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 bravely in the 55th/53rd and 39th Battalion after the 53rd was disbanded.

We look for lessons in training, leadership, strategic surprise and mobilisation from the 53rd on the Kokoda Trail.

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 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 details that didn't make it into the podcast.

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 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 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
• Centralisation at the Divisional and higher level.
• The lack of the AGRA - the Army Group Royal Artillery.

Montgomery, who had fought in WW1, understood the impact that artillery can have and was keen to restore it's capability to delivery decisive effects on the battlefield.  How did he do this?

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 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 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 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 the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast.

Andrew Lambert is Laughton Professor of Naval History in the Department of War Studies at King's College. After completing research in the Department he taught at Bristol Polytechnic,(now the University of West of England), the Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich, and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and also Director of the Laughton Naval Unit. In 2020 he was made a Fellow of Kings College London (FKC).

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 images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast.

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.