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

106 - Combined Arms Doctrine Development in the First World War from 2023-12-11T07:57

This is the first in a three part interview with Dr Robert Lyman about 'Victory to Defeat: The British Army 1918-40', a book he cowrote with Lord Dannatt, who served as the Chief of the General ...

105 - Ralph Honner, the 39th Battalion and Kokoda from 2023-11-27T00:00

This is Part 10 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, looking at the combat performance of the 39th Battalion.

The 3...

104 - The 39th Battalion on the Kokoda Track from 2023-10-25T02:25

This is Part 9 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, looking at the combat performance of the 39th Battalion.

This e...

103 - Principles of Training for War from 2023-10-15T21:02

This is Part 8 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, Battle of Isurava, the 53rd Battalion, how they fought and how they we...

102 - Training a Battalion for War from 2023-10-10T01:49

This is Part 7 of our series looking at the Battle of Isurava, the 53rd Battalion, how they fought and how they were prepared to fight.

This episode looks at the arrival of both the 39th ...

100 - The fall of Isurava from 2023-09-18T07:19

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 equi...

101 - Mobilisation Mistakes with the Mice of Moresby from 2023-09-18T06:41

This is the sixth episode in our Kokoda Track series looking at the performance of the 53rd Battalion.  The 53rd, a militia Battali...

99 - The Death of a CO from 2023-04-05T06:16:51

This is the fourth episode in our Kokoda Track series looking at the performance of the 53rd Battalion.  The 53rd, a militia Battal...

98 - Creating the doctrinal and cultural changes for effective Mission Command with Jim Storr from 2023-03-16T10:26:52

 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 ...

97 - Time and the importance of timeliness in orders with Jim Storr from 2023-02-13T04:18:35

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 w...

96 - The 53rd Battalion at Isurava during the Kokoda Campaign from 2023-02-06T06:59:10

This is the third  episode in our Kokoda Track series looking at the performance of the 53rd Battalion.  The 53rd, a militia Battal...

95 - A militia Battalion on the Kokoda Trail from 2023-01-27T04:51:42

This is the second episode in our Kokoda Track series looking at the performance of the 53rd Battalion.  The 53rd, a militia Battal...

94 - The 53rd Battalion on the Kokoda Trail from 2023-01-09T02:51:44

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.  Th...

93 - Chinese Deception Planning on the Yalu River, 1950 from 2022-08-29T01:48:01

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.

C...

92 - Deception and self deception on the Yalu River - 1950 from 2022-08-15T08:58:44

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?

• W...
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91 - Principles for Employment of Artillery at 2nd Alamein from 2022-07-25T23:56:27

This episode looks at the the principles of employment for artillery 2nd Alamein and is part of our Battles of Alam...

90 - Counter Battery Fires at 2nd El Alamein from 2022-07-19T01:14:20

This episode looks at the Counter Battery battle at 2nd Alamein and is part of our Battles of Alamein series. Listen

89 - Artillery at 2nd El Alamein from 2022-06-14T01:57:38

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 ...

88 - The Role of Artillery at 2nd Alamein from 2022-05-16T02:36:57

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 wil...

87 - Julian Corbett and British Maritime and Grand Strategy with Professor Andrew Lambert from 2022-03-30T09:13:04

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, ...

86 - Lessons learnt from the 2nd Battle of El Alamein from 2022-03-15T00:30:13

This is the 6th episode in our El Alamein series.

This episode looks at the conduct of the 2nd Battle of...

85 - Monty fights to buy time for the 8th Army at Alam Halfa from 2022-02-17T06:13:39

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? Listen

84 - Montgomery, Fighting Power and turning morale around in the 8th Army from 2022-02-07T22:51:31

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 F...

83 - Op Bertram - Operational Deception at 2nd El Alamein from 2021-12-09T04:52:44

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 Op...

82 - Military Deception at the Strategic, Operational and Tactical level - examples from the 2nd Battle of El Alamein from 2021-12-01T08:39:33

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 review doctrine on Surpris...

81 - The 2nd Battle of El Alamein from 2021-11-15T00:42:56

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 d Listen

80 - The Fireplan for the Battle of Vimy Ridge from 2021-11-08T04:37:09

This is a special miniseries on Vimy Ridge to celebrate 150 years of Permanent ...

79 - The development of Canadian Artillery technology leading up to Vimy Ridge from 2021-11-01T23:38:51

This is a special miniseries on Vimy Ridge to celebrate 150 years of Permanent ...

78 - The conduct of the Battle of Vimy Ridge Part II from 2021-10-29T04:37:39

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 Bat...

77 - The Battle of Vimy Ridge Part I from 2021-10-22T08:21:45

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 Cana...

76 - Lessons for the Employment of Artillery from the Battle of Bullecourt from 2021-10-20T04:41:55

This is the 4th episode in our Listen

75 - Operational Level Lessons Learned from 1st Bullecourt from 2021-10-16T01:14:43

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 judgem...

74 - Failing to Plan or Planning to Fail? First Battle of Bullecourt from 2021-10-05T05:55:46

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 availab...

73 - 1st Battle of Bullecourt - The Australian Infantry's most brilliant achievement from 2021-09-30T02:08:02

72 - Panzergruppe Kleist - German Centre of Gravity - Battle of France Part VIII from 2021-07-15T09:22:22

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 Br...

71 - German Center of Gravity - Battle of France Part VII from 2021-07-08T04:18:46

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 unab...

70 - The French Centre of Gravity - Battle of France 1940 Part VI from 2021-06-14T00:35:02

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 W...

69 - British CoG under Churchill - Battle of France 1940 Part V from 2021-06-08T00:39:08

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 a...

68 - British Centre of Gravity Analysis - Battle of France 1940 Part IV from 2021-05-31T23:11:43

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...

67 - Overview of the Battle of France 1940 II from 2021-05-25T05:41:30

Battle of France II - Campaign Overview.

This episode is the second part of our overview of the Battle of France Campa...

66 - Overview of the Battle of France I from 2021-05-17T00:04:33

Battle of France II - Campaign Overview.

This episode is the first part of our overview of the Battle of France Campai...

65 - Battle of France 1940 from 2021-05-10T00:07:50

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 atta...

64 - In Action - The Boer War and the First Shot of the First World War from 2021-04-07T12:38:55

This is the first of a special series of podcasts commemorating 150 years of permanent Artillery in Austra...

63 - The Birth of Australian Artillery from 2021-04-01T05:05:37

This is the first of a special series of podcasts commemorating 150 years of permanent Artillery in Australia.

This episodes looks at the early years.

The birth of 'A' Battery
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62 - Sir Max Hastings and Lessons Learnt from Vietnam from 2021-02-15T01:15:12

This is Part II of our interview with Sir Max Hastings, the author of Vietnam, An Epic Tragedy.

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61 - Vietnam - An Epic Tragedy and Moral Centers of Gravity from 2021-02-08T21:16:55

This is Part I of our interview with Sir Max Hastings, the author of Vietnam, An Epic Tragedy.

Check out the Listen

60 - Nelson and the Amphibious Raid on Tenerife from 2021-02-02T01:05:03

This is Part V of our look at Lord Horatio Nelson and the practice of Mission Command.  Check out e...

Nelson, Tenerife and Mission Command from 2021-01-21T01:07:03

This is Part IV of our look at Lord Horatio Nelson and the practice of Mission Command.  Check out ...

58 - Reflections and lessons learnt from the Battle of Long Tan from 2020-12-17T22:48:18

This is Part V of our interview with LT COL Harry Smith, the OC of Delta Coy / 6 RAR at the Battle of Long Tan.   If you missed the first episode, Listen

57 - The Battle of Long Tan - C2 and Logistics from 2020-11-30T11:03:33

This is Part IV of our interview with LT COL Harry Smith, the OC of Delta Coy / 6 RAR at the Battle of Long Tan.   If you missed the first episode, Listen

Firepower 54: Western Front - Breaching the Hindenburg Line Plenary Session from 2020-11-03T08:07:54

This presentation, is the final session of the Listen

Firepower 53: The Apogee of the Gunner's Art from 2020-10-24T06:35:44

This presentation, part of the Listen

Firepower 52: Bringing Artillery in the Great War together from 2020-10-14T11:08:16

This presentation, part of the Listen

Firepower 51: Coxen as Commander Royal Artillery from 2020-10-08T09:28:33

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Firepower 50: Montbrehain: Artillery Tactics, Techniques and Procedures from 2020-10-03T08:12:35

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56 - The Battle of Long Tan from the Company Commander's Perspective from 2020-09-21T08:45:52

This is Part III of our interview with LT COL Harry Smith, the OC of Delta Coy / 6 RAR at the Battle of Long Tan.   If you missed the first episode, Listen

55 - The lead up to the Battle of Long Tan with LT COL Harry Smith from 2020-09-17T11:12:06

This is Part II of our interview with LT COL Harry Smith, the OC of Delta Coy / 6 RAR at the Battle of Long Tan.   If you missed the first episode, Listen

54 - Preparing for the Battle of Long Tan with LT COL Harry Smith from 2020-09-09T10:19:57

This is Part I of our interview with LT COL Harry Smith, the OC of Delta Coy / 6 RAR at the Battle of Long Tan. This episode has Harry discussing his career at 2 Commando Company and his trainin...

53 - Royal Navy Mission Command at the Battle of Cape St Vincent from 2020-06-20T08:06:10

This is Part III of our look at Lord Horatio Nelson and the practice of Mission Command.  Check out ...

52 - Lord Nelson and the Battle of Cape St Vincent from 2020-06-14T07:56:04

This is Part II of our look at Lord Horatio Nelson and the practice of Mission Command.  Check out ...

51 - Lord Horatio Nelson and Mission Command from 2020-06-10T12:14:43

This is Part I of our look at Lord Horatio Nelson and the practice of Mission Command.

Check out the sh...

Firepower 48: Artillery Spotting, Air Drops and Ground Attacks from 2020-05-19T02:00

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Firepower 49: Hamel and Amiens Questions and Answer from 2020-05-16T08:20:17

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Firepower 47: The Amiens Offensive from 2020-05-16T07:14:23

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Firepower 46: The Fireplan from Hell from 2020-04-25T08:31:47

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Firepower 45: Technological Testing at the Battle of Hamel from 2020-04-20T11:43:38

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50 - The Birth of Australian Special Forces from 2020-03-20T08:32:50

This is the first part of our study of the raid on Salamaua.

We look at the genesis of SF in the Australian Army.  Why were they formed in the first place?  What was the detailed planning...

Firepower 44: Western Front - The Spring Offensive and Villers Brettoneux Plenary Session from 2020-03-01T22:57:32

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Firepower 43: The man who killed the Red Baron from 2020-03-01T22:57:24

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Firepower 42: French Artillery to 1918 from 2020-03-01T22:57:19

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Firepower 41: Villers-Bretonneux from 2020-03-01T22:29:02

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Firepower 40: The German Spring Offensive from 2020-03-01T21:52:30

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Firepower 39: Western Front Plenary Session from 2020-03-01T21:43:27

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Firepower 38: The advent of the tank from 2020-02-14T07:45:48

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Firepower 37: The Battle of Cambrai and the role of artillery from 2020-02-14T07:42:17

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Firepower 36: The emergence of modern combined arms warfare from 2020-02-08T07:34:16

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Firepower 35: Messines Ridge / Passchendaele Plenary Session from 2020-02-03T22:23:45

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Firepower 34: Artillery and manoeuvre warfare in the Desert War from 2020-01-25T01:50:37

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Firepower: The origins of Artillery Intelligence Fusion from 2019-12-25T13:00

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Firepower 32 - Menin Road - Cracking the nut from 2019-12-23T06:56:55

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49 - Innovative tactics for the Battle of the Bismarck Sea from 2019-12-14T04:25:23

This is the fourth part of our Battle of the Bismarck Sea Podcast series.

This episode discusses ...

48 - Creating a culture of military innovation - GEN Kenney and the Fifth Air Force from 2019-12-09T06:16:25

This is the third part of our Battle of the Bismarck Sea Podcast series.

This episode discusses h...

Firepower 31: Western Front 1917 Plenary Session from 2019-11-29T01:00

This presentation, part of the Listen

Firepower 30: The Gunners of 101st Battery - Lance Bombardier Lindsay Barret DCM from 2019-11-27T01:00

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Firepower 29: Industrialised warfare 1916 - 1918 - Firepower and tactics from 2019-11-25T01:00

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Firepower 28: 1917 - A strategic overview from 2019-11-23T03:15:19

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Firepower 27: Plenary Session for the Western Front - Verdun and the end of the beginning from 2019-11-04T01:00

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Firepower 26: Archie - The Development of Anti Aircraft Artillery from 2019-11-03T01:31:10

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Firepower 25: Feeding the guns - From Arsenal to Gun Position from 2019-10-28T07:36:53

This presentation, part of the Royal Australian Artillery Hist...

47 - Military Innovation and Creativity with GEN Kenney and the Battle of the Bismarck Sea from 2019-10-24T07:52:12

Why was the 5th Air Force different in the way that it innovated tactically, mechanically and organisationally?

We look at how GEN Kenney lead the 5th Air Force and prepared it for the Ba...

46 - The Battle of the Bismarck Sea from 2019-10-16T21:31:21

We look at the crucial at what was probably the most important 15 minutes in the entire New Guinea campaign - the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.

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45 - Leadership and Morale on Palliers Hill from 2019-10-09T08:29:43

With such difficult terrain and being outnumbered, how could Palliers Hill have been a victory for 9 Platoon from the 2/14th?

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44 - The considerations for the defense of Palliers Hill from 2019-10-05T03:27:34

We discuss the considerations for the defense of Palliers Hill.

Check out the show notes for the po...

Firepower 24: Shell Shock - The precursor to post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from 2019-09-29T02:19:21

What was Shell Shock and how did it manifest itself in WW1?

What treatments were available and how successful were they?

GPCAPT Sany McFarlane AO discusses these issues along with ...

Firepower 23: The French Artillery at Verdun from 2019-09-22T22:12:13

This presentation, part of the Royal Australian Artillery Hist...

43 - Considerations for the attack on Pallier's Hill from 2019-09-04T09:15:23

We look at the considerations for the attack as LT Pallier assaults the hill that would come to bear his name.

Please visit the show notes, the drone footage of the hill will provide a mu...

42 - The attack goes in on Pallier's Hill from 2019-08-29T23:23:53

How did LT Pallier attack this seemingly impossible objective.  A dug in enemy, minimal OS, limited time and very, very difficult terrain? 

Please visit the show notes, the drone footage ...

41 - The Assault on Pallier's Hill from 2019-08-14T09:32:46

This assault conducted by troops of 9 Pl, C Coy, 2/14 Bn is a classic infantry platoon attack.  Visit the Principles of War website to see maps, UAV footage and more from the battlefield.

Firepower 22: Pozieres Plenary Session from 2019-08-01T02:00

This presentation, part of the Royal Australian Artillery Hist...

Firepower 21: Jutland and the advent of Over the Horizon Warfare from 2019-07-31T02:00

This presentation, part of the Royal Australian Artillery Hist...

Firepower 20: The First Air Observation Posts from 2019-07-30T06:49:42

This presentation, part of the Royal Australian Artillery Hist...

Firepower 19: LT Thurnhill - Direct firect at Pozieres from 2019-07-30T06:36:14

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40 - Long Tan Mission Analysis from 2019-07-06T08:00:10

We conduct Mission Analysis in order to determine the desired endstate for the deployment of 1 ATF to Nui Dat and the orders for D/6 as they patrolled out to Long Tan.

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Firepower 18: Evolution of Royal Artillery Tactics from 2019-07-06T02:10:32

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Firepower 17: Plenary Session for the employment of Australian Artillery on the Western Front in 1916 from 2019-07-06T01:46:37

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Firepower 16: The 100 Series Batteries in WW1 from 2019-07-01T01:06:35

This presentation, part of the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company, is by Keith...

Firepower 15: Major General Talbot Hobbs: Command in Manoeuvre and Firepower from 2019-06-10T00:57:53

Dr William Westerman presents this episode on the career of LT GEN Sir Joseph John Talbot Hobbs, KCB, KCMG, VD, who served as both commander of Australian Artillery and then as the Commander of ...

39 - The unwomanly face of war and the moral centre of gravity from 2019-05-25T01:09:08

We continue our look at women’s service in the Great Patriotic War with the book by Svetlana Alexievich.  If you haven’t already listened to it, please listen to the first episode that looks at ...

38 - The experience of women in the Soviet Military in WW2. from 2019-05-21T04:10:50

This podcast looks at the contribution of Soviet women to the military in the Great Patriotic War.

Based on the The Unwomanly Face of War, by Svetlana Alexievich which received a Nobel Pr...

Firepower 14: New technology: Munitions, fuses and production for Artillery in WW1 from 2019-04-30T05:10:57

This lecture by LT COL David Brooks is presented by BRIG John Cox.

We look at the changes in the technology and the industrial base as Britain and Australia moved to an industrial war foo...

Firepower 13: Artillery planning for the Somme Offensive from 2019-04-29T23:59:16

Dr Garth Pratten looks at the how the BEF was developing it's organisation, doctrine and weapons in preparation for the Somme Offensive.

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37 - How was D Coy prepared for battle? from 2019-04-27T01:51:16

The is the latest episode in our long interview with Dave Sabben, Pl Comd 11 Pl at the Battle of Long Tan.  There is a lot of valuable experience shared about what made D Coy different and how t...

36 - Why was Long Tan a Victory? from 2019-04-21T11:01:48

We continue our discussion with Dave Sabben, PL COMD of 11 Pl at Long Tan.

We discuss hand overs and the long term impact of the Long Tan victory by D Coy 6 RAR.

We look a...

Firepower 12 - Artillery at Gallipoli Plenary Session from 2019-04-11T00:07:51

This is the Plenary Session in the 2nd Seminar of the Royal Australian Artillery Historical S...

Firepower 11: Artillery Logistics over the Shore from 2019-04-10T08:30:37

This is the 5th episode in the 2nd Seminar of the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Socie...

Firepower 10: Counter Battery Fire at Gallipoli from 2019-04-08T09:03:09

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Firepower 9: The Ottoman Artillery at ANZAC from 2019-04-08T08:50:55

This is the third session of the second seminar in the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Association's Firepower:  Lessons from the Great War Seminar Series.

How was the Turkish artil...

Firepower 8: The ANZAC Commanders and their use of Artillery from 2019-04-08T08:35:09

What were the artillery tasks at ANZAC?

How was artillery employed?

How did the fireplans for Lone Pine and The Nek differ in implementation and effect?

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35 - The Defence of Nui Dat from 2019-03-24T22:53:23

We continue our discussion with Dave Sabben about the Battle of Long Tan.

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34 - How was artillery controlled at Long Tan? from 2019-03-18T22:55:07

This is the next episode in our Long Tan Series with Dave Sabben.  Our last episode discussed the Listen

33 - The practice of Mission Command from 2019-03-17T03:11:43

We look at the current doctrine around Mission Command.

This follows on from our Listen

32 - Mission Command and Mission Success with Nordbat 2 from 2019-02-13T01:42:52

Our guest on the podast today is BRIG Ulf Henricsson from the Swedish Army.  He was the commander of Nordbat 2, which was recognised as one of the most successful units that where committed to U...

31 - Long Tan 7: The final Coy Defensive position from 2019-01-31T21:42:32

We continue our examination of the Battle of Long Tan with Dave Sabben. 

12 Pl has returned to the D Coy position, with some of the survivors of 11 Pl and the Coy prepares to receive the ...

30 - Terrain Analysis for a Social Media War from 2019-01-10T23:22:21

For an information operation that is fought of Facebook, how do you identify the Avenues of Approach?

We use OCOKA to conduct the terrain analysis for Information Analysis.  We look to or...

29 - Russia, T-800s, Social Media and the War that never was from 2019-01-05T12:26:24

We look at some of the actions that were used in an attempt to influence the US democratic system through the use of social media. 

Using the military to conduct regime change is extremel...

28 - Long tan 6: The transition to the defence from 2018-12-31T00:15:10

This episode of the podcast sees the transition from the encounter battle through to D Coy moving to being completely on the defensive. 

11 Pl becomes decisively engaged, with enemy flank...

27 - Long Tan 5: The Encounter Battle in the Long Tan Rubber Plantation from 2018-12-21T23:26:09

We continue our discussion with Dave Sabben, picking in the in the second half of July.

The base was being heavily reconnoitered.  We discuss the preparation for the defences at Nui Dat. ...

26 - Long Tan 4: The Terrain in Phuoc Tuy and the base at Nui Dat. from 2018-12-17T23:54:24

We discuss the terrain in Phuoc Tuy, including Long Tan and the defensive base at Nui Dat.

We discuss the demarcation in responsibility between the ARVN and the Australian troops and the ...

25 - Long Tan 3: To Vung Tau from 2018-12-09T02:18:34

Dave Sabben describes his experience when he joins D Coy, 6 RAR. 

Dave makes an important point, many of the officers and SNCOs were newly promoted into their roles, a function of the rap...

Firepower 7: Tactics and use of Artillery in the ANZAC Campaign, 1915 from 2018-12-03T08:11:17

This lecture is presented by Dr Rhys Crawley, the author of Climax at Gallipoli.

Dr Crawley compares artillery at Gallipoli with the employment of artillery in 1915 on the Western Front. ...

24 - Long Tan 2 - The Scheyville Experience from 2018-11-12T11:04:12

We look at the Scheyville Experience.  This is important because it highlights the process required to train junior officers to be able to lead soldiers into combat and to win.

Scheyville...

23 - Long Tan 1: Readiness, Conscription and the Nashos from 2018-10-14T01:24:27

We start our look at the Battle of Long Tan, which occured on the 18th August 1966, 4km east of the Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat.  Outnumber 20:1, the Australians took 18 KIA and 24 WIA...

Firepower 6: Gallipoli Landing Questions and Answers from 2018-10-03T08:33:19

Why did the soldiers hold short of their objectives on the first day of the landings at ANZAC?

The 3rd Brigade were the first to land at Gallipoli.  Why did COL Sinclair-Maclagan hesitate...

Firepower 5: Forgotten Gunners of Gallipoli - 7 Mountain Indian Artillery Brigade from 2018-10-03T07:53:03

Brigadier Muhammad Asgharpresents a fascinating look at the forgotten gunners of Gallipoli, the 7th Mountain Indian Artillery Brigade, comprising the 21st (Kohat) Mountain Battery and 26th Jacob...

Firepower 4: New Zealand Field Artillery at Gallipoli from 2018-10-03T03:06:27

In 1911 the NZ Government purchases 18 pounders and 4.5 inch howitzers as it starts to modernise.

Their first deployment was to German Somoa, as a part of the Samoa Expeditionary Force, r...

Firepower 3: Naval Gunfire at Gallipoli from 2018-09-26T08:33:48

This bonus episode of the Firepower Seminar looks at the role of Naval Gunfire Support at Gallipoli by Commander David Stevens, RANR.

What issues did NGFS have at Gallipoli?

How wh...

Firepower 2: Gallipoli Gunners - The Human Side from 2018-09-25T01:50:28

MAJ Daryl Kelly OAM looks at the human side of the Gunners at Gallipoli.

He looks at some of the stories of the individual Gunners who served at Gallipoli, looking at the conditions and a...

22 - Centre of Gravity Analysis with COL Dale Eikmeier from 2018-09-23T22:44:19

We continue our discussion on the Center of Gravity with COL Dale Eik...

21 - Centers of Gravity and Ends, Ways and Means with COL Dale Eikmeier from 2018-09-20T05:06:29

We talk to retired COL Dale Eikmeier about the Ends, Ways and Means methodology for determining the Center of Gravity.

We talk about some of the problems with the Clausewitzian Centre of ...

20 Hannibal at the gates of Rome - The process for finding a Center of Gravity from 2018-09-10T09:34:03

Whilst everyone agrees that determining the Center of Gravity is really important, but there is not a lot of information on the actual process to do that.

We look at the inside out method...

Firepower 1: Command, Control and Communication challenges at ANZAC from 2018-09-01T01:34:53

Artillery doctrine was updated after some of the lessons from the Boer War.

What was the role of the artillery at the beginning of the war?

How was artillery integrated into the in...

19 - Hannibal and the definition of Center of Gravity from 2018-08-27T05:25:56

Hannibal was clearly one of the best Generals in history.  How could he win 3 major battles against Rome, but he wasn't able to win the second Punic war.

We discuss the definition Center ...

18 - The Center of Gravity at the Battle of Cannae from 2018-08-08T02:35:23

In a surprise move, we look 2,200 years to look at the Battle of Cannae, a defeat so severe that it is said that every mother in Rome mourned the death of a son.  How could such a crushing defea...

17 - Malaya Campaign After Action Review Part II from 2018-07-31T06:59:13

We look at the remaining principles of Manoeuvre Warfare in the conduct of the Malaya Campaign.

Percival attempted to be strong everywhere and was never able to generate enough combat pow...

16 - Malaya Campaign After Action Review Part I from 2018-07-23T08:15:03

In the time that we have been producing the Malaya Campaign series in The Principles of War, the Australian Army has produced a new version of the LWD 3-0, so Army Doctrine is moving faster than...

15 - LT COL Anderson VC, moral and physical courage at Bakri and Parit Sulong from 2018-07-04T04:25:37

LT COL Charles Anderson was placed in a very difficult moral dilemma at Parit Sulong.

We look at his actions in WW1 in Africa and his Reserve service in the interwar period and how he com...

14 - Lt McCure, Moral Courage and the Battle of Bakri from 2018-06-26T01:02:38

A lot of this story has come from an audio interview of LT Russell 'Bill' McCure.  It is an amazing record of the preparation,...

13 - Black Jack Galleghan and the ambush at Gemas from 2018-06-19T22:58:32

As we transition to look at some vignettes of Leadership in Malaya, we pause to look at the composition of the 8th Division.

The Commander, Bennett, was a CMF soldier, as were the 3 BDE C...

12 - What role did Morale play in Malaya from 2018-05-20T03:59:12

Good leadership, thorough training and success on operations will all contribute to high morale.  We contrast LT COL Stewart and with other units. 

The Indian and Australian armies had a ...

11 - Flexibility in the Malaya Campaign from 2018-05-14T09:22:52

We look at how the Japanese were able to use operational manoeuvre from the sea as a part of their approach to flexibility.  We look at their history of amphib operations and how they developed ...

10 - What role did Sustainment play in Malaya from 2018-05-03T23:57:31

Sustainment - often the least considered of the principles.  How did logistics impact the conduct of the Malaya

We look at the interplay of logistics between the forces.  There

The...

9 - Economy of Effort and Cooperation in the Malaya Campaign from 2018-04-22T01:38:36

Malaya and Economy of Effort

We look at the definition and how the Japanese and Allies applied this principle.  For the Allies there was too much economy and not enough effort. 

Th...

8 - Concentration of Force in the Malaya Campaign from 2018-04-12T10:16:57

Malaya was a secondary effort of secondary effort for both the British and the Japanese - so how does Concentration of Force work for secondary efforts?

Force Z was HMS Prince of Wales an...

7 - Security and Surprise in Malaya. How were the British surprised with 4 years warning of invasion? from 2018-03-25T22:48:29

How did Security and Surprise impact operations in Malaya and Singapore?

There was little security in the Malaya campaign for the Allies.  The Japanese had a strong expat community. 

6 - Dithering and Offensive Action in the Malaya Campaign from 2018-03-21T21:59:27

We look at the dithering that occurred in the British Malaya Command.

We look at Operation Matador and how centralised control lead to delays and an inability to execute on an offensive d...

5 - Japanese and British selection and maintenance of aim for the Malaya Campaign from 2018-03-21T04:57:47

We look at how the British and Japanese came about to select their aims and how they got to them.

What was the British mission and what did Churchill understand of the mission to be?  How...

4 - Comparing Japanese and British Doctrine in Malaya from 2018-03-15T22:16:37

Allied Doctrine had seen little development between the war with significant budget cuts.  The Army was relegated to an Imperial policing role.  It is very Command and Control way of

We l...

3 - Malaya Campaign Terrain and comparing Japanese and Allied Doctrine from 2018-03-15T07:55:12

The British planned to use Artillery and Air Power to defend Malaya.

Malaya is hot and humid and it has the 29th longest coastline (lots of areas for conducting amphibious operations).  T...

2 - The Japanese and Allied Centres of Gravity for the Malaya Campaign from 2018-03-15T07:38:03

The Centre of Gravity is that characteristic, capability or locality from which a force, nation or alliance derives its freedom of action, strength or will to fight. 

For the British, the...

1 - The most Manouevrist Campaign the Australian Army has ever fought. from 2018-03-15T06:30:04

Our first campaign that we will look at is from Malaya.

We detail some of the key people in the Malaya Campaign:

LT Gen Percival

AVM Pulford

LT Gen Heath

MAJ G...

0 - The Principles of War and You from 2018-03-15T04:19:34

We look at how the Principles of War podcast is going to work, what we want to do and how we are going to do it.

We discuss how terrain plays a part in the outcomes of battles and we will...