The Principles of War - Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics and Leadership.

This episode is the first of a two part interview with retired LTCOL Gary McKay, who was a Platoon Commander in Vietnam, in D Coy, 4 RAR.  He fought in Op Ivanhoe at the battle of Nui Le, where he was wounded.  For his awarded the Military Cross for his performance during the battle.  He was later the Commanding Officer of 8/9 RAR between 1988 and 1990.

This episode continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series. It specifically looks at how Australian soldiers were prepared for combat in the jungle and also looks at what makes jungle combat one of the most difficult types of terrain to fight in.

As you are listening to Gary's story, compare that with the soldiers from the Second World War fighting the early jungle battles.  The legacy of those hard won lessons on the Kokoda Track can clearly be heard in Gary's story.

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 continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series.

This episode is Part 5 of our interview with Dr with Dr Adrian Threlfall, an expert in how the Australian Army learned to learn about combat in the jungles of Malaya, Singapore, Papua, New Guinea, and many other islands to the north of Australia.

This episode looks at the introduction of the Jungle Scales Division into the Australian Army, the development of the Owen Gun and finally how the Japanese adapted to Australian tactically improvements in Jungle Warfare.

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 continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series.

This episode is Part 4 of our interview with Dr with Dr Adrian Threlfall, an expert in how the Australian Army learned to learn about combat in the jungles of Malaya, Singapore, Papua, New Guinea, and many other islands to the north of Australia.

This episode discusses the development of the Jungle Warfare Training Centre, Canungra, the role that it played in preparing soldiers for combat in the Jungle and the legacy it created for the Australian Army as experts in jungle warfare.

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 continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series.

This episode looks at Jungle Warfare Doctrine Development, with Dr Adrian Threlfall, an expert in how the Australian Army learned to learn about combat in the jungles of Malaya, Singapore, Papua, New Guinea, and many other islands to the north of Australia.

We look at how the soldiers prepared for combat in the Jungle against the Imperial Japanese Army.  What were the barriers to the lessons learnt process?  We look at the British Army and allies in Burma, the Marines on Guadalcanal and the Australian Army in New Guinea.

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 continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series.

This episode looks at Jungle Warfare Doctrine Development, with Dr Adrian Threlfall, an expert in how the Australian Army learned to learn about combat in the jungles of Malaya, Singapore, Papua, New Guinea, and many other islands to the north of Australia.

We discuss how the Australian Army learnt to learn, starting to collate the lessons learnt from combat with the Japanese in the Jungles, and the process to turn that into 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.

We return to the fetid jungles of New Guinea and our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series, looking at the 53rd Battalion and it's combat performance at Isurava.

This episode is the start of a series looking at Jungle Warfare Doctrine Development, with Dr Adrian Threlfall, an expert in how the Australian Army learned to learn about combat in the jungles of Malaya, Singapore, Papua, New Guinea, and many other islands to the north of Australia.

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 special episode is an interview with Sam Bendett from the Center for a New American Security and is an expert on UAS Combat between Ukraine and Russia.   This interview covers the lessons learnt so far in the rapidly evolving UAS combat.   We discuss how drone combat has evolved from the point of view of the Russian and Ukrainian forces, how it is impacting manouvre on the battlefield and how the combined arms effect is generated with a range of UAS platforms.   From FPV (First Person View) drones through to LRF (Long Range Fires) UAS, we discuss the changing character of war.

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 did air power influence the Kokoda Campaign?  We review the employment of air power and compare it with the Milne Bay operation, where Air Power's effect was described as 'decisive' by both MAJGEN Clowes and LTGEN Rowell.

The episode picks up the story with the elevation of Les Jackson to CO of No 75 Squadron after the death of his brother, John.  We discuss the importance of training pilots for the responsibilities for Squadron Command and the requirement for a panel of potential candidates, before looking at the Battle of Milne Bay.

This is Part 18 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, focusing on the combat performance of battalions on the Kokoda Track and the fourth and final episode as we look at Air Power, RAAF Leadership and doctrine development 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.

What was RAAF Leadership like in No. 75 Squadron at Port Moresby.  We look at the career and Leadership of Squadron Leader John Jackson, a great RAAF pilot who lead from the front.  We look at the tactics that he developed to fight the more agile Japanese Zeroes and what was it that caused him to ignore his own tactics on the day that he was shot down and killed.

This is Part 17 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 the combat leadership of John Jackson.

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 did the P-40E compare against the Japanese Zero?  We look at how Australia was prepared for the war in the air over Port Moresby.  How well were the pilots prepared and how well was the squadron bought up to operational standard? 

This is Part 16 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 the first combats fought over the skies of Port Moresby and how the Squadron Leader of No 75 Squadron, John Jackson, took the fight to the Japanese.

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.