This is the fifth 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 fall of Isurava. Japanese troops in increasing numbers, with increasing persistence and increasing ferocity forced Australian troops to withdraw. Australian efforts to retake Kokoda will need to wait for another day. 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.

100 - The fall of Isurava

Learn the lessons of military history by looking at the great battles through the lens of the Principles of War.  Part of the enduring nature of war, all good Generals follow the 10 Principles of War.  The great Generals of history have the ability to know which of the principles are most important at the decisive moments of the campaign.

We study the great battles to draw the lessons on strategy, tactics and leadership.

History

Society & Culture

Government

It was 900 days from the declaration of war against Germany in 1939 to the bombing of Darwin.  When Darwin was bombed, there were no RAAF fighters to defend, and it was three weeks before Darwin was had fighter coverage (and they were US fighters).  We look at how the RAAF was prepared for war, prepared for war for Japan and prepared to defend Australia. This is Part 15 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, focusing on the combat performance of battalions on the Kokoda Track and how the militia were prepared for combat at the tactical, operational and strategic level. This episode looks at how No 75 Squadron contributed to the Joint Battle during the Kokoda Campaign.  We focus on how the RAAF looked to mobilise and scale up.  We discuss EATS, 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.

113 - 75 Squadron and the Kokoda Campaign

This is Part 14 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, focusing on the combat performance of battalions on the Kokoda Track and how the militia were prepared for combat at the tactical, operational and strategic level. This episode looks at how the Australians and the Japanese generated combined arms on the Kokoda Track. 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.

112 - Combined Arms on the Kokoda Track

This is Part 13 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, focusing on the combat performance of the 53rd Battalion and how the militia were prepared for combat at the tactical, operational and strategic level. This episode looks at the tragic friendly fire incident that occured during the Battle of Isurava, where the 2/14th C Company attacked into the Battalion Headquarters.  What were the factors in this and how could it have been avoided? 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.

111 - Friendly Fire on the Kokoda Track

This is Part 12 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, focusing on the combat performance of the 53rd Battalion and how the militia were prepared for combat at the tactical, operational and strategic level. The Kokoda Campaign for the Japanese is a manifestation of the effects of the manourvrist approach. We then discuss MAJGEN Basil Morris - at the time he took over command of the 8th Military District he was a substantive Colonel.  We look at the Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operating Environment for the Kokoda Campaign.  What was the decisive terrain in the Morris' plan and how did he use his available resources?  We discuss the 49th Battalion and how they were employed. 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.

110 - The JIPOE / IPB for the Kokoda Track

This is Part 11 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, focusing on the combat performance of the 53rd Battalion and how the militia were prepared for combat at the tactical, operational and strategic level. This episode commences our assessment of the operational level, but before we start, we will look at the psychiatric cost of training and fighting in the jungle.   David Woolley has done an excellent job in documenting issues on the Kokoda Track and suggests some solutions to increasing resilience for troops. We look at what the operational level of war is along with the events within MAJGEN Basil Morris' Area of Operations during the Kokoda Campaign. 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.

100 - The fall of Isurava

Download our free app to listen on your phone