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Abstract Between its inception in 1901 and the beginning of the First World War in 1914, the Australian Army (or the Commonwealth Military Forces as they were then known) underwent two periods of extensive reform aimed at creating a modern effective force out of what had been inherited from the colonial governments. In both instances the reforms were ambitious and bold, but they were also severely troubled by the limitations imposed by government, insufficient resources and a fundamental problem of …

Listed below is a select group of books recently or soon to be published that either contribute to the discussions initiated in the articles in the Australian Army Journal  or on subjects that may be of interest in the near future. Some of these books may be reviewed in forthcoming editions of the Journal. Danny Neave, ed., Soldiers’ Tales #2 , Big Sky Publishing, Newport, 2012, 177 pp, ISBN 9781921941795, AU$19.99. As the title of the book suggests this is a collection of personal accounts told by …

WO1 WALLY THOMPSON, OAM (1932–2012) Wallace Talbot Claxton Thompson was born in Sydney on 9 November 1932, to Albert and Alice Thompson. In 1950, aged 17, he was conscripted under the National Service Scheme into the Citizen Military Forces after having completed his schooling at Ashfield Technical School. In 1954 he relinquished the rank of Sergeant and enlisted in the Australian Regular Army where he was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR), serving with the battalion on …

Eitan Shamir, Transforming Command: The Pursuit of Mission Command in the U.S., British, and Israeli Armies ,  Stanford University Press, Stanford, 2011, 288 pp, ISBN 9780804772037, RRP US$24.95. Colonel Wesley L Fox, USMC (Ret), Six Essential Elements of Leadership: Marine Corps Wisdom from a Medal of Honor Recipient  (Leatherneck Original), Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 2011, 192 pp, ISBN 9781612510248, RRP US$24.95. Reviewed by: Brigadier Chris Field, Department of Defence At initial consideration, …

Abstract In a little known episode of history, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) seized Christmas Island unopposed on 31 March 1942. Pre-landing air and naval bombardments led the tiny garrison to surrender, but also damaged key facilities, frustrating Japanese efforts to quickly remove the valuable phosphate ore. When Japanese engineers determined the island was not suitable for the construction of an airfield, the occupying force was left solely reliant upon sea lanes of communication, vulnerable to …

Abstract The many pressures and competing requirements of the modern sub-unit commander can easily see the commander’s attention only fleetingly focused on what should be the primary role of his unit: combat. It is easy for a modern commander in today’s corporate governance-driven training environment to comply with the administrative reporting, resource management, risk mitigation and non-linear command structure necessities, and in so doing losing that essential mindset that will enable those he commands …

Abstract This article analyses the current ADF psychological operations (PSYOPS) capability and whether it should be managed by the Australian Intelligence Corps or whether it requires a new capability manager. The essence of war is a violent clash between two hostile, independent and irreconcilable wills, each trying to impose itself on the other. 1 Introduction While political and technological developments change the character of warfare, its nature, as a violent clash of wills, remains unchanged. …

Abstract Since 1999, reinvigorated understanding and investment has seen an increase in the effective use of intelligence and its associated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance collection capabilities during recent operations in the Middle East and South Asia. During this period Army’s intelligence capability has demonstrated agility in tailoring its organisation to meet evolving expeditionary force requirements—this has been no more evident than during deployments to Afghanistan. This article …

Abstract The provision of national security is one of the essential responsibilities of government. As the Japanese advance neared Australia in early 1942 it became clear that Australia’s interwar political leadership had failed to provide adequately for the nation’s security. This article explains how in 1942 Australia found itself virtually bereft of military power as well as the steps to remedy the crisis. In doing so, the article questions whether the recent budgetary decisions by today’s political …

In the years since improvised explosive devices (IEDs) became symbols of asymmetric warfare and modern military conflict, very little has changed in the realm of counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) strategy. The military is always searching for better vehicles and equipment to defeat what is, at its core, a homemade device made for a fraction of the cost of our technological countermeasures. As a result, C-IED strategy has primarily focused on developing new ways to mitigate the effects of an IED …