This is the fourth episode in our Kokoda Track series looking at the performance of the 53rd Battalion.  The 53rd, a militia Battalion, had some incredibly brave men.  Virtually untrained, poorly equipped, with inexperienced leaders, they fought a battle hardened enemy in some of the worst terrain in the world.  This episode looks at the events on the 27th of August, 1942.  We discuss how the CO, LT COL Kenneth Ward was killed and the impact it had on the 53rd Battalion and Maroubra Force as...

 This is part 2 of our interview with Dr Jim Storr, the author of Something Rotten: Land Command in the 21st Century. We discuss the correct size for a Headquarters. We discuss the selection and training of officers within the Wehrmacht. How do we affect cultural and doctrinal change within Armies to support the effective use of Mission Command? Jim Storr was an infantry officer in the British Army for 25 years.  He served in the British Army of the Rhine for five years in the 1980s.  A...

This episode is with Dr Jim Storr, the author of Something Rotten. Preparing a set of orders is a core function of a Headquarters.  Why have today's procedures changed from the what was done in WW2, what have we learnt and are modern HQs fit for purpose? We discuss the form and functioning of Headquarters, looking at people, processes, products and purpose, comparing WW2 doctrine with what is happening today. Jim Storr was an infantry officer in the British Army for 25 years.  He served in...

This is the third  episode in our Kokoda Track series looking at the performance of the 53rd Battalion.  The 53rd, a militia Battalion, had some incredibly brave men.  Virtually untrained, poorly equipped, with inexperienced leaders, they fought a battle hardened enemy in some of the worst terrain in the world.  This episode continues to story of the 53rd Battalion as they start patrolling the jungle around Isurava. Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that...

This is the second episode in our Kokoda Track series looking at the performance of the 53rd Battalion.  The 53rd, a militia Battalion, had some incredibly brave men.  Virtually untrained, poorly equipped, with inexperienced leaders, they fought a battle hardened enemy in some of the worst terrain in the world.  This episodes looks at just 4 weeks in the history of the Battalion, from when the started up the track, during their contact with the Japanese and through till the time the were...

This episodes starts a new series looking at the Kokoda Track at the tactical, operational and strategic levels.  This series will look for lessons from the experience of the 53rd Battalion.  The 53rd is a sister Battalion to the 49th and the excellent 39th Battalions.  There is a marked difference between the 39th and 53rd.  Despite incredible bravery, the 53rd struggled to achieve some of that tasks assigned to it (through no fault of their own.)  Indeed, many of the men went on to fight...

This episodes looks at PLA doctrine in 1950 and how it was used to surprise the UN forces on the Yalu River as well as looking at how deception is employed in contemporary PLA doctrine. 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.  

Stunning intelligence failures, rigidity of mind and excellent Chinese tactical camouflage led to a stunning reversal of fortunes for the UN forces in late 1950 on the Yalu River? What deception measures did the Chinese use? How did MacArthur contribute to the surprise? A fascinating look at Chinese military deception and American intelligence failings. 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...

This episode looks at the the principles of employment for artillery 2nd Alamein and is part of our Battles of Alamein series. We discuss Why the German artillery performed so poorly. How Montgomery's use of artillery replicated the principles of war today; and How integration was achieved with the manvoeuvre plan 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 episode looks at the Counter Battery battle at 2nd Alamein and is part of our Battles of Alamein series. Ramsay and Kirkman denied Axis Artillery the ability to interfere with the commencement of Op Lightfoot.  How did they do it and what role did the 4th Survey (Durham) Regiment play, along with the Desert Air Force and Engineers in constructing a process to find and neutralise Axis Artillery. How was the fire plan developed to support the infantry as they crossed the LD? Check out...

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...