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

13 - Black Jack Galleghan and the ambush at Gemas

Jun 19, 2018

This podcast explores the leadership dynamics of the 8th Division in World War II, including the controversial commander Black Jack Galleghan and the mutiny that took place. It also delves into the ambush at Gemas, discussing the Japanese's role and the actions taken by Galleghan to minimize its impact. The podcast highlights the importance of leadership, training, and communication in military operations.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

The Background and Composition of the 8th Division in World War II

02:31 • 3min

Overview of Brigades and Battalions in Malayad

05:06 • 5min

The Egomaniacal Commander and the Mutiny

10:34 • 8min

Ambush at the Gomenshi River

18:17 • 12min

As we transition to look at some vignettes of Leadership in Malaya, we pause to look at the composition of the 8th Division.

The Commander, Bennett, was a CMF soldier, as were the 3 BDE COMDs. In Malaya, only LT COL Boyes, CO of the 2/26th Bn was PMF. The 8th had more regular officers than the 6th Division, which was the first 2 AIF Division to be raised.

We look at Walter Brown VC. He was awarded his VC at Villers-Bretonneux and rejoined the Army to serve in WW2.

We discuss the 8 Bn COs to look at the differences between the COs and how that effected each of the Bns. We ponder the difference between authority and leadership.

LT COL Black Jack Galleghan was given command of the 2/30th after 4 previous attempts to get a Bn to command. Was it a case of 5th time lucky or was there a dearth of talent in the officer pool?

Was he a martinet? How did he deal with a mutiny across the entire Battalion?

He expected unwavering loyalty from below, but was scant in offering to his superiors.

The role of the 2IC, Gentleman George Ramsay and the role he played in managing Galleghan.

We moved onto the conduct of the ambush at Gemas. How were the Japanese shaped into playing into the ambush?

B Coy was chosen by lot to conduct the ambush. What actions did Galleghan take that minimised the impact of the ambush?

Was Galleghan hamstrung by the lack of training in combined arms?

We look at his moral courage in his inability to engage the Japanese with Artillery at Gemas. Why was this and is it fair?

Galleghan had abandoned his wireless equipment! Why did he do this?

He certainly was a colourful character. When he 'requisitioned' telephone cable from a passing Indian Signals SGT, he told the SGT that it had been taken by 'Colonel Ned Kelly of Australia.'

Galleghan came into his own as the Commander of Australian troops at Changi. This is an interesting example of how a leadership styles effectiveness is set in the context of the situation of where it is exercised.

Check out the show notes for the podcast for images and more details for this and other podcast episodes.