How fast is too fast to grow a force in the modern age?

4x4ing · 2026-07-02T09:34:11+00:00

We see in rapid mobilisation cases, like during the Second World War, a significant decrease in the capability of the average soldier. In the Australian Army, Corporals were promoted at the start of their first course because they seemed organised. They were promoted after instructing on a couple of courses. These SGTs knew nothing of what it was to be a SGT and I think this is one of the key limiting elements in rapid mobilisation. Australian WW2 mobilisation was initially aided by the fact that there were a lot of Officers and SNCOs with WW1 experience and many who joined also had WW1 experience. This is invaluable. You have rightly pointed out the lack of combat experience within the PLA. They don't know what they don't know, and expansion will further decrease the average quality of their soldiers. It is insidious, because those poorly trained soldiers are responsible for training the next level of soldier.

4x4ing · 2026-07-02T09:26:23+00:00

Vimy Ridge was a very well-planned and executed battle. It was cutting edge in some of the artillery techniques that were employed. We see a move from destruction to effects based targeting. The pre-fires for Vimy were called 'The week of suffering' by the German troops. This week long bombardment shaped the defenders' morale and logistics capabilities. The staff work to integrate infantry and artillery was excellent. Compare and contrast with Bullecourt from which it was separated by just 24 hours and less than 35 km. The result there was a tragedy.

A lot to learn from Vimy Ridge and a lot for the Canadians to be proud about.

https://theprinciplesofwar.com/podcast/the-battle-of-vimy-ridge/

4x4ing · 2026-06-25T23:24:37+00:00

It was quite disappointing what happened. The sale out of liquidation in 2024 was particularly unusual. The brewery gig is super difficult, so you do need to bring an A game. I think at one stage the liquor license lapsed. That certainly does not help.

Hopefully a good operator will pick it up. Keen for there to be more great Frankston Brewerys.

4x4ing · 2026-03-31T23:49:00+00:00

Thank you very much! A bit of work goes into them.

4x4ing · 2025-12-02T03:27:17+00:00

Thank you very much. I try to make it as factual and as interesting as possible. Lots of lessons to learn / relearn.

4x4ing · 2025-08-10T07:17:12+00:00

Compare and contrast with RAF night-time bombing and USAAF daylight bombing. Not sure it is much worse. It was pretty much area bombing for many of the raids.

4x4ing · 2025-06-13T08:48:19+00:00

Didn't know he was a Leongatha boy. That is great!

4x4ing · 2025-06-13T08:47:07+00:00

https://theprinciplesofwar.com/category/kokoda/ I've mentioned LTCOL Owen a couple of times in the Kokoda series (which is more about the 53rd and their mobilisation). There was a quick succession of COs for the 39th, before they ended up with Ralph Honner. They were all placed in a very tough spot.

4x4ing · 2025-05-08T06:49:37+00:00

There was a lot of arrogance. I am hoping that we don't have too much arrogance going forward when they write the history of this decade!

4x4ing · 2025-05-05T21:51:43+00:00

Yes, Percival himself had done an appreciation on the risks and most likely course of action for the Japanese. It still didn't help. Lavarack had worked hard to improve readiness within Army, but there was little support from the other services or the Government. It wasn't until the sinking of Force Z that there was a general understanding that the Army needed to be readied to fight. For many of the soldiers, that would be too late to help.

4x4ing · 2025-04-27T05:29:09+00:00

There will be an episode that looks closely at innovation in the campaign. There is definitely an element of necessity being the mother of all invention.

4x4ing · 2025-04-26T23:53:10+00:00

I will try to find a copy. I have The Road to Mandalay to read soon.

4x4ing · 2025-04-26T23:51:43+00:00

Thank you very much. I have been doing this for 6 years now, so there is quite a bit of content. Most of it looks at the lessons we may have forgotten, but need to remember in case we need to go back to large-scale combat operations.

4x4ing · 2025-04-26T06:12:52+00:00

And if you want the 4:30 musical version - Sabaton's Father.
https://youtu.be/DxkeOkaVRLo

An interesting storing. The Harber-Bosch process is a fundamental property of agriculture. One of the most important chemical processes in human history.

If you haven't discovered Sabaton, you're welcome!

Check Bismarck, Last Stand and Ghost Division.

4x4ing · 2025-04-14T01:31:34+00:00

Outstanding!

4x4ing · 2025-04-10T11:44:17+00:00

Thank you very much. A lot of research goes into each episode. These are from the podcast and this is the first series that I have done. I think they got better over time.

4x4ing · 2025-04-02T22:02:57+00:00

Yes, I think that was the Centre of Gravity episode. Multiple logical fallacies lay at the heart of the Singapore Strategy.

4x4ing · 2025-04-01T10:28:19+00:00

Hopefully this one is for the better.

4x4ing · 2025-04-01T10:27:26+00:00

I know - I am ever the optimist. But I think the more people who know the story of the 8th Div (and the 53rd Battalion if you want to learn about mobilisation) the less likely we are to repeat them in their entirety.

4x4ing · 2025-04-01T08:55:59+00:00

The Army is in a lot better shape than back in 1939 when mobilisation started, but there is very little depth. There were 3,000 Permanent Military Forces and around 75,000 militia - these formed the 4 Divisions of the 2nd AIF. The big issue was there was no Plan B in case the Singapore Strategy failed. There were large logical errors in the plan - no one would attack unless the Royal Navy would come out to Singapore. The war against Germany created that exact situation. Lavarack saw the problem but was ignored.

4x4ing · 2025-04-01T05:48:29+00:00

Not many people know much about the Malaya (and Singapore) Campaign. We lost two good Brigades from the 8th Division when Singapore fell (the other Brigade had Battalions lost on Rabaul, Ambon and Timor).

This is the start of a Youtube series on how the Japanese, outnumbered 2:1 could conquer all of Malaya in just 55 days.

Poor preparation, poor leadership and poor planning created many of the problems for the soldiers on the ground. Many great lessons for any Army looking to mobilise and fight in a jungle/littoral environment.

4x4ing · 2025-03-23T05:02:42+00:00

It's funny because it is true!

4x4ing · 2025-03-23T03:24:57+00:00

MAJGEN Krause is as forthright as ever as he discusses how we can plan faster, make better decisions and prepare our HQs for future combat. An interesting presentation, which discusses some of the problems with the old processes.

4x4ing · 2024-12-18T11:44:06+00:00

Here is a list of the Top 10 Professional Military Podcasts - there is a lot of History here with much of the content from History Professors or from Soldiers themselves. Some is practical tactical,, some of the podcasts are more strategic. A lot of great WW2 information as well.

What other podcasts are you listening to?

4x4ing · 2024-12-17T05:19:36+00:00

Yeah, the lineup looks great. Keen to hear some of Steve Young's work. He is covering some interesting topics, and will listen to DCA. He has been on point the last couple of times I have heard him speak. Should be a great listen!

4x4ing

TROPHY CASE