Black Jack: The Life and Times of Brigadier Sir Frederick Galleghan by Stan Arneil is a straightforward yet informative military biography of a notable Australian commander from World War II. First published in 1983, it covers Frederick Galleghan’s life and service, known as “Black Jack,” from his early years and World War I to his role as commander of the 2/30th Battalion in Malaya and his later experience as a prisoner of war.
Arneil highlights Galleghan’s leadership style, depicting him as a strict and disciplined officer who led by example and had high expectations. The description of the Malayan campaign is straightforward, detailing the battalion’s actions during the Japanese advance, including its retreat and defeat after the Fall of Singapore. Instead of focusing on overall strategy, the story emphasizes battalion-level command and the challenges faced by officers and soldiers during the quickly failing campaign.
The strongest parts of the book focus on Galleghan’s time as a prisoner of war. Arneil discusses how he helped maintain order and morale among Australian troops in Changi Prison and later in Malaya. Leadership during captivity is shown as an extension of command, not just suffering, with Galleghan seen as someone who valued structure and discipline for survival in tough conditions. While violence, deprivation, and moral strain are mentioned, they are not exaggerated.
As a biography, Black Jack is respectful but not overly admiring. Arneil acknowledges the controversies of Galleghan’s tough demeanor and the resentment he sometimes caused, but he explains these traits within the military culture that valued strength and discipline. The book shows its age, reflecting the historical writing style of the early 1980s and engaging little with later studies on the Malayan campaign or POW experiences. Still, it is a solid and easy-to-read account.
Overall, Black Jack is a focused look at leadership and character under pressure. It will interest readers of Australian military history, those studying leadership in tough situations, and anyone curious about the experiences of AIF officers and men in Malaya and captivity. While limited in scope, it effectively conveys the life of a complex Australian soldier.
In Konflikt ’47 the Schwertruppen are the Armys most heavily armed and armoured assault infantry. They were developed to dominate the short battlefields that are created by rift technology and super-science from the end of the war. The German Army made the Schwertruppen to be shock troops. This means they are not, like infantry. The Schwertruppen are supposed to move when there is a lot of shooting break through the enemys strong points and hold the ground that is being fought over. This is the kind of thing that regular troops would have a time doing.
The Schwertruppen are meant to do what regular troops cannot. These guys are wearing heavy armour and they have some very powerful weapons. They are following the Axis way of doing things which’s to use a lot of force to break through the enemy lines. This is happening on a battlefield that’s not like the ones in our history books it is a different story. The Axis doctrine is, about being strong and pushing forward and these guys are doing just that. They are using the Axis doctrine to try and win the battle. They are doing it with a lot of force.
The K47 Schwertruppen are really good at fighting up on the tabletop. They can take a lot of damage. Just keep going. The K47 Schwertruppen have some weapons like big machine guns, assault rifles and special equipment that makes them really good at fighting at short, to medium range. The K47 Schwertruppen are best when you use them to attack.
You should use the K47 Schwertruppen to push take out enemies who are hiding and help your team move forward. The K47 Schwertruppen are not as good when they just sit back and try to defend. Their presence is really scary. It puts a lot of pressure on the other team. This means the other team has to use a lot of their resources to try and stop them.
The presence of them is like a threat it is not just about fighting it is also, about what is going on in peoples minds. The other team knows they have to do something to stop them so they send a lot of people and equipment to take care of the problem. This is because their presence is very powerful and it can change the way the game is played.
A Schwertruppen commander in K47 is therefore less a rear-area coordinator and more a frontline leader, directing assaults at the point of contact. The commander’s role is to maintain momentum, coordinate fire and movement within dense, chaotic fighting, and decide when to press forward despite losses. In narrative terms, they represent the culmination of German assault doctrine taken to its extreme: disciplined, relentless troops led by officers who expect to win fights through controlled aggression, resilience, and overwhelming local force.
I have finished reading this book by Ray Kerkhove. The book is called How They Fought: Indigenous Tactics and Weaponry of Australia’s Frontier Wars. It was published by Boolarong Press in 2023. Ray Kerkhove wrote about Australia’s Frontier Wars in this book. By the way of disclaimer, the book was provided to me by the author for review, but this has in no way influenced my comments below.
Ray Kerkhove’s book, How They Fought: Indigenous Tactics and Weaponry of Australia’s Frontier Wars, serves as a guide to how Indigenous people fought. It does not focus on a specific battle or location. The book is organized into sections about how Indigenous people organized themselves, the strategies they used, the weapons they fought with, and how they defended themselves. It includes many tables, diagrams, and maps for better understanding, making it unique among other books on the Frontier Wars. Kerkhove presents it like a handbook, providing facts and details about Indigenous tactics and weaponry. He does not follow a timeline but emphasizes that First Nations peoples in Australia fought in smart and adaptable ways using clever strategies. Kerkhove believes we can analyze these fighting practices across different regions and time periods, showing that First Nations peoples used effective tactics.
Ray Kerkhove’s research reframes the Frontier Wars as a sophisticated and deliberate military campaign rather than a series of random, disorganized skirmishes. He argues that Indigenous resistance was driven by clear purpose and advanced strategy, challenging the traditional view that these fighters were merely reacting to settler violence. Instead, Indigenous groups were proactive military actors who used their deep knowledge of the land to control the conflict. They employed clever guerrilla tactics, such as setting ambushes in the bush, utilizing “hit-and-run” maneuvers, and luring enemies into traps through feigned retreats.
Beyond physical combat, Indigenous fighters engaged in strategic warfare by gathering intelligence through extensive family networks and scouting parties. They also launched calculated strikes against the settlers’ economy, targeting livestock and supplies to make the occupation unsustainable. Kerkhove highlights that people living at the time recognised these events as a formal war. Ultimately, the book portrays Indigenous people as smart, resourceful, and highly organized leaders who fought a coordinated defense of their country, rather than just participating in isolated, desperate clashes.
Kerkhove’s work is similar to Henry Reynolds’ work on frontier violence, which Reynolds argues was perceived as war. In books like The Other Side of the Frontier (2) and Forgotten War (3), Reynolds highlights how this violence is often forgotten, not due to a lack of evidence, but because of our historical memory. Kerkhove doesn’t discuss this directly but uses it to explore the realities of war on the ground. Together, their works complement each other: Reynolds focuses on the broader picture while Kerkhove provides detailed accounts of what transpired, showing that Indigenous resistance was indeed a war. Both authors write about war, but Reynolds emphasizes the overall view, whereas Kerkhove dives into the finer details.
The difference between John Connors’ book, The Australian Frontier Wars, 1788-1838 (4), and Kerkhove’s is important. Connors focuses on early Australia, discussing events, battles, and the roles of the British army, settlers, and police in increasing violence. Kerkhove’s book spans a longer period and covers more ground without a strict timeline. Connors is helpful for understanding events over time in the frontier, while Kerkhove’s is better for comparing different regions. It shows how Indigenous people in various places found similar ways to respond to invasion and coercion. Both authors provide valuable insights in different ways.
When comparing How They Fought to The Black War (5) by Nicholas Clements, you also notice a difference. Clements examines the events in Tasmania closely. He describes the fighting as a harsh guerilla war that seemed endless. People felt scared, and both sides made many mistakes, leading to worsening conditions. Clements also closely examines how people interacted with each other and the land, considering the impact of violence on communities.
Kerkhove’s book How They Fought takes a broader approach, sacrificing detail in the process. It provides examples from across the continent to show various tactics and patterns over time. While covering a wide array of topics for comparison, the book lacks in-depth detail on specific tactics. Those wanting to understand the reasons behind tactics in certain locations might prefer Clements’ detailed storytelling, whereas Kerkhove’s book is better for an overview of different tactics.
Another useful comparison is with Jonathan Richards’ The Secret War (6). Richards examines the violent systems used by authorities, like the police and government, highlighting issues with inaccurate records. He also addresses unfair records. In contrast, Kerkhove focuses on how Indigenous people resisted these authorities, paying less attention to colonial control. While both scholars explore the same time period, they emphasise different aspects: Richards studies colonial powers and Kerkhove examines Indigenous resistance methods. Together, their perspectives complement each other. Richards outlines the oppressive systems faced by Indigenous fighters, while Kerkhove details how these fighters attempted to outsmart or manipulate that system. Their viewpoints fit together like two interlocking pieces, with Richards depicting the organised system and Kerkhove illustrating the resistance efforts.
The strengths of How They Fought come from its guidebook format with images, which is helpful for teaching and comparisons. However, when it presents war perspectives from different countries, it tends to oversimplify Indigenous fighting methods. Additionally, the organization of the content can obscure important questions about how things change over time. The aim wasn’t to detail those but to reconstruct the ‘general pattern’ of tactics, and structures across Australia. Although the section on weaponry modifications such as the use of iron, glass, guns and horses does demonstrate adaptions over time.
How They Fought is an important book for those who study the Frontier Wars. Rather than recounting a specific event, it focuses on how Indigenous people engaged in battle and the tools they used. The book highlights that Indigenous people were indeed engaged in a war, providing a clearer understanding for researchers and educators about the nature of this conflict. Ultimately, How They Fought helps us recognise Indigenous resistance as a war and not a one-sided conflict against an unsophisticated and disorganised opponent.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and read it in just a few sittings. A must buy for those interested in the Australian Frontier wars and Indigenous warfare in general. Those wishing to game this period will find it an invaluable resource.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Footnotes
Ray Kerkhove, How They Fought: Indigenous Tactics and Weaponry of Australia’s Frontier Wars (Brisbane: Boolarong Press, 2023).
Henry Reynolds, The Other Side of the Frontier: Aboriginal Resistance to the European Invasion of Australia (Sydney: UNSW Press, 2006).
Henry Reynolds, Forgotten War (Sydney: NewSouth Publishing, 2013).
John Connor, The Australian Frontier Wars, 1788–1838 (Sydney: UNSW Press, 2002).
Nicholas Clements, The Black War: Fear, Sex and Resistance in Tasmania (St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, 2014).
Jonathan Richards, The Secret War: A True History of Queensland’s Native Police (St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, 2008).
Whenever you find yourself wandering around Australia, you’ll probably bump into one of those huge weirdos known as “The Big ……”. These giant creations are like a wild mix of funky art and local vibes, and they totally catch the eye of both travelers and locals. I’ve been skillfully avoiding this particular beast hanging out nearby for what feels like ages, coming up with smart excuses to skip it on my trips. But finally, with a pocket full of time and a dash of curiosity pushing us on, we decided to give in and dive right in! As we got closer, the massive size seriously blew us away, and every quirky bit seemed to have its own fun story, inviting us to check it out more and soak up the playful charm that makes Australia’s roadside attractions so one-of-a-kind.
Yep, you guessed it—a giant cod! This delightful fish, which some might call the “Hulk” of the ocean, can bulk up to several hundred pounds—impressive enough to make a weightlifting champion jealous! Often found lounging in the river depths like a water skier on vacation, it swims around in search of tasty snacks, probably dreaming of not being the catch of the day. With its robust body and audacious size, it’s no wonder this fish has become the unofficial mascot for anglers and river enthusiasts, who often joke that a good catch could rival a small boat!
I always thought SWMBO was a catch fit for a trophy shelf, admired not just for her dazzling looks but also for her smarts and razor-sharp wit that could make even the dullest fish chuckle, but hold on—looks like the Giant Cod has decided the tasty morsel too much bait and is spitting her back out!
No wait, who’s the real gem in this circus? It looks like SWMBO is, strutting her clever charm and undeniable charisma, all while expertly taming the “monstrosity” that has everyone scratching their heads in confusion. This unlikely pair puts on a show that’s nothing short of delightful, as her sparkling personality hilariously juggles the chaos brought on by her wonderfully bizarre sidekick! But who is the real monstrosity that she has tamed? Guru? Hmmmmm!
On a more serious note, the Acadia native Fish Hatchery is well worth a look. It has a very informative interpretive display, picnic grounds, and a fishing dam (current fishing licence required, and normal catch limits apply).
Once in great numbers the Murray cod is now listed as a vulnerable species.
I really liked the “Spirit of the Murray Cod” interpretive display.
Santa was late as he had to detour via Warlords in Nottingham!
Some German K-47 heavy stuff!
Three German Heavy Panzerschrecks to finish off my units.
Four German Heavy Infantry with LMG to finish the same four units.
My first game of K-47 showed that I didn’t have enough German order dice or Rift dice
The “normal” free sprue – this time German Winter War
I also needed a second Platoon Officer
I have exchanged some Christmas “bounty” with Santa for some extra goodies that include K-47 Australian figures, extra vehicles for my WW2 Dutch East Indies – which WILL be completed this year, and some Light Walkers for the K-47 Germans which are still coming.
I am almost ready to publish two more offerings. One, a fast-paced WWII “boys’ own” style novel, and the other, a set of rules on the Australian Frontier Wars.
HENNESSY OF THE A.I.F.
War is messy. It involves dust and tiredness, fear managed by friendship, and brief moments of bravery that appear and disappear in the smoke.
Jack Hennessy is a corporal in the Australian Imperial Force—he’s not a hero or a legend. As a section leader with two stripes and an Owen gun, he has the heavy responsibility of keeping his men alive. From the rocky hills near Bardia to the long nights before an attack, Hennessy and his men face hunger, cold, boredom, and unexpected violence in a tough campaign that challenges their endurance.
Hennessy of the A.I.F. tells the story of regular Australian soldiers as they face the challenges of modern warfare. It highlights the tough realities of patrols, sharing jokes in the dark, and the important connections formed when survival relies on their teamwork rather than orders or medals.
This is a soldier’s perspective on the Second World War, combining detailed history with fast-paced, character-focused storytelling. It presents an intimate, realistic, and human portrayal.
For fans of military history and wartime fiction, Hennessy of the A.I.F. begins a journey through deserts, jungles, and the struggles of empire—one difficult mile at a time.
There are several chapters available here to “wet your whistle”.
This one was a bit more problematic. I had shelved this project for several years because of what I thought the ethical ramifications might be. That is until I corresponded with Ray Kerkhove who convinced me otherwise.
Dr Ray Kerkhove is a historian and ethno-historian associated with the University of Queensland, specialising in Aboriginal history, material culture, and the Australian Frontier Wars. His work combines archival research with Indigenous perspectives, and he has collaborated widely with communities, museums, and heritage organisations across Queensland.
Discussion on the ethical issues:
The Australian Frontier Wars demand careful treatment. They were not distant or brief conflicts but long, brutal struggles fought across Australia, driven by the taking of land and the resistance of First Nation people defending their families, country, and ways of life. Police and soldiers were used to impose control, communities were displaced, people were killed, and the consequences of these wars remain deeply felt by First Nation and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
The question is not whether these conflicts should appear in games, but how. Silence risks erasure. Excluding the Frontier Wars diminishes First Nation experience and obscures histories of resistance, reinforcing false narratives of powerlessness rather than recognising agency, strength, and survival.
This ruleset is built on the belief that honest representation acknowledges experience rather than exploiting it. First Nation resistance is portrayed as deliberate and culturally grounded, not as random violence. Colonial forces are not presented as heroes or neutral actors but as participants in systems of power that often escalated beyond control. Both sides are shown as human, shaped by fear, pressure, and consequence.
The game does not seek to justify violence or turn suffering into victory conditions. Many historical acts—such as collective punishment or attacks on non-combatants—are not player choices. When harsh events occur, they exist as consequences, not rewards. Discomfort and frustration are intentional outcomes, designed to provoke reflection rather than mastery. Australian Frontier Wars is not about winning. It is about endurance under pressure and the gradual loss of control. Survival matters more than success, reflecting the reality of frontier conflict. If the game feels unsettling, it is doing what it was designed to do.
This game does not claim to speak for First Nation peoples or to resolve the past. It exists to insist that the Frontier Wars be acknowledged as real conflicts involving real resistance and real consequences—and that remembering them with care is better than forgetting them altogether.
The rules are still a month or so off publication. I am completing my own internal proof reads, play testing, and checking before it goes out for full play testing and to people like Ray Kerkhove for comments.
The rules have a unique game system:
Australian Frontier Wars depicts conflict as a result of ongoing pressure. It’s not about winning battles; instead, it simulates local interactions influenced by uncertainty, rising tensions, and retreat. Violence seldom solves problems and usually leads to failure. The true goals are survival, denial, and perseverance. If the game concludes without a clear victory, it has achieved its purpose.
Australian Frontier Wars is designed to model conflict as it was experienced on the frontier: uneven, localised, shaped by country, and driven by pressure rather than formal battle lines. The rules aim to reflect how small actions could trigger rapid escalation, how terrain dictated movement and survival, and how initiative passed quickly between groups once violence began.Country is not treated as a neutral backdrop but as an active force. Landforms, vegetation, water, and visibility shape every decision made on the table.
First Nation forces are assumed to possess deep familiarity with the country they fight on, allowing them to move, hide, strike, and disengage with confidence where others hesitate. Settler and government forces may bring firearms, formations, or numerical strength, but these advantages are constrained by unfamiliar terrain, limited sightlines, fragile supply lines, and difficulty maintaining cohesion once contact is made.
Pressure represents the accumulating strain of danger, fear, fatigue, and loss of control. Rather than tracking morale as a single abstract value, pressure grows through events such as sudden attacks, casualties, isolation, failed actions, or being forced to react rather than act. As pressure increases, options narrow. Units may hesitate, act rashly, withdraw prematurely, or lose the ability to coordinate effectively. Pressure is not treated as failure but as the natural consequence of operating in hostile country under constant threat.
Reaction chains replace strict turn-by-turn certainty with a sense of momentum. Actions provoke immediate responses: an ambush demands reaction, a retreat invites pursuit, a missed shot reveals a position. Once a chain begins, initiative can pass rapidly between players as each side responds to unfolding events rather than following a fixed sequence. This creates engagements that are fluid, fast-moving, and often decided by timing rather than sustained firepower.
