119 - Learning to learn: Jungle Warfare

119 - Learning to learn: Jungle Warfare

Author: James Eling August 21, 2024 Duration: 32:10

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.


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
89 - Artillery at 2nd El Alamein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:13
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…
88 - The Role of Artillery at 2nd Alamein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:29
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 Rams…
86 - Lessons learnt from the 2nd Battle of El Alamein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:45
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 Opera…
85 - Monty fights to buy time for the 8th Army at Alam Halfa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:04
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…
83 - Op Bertram - Operational Deception at 2nd El Alamein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:27
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 Operational Deception plan for 2nd…
81 - The 2nd Battle of El Alamein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:20
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 decisive artillery battles in the histo…
80 - The Fireplan for the Battle of Vimy Ridge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:26
This is a special miniseries on Vimy Ridge to celebrate 150 years of Permanent Artillery since the formation of A and B Batteries, Royal Canadian Artillery. This episode discusses the 4 phases of the artillery support an…