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Artwork for The Principles of War

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

James Eling
Guadalcanal
Kokoda Campaign
World War II
Australian Army
Henderson Field
Jungle Warfare
Second World War
Guadalcanal Campaign
Japanese Imperial Army
Artificial Intelligence
Japanese Forces
Port Moresby
British Army
Matanikau River
Dysentery
Military Appreciation Process
United States Navy
Japanese Army
Electronic Warfare
Leadership

Professional Military Education in 30 minute sessions. Historic Battles study through current doctrine to gain lessons learned. Tactics, Strategy, Combined Arms, Military Leadership in a format for Unit PME programs. We study the great battles to draw the lessons on strategy, tactics and leadership. Get your lessons learned here rather than in AAR format.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes209Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryGovernment

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Artwork for The Principles of War

Latest Episodes

Colonel Shoji landed 1,500 Japanese troops east of Henderson Field — and the Americans needed three battalions and a week of manoeuvre to trap just 450 of them at Gavaga Creek. This episode unpacks the Koli Point "Rat Race," the pursuit by Carlson's ... more

Forty percent of Australian trade flows through the South China Sea — and if conflict erupts near Taiwan, that route becomes uninsurable overnight. Maritime strategist Mark Bailey argues that Western continentalism has left island nations dangerously... more

Australia spent 20 years preparing for a war most politicians refused to discuss publicly — and that systematic industrial strategy may be the nation's greatest governance success story. Dr. Mark Bailey traces how bipartisan policy from 1919 built th... more

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 Muni... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Mark Bailey
Speaker, strategic context for the road to war
Royal Australian Navy / Australian Defence Force Academy
Episode: How do you defend an island nation when 40% of your trade flows through contested waters?
Mark Bailey
Speaker; historian analyzing Australia's mobilisation and strategic environment in the interwar period
Royal Australian Navy/Defence history community
Episode: Strategic Context for Australia's WW2 mobilisation
Jason Blaine
Major General; Head of Land Systems; panelist
Australian Army
Episode: Strategic Context for Australia's WW2 mobilisation
Peter Layton
Dr.; defense analyst and author
Australian National University; Defence studies
Episode: Strategic Context for Australia's WW2 mobilisation
Dave Holland
Battlefield historian, author of Guadalcanal's Longest Fight
Independent historian
Episode: 145 - 973 rounds in 83 minutes. The Battleship Bombardment of Henderson Field
John Antal
Retired Colonel and military analyst
Episode: 134 - Preparing Today's Armies for Tomorrow's Wars: Battlefield Innovation and Disruption
Dr. Toshi Yoshihara
Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments
Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments
Episode: 130 - From River Crossings to Amphibious Operations - How the PLA Built a Navy from scratch and learned littoral manoeuvre
Dr. Robert Lyman
Military historian and author, known for his expertise on World War II and British military history.
Episode: 127 - The General who wouldn't quit: Slim and the longest retreat
Stan Bissett
Captain in the 2nd 14th Battalion, who provides a personal account of the medical challenges faced during the Kokoda Campaign.
Episode: 126 - Care of the wounded on the Kokoda Track

Hosts

Nick Hill-James
Moderator of the panel with a focus on historical analysis and discussion.
Peter Layton
Defense analyst and author providing strategic and policy-oriented analysis.
James Ealy
Moderator of the panel; article contributor with experience coordinating PME-focused discussions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 394 ratings
  • Episode 134

    Kudos to my former classmate and neighbor, John Antal. Hope t leaders take his advice seriously.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dale Eikmeier
    United States4 months ago
  • ANZAC

    My Dad was in North Africa with Brits and ANZAC soldiers near his airdrome. He said the Aussies were dang tough. As were the Brits. And no doubt the NZ guys, as well. And this podcast is excellent. My Dad would’ve liked it much. And you can’t go wrong with the Aussie accent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amdyfyn
    United States9 months ago
  • 5 Stars 🌟

    Great podcast.

    Always interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dan . 🦘
    Australiaa year ago
  • Enjoyed this topic

    Very interesting. One question: what happened to the early famous Byrapters that were all the rage at wars start? Did they disappear due to inadequacy or are they planning a none public role?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kneewall49
    Australiaa year ago
  • Informative

    This is an informative and in-depth podcast. The host and his guests are knowledgeable and interesting on their subject. The focus is on the Australian army but the findings are also valid more broadly

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    christopher543577649
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality battlefield storytelling with practical lessons
Objectivity and depth praised across reviews
Accessible to both professionals and history enthusiasts
Insightful historical analysis with clear connections to modern doctrine

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#177
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#68
Finland/History
Apple Podcasts
#106
Indonesia/History
Apple Podcasts
#109
Singapore/History
Apple Podcasts
#237
Belgium/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Australia's Road to War - 1936 to 1941 - Dr Peter Layton
Q: What are the lessons for today's decision-makers from Australia's WWII industrial mobilization?
Maintain a coherent grand strategy that explicitly links industrial capacity to strategic threats, ensure continuous production lines, and secure sovereign access to critical technology and IP before a conflict begins. Also, distribute manufacturing across geography to mitigate risk and preserve civilian resilience.
145 - 973 rounds in 83 minutes. The Battleship Bombardment of Henderson Field
Q: How did the Japanese plan to seize the decisive terrain around Henderson Field and regain the initiative after their earlier defeats?
The plan involved a complex, multi-branch approach: move through brutal jungle terrain aided by engineers to create a passable road, launch a coordinated assault across multiple axes including the Kuma Ridges to dominate both airfields, and execute a follow-on force to secure the airfield while building toward a larger grand battle that included naval and air campaigns.
144 - Situational Awareness and the fight for Guadalcanal's Key Terrain - 3rd Battle of the Matanikau
Q: What are the factors that would deliver victory at the 3rd Battle of the Matanikau?
The factors include tight command and control, superior situational awareness, and effective integration of artillery, mortars, and air support, reinforced by disciplined reconnaissance and timely decisions to pull back or press when the threat to the perimeter emerges.
135 - How the Marines Prepared for Guadalcanal | Operation Watchtower Explained
Q: Why was Guadalcanal chosen for the first offensive land-based campaign?
Guadalcanal was strategically positioned for air dominance and was part of a planned series of operations aimed at halting Japanese advances in the Pacific.
135 - How the Marines Prepared for Guadalcanal | Operation Watchtower Explained
Q: What intelligence did the United States have on the Japanese operations in Guadalcanal?
The US secured intelligence through Ultra code-breaking and radio intercepts, complemented by the reconnaissance efforts of Coast Watchers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Principles of War

What is The Principles of War about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show concentrates on military history with a strong focus on lessons for current doctrine, strategy, and leadership. Episodes routinely pair deep battlefield analysis—especially of World War II and the Pacific theater—with insights applicable to modern PME, doctrine development, and leadership decision-making. A standout feature is the emphasis on practical, lecture-style storytelling tuned to professional audiences, often featuring battlefield historians and defense analysts who translate past campaigns into contemporary planning concepts. The format appeals to listeners seeking rigorous historical context paired with actionable takeaways for strategy, tactics, and leadership development.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Principles of War?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Principles of War:

1. Irregular Warfare Podcast
2. The WW2 Podcast
3. War on the Rocks
4. The Proceedings Podcast
5. Modern War Institute

How many episodes of The Principles of War are there?

The Principles of War launched 8 years ago and published 209 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Principles of War?

Recent guests on The Principles of War include:

1. Dr. Mark Bailey
2. Mark Bailey
3. Jason Blaine
4. Peter Layton
5. Dave Holland
6. John Antal
7. Dr. Toshi Yoshihara
8. Dr. Robert Lyman

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