123 - Jungle Combat in Vietnam with Gary McKay

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

This episode is the first of a two part interview with retired LTCOL Gary McKay, who was a Platoon Commander in Vietnam, in D Coy, 4 RAR. He fought in Op Ivanhoe at the battle of Nui Le, where he was wounded. For his awarded the Military Cross for his performance during the battle. He was later the Commanding Officer of 8/9 RAR between 1988 and 1990.

This episode continues our Kokoda Campaign Podcast series. It specifically looks at how Australian soldiers were prepared for combat in the jungle and also looks at what makes jungle combat one of the most difficult types of terrain to fight in.

As you are listening to Gary's story, compare that with the soldiers from the Second World War fighting the early jungle battles. The legacy of those hard won lessons on the Kokoda Track can clearly be heard in Gary's story.

Check out the show notes for the podcast for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast.