Collection of articles, first published in the TAustralian', commemorating the major battles involving Australians between December 1941 and 1942. Provides outlines of events, reminiscences and analyses of political, military, strategic and historical issues. Indexed. Contributors include journalists and military historians. The editor is a leading military historian, and a fellow at the Strategic Defence Studies Centre, ANU.
From battle on the high seas in the 18th century, to the peace-keeping forces in the 21st century, award-winning author Dr Jonathan King describes the battles that have had the greatest influence on Australian history. 'Yes, we could fight all right. Nobody could fight better than us diggers.' - Jack Buntine, veteran of Gallipoli and the Western Front Great Battles in Australian History tells the story of the forty most remarkable conflicts involving Australians through the eyes of the great heroes who were there. Alongside them, we can ride a horse into battle to save a wounded bugler in the Boer War; charge up the cliffs with the Anzacs at Gallipoli to help forge the legend; ride history's last great cavalry charge with the legendary Light Horse; shoot Japanese planes down as they bomb Darwin; beat off Hitler's Desert Fox, Rommel, with the 'Rats of Tobruk'; escape from a Viet Cong ambush in a tropical downpour, or slide down a rope from a helicopter into the jaws of a Taliban attack in Afghanistan. Many of these great warriors won the Victoria Cross; some died winning it. As historian Jonathan King takes us to the battlefields of long ago and then on a rollercoaster-ride right up to the war in Afghanistan, he brings history alive, laying bare the significance of each battle. Despite the heroics and the glory, the devastation that war wreaks is inescapable. This book serves as a tribute to all the Australian servicemen and women who have fought selflessly for their country over the last two centuries. ''ANZAC' stood and still stands for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship and endurance that will never admit defeat.' - Charles Bean
The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles contains concise descriptions of all the major battles that have taken place in Australia or in which Australians have been involved over more than 200 years - from frontier clashes between Aborigines and Europeans, participation by colonial forces in Britain's small wars in the 19th century, through to the World Wars and other conflicts of the 20th century, up to and including involvement in East Timor. Arranged chronologically, over 300 battles are detailed - at sea, on the ground and in the air. A ready reference is provided, listing the date and location of each event, and the main units and commanders involved. Based on studies of historical records and first-hand accounts, and illustrated with explanatory maps, contemporary drawings and photographs of the fighting in progress, a concise and readable account of the course of the battle and its outcome is given. Compiled by one of Australia's leading historians, The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles is both an invaluable reference for the military specialist and an illuminating guide for general readers unaware of the breadth and history of the Australian experience of combat.
The Battle for Passchendaele on 12 October 1917 was one of the epic struggles of the First World War. British Field Marshal Douglas Haig allocated II ANZAC Corps to capture Passchendaele village, with Major General Monash’s 3rd Australian Division and the New Zealand Division leading the attack. For both divisions the battle was a bloody debacle. Monash’s division started the battle with 5800 men and, just 24 hours later, could only muster 2600, suffering horrendous losses for a small territorial gain which was later relinquished. The New Zealand Division was trapped in front of the German wire and barely moved from its start line, suffering one of its highest casualty rates of the war. Fought in conditions which seemed to preclude any chance of success, the battle has become a metaphor for pointless sacrifice. After the battle the British and Australian leadership were unanimous in placing blame for the defeat on the all-pervasive mud. Monash, writing to his wife, believed that his plan ‘would have succeeded in normal conditions’. Yet, two weeks later, in similar weather and terrain, Lieutenant General Currie’s Canadian Corps succeeded where Monash and Godley’s II ANZAC Corps did not. The central focus of this book is a detailed analysis of the 3rd Australian Division’s plan and execution of the attack on Passchendaele. By examining the differences between the Australian and Canadian plans for the capture of Passchendaele, the author casts this iconic battle in a completely different light. It is a re-examination that is long overdue.
From battle on the high seas in the 18th century, to the peace - keeping forces in the 21st century, award - winning author Dr Jonathan King describes the battles that have had the greatest influence on Australian history. Great Battles in Australian History tells the story of the forty most remarkable conflicts involving Australians through the eyes of the great heroes who were there. Alongside them, we can ride a horse into battle to save a wounded bugler in the Boer War; charge up the cliffs with the Anzacs at Gallipoli to help forge the legend; ride history's last great cavalry charge with the legendary Light Horse; shoot Japanese planes down as they bomb Darwin; beat off Hitler's Desert Fox, Rommel, with the 'Rats of Tobruk'; escape from a Viet Cong ambush in a tropical downpour, or slide down a rope from a helicopter into the jaws of a Taliban attack in Afghanistan. Many of these great warriors won the Victoria Cross; some died winning it. As historian Jonathan King takes us to the battlefields of long ago and then on a rollercoaster - ride right up to the war in Afghanistan, he brings history alive, laying bare the significance of each battle. Despite the heroics and the glory, the devastation that war wreaks is inescapable. This book serves as a tribute to all the Australian servicemen and women who have fought selflessly for their country over the last two centuries.
A real-life political thriller that tells the story behind the headlines of a battle that is far from over. The stand-off between the Patrick stevedoring company and the MUA became a battle for the hearts and minds of the average Australian.
"On the afternoon of 18 August 1966, a rubber plantation in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, Australian troops fought one of their bloodiest, most significant battles of the Vietnam War. The Australians had arrived at Nui Dat four months earlier to open up the province. While out on patrol, Delta Company of 6RAR, originally numbering just 105 Australians and three New Zealanders, collided with Viet Cong forces numbering around 2500 troops, ahead of a planned Vietnamese ambush. Under heavy fire and short on ammunition, the Australians could only guess at the enemy's strength and number. Morning light revealed a shattered woodland, trees bleeding latex - and hundreds of dead enemy soldiers who had fallen in the numerous assaults against the small Anzac force. What was first thought by the Australians to be a significant defeat quickly turned out to be a major victory. Marking the battle's 50th anniversary, and drawing on unpublished first-hand accounts, David Cameron brings to life the events of this famous battle as it unfolded - minute by minute, hour by hour - and reveals the deeds of heroism and mateship now part of Australia's Vietnam War story. His compelling account commemorates the men who fought in the rubber plantation of Long Tan - and those who did not come home. Praise for David Cameron's The Battle for Lone Pine- 'A fine work of military and social history', Weekend Australian'A riveting read', Daily Telegraph"
Created especially for the Australian customer! The simple and easy way to get your mind around Australia's military history More people are visiting Gallipoli and walking the Kokoda Trail each year — now find out why. This complete guide helps you trace the story of Australia's involvement in war, from the colonial conflicts with the Indigenous population, through the World Wars to peacekeeping initiatives in East Timor and the controversial conflict in Afghanistan. Find out the origins of Australia's military history — go all the way back to the arrival of the First Fleet and the conflicts with the Indigenous peoples Learn about the heroism of the Anzacs — discover the origins of the legend of Gallipoli, and how the brass bungled the campaign Discover the horrors of war — consider the suffering and huge losses on the Western Front Recognise the successful battles of World Wars I and II — follow the Diggers' exploits in Palestine and Syria, and at Tobruk and Alamein Marvel at the grim jungle battles — track the Diggersthrough New Guinea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam between 1942 and 1972 Admire Australia's efforts to repel possible invaders — learn how Australians defended their country against the Japanese during World War II See how the Cold War heated up — witness the fight against communism in the Korean and Vietnam Wars Appreciate the modern-day Australian Defence Force — acknowledge the courage of the men and women who protectus into the 21st century Open the book and find: New insights into the meaning of Anzac Day Simple explanations of the structure of Australia's military Details of who fought whom, where, when and why Stories of Australia's great military fighters and leaders Accounts of the iconic battles that established Australia's reputation Locations of Australia's peacekeeping operations around the world Ways in which war and conflict have shaped the nation Reasons why Australia goes to war Learn to: Comprehend the impact of waron Australia Appreciate the heroism at AnzacCove and other significant battlefields Understand the controversies ofrecent conflicts, including in Vietnam and Iraq
During the summer and autumn of 1940, the Germans launched their Luftwaffe campaign to gain superiority over the RAF, especially Fighter Command. They were not successful, and this defeat marked a turning point in the Allies' favour. This is the story of eight Australian fighter pilots engaged in the Battle of Britain, the first major battle of World War II (or any war) fought entirely in the air. Jack Kennedy, Stuart Walch, Dick Glyde, Ken Holland, Pat Hughes, Bill Millington, John Crossman and Des Sheen Ð only one of them came home.??A story we take for granted, here told afresh with insight and empathy.?Professor Peter Stanley, UNSW Canberra??In telling the stories of some of the Australians who flew in the Battle of Britain, Kristen Alexander has combined academic rigour with compelling personal detail. She has demonstrated that the ÒunknownsÓ of the Battle are as fascinating as those who gained celebrity status. This is a book for those who know much about what happened in 1940 and those who don't.... Geoff Simpson, Trustee, Battle of Britain Memorial Trust??The lives of eight Australian fighter pilots, from backyard to cockpit and beyond, lovingly and expertly told.... Andy Wright, Aircrew Book Review
An informative look at the military conflicts that most altered the course of history and civilization, from ancient times to the modern world. Rather than celebrating warfare, 50 Battles That Changed the World looks at the clashes the author believes have had the most profound impact on world history. Ranked in order of their relevance to the modern world, these struggles range from the ancient past to the present day and span the globe many times over. Some of the battles in this book are familiar to us all—Bunker Hill, which prevented the American Revolution from being stillborn, and Marathon, which kept the world’s first democracy alive. Others may be less familiar—the naval battle at Diu (on the Indian Coast), which led to the ascendancy of Western Civilization and the discovery of America, and Yarmuk, which made possible the spread of Islam from Morocco to the Philippines. With remarkable accounts of both famous and lesser-known clashes, 50 Battles That Changed the World provides impressive insight into the battles that shaped civilization as we know it.
