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
99 - The Death of a CO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:45
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97 - Time and the importance of timeliness in orders with Jim Storr [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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96 - The 53rd Battalion at Isurava during the Kokoda Campaign [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:21
This is the third 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…
95 - A militia Battalion on the Kokoda Trail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:23
This is the second 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 inexperienc…
94 - The 53rd Battalion on the Kokoda Trail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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93 - Chinese Deception Planning on the Yalu River, 1950 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:41
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 p…
92 - Deception and self deception on the Yalu River - 1950 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:04
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…
91 - Principles for Employment of Artillery at 2nd Alamein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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 re…
90 - Counter Battery Fires at 2nd El Alamein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:32
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 d…