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Australia's Road to War - 1936 to 1941 - Dr Peter Layton

Australia's Road to War - 1936 to 1941 - Dr Peter Layton

Author: James Eling April 27, 2026 Duration: 1:25:08
The Principles of War - Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics, Doctrine and Leadership.
HistoryGovernment

Australia built a coherent defence industrial strategy in the 1920s and 30s that actually worked when tested by total war — yet we've forgotten most of what made it succeed. This seminar recording pairs Dr Peter Layton's analysis of the interwar Munitions Supply Board with Major General Jason Blake's discussion of current Army modernisation.

This is a special seminar presentation in conjunction with the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company's Firepower Seminar Series, "Firepower: Lessons from World War II"  Our presenter is Dr Peter Layton and it is followed by our Panel Discussion with Major General Jason Blaine, DSC, AM, CSC and Dr Mark Bailey and Dr Peter Layton.

Key learnings:
• How the self-containment strategy and 243 shadow factories enabled Australia to achieve munitions self-sufficiency by 1943
• Why Essington Lewis had to bypass service bureaucracies that refused to place orders even after the Fall of France
• What the five-to-six-year lead time for establishing missile production means for current capability timelines

Full show notes and transcript: https://theprinciplesofwar.com/

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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: 50

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The Principles of War - Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics, Doctrine and Leadership.
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