Check out the show notes for the Guadalcanal series.
143 - Inside the Japanese OODA loop on Guadalcanal - Vandegrift and 3rd Matanikau
The Principles of War - Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics, Doctrine and Leadership.
Maruyama vs Vandegrift in the fight to control the Matanikau River.
The 3rd Battle of the Matanikau Part I - This is the ninth episode of our Guadalcanal series with historian and author Dave Holland.
This episode discusses:
How did the Japanese plan to exploit the Second Battle of the Matanikau to set up their October 1942 offensive to retake Guadalcanal?
Why was the Matanikau River "key terrain" in the Guadalcanal Campaign for both the IJA and the US Marines defending Henderson Field?
What was Japan's concept for suppressing Henderson Field before the main assault?
What was Vandegrift's operational intent in launching the 7 October 1942 attack (Third Battle of the Matanikau), and why was it such a risk?
What was the "One Log Bridge" on the Matanikau River, and why did it matter tactically?
How did the weather have on the Matanikau operation?
Dave Holland is an ex-Marine and was posted to Guadalcanal with the Australian Federal Police. He regularly leads battlefield study tours through the area. He is a world-leading expert on the battles of Guadalcanal and author of Guadalcanal's Longest Fight - The Pivotal Battles of the Matanikau Front.
https://www.patreon.com/cw/principlesofwar - if you've learnt something from this episode and you can afford it, please support the podcast at Patreon.
Great Professional Military Education for your Unit. This episode covers the operational art and importance of Offensive Action - seizing and retaining the initiative.
The Principles of War - Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics, Doctrine and Leadership.
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.
Podcast Episodes
89 - Artillery at 2nd El Alamein
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
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…
87 - Julian Corbett and British Maritime and Grand Strategy with Professor Andrew Lambert
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, Churchill and the Dardenelles Cam…
86 - Lessons learnt from the 2nd Battle of El Alamein
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
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…
84 - Montgomery, Fighting Power and turning morale around in the 8th Army
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 Fighting Power, we look at th…
83 - Op Bertram - Operational Deception at 2nd El Alamein
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…
82 - Military Deception at the Strategic, Operational and Tactical level - examples from the 2nd Battle of El Alamein
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 Surprise and Security. Deception is ofte…
81 - The 2nd Battle of El Alamein
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
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…
