128 - Rebuilding an Army: Morale, Leadership, Training and Mission Command in the 14th Army with Slim

This is the second episode of our interview with Retired Colonel John Antal discussing his research into contemporary combat and how technology is changing the modern battlefield. We discuss the lessons learnt from 2nd Nagorno-Karabakh, Ukraine and recent Israeli battles and how technology is changing the modern battlefield. Check out the show notes 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.

How is the modern battlefield changing? What role is technology like Artificial Intelligence, drones, precision strike and electronic warfare changing command and control, ISR and combined arms? This is the first of 3 episodes with retired Colonel John Antal, who has studied 2nd Nagorno-Karabakh, recent Israeli battles and the war in Ukraine. Check out the show notes 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.

This is the second of a two-part series looking at the origin story of the PLA Navy.  This episode looks at the crucial Kinmen and Hainan Islands campaigns. This is an interview with Dr Toshi Yoshihara, an expert in the history of China's Navy. How was each campaign planned and executed? What were the results for the Chinese Navy? What did the PLA Navy learn from these campaigns? How have these early littoral manoeuvre campaigns shaped the PLA today? We discuss the roles of  Mao Zedong, Lin Biao, Xiao Jinguang, in these early important battles for China.   Check out the show notes 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.

How did Field Marshall Slim innovate in the Burma Campaign?  This is a look at military innovation through necessity that developed key capabilities for the 14th Army to defeat the Japanese forces in the Burma theatre. We discuss: Slim's innovation overcame critical resource shortages in Burma. Developed aerial resupply, air evacuation, and improvised naval logistics. Used teakwood barges to cross rivers with tanks. Created monsoon-proof airfields with hessian and tar. Strong advocate of Special Forces—mobilized Force 136 and Karen levies. Outmanoeuvred Japanese by leveraging terrain and logistics. Fought against Generals Aida, Mutaguchi, and Kimura. Trained the Indian Army in combined arms warfare. Built floating bridges across vast rivers like the Chindwin. Crossing the Irrawaddy. Led with humility and authenticity, known to Indian troops as “Uncle Bill.” This interview is the third part of a 3-part series with Dr Robert Lyman, the expert on the Burma Campaign and Field Marshall Sir William Slim. Check out the show notes 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.

How did Slim rebuild the 14th Army after it's 1,000 mile withdrawal from Burma? We look at how lessons were learnt and doctrine was developed to forge an Army capable of taking on the Japanese.  We discuss the important question - what makes an Army officer a good trainer of soldiers. This interview is the second part of a 3 part series with Dr Robert Lyman, the expert on the Burma Campaign and Field Marshall Sir William Slim. 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.

The withdrawal from Burma was almost 1,000 miles in 100 days and yet Slim, as commander of Burma Corps, maintained his optimism throughout the operation. We look at Slim's early career and background to study his optimism and resilience in the face of an overwhelmingly poor tactical situation. This interview is the first part of a 3 part series with Dr Robert Lyman, the expert on the Burma Campaign and Field Marshall Sir William Slim. 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.

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.

This episode is a cross-post from The Cove Podcast.  This is a recording of MAJGEN Mick Krause, AM - the author the new ADF-I-5 doctrine - Decision Making and Planning Processes.  He presented a PME session at Holdsworthy Barracks to discuss the new doctrine. ADF-I-5 Decision Making and Planning Processes replaces the Joint JMAP (Joint Military Appreciation Process) doctrine along with the Army LWD 5-1-4 The Military Appreciation Process.  It covers in role of the Commander in the planning process and the importance of timeliness in the decision making and production of orders process. 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.

What medical treatment was avaiable for the soldiers fighting on the Kokoda Track.  How were ill and injured soldiers cared for and what were the difficulties in providing surgical and medical care in the austere conditions of the Jungles of Kokoda? 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.