Modern Battlefields

Focusing on the wars of decolonisation, Cold War interventions, and asymmetric modern conflicts, this category analyses post-1945 battlefields through field visits, declassified reports, and evolving military doctrine. Terrain, airpower, and irregular tactics are given special attention, offering insights into how modern wars differ from their predecessors.

Australian Army soldiers instructs Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel during a trench clearing serial as part of OP KUDU Rotation 10 in the United Kingdom. *** Local Caption *** Under Operation KUDU, the ADF has deployed personnel to Europe and the UK in support of Ukraine in its defence against Russias aggression.

💡 Tactical Innovations: Lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian War

by Michael Prictor

Modern warfare, as seen on the Eastern Front, is defined by fragile logistics, pervasive drone use, and small, decentralised teams operating with limited support, which forces junior leaders to make rapid decisions under extreme uncertainty. Success depends on cognitive skills over technology, including disciplined situational awareness, procedural identification, adaptive leadership, and the ability to operate independently without reliable resupply, evacuation, or higher command control.

Boer War (1899-1902) British soldiers testing a new Maxim machine gun. map diagram

💡 Tactical Innovations: Machine Gun Theory

by Michael Prictor

This article explains how machine guns are employed on the battlefield, including the key concepts of cone of fire, beaten zone, grazing fire, enfilade fire, and mutually supporting machine-gun positions. The article forms part of the Tactical Innovations in Warfare series.