126 - Care of the wounded on the Kokoda Track

126 - Care of the wounded on the Kokoda Track

Author: James Eling April 12, 2025 Duration: 32:53

This episode looks at the care of the wounded on the Kokoda Track.

What level of care did sick and wounded soldiers receive?
Why was the medical planning still being conducted whilst the Battle of Isurava was in progress?
What was the issue with medical logistics and how were casualties to be casevaced from the battlefield?

We listen to the story of CAPT Stan Bissett as he describes how his brother Butch was wounded just north of Isurava and later died of his wounds. 

Medical care was provided under the most difficult conditions, in the jungle, in steep terrain and during the withdrawal.  Important lessons for the planning and execution for the treatment of wounded during combat. 

This episode continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series. 

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
148 - The Battle of Henderson Field - Guadalcanal 1942 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:52
This episode is the 14th episode in our Guadalcanal series. We look at the Battle of Henderson Field, which is the decisive terrain for the campaign. Had the airfield been lost, it is likely that the US would not have be…
141 - Chesty Puller, 1/7 Marines and 2nd Matanikau, Guadalcanal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:24
The 2nd Battle of the Matanikau - This is the seventh episode of our Guadalcanal series with historian and author Dave Holland. This episodes discusses: How did the arrival of the 7th Marines transform Vandegrift's Guada…