News, Articles and Comment

Ed. Rear Admiral James Goldrick AO CSC RAN (Retired) (1958–2023) was a towering figure in Australian and international naval thought – a commander at sea and ashore, a scholar of maritime history, and a teacher whose influence reshaped generations of naval professionals. His life’s work bridged the helm and the classroom, the bridge and the seminar room, the Royal Australian Navy, and its partners around the world. Given the breadth of his influence across command, education, and maritime thought, this volume seeks to consolidate and extend that legacy through critical reflection.

Ed. It was a huge shock to learn that the extraordinary life of Lt Lily-Mae Fisher had been cut short by the tragic loss of a Merlin Helicopter in Devon this week.  The Naval Review extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher and Petty Officer Owen Green. As a tribute to them the excellent article she wrote for the Naval Review is available for all to read, a young life lived to the maximum may she and her crew mates rest in peace.

Ed. As Operation EPIC FURY ebbs and flows, may I propose a new principle of war? Always follow the money.

Ed. A warm welcome to 2026! What a year, already, which may bring a new world order. The Chairman has outlined the current global challenges, but the current pace of events is such that with a turnaround time of three weeks for the hardcopy there may well be more. As we stand away from the map as far as it is possible, one can see and feel the paradigm shift of global reality underway, probably the biggest and most significant movement in over 100 years.

Ed. Churchill’s final volume of his war memoirs is titled Triumph and Tragedy: the theme of the volume is “how the great democracies triumphed and so were able to resume the follies which had so nearly cost them their life.” What did Churchill mean by tragedy? Was he referring to the incredible loss of life caused by the firestorms of Dresden and Tokyo or by the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Or was he lamenting the tragedy that, for most of Eastern Europe, he foresaw that one jackboot was to be replaced by another. As it wasn’t just the democracies that triumphed, the most successful victor of the Second World War was indeed Stalin claiming territories and spoils both in Europe and in Asia. Once again, we risk another tragedy as it looks increasingly likely the jackboots are on the rise.

Ed. Our CSG correspondent provides an update on the Task Group’s progress and describes defence engagement in Japan. A 5 minute read.

Ed. Our correspondent with the UK Carrier Strike Group relays the increasing tempo of joint and multinational operations as HIGHMAST continues. A 5 minute read.

Ed. This article follows Arthur Nicholson’s ‘Some thoughts on that Battle off Malaya’ [113/2, p. 287], focusing on the contemporary controversies surrounding the salvage of HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse: The last resting places for 842 sailors are still not at peace. With an Afterword by Professor Steven Haines. A 20 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers the 2025 edition of Seaforth’s excellent World Naval Review.