Chief of Army History Conference

Image: Australian Diggers on the Western Front

The annual Chief of Army History Conference, held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, has explored the growing importance of geopolitics. There was a general consensus that geography is gain widespread recognition for the first time since the development of geopolitics in the lead up to the Great War.

As a result this years conference was themed Geo-Strategy and War, the two day conference featured scholars from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Hong Kong, who spoke on topics such as climate change and conflict, and terrain and intelligence.

The head of the Australian Army’s Modernisation and Strategic Planning Division Major General Gus McLachlan, AM said the 20th conference was an important activity for the Army. Events like this are also crucial for avoiding the mistakes and dispelling the myths of the past.

“The Chief of Army History Conference provides our Army with an opportunity to enhance our understanding of the military art, as practised by a variety of nations throughout a number of past conflicts,” Major General McLachlan said. “We were privileged to hear world-recognised experts in their fields speak on a range of relevant historical issues.”

“We continue to learn as we face or observe varying experiences including culture, our geographic position and military reach, climate change, emerging terrain and amphibious environments, and the exploitation of local resources.”

“The conference encouraged discussion around the geopolitical challenges facing our Army which will better prepare and inform us in future operations,” he said. On the eve of the history conference, the winners of the annual CEW Bean Prize for the best university theses on Australian Army history were announced. This year, Major General McLachlan presented the prize to Dr Kate Ariotti and Lieutenant Benjamin Studd.