Military History Evening

Thursday, May 7th 2026

Blamey’s Barny: The dispute between Blamey and Rowell during the critical point of the Kokoda Campaign.

Guest Speaker: DR Justin Chadwick

In July 1942 Lieutenant General Syd Rowell was given command of New Guinea Force. His task – using the forces in the Port Moresby area, at Milne Bay and near Kokoda – was to stem the Japanese advance over the Owen Stanley Ranges. When Japanese forces landed near Milne Bay in August the situation was looking catastrophic. Under increasing pressure for results, Blamey was sent to New Guinea to take over operational command. What happened next was possibly the most controversial event in the history of the Australian Army. 

The sacking of Rowell was not necessarily a purely operational decision, but one that was influenced by the commander of the South-West Pacific Area, General Douglas MacArthur. His desire for rapid victories, inability…