsay from 9th Div Arty built a team and capability to support the 9th Div and MAJ GEN Morshead. We will look at: Field Artillery Medium and Heavy Artillery Anti Aircraft Artillery Survey Anti Tank Artillery Met Comms C2 Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of...

This episode is an interview with Professor Andrew Lambert about Sir Julian Corbett, the premier maritime strategist in the 20th century. We discuss Corbett, Maritime and Grand Strategy, Churchill and the Dardenelles Campaign. We also look at his contribution to PME. If you would like to know more about the impact the Corbett had in Maritime and Grand Strategy, please read Professor's Lambert's excellent book - 'The British Way of War'. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of...

This is the 6th episode in our El Alamein series. This episode looks at the conduct of the 2nd Battle of El Alamein, the impact that it had on the Second World War and the lessons learnt. This episode looks only at Operation Lightfoot, and examines the battle predominantly from the viewpoint of the 9th Australian Division and the critical role that they played in the fighting. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the...

This is our 5th episode of our 2nd Battle of El Alamein series.  This episode looks at Rommel's attack at Alam Halfa just 17 days after Monty took command.  Why did Rommel attack? How did Monty prepare for the attack? How did the Battle go? What lessons were learnt? Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast.

This is our 4th episode of our 2nd Battle of El Alamein series.  This episode looks at when LT GEN B L Montgomery took command of 8th Army.  He didn't like what he saw, so using the concept of Fighting Power, we look at the changes that he took to get the Army ready to take on the Desert Fox. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast.

This is part of a 2 part military deception miniseries looking at why Rommel placed his Divisions where he did and how his mobility was limited by deception. We look at Op Bertram, the Operational Deception plan for 2nd El Alamein and provide a checklist for deception planners. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast.

How were deception operations nested at the tactical, operational and strategic level in the lead up to 2nd El Alamein? Starting with a quick doctrine review of surprise and security, we then look at German intelligence capabilities, particularly in the Signals intelligence area. How did the 2/24th Battalion degrade Rommel's Sigint at Tel el Eisa? We discuss the implications for the capture of Unit 621. We look at the deception measures leading up to the

This episode looks at the lead up to the 2nd Battle of El Alamein, including the Gazala Gallop, the 'Flap' and Ash Wednesday in Cairo. This episode is part of our series looking at decisive artillery battles in the history of Australia and is part of our 150 years of Australian Army commemoration.  Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast.

This is a special miniseries on Vimy Ridge to celebrate 150 years of Permanent Artillery since the formation of A and B Batteries, Royal Canadian Artillery.  This episode discusses the 4 phases of the artillery support and discusses how it set the conditions for the infantries successful assault of Vimy Ridge. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast.

This is a special miniseries on Vimy Ridge to celebrate 150 years of Permanent Artillery since the formation of A and B Batteries, Royal Canadian Artillery.  This episode looks at Flash Spotting, the work of Andrew McNaughton and the role of the CBSO. We look at the development of the 'dark art' of artillery and in particular Counter Battery fires. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details...

This is a special miniseries to celebrate 150 years of Permanent Artillery since the formation of A and B Batteries, Royal Canadian Artillery.  This episode details the conduct of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, a stunning success for the Canadian Corps. This follows on from our Bullecourt series.  The Battle of Bullecourt occured 48 hours later and 30 km south of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.  We will compare and contrast Vimy Ridge with Bullecourt to highlight to real cost of failing to correctly...

This is a special miniseries to celebrate 150 years of Permanent Artillery since the formation of A and B Batteries, Royal Canadian Artillery.  Vimy Ridge is seen as the birth of the Canadian nation.  It is a model of a well planned Corps attack.  Well resourced, well planned and very well rehearsed we look to understand what went right at Vimy Ridge. This episode details the planning for Vimy Ridge. This follows on from our Bullecourt series.  The Battle of Bullecourt occured 48 hours...

This is the 4th episode in our Bullecourt series. "With artillery support we can keep the position till the cows come home." So wrote CAPT Harry Murray, VC, OC A Coy after the 4th and 12th Brigades had fought their way into the Siegfried Line - they didn't get it and were forced to conduct an extremely difficult withdrawal under heavy machine gun fire.  Why didn't he get the support that he needed? This is part of our 150th Anniversary of the Royal Australian Artillery series. Check...

What mistakes occurred at the operational level in the planning of the Battle of Bullecourt? What role did Gough play in the debacle? Why did he make such grievous errors of judgement? 'Bullecourt, more than any other battle, shook the confidence of Australian soldiers in the capacity of the British command; the errors, especially on April 10th and 11th, were obvious to almost everyone'. Charles Bean, Official Historian. This is part of our 150th Anniversary of the Royal Australian...

What planning was done for the First Battle of Bullecourt and why was it so flawed?  We discuss artillery logistics and planning, mission analysis and how the plan came about in the time available. This is part of our 150th Anniversary of the Royal Australian Artillery series. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast. Join the conversation on Twitter or...

CEW Bean, the author of the official History wrote that Australian troops braved the odds in numerous battles, but that Bullecourt was the most brilliant of these achievements, impressing both enemy and friends alike. Why was it a magnificent achievement? What role did Artillery play and what lessons can be learnt? This is part of our 150th Anniversary of the Royal Australian Artillery series. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this...

This is the fifth part of our CoG analysis for the Battle of France series. We discuss the task before Panzergruppe Kleist as it becomes the German Schwerpunkt. Thank you to the British Army's Lessons Exploitation Centre for the assistance with getting the resources for this podcast series. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast. Join the conversation on...

This is the fourth part of our CoG analysis for the Battle of France series. We discuss the Center of Gravity for Germany.  An interesting case as the Strategic Center of Gravity was unable to defeat France, so the Wehrmacht developed a highly risky operational Center of Gravity to defeat France in just 46 days - something that they could not achieve in all of WW1. How did the German's temporally dislocate themselves at the Strategic level? How could they avoid the nightmare of a two front...

This is the third part of our CoG analysis for the Battle of France series. We discuss the Centre of Gravity for the French. What was their CoG?  Was it effective and why did the Wehrmacht strike right at the heart of it? Thank you to the British Army's Lessons Exploitation Centre for the assistance with getting the resources for this podcast series. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details...

This is the second part of our CoG analysis for the Battle of France series. We discuss the Centre of Gravity under the Churchill Government. What was Churchill trying to achieve and what was the one entity that was going to achieve it?  Thank you to the British Army's Lessons Exploitation Centre for the assistance with getting the resources for this podcast series. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and...

This is the first of a 4 part miniseries on Centre of Gravity analysis for the Battle of France, 1940.  Thank you to the British Army's Lessons Exploitation Centre for the assistance with getting the resources for this podcast series. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast. Join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.

Battle of France II - Campaign Overview. This episode is the second part of our overview of the Battle of France Campaign. Thank you to the British Army's Lessons Exploitation Centre for the assistance with getting the resources for this podcast series. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast. Join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.

Battle of France II - Campaign Overview. This episode is the first part of our overview of the Battle of France Campaign. Thank you to the British Army's Lessons Exploitation Centre for the assistance with getting the resources for this podcast series. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast. Join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.

The German Army's tanks were outnumbered 1.7:1 and most of the tanks were inferior, and yet the French were defeated extremely quickly.  This podcast series will focus on the counter attack at Arras, but we will look at a large number of issues throughout the Battle of France. Thank you to the British Army's Lessons Exploitation Centre for the assistance with getting the resources for this podcast series. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in...