111 - Friendly Fire on the Kokoda Track

111 - Friendly Fire on the Kokoda Track

Author: James Eling March 28, 2024 Duration: 33:18

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.


Hosted by James Eling, The Principles of War-Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics, Doctrine and Leadership is a deep dive into the timeless patterns of conflict. This isn't just a recitation of dates and troop movements. Instead, each episode takes a pivotal historic battle and examines it through the lens of enduring military principles, extracting practical insights on strategy, combined arms, and command. The discussions are structured to serve as a resource for professional military education, condensing complex analyses into focused, thirty-minute sessions. You'll hear how decisions made centuries ago still resonate within modern doctrine, offering lessons on leadership and tactical execution that are applicable far beyond the battlefield. The aim is to provide these lessons in a compelling narrative format, moving beyond dry after-action reports. For anyone fascinated by how history informs present-day thinking in governance, organizational leadership, and strategic planning, this podcast functions as a regular, thought-provoking seminar. Tune in to explore the fundamental concepts that have shaped outcomes throughout military history and continue to define success in high-stakes environments.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Principles of War - Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics, Doctrine and Leadership.
Podcast Episodes
109 - Operational mistakes in the Kokoda Campaign [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:06
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 e…
108 - The Competition for Superior Doctrine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:10
This is the third episode in a three part interview with Dr Robert Lyman about 'Victory to Defeat: The British Army 1918-40', a book he co-wrote with Lord Dannatt, who served as the Chief of the General Staff from 2006 t…
107 - British Combined Arms doctrine in the inter war period [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:00
This is the second in a three part interview with Dr Robert Lyman about 'Victory to Defeat: The British Army 1918-40', a book he co-wrote with Lord Dannatt, who served as the Chief of the General Staff from 2006 to 2009.…
106 - Combined Arms Doctrine Development in the First World War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:29
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 Staff from 2006 to 2009. T…
105 - Ralph Honner, the 39th Battalion and Kokoda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:40
This is Part 10 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, looking at the combat performance of the 39th Battalion. The 39th Battalion was one of Australia's best Battalions. Formed in Victoria, it's story is similar…
104 - The 39th Battalion on the Kokoda Track [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
This is Part 9 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, looking at the combat performance of the 39th Battalion. This episode discusses the formation of the 39th Battalion, it's preparation for combat and how it per…
103 - Principles of Training for War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:18
This is Part 8 of our series looking at the Kokoda Campaign, Battle of Isurava, the 53rd Battalion, how they fought and how they were prepared to fight. This episode looks at the Principles of Training and how they were(…
102 - Training a Battalion for War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:59
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 and 53rd Battalions to Port Mores…
100 - The fall of Isurava [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:20
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 inexperience…
101 - Mobilisation Mistakes with the Mice of Moresby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:35
This is the sixth 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 and with inexperie…