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Robert C Engen  is Senior Lecturer in War Studies at Deakin University’s Centre for Future Defence and National Security, attached to the Australian War College in Canberra. A specialist in professional military education, he has previously taught at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto and RMC Canada. He is the author of Canadians Under Fire: Infantry Effectiveness in the Second World War and Strangers in Arms: Combat Motivation in the Canadian Army , co-author of Through Their Eyes: A Graphic History …

Australian Battalion Commanders in the Second World War   Written by: Garth Pratten,  Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne, 2009,  ISBN: 9780521763455, 435pp. Reviewed by Craig Stockings Despite its rather uninspiring title, and the fact that it began life as a PhD thesis—and at times reads as such—Garth Pratten’s book: Australian Battalion Commanders in the Second World War is an important contribution in an under-represented area of Australian military historiography. Over the decades the acolytes …

Dr Gorana Grgić is a Senior Scientist in Transatlantic Security at the ETH Zürich’s Center for Security Studies and Senior Lecturer at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. She is also an Expert Associate with the National Security College at the Australian National University. In recent years, she was a Research Fellow in Grand Strategy at the Hertie School’s Centre for International Security (2022-2023), Partners Across the Globe Research Fellow at the NATO Defense College (2021) …

Dr Sascha Nanlohy is an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney’s School of Social and Political Sciences and Research Fellow at the Institute for Economics and Peace. His research focuses on external influences on genocide. He is a Research Associate with Atrocity Forecasting Project and consultant with the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. He has previously worked as a Consultant for the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide at the US Holocaust …

Dr Michael O’Keefe is Director of the Master of International Relations at La Trobe University. Michael’s research interests focus on Australian foreign policy, and Pacific foreign policies (especially Fiji). His current projects focus on Australia’s ‘Step Up’ in the Pacific, Fiji’s peacekeeping strategy and military diplomacy. He undertakes a wide range of consultancies in the Pacific and has taught in Fiji and Japan. Michael features regularly in media such as the ABC’s 7.30 Report and Insiders, ABC 774, …

Abstract The majority of officers will be working in a multi dimensional and unpredictable operational environment on complex problems that require an integrated inter-agency and/or coalition solution. To assist in developing those solutions officers will need to be more cooperative, compromising and collaborative in order to shape the desired outcome. This desire requires the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and influence others through persuasive argument. This article seeks to …

Colonel John Hutcheson is an Infantry Officer in the Australian Army who has served in a number of battalions and commanded the integrated 25th/49th Battalion Royal Queensland Regiment (Motor). During the period March–August 2004 he commanded Combined Joint Task Force 635 in the Solomon Islands as part of Operation HELPEM FREN, and in the second half of 2007 was promoted to honorary brigadier to command Joint Task Force 631 in Timor Leste as part of Operation ASTUTE. Colonel Hutcheson is currently the …

Abstract Communications capability, equipment and training requirements have become increasingly complex over recent years, and this trend is only going to continue. As the subject matter experts, RASigs will have to look closely at communications at all levels, especially those which are traditionally performed by regimental signallers. This trend is even more pronounced in the Army Reserve, where the doctrinal role of the Formation Signals Squadron has been largely negated. Reserve Signals Squadrons have …

Major PJ Beor is currently the officer commanding 109 Signals Squadron. A career Reservist, in his civilian job he is the Manager of Engineering Services at the Water Corporation of Western Australia. Prior to commanding 109 he was the Officer Commanding 113 Field Workshop (twice). Yes, he is a RAEME officer. … P J …

Abstract Successive Defence White Papers have emphasised the need for an effective amphibian deployment and sustainment system involving Army, Navy and Air Force assets to project force across Australia’s primary operating environment. Australia is purchasing two ships capable of carrying significant amounts of equipment, but further investments of both money and professional resources will be essential to develop an effective force package capable of the full suite of amphibious tasks. Lessons can be …