The Royal United Services Institute of New South Wales

 
Recent Library Acquisitions

July 2019 to December 2023 July to September 2019 April to June 2019 January to March 2019 October to December 2018 July to September 2018 April to June 2018 January to March 2018 September to December 2017 July to September 2017 January to June 2017 July to December 2016

Acquisitions July 2019 to December 2023

Acquisitions 1 July to 30 September 2019

The following 24, mostly recently-published, books have been added to the collection since 1 July 2019. Recent acquisitions are displayed in the Library for two months, during which time Institute members may reserve them for borrowing once they come off display. While there is a waiting list, books may be borrowed for 14 days. Once there is no longer a waiting list for them, books may be borrowed for up to 28 days.

Apthorpe, Graham (2019). The man inside ... the bloodiest outbreak (Big Sky Publishing: Newport NSW) 183 pp., Call No: 472 APTH 2019.

This is the story of Second Lieutenant Maseo Naka who was the first Japanese soldier to escape from the Cowra prisoner-of-war camp during World War II. This action was the precursor for the more than 1000 Japanese soldiers who subsequently took part in a mass breakout.

Avery, Lieutenant-Colonel Brian (2004). We too were Anzacs: the Sixth Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment/NZ (ANZAC), South Vietnam 1969 to 1970 (Slouch Hat Publications: McCrae, Vic.) 255 pp., Call No: 547 AVER 2004.

During its year-long tour. 6RAR/NZ participated in nine major operations. With fighting mainly at platoon level, it dominated enemy Main Force units in Phuoc Tuy Province by aggressive minor tactics, patrolling and well-sited ambushes; and it inflicted heavy casualties on the Viet Cong.

Bewsher, Major F. W. (1920). The history of the Fifty-First (Highland) Division 1914 - 1918 (The Naval and Military Press: Uckfield, East Sussex) 411 pp., Call No: 570.12 BEWS 1920.

This is the original history of the 51^st Division in the Great War. This territorial infantry division fought on the Western Front in France and Flanders from June 1915 to the end of the war. A new history was published last year and also is in our collection [The 51st (Highland) Division in the Great War: engine of destruction by Colin Campbell, 320 pp., Call No: 570.2 CAMP 2018].

Brune, Peter (2014). Descent into hell: the fall of Singapore - Pudu and Changi - the Thai-Burma Railway (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 802 pp., Call No: 588.14 BRUN 2014.

This is an account of the Malayan Campaign in World War II, including the fall of Singapore and the subsequent horrors of the Thai-Burma Railway from an Australian perspective.

Chan, Gabrielle, editor (2004). War on our doorstep: diaries of Australians at the frontline in 1942 (Hardie Grant Books: South Yarra, Vic.)316 pp., Call No: 588.14 CHAN 2004.

In 1942, Japan brought Wold War II to Australia's doorstep and we came to realise that our traditional ally, Great Britain, could no longer protect us. This book contains a collection of diaries from soldiers, airmen, sailors, mothers, fathers and sweethearts that, together, tell the story of a year in the life of Australians.

Colebatch, Hal G. P. (2013). Australia's secret war: how unionists sabotaged our troops in World War II (Quadrant Books: Sydney) 340 pp., Call No: 472 COLE 2013.

This book records the war waged from 1939 - 1945 by trade unions against their own society and their country's fighting forces including at the time of its greatest peril. The resultant delays in the shipping of wartime ammunition, mat riel and supplies to our troops may have cost the lives of many Australian and allied service-people and, eventually, that of the wartime prime minister, John Curtin.

Cook, Timothy J. (2014). Snowy to the Somme: a muddy and bloody campaign, 1916-1918 (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 397 pp., Call No: 570.2 COOK 2014.

Based on eyewitness accounts, this book is the story of the 55^th Battalion, 14^th Brigade, 5^th Division, Australian Imperial Force on the Western Front in France and Belgium during the Great War (1916-18). Significant battles at Fromelles, Doignies, Polygon Wood, P ronne and Bellicourt are described. Of the 3000 men who served in it, the battalion lost over 500 killed and 1000 wounded.

Dapin, Mark (2014). The nashos' war: Australian national servicemen in Vietnam (Viking, Penguin Books: North Sydney, NSW) 470 pp. Call No: 547 DAPI 2014.

This is a history of Australia's participation the Vietnam War focusing on the contribution of national servicemen. Dapin deconstructs the folklore of Vietnam and national service drawing on the accounts of over 150 former national servicemen.

Dean, Peter J. (2018). MacArthur's coalition: US and Australian operations in the Southwest Pacific Area, 1942-1945 (University Press of Kansas: Lawrence, Kansas) 476 pp., Call No: 588.14 DEAN 2018.

This book charts the effectiveness of the US-Australian alliance, led by General Douglas MacArthur, in the war against Japan in the Southwest Pacific Area from 1942-1945. Drawing on new, primary-source material, Dean provides an in-depth account and analysis of the operations from the Kokoda Trail to the reconquest of the Philippines and Borneo.

Duffy, Michael, and Hordern, Nick (2019). World war noir: Sydney's unpatriotic war (NewSouth Publishing: Sydney), 329 pp., Call No: 472 DUFF 2019.

War and crime - in the form of sex, drugs, alcohol, racketeering and other illicit activities - were natural accomplices in World War II Sydney. Many Australians were not a patriotic as we have been led to believe. For soldiers on leave with pockets full of cash criminal possibilities opened up. This book is a companion to Sydney noir: the golden years.

Grandin, Bob (2019). Answering the call: life of a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and beyond (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 182 pp., Call No: 547 GRAN 2019.

This is the memoir of a RAAF helicopter pilot who was based at Nui Dat, Vietnam, in 1966 and has been written from his logbook. As an Iroquois co-pilot, he flew over the enemy to resupply Australian soldiers during the battle of Long Tan. The memoir also provides an insight into his post-war struggles with PTSD.

Junger, Sebastian (2016). Tribe: on homecoming and belonging (4^th Estate: London) 168 pp., Call No: 301.1 JUNG 2016.

Junger notes that humans have a strong instinct to belong in small groups defined by clear purpose and understanding - to "tribes". This tribal connection largely has been lost in modern society. He hypothesises that this may explain, for example, why post-traumatic stress disorder has arisen exponentially in veterans while combat casualties have dropped; and that regaining it may be the key to our psychological survival.

Lewis, Jon E., editor (2005). Trafalgar: the mammoth book of how it happened: over 50 first-hand accounts of the greatest sea battle in history (Carroll & Graf Publishers: New York) 492 pp., Call No: 715 LEWI 2005.

This is the fullest ever collection of eyewitness reports of the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, one of the most strategically significant victories of all time. It set the seal on British supremacy at sea which lasted until the age of air power.

Longden, Sean (2009). Dunkirk: the men they left behind (Constable: London) 589 pp., Call No: 583 LONG 2009.

This is the story of the thousands of men whose war ended in 1940 when they missed the boats home during the evacuation from Dunkirk, including the Highland Division which fought a last-ditch defence against the Nazis. Some became 'evaders', but most became prisoners of war and were marched to camps in Germany.

Mackay, Ian (2016). Phantoms of Bribie: the jungles of Vietnam to corporate life and everything in between (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 280 pp., Call No: 547 MACK 2016.

An autobiography which, inter alia, recounts training within the SAS, operational service in Malaya and in Vietnam as an infantry company commander (B Company, 6RAR, 1966-67), including on Operation Bribie, and post-military career in Rugby Union and in business. Leadership and management qualities are emphasised.

Mansoor, Peter R., and Murray, Williamson, editors (2018). Grand strategy and military alliances (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge) 399 pp., Call No; 820 MANS 2018.

Alliances have shaped grand strategy and warfare since the dawn of civilization and may play an even more important role in the 21^st century. This book traces the history of alliances and emphasises their particular importance for middle powers and maritime nations.

McGregor, Richard (2019). Xi Jinping: the backlash: a Lowy Institute paper (Penguin Specials: Melbourne) 134 pp., Call No: 454 MCGR 2019.

Xi Jinping has transformed China at home and abroad with speed and aggression since he came to power in 2012. Finally, he is meeting resistance, both at home among disgruntled officials and disillusioned technocrats, and abroad from an emerging coalition of Western nations determined to resist China's geopolitical and high-tech expansion.

Nash, N. S. (2016). Betrayal of an army: Mesopotamia 1914-1916 (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 300 pp., Call No: 577 NASH 2016.

This is a new account of the disastrous initial attempt by the Viceroy of India to add Mesopotamia to the British Empire during the Great War. It recounts the march of an Indian Army division from Basra towards Baghdad against stiffening Turkish resistance, before being forced to retreat to Kut where, after a five-month siege, the starving division surrendered. It also covers the aftermath and the subsequent inquiry.

Norman, Mike, and Jones, Michael (2019). The Falklands War there and back again: the story of Naval Party 8901 (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley South Yorkshire) pp. 230, Call No: 750 NORM 2019.

This is a compelling account Major Mike Norman's Royal Marines commando unit which garrisoned Port Stanley before, during and following the Argentine invasion on 2 April 1982. It details the courage and professionalism they displayed, including as prisoners of war, during the Falklands War.

Pemper, Tammy (2019). Scorched earth: peacekeeping in Timor during a campaign of death and destruction (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW)296 pp., Call No: 546 PEWMP 2019.

This is the memoir of a UN peacekeeper in East Timor in 2000-01 and 2004-06, who witnessed gruesome atrocities and ended up on militia death lists. In the midst of the East Timorese fight for independence, militia implemented a scorched earth policy and Timor burned.

Reid, Stuart (2019). Wellington's history of the Peninsular War: battling Napoleon in Iberia 1808 - 1814 (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley: South Yorkshire) 301 pp., Call No: 515 REID 2019.

Stuart Reid has produced a single, connected, one-volume narrative of the war in Iberia from the four memoranda and numerous despatches written by the Duke of Wellington, commander of the Anglo-Portuguese forces, as the war against Napoleon's Franco-Spanish forces progressed.

Stanley, Peter (2017). The crying years: Australia's Great War (National Library of Australia: Canberra) 255 pp., Call No: 570.14 STAN 2017.

This is a visual history of Australia's Great War drawing on the archives of the National Library and connecting the war overseas with the equally bitter war at home for and against conscription and over 'loyalty' versus 'disloyalty'.

Thompson, Peter, and Macklin, Robert (2015). Operation Rimau: Australia's heroic and daring commando raid on Singapore (Hachette: Sydney) 310 pp, Call No: 588.14 THOM 2015.

Operation Rimau, in late 1944, was a raid by Australian and British commandos on Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour. It was the largest special forces operation in the Pacific Theatre in World War II. It describes the planning, conduct and aftermath of the raid, exposes the poor planning and names those who betrayed and abandoned the raiders, including the double-dealing which hid the true story for many years.

White, Hugh (2019). How to defend Australia (La Trobe University Press: Carlton, Victoria) 318 pp., Call No: 820 WHIT 2019.

Can Australia defend itself in the Asian century? How seriously ought we take the risk of war? Do we want to remain a middle power? What kind of strategy, and what Australian Defence Force, do we need? White makes the case for a reconceived defence of Australia. In this controversial and persuasive contribution, White sets new terms for one of the most crucial conversations Australia needs to have.

To reserve any of these books, email .

For further information, phone (02) 8262 2922 on Monday to Thursday between 1000 - 1600 hours.

David Leece
Library Manager
30 September 2019

Acquisitions 1 April to 30 June 2019

The following 66, mostly recently-published, books have been added to the collection since 1 April 2019. Recent acquisitions are displayed in the Library for two months, during which time Institute members may reserve them for borrowing once they come off display. While there is a waiting list, books may be borrowed for 14 days. Once there is no longer a waiting list for them, books may be borrowed for up to 28 days.

Bowman, Martin W. (2019). The Reich intruders: RAF light bomber raids in World War II (Pen & Sword Aviation: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 256 pp., Call No: 950 BOWM 2019.

This is the story of 2 Group Royal Air Force during Wold War II. Much of it is told by the men who flew the Blenheim, Boston, Mitchell and Mosquito aircraft that carried out many daring daylight and night-time raids on vitally important targets in Nazi-occupied Europe and Germany.

Boyne, John (2012). The boy in the striped pyjamas : a fable (Vintage Books: London) 223 pp., Call No: 432.1 BOYN 2012.

This is a fictional account of life for children inside a German concentration camp as told by a 9-year-old boy in striped pyjamas to another 9-year-old boy outside the wire. It is recommended for children 8+ to teens.

Bradley, Phillip (2016). Australian Light Horse: the campaign in the Middle East, 1916-1918 (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 196 pp., Call No: 576 BRAD 2016.

This book describes the Australian Light Horse's campaign in Egypt, Sinai, Palestine and Syria in the Great War from April 1916 to October 1918, drawing on the diaries, letters and photographs taken by the light horsemen to bring the story to life.

Bradley, Phillip (2019). D-Day New Guinea: the extraordinary story of the battle for Lae and the greatest combined airborne and amphibious operation of the Pacific War (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 322 pp., Call No: 588.14 BRAD 2019.

This book describes the capture of Lae in New Guinea by the 7^th and 9^th Australian Divisions in September 1943. It involved the amphibious landing of an infantry division, a regimental parachute-drop and the air-landing of two infantry brigades - the most complex operation undertaken by allied forces in the Pacific War and a rehearsal for the D-Day invasion of France.

Brands, H. W. (2012) The man who saved the Union: Ulysses Grant in war and peace (Anchor Books: New York) 718 pp., Call No 561 BRAN 2012.

In this masterful biography, Grant emerges as a genius in battle and a steadfast president who met the daunting challenges of his time with principled leadership and great physical and moral courage.

Brune, Peter (2019). Our great-hearted men: the Australian Corps and the 100 days ( Harper Collins: Sydney) 457 pp., Call No: 572 BRUN 2019.

Starting with the German 1918 spring offensive, Brune traces the acquisition of the British Expeditionary Force's acquisition of its tactical doctrine with regard to its tanks, artillery and aircraft and its sophisticated interlocking all-arms approach to warfare. It then describes its application by the Australian Corps in the final 100 days offensive of the Great war.

Casdorph, Paul D. (1992). Lee and Jackson: Confederate chieftains (Paragon House: New York) 498 pp., Call No: 561 CASD 1992.

This biography probes the private lives and public careers of Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, consummate Confederate soldiers, and the secret behind the extraordinary success of their great collaboration.

Cave, Nigel, and Sheldon, Jack (2015). Ypres 1914: Messines (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 214 pp, Call No 572 SHEL 2015.

This book describes the First Battle of Ypres from 16 October to the end of November 1914 in the Messines sector from British, French and German perspectives. This is followed by nine suggested battlefield tours of the sector.

Cave, Nigel, and Sheldon, Jack (2019). Ypres 1914: the Menin Road (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 216 pp, Call No 572 SHEL 2019.

This book describes the First Battle of Ypres from 20 October to 11 November 1914 in the Menin Road sector from British, French and German perspectives. This is followed by six suggested battlefield tours of the sector and a description of the Menin German Cemetery and relevant Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries.

Coburn, Mark (1993). Terrible innocence: General Sherman at war ((Hippocrene Books: New York) 248 pp., Call No: 564.1 COBU 1993.

This is a description of Sherman the man, rather than a full-scale biography or a conventional military history. Following a brief overview of Sherman's whole life, the focus turns to one critical year, May 1864 to May 1865, when Sherman rampaged through Georgia, capturing Atlanta and led his march to the sea.

Dallek, Robert (2017). Franklin D. Roosevelt: a political life (Penguin: New York) 692 pp., Call No: 482 DALL 2017.

This biography of Roosevelt brings to light his achievements, from his unprecedented four presidential terms to his reshaping of the American industrial system, to his transformation of the United States from an isolationist country to an international superpower.

Dando-Collins, Stephen (2018). Heroes of Hamel: the Australians and Americans whose WWI victory changed modern warfare (Vintage Books: North Sydney, NSW) 323 pp., Call No: 572 DAND 2018.

This book tells how the Battle of le Hamel on 4 July 1918 was conceived by the Australian Corps commander, Lieutenant-General Sir John Monash, and was fought by the Australian Corps augmented by United States infantry. It tells how Monash skilfully co-ordinated infantry, artillery, tanks and aircraft in the assault.

Dapin, Mark (2019). Australia's Vietnam: myth vs history (New South Publishing: Sydney) 261 pp., Call No: 547 DAPI 2019.

Dapin argues that every stage of Australia's Vietnam War has been misremembered and obscured by myth e.g. that every national serviceman was a volunteer; that Australian troops committed atrocities; that there were no welcome-home parades until 1987; and that returning troops were met by spitting protesters at airports. He corrects the record.

Davidson, Leon (2005). Scarecrow army: the Anzacs at Gallipoli (Black Dog Books: Fitzroy Vic.) 186 pp., Call No: 575.14 DAVI 2005.

This is a description of Australia's Gallipoli campaign from start to finish written for children 8+ to teens.

Davis, William C. (1996). The Civil War: a historical account of America's war of secession (Smithmark: New York) 512 pp., Call No: 564 DAVI 1996.

This is a one-volume history of the Civil War fought between 1861 and 1865. It describes the thirteen major battles; the commanders on both sides and how they coped with the challenges of leadership; and the experiences of the common soldier.

Deacon, Ray (2019). Hunters over Arabia: Hawker Hunter operations in the Middle East (Pen & Sword Aviation: Barnsley: South Yorkshire) 380 pp., Call No: 957 DEAC 2019.

The Hawker Hunter was a British fighter ground attack and reconnaissance jet aircraft. Based on official records, this is an in-depth account of the operations performed by the British Hawker Hunter squadrons policing the desert wastelands and high mountain ranges of Arabia from bases in Aden between 1960 and 1971.

Deary, Terry (2005). Horrible histories: rotten rulers (Scholastic Children's Books: London) 174 pp., Call No: 404 DEAR 2005.

This is 'history with the nasty bits left in!' It gives you the lowdown on the world's most loathsome leaders. From bizarre tsars and evil emperors to crazy kings and queens, people all around the world have suffered at the hands of their rulers for centuries. It is recommended for children 8+ to teens.

Deary, Terry (2007). Horrible histories: frightful First World War (Scholastic Children's Books: London) 139 pp. Call No: 570.01 DEAR 2007.

This book describes causes of the Great War, and the events that transpired, principally on the Western Front, from 1914 to 1918. It is recommended for children 8+ to teens.

Deary, Terry (2013). Horrible histories: woeful Second World War: splats, hats and lots of rats (Scholastic Children's Books: London) 230 pp., Call No: 580.01 DEAR 2013.

This book outlines the key events leading up to and during World War II, then describes conditions during the war and 'gory details', including who made a meal out of maggots and which smelly soldiers were sniffed out by their enemies. It is recommended for children 8+ to teens.

Emerson, Stephen (2019). Vietnam's final air campaign: Operation Linebacker I & II May-December 1972 (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, S. Yorkshire) 128 pp., Call No 955 EMER 2019.

On 30 March 1972, North Vietnam launched a major offensive in South Vietnam. The United States responded with a massive bombing campaign of North Vietnam, Operation Linebacker I, from May to October. When peace talks faltered in December, Linebacker II was launched. This book describes these bombing campaigns.

Fathi, Romain (2019). Our corner of the Somme: Australia at Villers-Bretonneux (Cambridge University Press: Port Melbourne, VIC) 270 pp., Call No: 572 FATH 2019.

This book analyses the memorialisation of Australia's role on the Western Front and the Anzac mythology that contributes to Australians' understanding of themselves. Dr Fathi challenges accepted historiography.

Frank, Anne (2015). Anne Frank: the diary of a young girl (Puffin Books: London) 284 pp. Cal No: 437 FRAN 2015.

This is an abridged version for young readers of The Diary of a young girl: Anne Frank (Doubleday: New York; 1995). It is the true diary of a Jewish girl who lived under Nazi occupation in the Netherlands during World War II until she was betrayed, captured and killed. This version is recommended for 8+ to teens.

Giles, John (1992). The Western Front then and now: from Mons to the Marne and back (After the Battle: London) 272 pp., Call No: 572 GILE 1992.

Giles, John (2009). The Somme then and now (After the Battle: London) 154 pp., Call No: 572 GILE 2009.

Giles, John (2012). Flanders then and now (After the Battle: London) 208 pp., Call No: 572 GILE 2012.

This set of three books briefly summarises the battles fought on the Western Front during the Great War. It describes in words and pictures what the battlefields were like during the war and what they are like today.

Gilmour, David (2018). The British in India: three centuries of ambition and experience (Allen Lane: London) 618 pp., Call No: 452 GILM 2018.

This book explores the lives of the many different sorts of Britons who went to India from just after the reign of Elizabeth I to well into the reign of Elizabeth II. It evokes three and a half centuries of their ambitions and experiences. It includes many who did not fit into the usual image of the Raj.

Harwell, Richard (1991). Lee (Collier Books: New York) 601 pp., Call No: 561 HARW 1991.

This is an abridgement in one volume of the four-volume R. E. Lee by Douglas Southall Freeman. It is a biography of General Robert E. Lee from his childhood to the end of the American Civil War.

Hobbs, David (2019). The dawn of carrier strike: and the world of Lieutenant W P Lucy DSO RN (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 386 pp., Call No: 729 HOBB 2019.

This book documents the struggle of the Royal Navy, after it lost naval air power to the Royal Air Force in 1918, to make the RAF prioritise naval interests during the 1920s and 1930s, during which it lost ground the to the rival naval air forces of Japan and the United States. It describes particularly the advancement made in carrier strike doctrine regardless.

Holloway, Adam (2018). Duty nobly done: an extraordinary account of 11 family members in the Great War (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 519 pp., Call No: 570.02 HOLLO 2018.

This book recounts the experiences of 11 young Australians from the one extended family who served in the Australian Imperial Force in the Great War, of whom three were killed.

Hood, J. B. (1985). Advance and retreat (Blue and Grey Press: Secaucus, New York) 358 pp., Call No: 564 HOOD 1985.

This is a facsimile of the diaries of Lieutenant-General J. B. Hood, Army of the Confederate States, as originally published in 1880. It covers, inter alia, the siege of Atlanta, campaigns in Virginia, Gettysburg, Sharpsburg, Tennessee, and Chickamauga.

Horn, Jonathan (2015). The man who would be Washington: Robert E. Lee's Civil War and his decision that changed American history (Scribner: New York) 369 pp, Call No: 561 HORN 2015.

On the eve of the Civil War, both sides sought Lee's service for high command. Lee chose to go to war against the Union that Washington forged. This biography follows Lee through married life, military glory and misfortune. The story that emerges is more complicated, more tragic and more illuminating than the familiar tale.

Hutchison, Margaret (2019). Painting war: a history of Australia's First World War art scheme (Cambridge University Press: Port Melbourne, VIC) 268 pp., Call No: 371 HUTC 2019.

This book describes the Australia government's official war art scheme, the artists and images they created, and their subjects commemorated in around 2000 sketches and painting commissioned and acquired between 1916 and 1922.

Iron, Richard (2019). Rapid intervention and conflict resolution: British military intervention in Sierra Leone 2000-2002. Australian Army Occasional Paper, Conflict Theory and Strategy Series 003 (Australian Army Research Centre: Canberra) 179 pp., Call No: 820 AARC 2019.

This book describes the British intervention in the Sierra Leone civil war - Operations Palliser, Basilica, Barras and Silkman - and lessons for the Australian Army to emerge therefrom.

Keegan, John (2000). The First World War (Vintage Books: New York) 475 pp., Call No: 570.02 KEEG 2000.

Military historian, John Keegan, has produced a definitive account of the Great War, including its weaponry and technology, its international diplomacy, and life in the trenches of the Western Front, to the council-rooms of the commanding generals and to the key conflagrations of Gallipoli, East Africa and the Carpathians. It is an epic account in one volume.

Kim, Monica (2019). The interrogation rooms of the Korean War: the untold history (Princeton University Press: Princeton) 435 pp., Call No : 545 KIMM 2019.

This book examines the Korean War from inside the interrogation rooms especially of the United States. It shows how they were used to encourage POWs to exercise their 'free will' as to which country they would return to after the war. It is a new slant on 'brainwashing'. The techniques would be used in future wars to this day.

Lambert, John, and Ross, AL (2018). Allied coastal forces of World War II. Volume 1 Fairmile designs and US submarine chasers (Seaforth Publishing: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 256 pp., Call No: Q722 LAMB 2018.

This volume covers the technical details of all designs of the Fairmile Marine Company, the 72-foot Harbour Defence Motor launch and the US Navy 110-foot subchaser.

Leek, Alan (2019). Frederick Whirlpool VC: the hidden Victoria Cross (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, S. Yorkshire) 237 pp. Call No: 501.2 LEEK 2019.

Frederick Whirlpool was born in Ireland and served in the army of the East India Company. During the Indian Mutiny, he was awarded the VC for two acts of valour, but 17 severe sword wounds ended his military career. In 1859, he migrated to Australia. His VC was pinned on him in Melbourne in 1861 and is now in the Australian War Memorial.

Lloyd, Nick (2013). Hundred days: the end of the Great war (Viking: London) 350 pp., Call No: 572 LLOY 2013.

This book describes the final allied offensive of the Great War beginning with the turning point on the Marne in July 1918. It draws on recently-released archival material from five countries.

Madden, Michael C. (2018). The Victoria Cross: Australia remembers (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 459 pp., Call No: Q813 MADD 2018.

Since its institution in 1856, 100 Australians have been awarded the Victoria Cross to most conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy. This beautifully illustrated book contains a biography of each of them.

Maihafer, Harry J. (1998). The general and the journalists: Ulysses S. Grant, Horace Greeley, and Charles Dana (Brassey's: Washington) 315 pp, Call No 561 MAIH 1998.

This is a biography of soldier/president Grant and two editorial giants, Greeley and Dana, emphasising how they became interwoven, influenced each other and, in turn, affected the course of American history.

Mattey, Colin ((2019). The Battle of Lys, April 1918. Australian Army Campaign Series No. 25 (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 140 pp., Call No: 572 MATT 2019.

The Battle of Lys in April 1918 was a critical battle during the Operation Georgette phase of the German 1918 spring offensive. During it, the 1st Australian Division halted the German thrust towards Hazebrouck, the critical rail and road logistics hub in French Flanders south-east of Calais. Its success was essential to the survival of the British Expeditionary Force - it was a decisive point of the Great War.

Maynard, Roger (2016). Ambon: the truth about one of the most brutal POW camps in World War II and the triumph of the Aussie spirit (Hachette: Sydney) 334 pp., Call No: 588.14 MAYN 2016.

This book describes the fate of the 1150 Australian soldiers of Gull Force who surrendered to the Japanese Army on Ambon in February 1942. Just over 300 survived the POW experience.

McLeod, Jan (2019). Shadow on the track: Australia's medical war in Papua 1942-1943: Kokoda - Milne Bay - the Beachhead Battles (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 395 pp., Call No: 588.14 MCLE 2019.

The Australian Army was woefully unprepared to fight a medical war in Papua and the soldiers paid the price - almost 30,000 suffered from illness and tropical diseases and some 6000 were killed or wounded during the 6-month campaign. The book focuses on the frontline medical personnel, examines a wide range of issues that impacted on soldier health, and evaluates the successes and failures.

Monash, John (2015). War letters of General Monash (Black Inc: Collingwood, Vic.) 300 pp. Call No: 570.01 MONA 2015.

These extraordinary, intimate letters from Sir John Monash to his wife and daughter record his experiences throughout the Great War from the landing at Gallipoli to the final battles on the Western Front.

Nolan, Alan T. (1991). Lee considered: General Robert E. Lee and Civil War history (University of North Carolina Press: Chapel Hill) 231 pp., Call No: 564.1 NOLA 1991.

In a careful re-examination of the historical evidence, Alan Nolan explodes many longstanding myths about Robert E. Lee and the Civil War.

O'Connell, Robert L. (2014). Fierce patriot: the tangled lives of William Tecumseh Sherman (Random House: New York) 404 pp., Call 561 OCON 2014.

This is a biography of America's first 'celebrity' general, a man of many faces - some exalted in the public eye; others known only to family, friends, lovers and the soldiers under his command. O'Connell captures the man in full.

Olson, Wes (2016). H.M.A.S. Sydney (II) in peace and war (The Author: Hilton, Western Australia) 610 pp., Call No: 740 OLSO 2016.

This is the story of the ship and the men who served in her. It covers her triumphs against the Italian navy in the eastern Mediterranean in 1940 and its loss in action in the Indian Ocean at the hands of the disguised German merchant raider HMK Kormoran on 19 November 1941.

Reece, Bob (1998). Masa Jepun: Sarawak under the Japanese 1941-1945 (Ampang Press: Kuala Lumpur), 254 pp., Call No: Q456 REEC 1998.

This is a depiction of life in Sarawak over the four years of the Japanese occupation during World War II.

Robins, Phil (2005). Dead famous: Alexander the Great and his claim to fame (Scholastic Children's Books: London) 176 pp., Call No: 404 ROBI 2005.

This is a biography of Alexander the Great written for children 8+ to teens. It tells the inside story and why the great man still has a claim to fame more than 2000 years after he conked out.

Marszalek, John F. (1993). Sherman: a soldier's passion for order (The Free Press: New York) 635 pp., Call No: 561 MARS 1993.

In this biography, General William Tecumseh Sherman, widely denounced for his infamous March to the Sea across Georgia in the Civil War, emerges as a brilliant strategist who helped bring the bloody war to a swifter and surer end.

Moore, Peter (2018). Endeavour: the ship that changed the world (Farrar, Straus and Giroux: New York) 420 pp., Call No: 714 MOOR 2018.

This is a history of Endeavour, the collier made of oak which the Royal Navy purchased in 1768 for Captain James Cook's voyage of discovery leading to the mapping of New Zealand and the east coast of New Holland. It later served in the American War of Independence.

Prickett, Darren (2019). Purple patch: history of the 3^rd Field Company Engineers in World War One (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 356 pp.; Call No: 570.2 PRIC 2019.

This is a history of 3^rd Field Company Engineers, Australian Imperial Force, which served on the Suez Canal and Gallipoli in 1915, and then in France and Belgium on the Western Front from 1916 to 1918. It illustrates the construction and combat roles of engineers in the Great War.

Sheard, Heather, and Lee, Ruth (2019). Women to the Front: the extraordinary women doctors of the Great War (Ebury Press: North Sydney, NSW) 305 pp., Call No: 570.14 SHEA 2019.

At least 24 Australian women doctors ignored official military policy and headed to the frontlines, serving as surgeons, pathologists, anaesthetists and medical officers. This book explores their stories.

Sheldon, Jack (2013). The German Army on Vimy Ridge 1914 - 1917 (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 368 pp, Call No 572 SHEL 2013.

This book describes, from the German perspective, the capture of Vimy Ridge in October 1914 and the subsequent major battles in 1915 and 1916 as the British tried to retake it, and culminating with the Canadian Corps assault on the Ridge in April 1917.

Sheldon, Jack (2014). The German Army at Passchendaele (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 318 pp, Call No 572 SHEL 2014.

This book describes the Third Battle of Ypres (Ieper) from June to November 1917 which culminated with the battle for Passchendaele Ridge from the German perspective. By its end, while the German Army had lost ground and paid a huge price in casualties, its morale was essentially intact and the British had failed to make a breakthrough in Flanders.

Sheldon, Jack (2015). The German Army in the spring offensives 1917: Arras, Aisne and Champagne (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 384 pp, Call No 572 SHEL 2015.

In March 1917, the German forces on the Western Front withdrew to the Hindenburg Line. The French under Nivelle then conducted a major offensive along the Chemin des Dames and in Champagne, with the British conducting large-scale diversionary operations around Arras. This book describes these operations from the defenders' perspective.

Sheldon, Jack (2016). The German Army on the Western Front 1915 (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 318 pp, Call No 572 SHEL 2016.

In 1915, constantly on the offensive on the vast open spaces of the Eastern Front, the German Army stood on the strategic defensive on the Western Front. There, with minimal ground-holding forces and skilful deployment of reserves of men and guns, it repulsed, with bloody losses, every attempt by the Western allies to drive it from occupied France and Belgium.

Sheldon, Jack (2016). The German Army on the Somme 1914-1916 (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 432 pp, Call No 572 SHEL 2016.

This book provides the first full account of the operations of the Imperial German Army on the Somme from the commencement of operations there in September 1914, through until the end of the Battle of the Somme in Late 1916.

Sheldon, Jack (2017). Fighting the Somme: German challenges, dilemmas and solutions (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 225 pp, Call No 572 SHEL 2017.

This book provides a fresh look at the 1916 Battle of the Somme - through German eyes. It explains how and why the German defence was designed and conducted as it was.

Sheldon, Jack (2014). Ypres 1914: Langemarck (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 208 pp, Call No 572 SHEL 2014.

This book describes the First Battle of Ypres from 20 October to the end of November 1914 in the Langemarck sector from British, French and German perspectives. This is followed by four suggested battlefield tours of the sector and a description of relevant cemeteries.

Smith, Neil C. (2012). Disarming the menace: Australian soldiers with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces Japan 1946 - 1952 (Mostly Unsung Military History Research and Publications: Brighton, VIC.) 259 pp., Call No: Q455 SMIT 2012.

This book contains a nominal roll of all Australians who served with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force and includes some contextual material on BCOF. It is published to recognise those who served in BCOF.

Speck, Catherine (2004). Painting ghosts: Australian women artists in wartime (Craftsman House: Fishermen's Bend, Victoria) 239 pp., Call No: 371 SPEC 2004.

This book examines the important contribution of Australian women artists to our understanding of Australia's experience of war, focusing on the two world wars.

Van Rooy, Johanna (2010). Anah's war (Book Pal: Cooper's Plains, QLD) 287 pp., Call No: 437 ROOY 2010.

Van Rooy has crafted a novel in the form of a teenager's diary of life for a Jewish girl living in Nazi-occupied Holland during World War II. It is based on the experiences of the author's parents living in Nijmegen during the war. It is recommended for teens to young adults.

Walter, John (2019). The sniper encyclopaedia; an A-Z guide to world sniping (Greenhill Books: Barnsley, S. Yorkshire) 306 pp., Call No: 880 WALT 2019.

The book contains personal details of hundreds of snipers, both men and women, drawn from many nations; and the history and development of the many specialist sniper rifles, specialist ammunition, aids and accessories, including optical sights and laser rangefinders. It also describes specific campaigns and places where marksmen have influenced the course of individual battles.

Wilkins, Lola, editor (2003). Artists in action: from the collection of the Australian War Memorial (Australian War memorial: Canberra) 172 pp., Call No. 371 WILK 2003.

This book depicts and provides background notes on selected art works in the Memorial's collection drawn from the colonial period, World Wars I and II, post-1945 conflicts and some commemorative works.

Wood, James (810). Chiefs of the Australian Army: higher command of the Australian Military Forces 1901-1914 (Australian Military History Publications: Loftus, NSW) 204 pp., Call No: 810 WOOD 2006.

This book tells the remarkable story of the generals who led and shaped the Australian Army in its challenging formative years.

To reserve any of these books, email .

For further information, phone (02) 8262 2922 on Monday to Thursday between 1000 - 1500 hours.

David Leece
Library Manager
30 June 2019

Acquisitions 1 January to 31 March 2019

The following, mostly recently-published, books have been added to the collection since 1 January 2019. They will be on display in the Library for two months, during which time Institute members may reserve them for borrowing once they come off display. While there is a waiting list, books may be borrowed for 14 days. Once there is no longer a waiting list for them, books may be borrowed for up to 28 days.

Australian Army Research Centre (2018). Australian Army reading list 2019 (Commonwealth of Australia: Canberra) 58 pp., Call No 830 AARC 2018.

The reading list is an annotated bibliography designed for the professional development Australian Army officers. It lists suggested professional reading covering topics from military theory, through strategic, operational and tactical levels, to leadership, ethics, Australian military history and future war.

Barker, Dennis (1986). Ruling the waves: an unofficial portrait of the Royal Navy (Viking: Harmondsworth, Middlesex) 448 pp., Call No: 750 BARK 1986.

This book describes the heart and character of the Royal Navy of the late 20^th century - ways of life in the Navy; ways of getting in and getting on; and of interfacing with the civilian world. It is a portrait of the atmosphere and feel of the Royal Navy.

Brereton, J. M. (1989). A history of the Royal Regiment of Wales (24^th/41^st Foot), 1689-1989 (The Regiment: Cardiff) 512 pp. Call No. 503.1 BRER 1989.

The Royal Regiment of Wales was formed in 1969 by the amalgamation of two of Wales' most famous regiments, namely the South Wales Borderers and The Welch Regiment. This is a lively and authoritative account of 300 years of regimental and army history.

Campbell, Colin (2018). The 51^st (Highland) Division in the Great War: engine of destruction (Pen & Sword Military; Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 320 pp., Call No 570.12 CAMP 2018.

Scotland provided two Territorial Force divisions at the outbreak of World War I, the 51^st (Highland) and the 52^nd (Lowland) Divisions. The 51^st Division fought in France from May 1915 until the Armistice. This is the first history of the division published since 1921 and seeks to cast the history in a more objective light and to challenge its post-war critics.

Carroll, Tim (2004). The great escapers: the full story of the Second World War's most remarkable mass escape (Hardie Grant Books: Prahran, Victoria) 272 pp., Call No 901.1 CARR 2004.

The Great Escapers tells the story of the men who broke free from Stalag Luft III in Germany during World War II and how they managed to create havoc behind enemy lines before they were eventually recaptured.

Colman, Mike (2018). Crew: the story of the men who flew RAAF Lancaster J of JIG (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 326 pp., Call No: 950.14 COLM 2018.

J for JIG was shot down over France on the night of 24 February 1944 while on a mission to bomb German factories. This book describes the fate of the five Australians and two Scots who crewed the aircraft.

Dennis, Peter (editor) (2018). The skill of adaptability: the learning curve in combat. 2017 Chief of Army's History Conference (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 296 pp., Call No: 830 AAHU 2018.

Each situation that armies face is different from previous experiences, sometimes dramatically so but often only by degree. How to determine what elements of past practice, or experience in simultaneous but widely different theatres, can be creatively drawn upon is a challenge that armies as institutions and individuals at every level within them, constantly face. These essays examine a series of case studies from the late 19^th to the early 21^st century to show how different armies exhibited the skill of adaptability.

Divall, Carole (2018). General Sir Ralph Abercromby and the French Revolutionary Wars, 1792 - 1801 (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 336 pp. Call No: 510 DIVA 2018.

The French Revolutionary Wars of 1792-1802 are less well known than the Napoleonic Wars which followed, but they represent a critical stage in the political and diplomatic history of Europe. Sir Ralph Abercromby played a leading role in the British military campaigns that were part of them. Few generals have been so loved by their troops and so respected by their contemporaries.

Fielding, Marcus (2017). Comrades in arms and rugby: the remarkable achievements of the 1919 Australian Imperial Force Rugby Union Squad (Echo Books: West Geelong, Victoria) 133 pp., Call No 570.02 FIEL 2017.

This book describes the selection of, and matches played by, the A.I.F. Rugby Union Squad in an international competition against the service teams of other allied nations in 1919 while the various national armies were awaiting repatriation to their homelands after the armistice on the Western Front. It has been written to mark the centenary of the Australian Army Rugby Union in 2019.

Gamble, Bruce (2000). The black sheep: the definitive account of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 in World War II (Presidio Press: Novato, California) 466 pp., Call No: 740 GAMB 2000.

Marine Fighting Squadron 214 was one of the best-known and most colourful combat units of World War II. The popular television series Baa Baa Black Sheep added to their legend. This work seeks to correct and extend the record of this premier fighting force.

Graham, Michael B. (1993). Mantle of heroism: Tarawa and the struggle for the Gilberts, November 1943 (Presidio: New York) 360 pp., Call No: 588 GRAH 1993.

This is the story of the battle by the U.S. Marines for the tiny Pacific island of Tarawa in November 1943 at both the strategic and tactical levels, including experiences of men in the ranks. There are insights into the Japanese perspective, of whom only 17 survived the battle. It includes 18 maps.

Hastings, Max (2018). Vietnam: an epic tragedy, 1945-1975 (HarperCollins: New York) 857 pp., Cal No: 547 HAST 2018.

Vietnam became the Western world's most divisive modern conflict, precipitating a battlefield humiliation for France in 1954, then a vastly greater one for the United States in 1975. Hastings has spent the past three years interviewing scores of participants on both sides, as well as researching a multitude of American and Vietnamese documents and memoirs, to create an epic narrative of an epic struggle.

Leonhard, J rn (2018). Pandora's box: a history of the First World War (The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts) 1087 pp., Call No: 570.02 LEON 2018.

This is a monumental history of the Great War as told by a leading German historian explains the war's origins, course and consequences. It shows how the war profoundly shaped the world to come.

Maynard, Jeff (2015). The unseen Anzac: how an enigmatic polar explorer created Australia's World War I photographs (Scribe: Melbourne) 267 pp., Call No 570.02 MAYN 2015.

George Hubert Wilkins' exploits became legendary. He did what no photographer previously had dared to do. He went 'over the top' with the troops and ran forward to photograph the actual fighting. He led soldiers into battle, captured German prisoners, was wounded repeatedly, and was twice awarded the Military Cross.

Olson, Wes (2018). The last cruise of a German raider: the destruction of SMS Emden (Seaforth Publishing: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 274 pp. Call No: 718 OLSO 2018.

This is a vivid and comprehensive account of the destruction of SMS Emden by the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney on 9 November 1914 off the Cocos Islands. Extensive use has been made of first-hand accounts, including German survivor statements to reconstruct the battle.

Padros, John (2016). Storm over Leyte: the Philippines invasion and the destruction of the Japanese navy (NAL Caliber: New York) 388 pp., Call No: 740 PRAD 2016.

This book provides an unprecedented look at both sides of the epic Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944 - the greatest naval battle in history.

Pembroke, Michael (2018). Korea: where the American century began (One World: London) 346 pp., Call No: 454.1 PEMB 2018.

The Korean War (1950-53) was the first of America's unsuccessful military interventions after World War II and its first modern conflict with China. Pembroke explains the historic and geostrategic context for the war, beginning with the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05. He also analyses its legacy. It marked the true beginning of the American Century and created the festering geopolitical score that exists in northeast Asia today.

Pfennigwerth, Ian (2018). Bravo Zulu: honours and awards to Australian naval people. Volume 2 1975-2014 (Echo Books: West Geelong, VIC.) 882 pp., Call No: 721 PFEN 2018.

This book traces the history and significant events in Australia's navy from 1975 to the RAN's centennial year of 2014, through the stories of those of its men and women selected to receive honours and awards. It also details the efforts to successfully modernise the Navy's equipment, while coping with a stream of Defence 'reforms'.

Plowman, Jeffrey (2018). Greece 1941: the death throes of Blitzkrieg (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire).

Were German blitzkrieg tactics really as devastating as they seemed? Plowman examines this question by studying the Greek campaign of May 1941. While the Germans overran Greece in three weeks, the author claims that at no time did the Germans gain the ascendancy over the token British and Anzac force sent to bolster Greek sovereignty, although they came close to doing so. The Anzac and Greek troops put up a spirited resistance. Weaknesses in the German tactics became increasingly apparent.

Reynolds, Michael (1997). Steel inferno: 1 SS Panzer Corps in Normandy (Sarpedon: New York) 314 pp., Call No: 583 REYN 1997.

This is the story of the participation of the 1^st SS Panzer Corps in the Battle of Normandy in 1944. It is written by Major General Michael Reynolds CB, British Army retired.

Sanger, David E. (2018). The perfect weapon: war, sabotage, and fear in the cyber age (Crown: New York) 357 pp., Call No: 830.6 SANG 2018.

This is the inside story of how cyberweapons transformed geopolitics like nothing since the invention of the atomic bomb. Cheap to acquire, easy to deny, and effective for a variety of malicious purposes - from crippling infrastructure to sowing discord and doubt. Cyber is now the weapon of choice for demoncracies, dictators and terrorists.

Twomey, Christina (2018). The battle within: POWs in postwar Australia (NewSouth: Sydney) 302 pp., Call No: 580.3 TWOM 2018.

This book follows the stories of 15,000 Australia POWs from the moment they were released by the Japanese at the end of World War II - the struggle to rehabilitate themselves and win compensation. The 'battle within' was both personal and national.

Twomey, Steve (2016). Countdown to Peral Harbor: the twelve days to the attack (Simon & Schuster: New York) 365 pp., Call No 588 TWOM 2016.

Twomey details the relevant events of the 12 days leading up to the surprise attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy Air Service on the U.S. Naval Base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 7 December 1941.

Wilkins, Thomas S. (2019). Security in Asia pacific: the dynamics of alignment (Lynne Rienner Publishers: Boulder, Colorado) 251 pp., Call No: 450 WILK 2019.

This book discussed contemporary issues of foreign relations in the Asia-Pacific region, especially the nature and health of alliances and security communities and partnerships, including the Trilateral Security Dialogue, the ASEAN Security Community and the Shanghai Co&45;operation Organisation.

Wright, Damien (2017). Churchill's secret war with Lenin: British and Commonwealth military intervention in the Russian Civil War, 1918-20 (Helion: Solihull: England) 576 pp., Call No: 570.02 WRIG 2017.

The story of the British military intervention on the side of the loyalist 'White' faction and against the 'Red' faction in the Russian civil war of 1918-20 is not well known. At the height of the intervention, British troops were fighting the Soviets on several front: Baltic, North Russia, Siberia, Caspian and Crimea simultaneously. Australians served with the British force, two winning the Victoria Cross.

Yoshihara, Toshi, and Holmes, James R. (2018). Red star over the Pacific: China's rise and the challenge to U.S. maritime strategy 2^nd edition (Naval Institute Press: Annapolis, MD) 366 pp., Call No: 702 YOSHI 2018.

The authors assess how the rise of Chinese sea power will affect U.S. maritime strategy in Asia. They consider how strategic thought about the sea shapes Beijing's deliberations and compares China's geostrategic predicament to that of the Kaiser's Germany a century ago. It examines the Chinese navy's operational concepts, tactics and capabilities and appraises China's ballistic-missile submarine fleet.

To reserve any of these books, email .

For further information, phone (02) 8262 2922 on a Monday or Wednesday between 1000 - 1500 hours.

David Leece
Library Manager
31 March 2019

Acquisitions 1 October to 31 December 2018

The following, mostly recently-published, books have been added to the collection since 1 October 2018. They will be on display in the Library for two months, during which time Institute members may reserve them for borrowing once they come off display. While there is a waiting list, books may be borrowed for 14 days. Once there is no longer a waiting list for them, books may be borrowed for up to 28 days.

Adan, General Avraham (1986). The Yom Kippur War: an Israeli general's personal account (Drum Books: New York) 479 pp., Call No: 530 ADAN 1986

On 6 October 1973, the Egyptian and Syrian armies launched a surprise attack on Israel, catching it by surprise. This book describes how the Israeli Army recovered its strength and fought back. At the cease fire, 19 days later, Israeli soldiers were 75 miles from Cairo and 25 miles from Damascus. General Adan commanded the armoured division on the southern (Egyptian) front.

Anderson, Nicholas (2018). The battle of Milne Bay, 1942. Australian Army Campaigns Series - 24 (Army History Unit: Canberra) 215 pp., Call No: 588.14 ANDE 2018.

By 1942, Japan had conquered swathes of south-east Asia and needed to seize Port Moresby to cement its southern border. It was blocked, however, by an allied base which was being constructed secretly in Milne Bay, protected by two Australian infantry brigades. When it discovered the base, Japan despatched a task force to destroy the garrison and occupy the base. After bitter fighting, the Japanese force was defeated by the defenders, thereby playing an important role in protecting Port Moresby.

Battle, M. R., and Wilkins, D. S. (editors). The year of the tigers: the second tour of 5^th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, in South Vietnam, 1969-70 (Australian Military History Publications: Loftus, N.S.W.) 377 pp., Call No: Q547 BATT 2009.

This is a record of the actions and achievements of the 5^th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment , "The Tiger Battalion", consisting of both regular soldiers and national service men, during its second tour of duty in the Vietnam War, 1969-70. In 12 months, it undertook 16 main operations and hundreds of battles with the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong guerrillas. This third edition is essentially a pictorial record.

Beevor, Antony (2018). Arnhem: the battle for the bridges, 1944 (Viking: London) 459 pp., Call No: 583 BEEV 2018.

Operation Market Garden was the bold plan of British general, B. L. Montgomery, to end World War II by capturing the bridges leading to the lower Rhine and into southern Holland in Autumn 1944. The Market component involved vertical envelopment by British, American and Polish airborne divisions, coup de main style, ahead of a land advance (the 'Garden' component) by British corps. Beevor uses many overlooked and new sources from Dutch, British, American, Polish and German archives to reconstruct the terrible reality of this epic operation.

Blum, William (2006). Rogue state: a guide to the world's only superpower (Zed Books: London) 393 pp., Call No: 482 BLUM 2006.

The book is in three sections: the first describes Washington's love-hate relationship with terrorists and human-rights violators; the second describes the United States use of weapons of mass destruction; and the third the rogue state versus the world and ending with the question: how does the United States get away with it? The book came to international attention when Osama Bin Laden quoted it publicly in 2006.

Breen, Bob (1988). First to fight: Australian diggers, N.Z. kiwis and U.S. paratroopers in Vietnam, 1965-66 (Allen & Unwin: North Sydney, 1988) 316 pp., Call No: 547 BREE 1988.

This is the story of the first tour of Vietnam of the 1^st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. The tour, in 1965-66, involved the Australians working with American and New Zealand troops in the first and last truly integrated ANZUS force to fight in war. They were employed as a strategic 'fire-brigade', keeping the Viet Cong off-balance, to buy time for other Allied units to deploy.

Burge, Roslyn (2008). No peacetime Cinderellas: a history of the War Widows' Guild of Australia in New South Wales , 1946 - 2006 (War Widows' Guild of Australia NSW Limited: Sydney) 304 pp., Call No: Q475 BURG 2008.

This book faithfully describes the courage, innovation and compassion of Australian war widows, following World War II. Under the inspired leadership of Mrs Jessie Vasey, they were compelled to face their own vulnerability and the absence of basic security for self and family.

Campbell, Archie (1995). The double reds of Timor (John Burridge Military Antiques: Swanbourne, W.A.) 177 pp., Call No: 588.14 CAMP 1995.

This is the story, as told by one of its members, of the 2/2^nd Independent Company, who with less than 300 men and assistance from the local people, defied and contained some 15,000 Japanese troops in Portuguese Timor for 12 nearly a year after the Japanese invasion of Timor in 1942.

Connor, Ken (1999). Ghost force: the secret history of the SAS (Orion: London) 559 pp., Call No: 503.1 CONN 1999.

Ken Connor, the Special Air Service Regiment's longest serving soldier, tells what the Regiment did from its inauguration in World War II (desert warriors 1941-45) to the Gulf War (1990-91), including their role in international politics.

Coulthart, Ross (2014). Charles Bean (Harper Collins: Sydney) 436 pp., Call No: 501.2 COUL 2014.

This biography focuses on Charles Bean's wartime journalism and post-war writing/editing of the Australian official history of the Great War. It describes his struggle to report the Great War and tell the truth. His writings helped define the Australian legend of the Anzacs on the battlefields of Gallipoli and the Western Front.

Crawford, John (2006). The last true story I'll ever tell: an accidental soldier's account of the War in Iraq (Riverhead Books: New York) 220 pp., Call No: 537 CRAW 2006.

This is the memoir of John Crawford, a Florida National Guardsman called to active duty in 2002, who spent months patrolling the streets of Baghdad, an occupied hostile city. It describes the on-ground reality of waging the war in Iraq.

Davies, Will (2018). The last 100 days : the Australian road to victory in the First World War (Vintage Australia: North Sydney) 340 pp., Call No. 572 DAVI 2018.

This narrative is told from an Australian perspective. It begins with the German offensive in France in March 1918, the saving of Amiens and the battle of Le Hamel. Most of the book is devoted to the Allied counter-offensive beginning with the battle of Amiens on 8 August, followed by the battles of Mont St Quentin-Péronne and the Hindenburg Line and ending 100 days later with the truce signed on 11 November 1918.

Dye, Peter (2018). "The man who took the rap": Sir Robert Brooke-Popham and the fall of Singapore (Naval Institute Press; Annapolis, Maryland) 410 pp., Call No: 501.2 DYEP 2018.

This is a biography of Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, a key figure in the early development of air power. Prior to becoming Commander-in-Chief Far East in October 1940, he had developed the first modern military logistics system; created the Royal Air Force's staff college; prepared the foundation for Fighter Command's victory in the Battle of Britain; served as a colonial governor; and organised the flying training schemes in Canada and South Africa that helped sustain Allied air power during World War II. He is best remembered, though, as the "man who took the rap" for the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in February 1942.

Fairhead, Lieutenant Colonel Fred (2014). A duty done: a summary of operations by the Royal Australian Regiment in the Vietnam War 1965-1972 (The Royal Australian Regiment Association SA Inc: Linden Park, S.A.) 190 pp., Call No: Q547 FAIR 2014.

This book describes each of the operations undertaken by each of the battalions of the Regiment, each illustrated by maps and diagrams and sometimes photos, starting with 1RAR in 1965 and ending with 4RAR/NZ in November 1971. We also received with the book a 2016 addendum [583 FITZ 2016].

Firth, Stewart (2011). Australia in international politics: an introduction to Australian foreign policy (Allen & Unwin: St Leonards, N.S.W.) 356 pp., Call No: 472 FIRT 2011.

The world changed for Australia after the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on 11 September 2001 and the 2002 Bali bombings. This book shows how the nation is responding and describes how Australian foreign policy has evolved since Federation.

Fitzsimons, Peter (2001). Nancy Wake: a biography of our greatest war heroine (Harper Collins: Pymble N.S.W.) 310 pp., Call No: 583 FITZ 2001.

From in the 1930s as a young woman in enjoying the bohemian life in Paris, by the end of World War II she was the Gestapo's most wanted person. During the war, she worked first for the French Resistance and later for British Special Operations Executive behind German lines in France.

Fitzsimons, Peter (2016). Victory at Villers-Bretonneux: why a French town will never forget the Anzacs (William Heinemann: North Sydney, N.S.W.) 764 pp., Call No: 572 FITZ 2016.

This book describes the role played by the Australian Imperial Force during the German spring offensive of 1918, culminating in the halting of the German offensive east of Amiens and the recapture of Villers-Bretonneux in the Somme valley.

Freeman, Brian (2013). Walking wounded: the inspirational story of how the Kokoda Track is helping our wounded soldiers (Macmillan: Sydney) 265 pp., Call No: 815 FREE 2013.

Brian Freeman has organised three treks in three years over the Kokoda Track for wounded Australian servicemen and the families of those killed in Afghanistan. More than 100 diggers and family members have taken part. The book is the story of the treks and the ways in which they helped the participants.

Freeman, R. R. (2006). Second to none: a memorial history of the 32^nd Battalion A.I.F. 1915-1919 (Peacock Publications: Norwood, S.A.) 422 pp., Call No: Q570.14 FREE 2006.

The 32^nd Battalion was raised in Adelaide in late 1915 composed of men from South Australia and Western Australia. It subsequently served in France and Flanders as part of the 8^th Brigade, 5^th Division. Major battles in which it participated included Fromelles in 1916, 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele) in 1917, and the final advances to, and break-through of, the Hindenburg Line.

Garnett, G. C. (1990). Against all odds: the battle of Britain 50^th anniversary appeal (Michael Finch: London) 369 pp., Call No: 950 GARN 1990.

This is a Battle of Britain commemorative volume and includes stories from the airmen of many nations who contributed to Britain's victory.

Garnett, Michael P. (2018). Yeomanry regiments of Great Britain and the colonies (Historical Publications: Romsey, VIC.) 116 pp., Call No: 503.1 GARN 2018.

Garnett describes a representative selection of British yeomanry regiments from Elizabeth I's day to the present, including ones from the Australian colonies.

Goya, Michel (2018). Flesh and steel during the Great War: the transformation of the French Army and the invention of modern warfare (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 323 pp., Call No: 570.11 GOYA 2018.

This is a study of the impact of the war on the Western Front on the theory and practice of warfare in the French Army. Goya explores how senior commanders and ordinary soldiers responded to the challenges of mass industrial warfare. He starts with the pre-war ethos of the French army, and then tells how through a process of analysis and innovation the army underwent the deepest and fastest transformation in its history.

Griffiths, John C. (2001). Afghanistan: a history of conflict (Timat Publishing: Dandenong, VIC.) 272 pp., Call No: 452 GRIF 2001.

Griffiths describes the history, culture, social fabric, internal politics and economy of Afghanistan, a nation living in the shadow of perpetual conflict from Genghis Khan, through the Russian invasion to the rise of the Taliban.

Harvey-Hall, Major Bob (2015). PNGVR: a history 1950-1973 (NGVR and PNGVR Ex-members Association, Inc: Park Ridge, QLD.) 398 pp., Call No: 503.2 HARV 2015.

This is the history of the Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, successor to the World War II New Guinea Volunteer Rifles Militia Battalion. It was raised in 1948 and was the only post-war Citizen Military Forces battalion to be formed, serve and be disbanded overseas. It never served in Australia, yet was always on Australia's order of battle and was commanded by an Australian regular army officer. From 1964 until it was disbanded on PNG independence in 1973 it enlisted Papua New Guineans (non-Australians).

Ketley, B. E. (1992). The reference source guide to Military aeroplanes 1914 - 1918 (Hikoki Publications: Aldershot) 301 pp., Call No: 932.2 KETE 1992.

This is a compendium listing the military aeroplanes flown by all nations which participated in the Great War. It does not contain any illustrations of the aircraft.

Ku-ring-gai Historical Society (1914). Rallying the troops: a World War I commemoration, Volume I. 432 pp., Call No: Q570.14 KURI 2014.

This four-volume work tells the story of the soldiers and nurses who enlisted from the Shire of Ku-ring-gai on Sydney's north shore, to serve in the Great War, 1914-1918. Volume I focuses on the pre-war years, the memorials and home and abroad, the historian C. E. W. Bean, the campaigns of 1914, and the volunteers from the shire with surnames from A to F.

Ku-ring-gai Historical Society (1914). Rallying the troops: a World War I commemoration, Volume IV. 680 pp., Call No: Q570.14 KURI 2014.

This four-volume work tells the story of the soldiers and nurses who enlisted from the Shire of Ku-ring-gai on Sydney's north shore, to serve in the Great War, 1914-1918. Volume IV focuses on the final battles on the Western Front in 1918, the Armistice, a soldier's life, those left behind, the home front, the return to the shire, and the volunteers from the shire with surnames from S to Y.

Ladd, James D. (1983). SBS: the invisible raiders: the history of the Special Boat Squadron from Wold War to the present (Arms and Armour Press: London) 283 pp., Call No: 710 LADD 1983.

Ladd penetrates beyond the mythology to reveal hitherto little-known aspects of Britain's premier seaborne 'special force', the Special Boat Squadron. The SBS was developed from 6 Commando during World War II but quickly developed its own skills, expertise and identity. It became a unit within the Royal Marines and served throughout the world during the period of imperial peace. It came to prominence during the Falklands War.

Lakin, Shaune (2005). Contact: photographs from the Australian War Memorial collection (Australian War Memorial: Canberra) 283 pp., Call No: Q503.2 KAKI 2008.

The Australian War Memorial's photographic collection, established to honour the men and women who served the country in war, is one of the country's largest and most historically significant photographic archives. This book contains a selection of those photographs.

Lee, Sandra (2006). 18 hours: the true story of an SAS war hero (Harper Collins: Pymble, N.S.W.) 316 pp., Call No: 543.4 LEES 2006.

This book describes Australian signaller Martin 'Jock' Wallace's fight to survive against al Qaeda during Operation Anaconda, the U.S. led military offensive to flush out al Qaeda and the Taliban from their last stronghold in the Shahi Kot Valley, Afghanistan. For his bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Gallantry.

Lewis, John E., editor (2009). The mammoth book of modern battles (Constable & Robinson: London) 589 pp., Call No: 500 LEWI 2009.

This book contains 42 gripping accounts of battles from the Boer War (1900) to Afghanistan (2001), including Tsushima, the Somme, Stalingrad, Dien Bien Phu, Desert Storm, Basra and many more, each by an eminent military historian, .

McAulay, Lex (1991). Blood and iron: the battle for Kokoda 1942 (Random House: Milsons Point N.S.W.) 432 pp., Call No: 588.14 MCAU 1991.

This book tells the story of the Kokoda Campaign of 1942 when Australians fought to defend their homeland for the first time and did so without the protection of great and powerful friends. The story is told from both the Australian and Japanese sides.

McCarthy, Dayton (2018). The battle of Maryang San. Australian Army Campaign Series - 23 (Army History Unit: Canberra) 163 pp., Call No: 545 MCCA 2018.

In October 1951, as part of a larger divisional assault, 3^rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, manoeuvred across difficult terrain to dislodge and destroy Chinese forces three times its number on the Maryang San feature. The battle is regarded as one of the newly-formed regiment's greatest battlefield accomplishments.

McKay, Gary (1999). Bullets, beans and bandages: Australians at war in Vietnam (Allen & Unwin: St Leonards, N.S.W.) 300 pp., Call No: 547 MCKA 1999.

Vietnam was Australia's longest war. Some 50,000 Australians served in Viet Nam. McKay gives a unique collection of their impressions, reactions, feelings and fears based on interviews with over 100 veterans and their families.

Monteath, Peter. (2018). Captured lives: Australia's wartime internment camps (NLA Publishing: Canberra) 266 pp., Call No: 501.1 MONT 2018.

In both world wars, Australia detained people from many parts of the world, including Australia. Internment appeared logical in times of national crisis. For those imprisoned, however, their treatment often seemed bewildering, even absurd. The book examines the fate of both civilian internees and prisoners of war.

Moskin, J. Robert (1979). The story of the U.S. Marine Corps (Paddington Press: New York)796 pp., Call No. 810.1 MOSK 1979.

This is a history of the United States Marine Corps from its genesis in 1775 to the Vietnam War.

Nelson, Gordon (2005). Men of the line: building the Burma-Thai railway, 1942-1945 (Australian Military History Publications: Loftus, N.S.W.) 192 pp., Call No: 588.14 NELS 2005.

This is the memoir of Gordon Nelson, 2/12^th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers, 8^th Division, A.I.F., who served as a prisoner of war of the Japanese and was put to work on the Burma-Thailand railway, working from the west (Burma end). Post-war, he became a successful engineer in Australia.

Pape, Richard (1959). Sequel to boldness: the astonishing follow-on story to one of the greatest war books ever written (Oldhams Press: London) 256 pp., Call No: 901.2 PAPE 1959.

This is a story of a British airman's evasion of the Germans after being shot down over Holland in 1941 and the subsequent fate of those civilians who assisted him. It also describes a post-war search for the traitor who betrayed him to the Germans.

Pedersen, Peter (2018). Monash as military commander (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, N.S.W.) 563 pp., Call No: 501.2 PEDE 2018.

This is a new, updated centenary edition of Pedersen's classic work. It remains the finest analysis of Australia's best known military leader and it establishes Monash's place among his contemporaries, British and Australian.

Raffin, Greg (2018). Mutiny on the Western Front: 1918 (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 216 pp., Call No. 572 RAFF 2018.

On 21 September 1918, the 1^st Battalion (1^st Brigade, 1^st Division, A.I.F), was ordered to return to the front just as they were being relieved and were preparing for a well-earned rest. The Australian infantrymen, their numbers depleted by battle casualties, were exhausted. In what was the largest instance of 'combat refusal' in the AIF's history, the men of one company of the 1^st Battalion defied the order. The 'mutiny' spread to other companies, and when the battalion eventually complied with the order, over 100 men were absent. This book traces how these events played out.

Ramage, Gary, and McPhedran, Ian (2014). Afghanistan: Australia's war (Harper Collins: Sydney) 254 pp., Call No: 543.4 RAMA 2014.

This is a photographic story of the nation's longest war and those who served - on permanent display: not for borrowing.

Reid, Richard (2000). For valour: Australians and the Victoria Cross (Australia Post: Canberra) 40 pp., Call No: Q503.2 REID 2000.

Reid recounts the stories of a selection of Australia's VCs from the Boer War to Vietnam.

Roberson, N. J. (1987). The history of No 20 Squadron Royal Flying Corps - Royal Air Force (N. J. Roberson: England) 136 pp., Call No: 903.91 ROBE 1987.

No. 20 Squadron was raised during the Great War as a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps and became a foundation squadron of the Royal Air Force. It served through the inter-war years and World War II, and then remained in service post-war flying Sabre jet fighters.

Roberts, Andrew, editor (2011). Great commanders of the early modern world 1583-1865 (Quercus: London) 426 pp., Call No: 501.1 ROBE 2011.

Roberts has assembled some of Britain's most distinguished historians to provide an authoritative account of the lives and careers of the 26 greatest military commanders of the period from the Duke of Marlborough to Napoleon Bonaparte, Robert Clive to Carl von Clausewitz, and Frederick the Great to Shaka Zulu.

Sallah, Michael, and Weiss, Mitch (2007). Tiger Force (Hodder: London) 403 pp., Call No: 547 SALL 2007.

This is the shocking true story of American Soldiers out of control in Vietnam in 1967. Tiger Force engaged in a frenzy of torture, mutilation and cold-blooded murder.

Savage, David (1999). Through the wire: action with the SAS in Borneo and the Special Forces in Vietnam (Allen & Unwin: St Leonards, NSW) 239 pp., Call No: 547 SAVA 1999.

This is essentially a memoir of the author's operational service with the Australia Special Air Service Regiment first in Borneo and later in Vietnam. The latter occupies most of the book and focuses on participating with the United States Special Forces, the Green Berets, working with and training Montagnard tribespeople in the western mountains. It includes a description of a major battle with North Vietnamese regulars at Duc Lap in August 1968.

Short, Philip (2005). Pol Pot: the history of a nightmare (John Murray: London) 541 pp., Call No: 457 SHOR 2005.

This is a biography of Pol Pot, the radical egalitarian who in the 1970s enforced his vision of utopia in Cambodia by a reign of terror in which a fifth of the population (>1 million people) perished.

Smith, Bradley F. (1986). The war's long shadow: the Second World War and its aftermath: China, Russia, Britain, America (André Deutsch: London) 319 pp., Call No: 581 SMIT 1986.

This book traces the changes the Second World War wrought on the big four allies: China, Russia, Britain and America.

Thompson, Major General Julian (1990). Ready for anything: the parachute Regiment at war (Fontana: London) 478 pp., Call No: 503.1 THOM 1990.

Ready for anything is a comprehensive account of the exploits of the Parachute Regiment from World War II's Normandy landings and Arnhem, to Palestine, Northern Ireland and the Falklands War. It is a compelling account of the Paras at war.

Tucker-Jones, Anthony (2018). Daesh: Islamic State's holy war (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 128 pp., Call No: 411.1 TUCK 2018.

Tucker-Jones traces the emergence of Islamic State to become one of the greatest threats to global security in the 21st century, franchising terror around the world. He highlights how the West has become caught up in what is essentially a civil war between Sunni and Shia Islam, with deadly results.

Tyquin, Michael (2018). Highlands to deserts: the history of 19^th Chief Engineer Works: the first fifty-five years (Big Sky Publishing : Newport, NSW) 226 pp., Cal No: 503.2 TYQU 2108.

The 19^th Chief Engineer Works was raised in 1963 as the Army's premier engineering consultant. Its purpose was to plan, design and oversee the construction of Barracks and training facilities in the New Guinea highlands. Later, the unit extended its reach to remote communities of outback Australia, designing infrastructure that reflected local needs. Tasks have included designing camps, bridges, wharfs, training facilities and churches.

Walker, Frank (2016). Maralinga: the chilling exposé of our secret nuclear shame and betrayal of our troops and country (Hachette: Sydney) 259 pp. Call No: 472 WALK 2016.

During the Menzies era, the British government exploded 12 atomic bombs on Australian soil. Australian servicemen were treated as lab rats. RAAF pilots were ordered to fly into the mushroom clouds, soldiers to go into radioactive ground zero, sailors to retrieve contaminated debris - none of them aware of the dangers they faced.

Willis, James J. (2005). My dream to fly fulfilled: from Brigalow to Bomber Command; the memoirs of F/O Eric J. Willis RAAF 429366 (James J. Willis: Moffat Beach, QLD.) 560 pp., Call No: Q901.2 WILL 2005.

This book contains the World War II memoirs, letters and other documentation of 429366 Flying Officer Eric. J. Willis, RAAF, who, after training at Narrandera and in Canada, and England, flew in Lancaster bombers with No. 622 Squadron R.A.F. over occupied Europe in 1945.

To reserve any of these books, email .

For further information, phone (02) 8262 2922 on a Monday or Wednesday between 1000 - 1500 hours.

David Leece
Library Manager
31 December 2018

Acquisitions 1 July to 30 September 2018

The following, mostly recently-published, books have been added to the collection since 1 July 2018. They will be on display in the Library for two months, during which time Institute members may reserve them for borrowing once they come off display. While there is a waiting list, books may be borrowed for 14 days. Once there is no longer a waiting list for them, books may be borrowed for up to 28 days.

Cameron, David W. (2018). Australians on the Western Front, 1918. Volume 1: Resisting the great German offensive (Viking, Penguin Random Hose Australian: Melbourne) 401 pp., Call No. 572 CAME 2018.

Volume 1, the first in a two-part series, is the story of Australian troops on the Western front in March and April 1918. These troops were directly responsible for pushing back the German advances on the Somme towards Amiens at Dernancourt and Villers-Bretonneux and further north at Hazebrouck, saving the Channel Ports, and their actions resulted in the collapse of the German offensive which was to finally win the war for Germany. The Australian victories in April 1918 enabled the British to launch their own great offensive in August 1918, in which the Australian Army Corps now led by General John Monash, would play a pivotal role in the defeat of Germany three months later (which will be covered in Volume 2).

Cameron, David W. (2018). Australians on the Western Front, 1918. Volume 2: Spearheading the great British offensive (Viking, Penguin Random House Australia: Melbourne) 541 pp., Call No: 572 CAME 2018.

Volume 2 deals with the Battle of le Hamel (4 July), followed by the 'One-Hundred Days' allied offensive beginning with the battle of Amiens (8 August) and ending with the Armistice on 11 November. It focuses on the military successes of the Australian Corps led by Lieutenant-General John Monash.

Cullen, Kit (2013). Jack's journey: an Anzac's descent into death, disaster and controversy at Gallipoli (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 366 pp., Call No. 575.14 CULL 2013.

The moving and extraordinary story of an unheralded and virtually unknown Anzac action that occurred in Death Trap Valley on 1 and 2 May 1915 during the period of the landing at Gallipoli and how the truth of what happened was corrupted by a noted historian.

Dillon, Michael (2015). Deng Xiaoping: the man who made modern China (I. B. Taurus: London) 330 pp., Call No. 411 DILL 2015.

Deng Xiaoping has generally been given the credit for the reforms of the late 1970s that put China on the path to spectacular economic growth and development, a process that has turned it into one of the greatest powers of the twenty-first century. His 'Four Modernisations' - reform in agriculture, industry, military, science and technology - unveiled at the Third Plenum of the Central Committee in 1978 undoubtedly paved the way for China's rise to superpower status. Yet, only a decade after this, his greatest achievement, Deng fell dramatically from grace, becoming reviled both within and out.

Fahey, John (2018). Australia's first spies: the remarkable story of Australia's intelligence operations, 1901-45 (Allen & Unwin: St Leonards, NSW) 434 pp., Call No: 411.7 FAHE 2018.

Based on the government archives, this is the first account of Australia's intelligence operations from Federation to the end of World War II. The book shows that Australia was a far savvier operator in intelligence affairs than much of the historic record suggests.

Farwell, Byron (2001). The encyclopedia of nineteenth-century land warfare: an illustrated world view (W. W. Norton: New York) 900 pp., Call No: Q030 ENCY 2001.

An illustrated encyclopaedia of 19^th-century land warfare from the affair at Apache Pass to the battles of Zenin and Zulu.

Freedman, Lawrence (2013). Strategy: a history (Oxford University Press: Oxford) 751 pp., Call No: 820 FREE 2013.

Sir Lawrence Freedman, one of the world's leading authorities on war and international politics, captures the vast history of strategic thinking, in a consistently engaging and insightful account of how strategy came to pervade every aspect of our lives. The range of Freedman's narrative is extraordinary, moving from the surprisingly advanced strategy practiced in primate groups, to the opposing strategies of Achilles and Odysseus in The Iliad, the strategic advice of Sun Tzu and Machiavelli, the great military innovations of Baron Henri de Jomini and Carl von Clausewitz, to the nuclear strategists of the 1950s, and finally to counterinsurgency and the 'Revolution in Military Affairs'.

Hughes-Wilson, John (2018). Hamel 4^th July 1918: the Australian & American victory (Uniform: London) 163 pp., Call No. 572 HUGH 2018.

The Battle of le Hamel near Amiens, France, was a dramatic turning point in the Great War. Hamel showed how the stalemate of trench warfare could be broken. It also was one of the first bloodings of the newly-arrived American Expeditionary Force in France. Corporal Thomas A. Pope of Chicago was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour. The lessons of Hamel were to unleash a military phenomenon, 'Blitzkrieg' or 'Lightning War' - the modern warfighting concept of combining all arms in the attack: infantry; artillery; airpower; tanks; deception; and, above all, surprise.

Lardas, Mark (2018). Rabaul, 1943-44: reducing Japan's great island fortress. Air Campaign series. (Osprey Publishing: Oxford) 96 pp., Call No: 950 LARD 2018.

In 1943, the massive Japanese naval and air base of Rabaul was a fortress standing in the Allies' path to Tokyo. It was impossible to seize Rabaul or to starve the garrison out. Lards explains how air power, with judicious use of naval and land forces, would eliminate the need to occupy a ground objective in order to control it. The siege of Rabaul provided a road map for the rest of World War II in the Pacific.

Moorcroft, Paul (2018). Total onslaught: war and revolution in southern Africa since 1945 (Pen & Sword Military: Barnsley, South Yorkshire) 478 pp., Call No 550 MOOR 2018.

Conflicts in southern Africa followed the end of World War II. Independence struggles in Namibia, Angola and Rhodesia were followed by civil wars between rival factions. Liberation movements in South Africa demanded self-rule and an end to apartheid. Tribal feuds led to protracted fighting in the Congo, which ran on until both sides were exhausted. The result has often been poverty, abuse and genocide.

Newark, Peter (1980). Illustrated encyclopedia of the Old West (Andre Deutsch: London), 287 pp., Call No. Q482 NEWA 1980.

An illustrated encyclopaedia of major events in America's west from 1803 to 1892.

Passlow, Jonathan (2018). The battle of Polygon Wood, 1917. Australian Army campaign series - 19 (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 137 pp., Call No: 572 PASS 2018.

During the 3^rd Battle of Ypres in Belgian Flanders in September 1917, 4^th and 5^th Australian Divisions took part in the second phase of the British forces' advance on Passchendaele. Success at Polygon Wood would put Broodseinde Ridge within Second Army's reach. The attach was almost blindsided by a German counter-attack on the eve of the battle, but the critical situation on the Anzac Corps' right was saved by the 15^th Brigade of 5^th Division, which secured the right flank before the Division went on to achieved it objectives. Luck played a part in achieving a 'splendid victory'.

Rees, Peter (2018). The missing man: from the outback to Tarakan, the powerful story of Len Waters, Australia's first Aboriginal fighter pilot (Allen & Unwin: St Leonards, NSW) 348 pp., Call No: 950.14 REES 2018.

This is a biography of Len Waters who was born on an Aboriginal reserve. He left school at 13 and by 20 was piloting an RAAF Kittyhawk fighter with 78 Squadron over the Pacific in World War II. These would be the best years of his life. His subsequent life was tragic. Rees seeks to right that wrong.

Spurling, Kathryn (2018). Fire at sea: HMAS Westralia 1998 (Missing Pages Books: (Canberra)) 163 pp., Call No. 750 SPUR 2018.

On the morning of 5 May 1998, HMAS Westralia proceeded to sea. As the engines were brought to full power, hoses burst. Flames erupted and thick, black smoke filled the engine room. The crew saved the ship, but four seamen were killed. This book seeks to establish who was responsible and to hold them accountable.

Sweeney, L. G. (collator) (2011). The Battle of Kapyong, Korea, 22-25 April 1951: a collection of writings, extracts, papers notes and maps on the battle (self-published) 158 pp., Call No: 545 SWEE 2011.

A DVD (56 minutes inside front cover) and a book containing eight extracts of other published works, including three foldout maps in colour, about the battle.

Westerman, William (2018). The battle of Broodseinde Ridge, 1917. Australian Army Campaign series No. 21 (Army History Unit: Canberra) 146 pp., Call No: 57 WEST 2018.

The battle of Broodseinde Ridge, 4 October 1917, part of the Third Battle of Ypres, was a powerful display of how effective the British Army could be in taking and holding ground, if it objectives were limited, the weather was favourable and firepower was overwhelming. Three Australian divisions and the New Zealand Division fought side-by-side with British divisions on their flanks. Most objectives were achieved well before midday.

To reserve any of these books, email: .

For further information, phone (02) 8262 2922 on a Monday or Wednesday between 1000 - 1500 hours.

David Leece
Library Manager
30 September 2018

Acquisitions 1 April to 30 June 2018

The following, mostly recently-published, books have been added to the collection since 1 April 2018. They will be on display in the Library for two months, during which time Institute members may reserve them for borrowing once they come off display. While there is a waiting list, books may be borrowed for 14 days. Once there is no longer a waiting list for them, books may be borrowed for up to 28 days.

Arotti, Kate (2018). Captive Anzacs: Australian POWs of the Ottomans during the First World War (Cambridge University Press: Melbourne) 222 pp. Call No: 501.1 ARIO 2018.

During World War I, 198 Australians became prisoners of the Ottomans. The book explores how the prisoners felt about their capture and how they dealt with the physical and psychological strain of imprisonment under the rule of a culturally, religiously and linguistically different enemy. It also explores the legacy of their imprisonment and public perceptions of the prisoners.

Beaumont, Joan, and Cadzow, Alison (2018). Serving our country: Indigenous Australians, war, defence and citizenship (NewSouth Publishing: Sydney) 445 pp., Call No: 503.2 BEAU 2018.

This is the first comprehensive history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's participation in the Australian defence forces. While Indigenous Australians have enlisted in the defence forces since the Boer War, for much of this time they defied racist restrictions and were denied full citizenship rights on their return to civilian life. Serving Our Country reveals the courage, resilience, and trauma of Indigenous defence personnel and their families, and document the long struggle to gain recognition for their role in the defence of Australia.

Bennett, John (1995). Highest traditions: the history of No. 2 Squadron, RAAF (Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra) 431 pp., Call No: 903.92 BENN 1995.

No. 2 Squadron was formed in Egypt in 1916 as part of the Australian Fluing Corps. It served during World War I as a fighter unit on the Western Front. It carried out continuous operations in the Pacific during World War II. Post-war, it was involved in the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War. After being the only Australian air unit to have flown on operations in four wars, it was disbanded in 1982.

Bourque, Stephen Alan (2018). Beyond the beach: the Allied war against France (Naval Institute Press: Annapolis, MD) 353 pp., Call No: 950 BOUR 2018.

This book is a re-examination the Allied air war against France in 1944. Eisenhower took control of all American, British and Canadian air units and employed them for tactical and operational purposes over France rather than as a strategic force to attack targets deep in Germany. His intent was to prevent German reinforcements from interfering with the Normandy landings. The book examines the relationship between the ground and air operations and their effects on the French population.

Campbell, Hugh (1995). Notable service to the Empire: Australian corvettes and the British Pacific Fleet 1944-45 (Naval Historical Society of Australia: Sydney) 204 pp., Call No: 740 CAMP 1995.

This is an account of the British Pacific Fleet and the 18 Australian-manned corvettes that worked with it from November 1944 to November 1945. They constituted the 21st and 22nd Mine-sweeping Flotillas. They spent most of their time escorting ships of the Fleet Train as it worked to fuel, supply and repair the front-line fighting ships.

Deaile, Melvin G. (2018). Always at war: organizational culture in Strategic Air Command, 1946-62 (Naval Institute Press: Annapolis, MD) 296 pp., Call No: 903.97 DEAI 2018.

This book is the story of the Strategic Air Command through its formative years during the early days of the Cold War to its apparent success during the Cuban missile crisis. It describes how an organisation dominated by experienced World War II airmen developed a unique culture that thrives to this day.

Eames, Jim (2017). Courage in the skies: the untold story of Qantas, its brave men and women and their extraordinary role in World War II (Allen & Unwin: Crows Nest, NSW) 336 pp., Call No: 980 EAME 2017.

This book tells the story of Qantas at war and the heroic deeds of its crew and ground staff as the Japanese advanced towards Australia. Flying unarmed planes through war zones, at times under enemy fire, the airline supplied the front lines, evacuated the wounded, and undertook surprising escapes, including being the last aircraft to leave besieged Singapore.

Eather, Steve (2007). Blue lightning: the story of 6 Squadron, 1917-2005 (Australian Military History Publications: Loftus, NSW) .

This still-active RAAF squadron was formed during the Great War as part of the Australian Flying Corps. The book describes for the first time, the squadron's activities as a training squadron within the Royal Flying Corps in the Great War, its combat role in the South-West Pacific in World War II, and its post-war role flying Lincolns, Canberras, Phantoms, and lastly F111s. 190 pp., Call No: 903.92 EATH 2007.

Edgar, Peter (2006). To Villers-Bretonneux: With Brigadier-General William Glasgow, DSO, and the 13th Australian Infantry Brigade (Australian Military History Publications: Loftus, NSW) 284 pp., Call No: 570.2 EDGA 2006.

This book traces the progress of Glasgow's 13th Australian Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, from its formation in Egypt in 1916 to its triumph at Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918 after which Glasgow relinquished command. Edgar uses his analysis the Brigade's progress from partly trained volunteers to professional soldiers to examined and dispel many myths about the Australian infantryman.

Field, Paul (2017). Gimme shelter: stories of courage, endurance and survival from the frontline and back home (Echo: Richmond VIC) 273 pp., Call No: 501.1 FIEL 2017.

This book contains biographies of 16 men and women, including Vietnam and Afghanistan veterans, peacekeepers, first responders and relatives, whose greatest struggle has been the return to everyday life after service or dealing with loss of loved ones who lost that battle.

Fisher, Denise (2013). France in the South Pacific: power and politics (Australian National University E Press: Canberra) 342 pp., Call No: 460 FISH 2013

France is a Pacific power, with three territories, a military presence, and extensive investments. It seems to have become generally accepted as a regional partner, but France's future in the region has yet to be secured. A final resolution of the status of New Caledonia will be divisive and could lead to violent confrontations. In French Polynesia, calls continue for independence and for treatment under UN decolonisation procedures, which France opposes. This comprehensive study offers vital insight into the intricate history - and problematic future - of several of Australia's key neighbours in the Pacific.

Freedman, Lawrence (2017). The future of war: a history (Allen Lane: London) 376 pp., Call No: 820 FREE 2017.

This is an analysis of predictions about the future of war from the French rout at Sedan in 1870 to contemporary insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most predictions about future wars have turned out to be wrong. His analysis of the often- misconceived thinking that precedes war is a challenge to hawks and doves alike, and puts current strategic thinking into an historical perspective.

Gaddis, John Lewis (2018). On grand strategy (Penguin: New York) 368 pp., Call No: 820 GADD 2018.

Distilled from the Yale University seminar series, "Studies in Grand Strategy", a master class in strategic thinking, this book surveys statecraft from the ancient Greeks through FDR and beyond as vital historical lessons for future world leaders.

Gaunson, Bruce (2018). Fighting the Kaiserreich: Australia's epic within the Great War (Hybrid Publishers: Melbourne) 526 pp., Call No: 570.14 GAUN 2018.

This book interweaves the saga of World War I itself with the saga of Australia's contribution to defeating the German empire, from the capture of Rabaul and the occupation of German New Guinea in 1914, via Gallipoli in 1915, the Somme in 1916, and Flanders in 1917, to the 1918 German spring offensive and the final allied advance that broke the Hindenburg Line. The Sinai and Palestine, however, are not mentioned.

Grey, Jeffrey (2013). A soldier's soldier: a biography of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Daly (Cambridge University Press: Port Melbourne) 249 pp, Call No: 501.2 GREY 2013.

General Daly, a renowned soldier, was one of the most influential figures in Australian military history. As Chief of the General Staff during the Vietnam War, he oversaw a significant reorganisation of the army as he fought a war under political and resource constraints. The book provides a compelling portrait of Daley and his distinguished career.

Hart, Peter (2018). The last battle: endgame on the Western Front, 1918 (Profile Books: London) 453 pp., Call No: 572 HART 2018.

By August 1918, the outcome of the Great War was not in doubt: the Allies would win. But what was unclear was how this defeat would play out, would the Germans hold on, prolonging the fighting deep into 1919, with the loss of hundreds of thousands more young lives, or could the war be won in 1918? Herein, Peter Hart brings to life the dramatic final weeks of the war, as men fought to secure victory, with survival seemingly only days, or hours away. Drawing on the experience of both generals and ordinary soldiers, and dwelling with equal weight on strategy, tactics and individual experience, this is a powerful and detailed account of history's greatest endgame.

Holloway, David Clare (2014). Combat colonel of the AIF in the Great War (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 417 pp., Call No: 570.02 HOLL 2014.

This book, part of the Australian Army History Collection, lists all those who commanded, even temporarily, units of the AIF in the Great War. It has sections on Infantry, Cyclist, Miner, Tunneller and Pioneer Units, the Australian Light Horse, Imperial Camel Corps, Australian Artillery and the Australian Flying Corps. The numbers of men who commanded these units was surprisingly high. It includes useful commentaries on the activities of each formation.

Horner, David (1989). SAS: phantoms of the jungle: a history of the Australian Special Air Service (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 527 pp. Call No: 503.2 HORN 1989.

This book tells the story pf the formation of the SAS in 1957, its role in Borneo during confrontation with Indonesia (1963-66), its operations during the Vietnam War, and its post-Vietnam counter-terrorist role in defence of Australia to 1989.

Hurst, James (2018). The landing in the dawn: dissecting a legend - the landing at Anzac, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915 (Helion: Solihull, England)264 pp., Call No: 575 HURS 2018.

This book re-examines and re-constructs the Anzac landing using the aggregate experience of a single first-wave battalion over a single day using veterans' letters and diaries to create a body of evidence with which to construct a history of the battle.

Husain, Amir (2017). The sentient machine: the coming age of artificial intelligence (Scribner: New York) 214 pp., Call No: 830.7 HUSA 2017.

Artificial "machine" intelligence is playing an ever-greater role in our daily lives. The debate is polarised between experts who think machines will solve most of humanity's problems and those who argue machines will render mankind irrelevant. Husain, a brilliant inventor and computer scientist, responds to these issues, addresses the broad existential questions, and takes a realistic look at the future.

James, Richard (2017). Australia's war with France: the campaign in Syria and Lebanon, 1941 (Big Sky Publishing: Newport NSW) 385 pp. Call No: 587 JAME 2017.

1941: Great Britain is fighting for its very existence. France has surrendered and installed a hostile new government at Vichy. The Allied outpost in Egypt is threatened on both sides - to the west by Rommel; to the east, the Germans are arming rebels and fostering an uprising in British Iraq. After a disastrous campaign in Greece, there are fears of a German takeover in Vichy-controlled Syria and Lebanon, where a French colonial army may fall in line with the Nazis. Churchill orders General Wavell to take the offensive, assuming that the French will not put up a fight against an Allied show of force. The only troops available are the 7th Australian Division: untested recruits, digging ditches in the Egyptian desert. This book tells how the 7th Division came to fight the French in the rocky hills of Lebanon and the barren wastes of Syria. The French resisted viciously. The Australians won the war, but at the price of more than 400 young men, sons of Anzacs who had fought to defend France in the trenches of the western Front. This book seeks to understand a neglected campaign and give it a proper place in Australian history.

Johnston, Mark (2015). Stretcher-bearers: saving Australians from Gallipoli to Kokoda (Cambridge University Press: Melbourne) 349 pp., Call No: 503.2 JOHN 2015.

This is an account of Australian stretcher-bearers during the First and Second World Wars. It also traces the development of formal stretcher-bearing from its origins in Napoleon's army.

Kane-Maguire, Leon (2007). Desert scorpions: 459 Squadron RAAF, 1942-1945 (Australian Military History Publications: Loftus, NSW) 527 pp., Call No: 903.92 MAGU 2007.

No. 459 Squadron RAAF was formed in Egypt in 1942. Its operations ranged from anti-submarine and convoy escort patrols to highly-dangerous low-level anti-shipping strikes and formation bombing raids. They achieved a record second to none in the Desert Air Force.

Lovejoy, Valerie (2003). Mapmakers of Fortuna: a history of the Army Survey Regiment (Ex-Fortuna Survey Association Inc.: Bendigo, VIC) 232 pp., Call No: Q503.2 LOVE 2003.

This is a history of the Army Survey Regiment that also recounts the evolution of mapping techniques over a number of decades. It is an invaluable complement to our map collection with many insights into the army's developments.

Martinkus, John (2017). Lost copy: the endless wars, Iraq and Afghanistan (Australian Scholarly Publishing: North Melbourne) 272 pp., Call No: 543.4 MART 2017.

The working title of this memoir by celebrated Australian war correspondent John Martinkus was 'Endless Jihad'; the future of the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan stretches far beyond sight. We know they will bear hard on us and on generations to come, but attention wanders and fresh copy from the battlefront is too often "lost" ...

Ross, Andrew, Hall, Robert, and Griffin, Amy (2015). The search for tactical success in Vietnam: an analysis of Australian Task Force combat operations (Cambridge University Press: Melbourne) 302 pp., Call No: 547 ROSS 2015.

From 1966 to 1971, the 1st Australian Task Force was part of the counter-insurgency campaign in South Vietnam. The book examines the thousands of small-scale battles that the Task Force was engaged in to produce a study of the tactics and achievements of the Task Force. Maps illustrate how the Task Force's tactics were employed.

Scharre, Paul (2018). Army of none: autonomous weapons and the future of war (W. W. Norton: New York) 436 pp., Call No: 830.7 SCHA 2018.

Scharre explores how next-generation weapons are changing warfare. He examines the movement to ban autonomous weapons and the legal and ethical issues surrounding their use. He surveys what challenges might face "centaur warfighters", which combine human and machine cognition, on future battlefields

Stockings, Craig (2015). Britannia's shield: Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Hutton and late-Victorian imperial defence (Cambridge University Press: Melbourne) 348 pp., Call No: 501.2 STOC 2015.

This book presents an in-depth, international study of imperial land defence from British colonial conflicts Africa and Egypt in the 1880s to 1914. It makes sense of the failures, false starts and successes that eventually led to more than 850,000 men being despatched from the Dominions to buttress Britain's Great War effort. The story is built around a biographical study of Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Hutton.

Stockings, Craig, and Connor, John (2017). The shadow men: the leaders who shaped the Australian Army from the Veldt to Vietnam (New South: Sydney) 266 pp., Call No: 501.1 STOC 2017.

This book presents biographies of 10 influential, but lesser known army intellectuals, strategists, administrators and leaders who shaped the Australian Army, focusing on their achievements and influence. Reviewed are: Hutton; Bridges; Brudenell White; Legge; O'Brien; Northcott; Rowell; Keogh; Daly; and Brogan.

St hs, Jeremy (2018). The decline of European naval forces: challenges to sea power in an age of fiscal austerity and political uncertainty (Naval Institute Press: Annapolis, MD) 290 pp., Call No: 750 STOH 2018.

This is a critical insight into Europe's naval forces since the Cold War and the drastic changes many navies have undergone over the last 25 years. The defence policies and naval strategies of 11 European states are analysed as well as the evolution, deployment and capabilities of their naval forces. The shift in the global naval balance between the West (Atlantic Ocean) to the East (Indian and Pacific Oceans) and its consequences for European powers are traced.

Taylor, F. W., and Cusack T. A. (1942 - 1992 reprint). Nulli Secundus: a history of the Second Battalion, A.I.F., 1914 - 1919 (John Burridge Military Antiques: Swanbourne, WA) 357 pp., Call No: 570.2 TAYL 1942.

The 2nd Battalion, was an infantry battalion of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Australian Imperial Force. It was raised in Sydney in 1914, served in Egypt and on Gallipoli in 1915 and in France and Flanders on the Western Front from 1916 - 1918. The battalion was subsequently awarded 22 battle honours. Its members were awarded one VC, four CMGs, four DSOs, 20 MCs, 21 DCMs, 60 MMs, 4 MSMs, and at least 5 foreign awards.

Van Velzen, Marianne (2018). Missing in action: Australia's World War I grave services, an astonishing story of misconduct, fraud and hoaxing (Allen & Unwin: Crows Nest, NSW) 267 pp., Call No: 570.14 VELZ 2018.

By the end of World War I, 45,000 Australians had died on the Western Front. Some bodies had been hastily buried mid-battle in massed graves; others were mutilated beyond recognition; others were simply listed as 'Missing in Action'. Lieutenant Robert Burns was one of the missing and his father wanted to know what had become of his son. He was not alone. A clamour arose from Australia for information and for the dead to be buried respectfully. Many of the Australians charged with the task of finding and reburying the dead were deeply flawed, preferring to remain in France instead of returning home. In the end there was a great scandal, with allegations of 'body hoaxing' and gross misappropriation of money and army possessions leading to two secretive inquiries. This is that story.

Vine, Tony (2017). High in the sunlit silence: the story of fifty trainee pilots RAAF Narromine NSW, December 1941 (Vivid Publishing: Fremantle) 330 pp., Call No: 950.14 VINE 2017.

This book records the individual stories of 50 young men who came together on RAAF Narromine Pilots' Course 20 in December 1941 to become pilots and other aircrew in the European and Pacific Theatres of World War II. Most ended up flying with RAF Bomber Command. Eighteen made the supreme sacrifice - 17 with Bomber Command.

Wray, Christopher (2015). Pozi res: echoes of a distant battle (Cambridge University Press: Melbourne) 244 pp., Call No: 572 WRAY 2015.

From July to September 1915, some 23,000 Australians were killed or wounded in the Battle of Pozi res. Wray explores the influence of the battle on Australian society and history, and how it is remembered today, including how it has been commemorated in history and art.

To reserve any of these books, email: .

For further information, phone (02) 8262 2922 on a Monday or Wednesday between 1000 - 1600 hours.

David Leece
Library Manager
30 June 2018

Acquisitions 1 January to 31 March 2018

The following mostly recently-published books have been added to the collection since 1 January 2018. They will be on display in the Library for two months, during which time Institute members may reserve them for borrowing once they come off display. While there is a waiting list, books may be borrowed for 14 days. Once there is no longer a waiting list for them, books may be borrowed for up to 28 days.

Bowden, Mark (2017). Hu 1968: a turning point of the American war in Vietnam (Atlantic Monthly Press: New York) 610 pp., Call No: 547 BOWD 2017.

Hu 1968 is the story of the centrepiece of the Tet Offensive and a turning point in the American war in Vietnam. Through his scrupulous day-by-day reconstruction of the battle, Bowden encapsulates the essential lessons of the Vietnam War. Bowden is the author of Black Hawk down.

Butler, Susan, editor (2017). Macquarie dictionary Volume 7 (Macquarie Dictionary Publishers: Sydney) 2 volumes, Call No: 030 DICT MAC7.

The Macquarie Dictionary is nationally and internationally regarded as the standard reference on Australian English. It not only includes words and senses peculiar to Australian English, but also those common to the whole English-speaking world.

David, Cate (2015). From Gallipoli to Coopers Creek (Horizon Publishing Group: Cherrybrook, NSW) 227 pp., Call No: 580.01 DAVI 2015.

This is the story of an Australian soldier of the Great War, who served on Gallipoli and then in the Sinai, before returning home to a life of struggle to overcome adversity. He finally falls in love with a woman and together they make a go of it on a Soldier Settler block called Cooper's Creek.

Clark, Chris (2010). The encyclopaedia of Australia's battles, revised edition (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 306 pp., Call No: 503.2 CLAR 2010.

This book contains concise descriptions of all the major battles over the last 200 years that have taken place in Australia or in which Australians have been involved - from frontier clashes between Aborigines and Europeans, participation by colonial forces in Britain's wars of the 19th century, though the world wars and other conflicts of the 20th century, to recent and ongoing conflicts in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Emmers, Ralf, and Teo, Sarah (2018). Security strategies of middle powers in the Asia Pacific (Melbourne University Press: Melbourne) 228 pp., Call No: 820 EMME 2018.

This book examines the security strategies of four middle powers in the Asia Pacific - Australia, Indonesia, South Korea and Malaysia - against the extant theory that middle powers can adopt either functional (focused on a specific national interest) or normative (focused on promoting general behavioural standards internationally) strategies. The book argues that the strategy adopted depends on the nation's resource availability and strategic environment.

Giangreco, D. M. (2017). Hell to pay: Operation Downfall and the invasion of Japan, 1945-47, updated and expanded edition (Naval Institute Press: Annapolis, MD) 552 pp., Call No: 588 GIAN 2017.

This book describes Operation Downfall, the planned allied invasion of the Japanese mainland, which was to occur in two phases: the amphibious invasion of Kyushu in November 1945; followed by the amphibious invasion of Honshu in April 1946. With the surrender of Japan in September 1945, the operation become unnecessary and did not proceed.

Hamilton, Clive (2018). Silent invasion: China's influence in Australia (Hardie Grant Books: Melbourne) 356 pp., Call No: 472 HAMI 2018.

Hamilton has uncovered compelling evidence of the Chinese Communist Party's infiltration of Australia - from politics to culture, real estate to agriculture, universities to unions, and even in our primary schools. Sophisticated influence operations target Australia's elites, and parts of the large Chiese-Australian diaspora have been mobilised to buy access to politicians, limit academic freedom, intimidate critics, collect information for Chinese intelligence agencies, and protest in the streets against Australian government policy.

Ku-ring-gai Historical Society (2015). Rallying the troops: a World War I commemoration, Volume II (Ku-ring-gai Historical Society: Gordon, NSW) 414 pp., Cal No: Q570.14 KURI 2015.

This is a commemoration of the contribution made by the citizens of Kur-ring-gai, a shire in northern Sydney, to the Great War. Volume II covers: post-enlistment training in Australia; the desert campaign in Sinai, Palestine and Syria from 1916 - 18; the Western Front battles of 1916; and biographies of enlistees from the shire with surnames starting with the letters G to K.

Ku-ring-gai Historical Society (2017). Rallying the troops: a World War I commemoration, Volume III (Ku-ring-gai Historical Society: Gordon, NSW) 654 pp., Cal No: Q570.14 KURI 2017.

This is a commemoration of the contribution made by the citizens of Kur-ring-gai, a shire in northern Sydney, to the Great War. Volume III covers: the movement for conscription; the Western Front battles of 1917; care and support provided by charities behind the lines; and biographies of enlistees from the shire with surnames starting with the letters L to R.

McKelvey, Ben (2017). The commando: the life and death of Cameron Baird, VC, MG (Hachette Australia: Sydney) 341 pp., Call No: 543.4 MCKE 2017.

This is a biography of Corporal Cameron Baird, 2nd Commando Regiment, a modern-day warrior who set a standard that every soldier aspires to achieve. After tours of East Timor and Iraq and four exhausting, violent rotations in Afghanistan, Baird had become a legend in his unit, earning the Medal of Gallantry and the Victoria Cross.

McKenzie-Smith, Graham R. (2018). The unit guide: the Australian Army 1939 - 1945 (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 6 Volumes, Call No: 580.2 UGAA 1/6 - 6/6.

The Unit Guide, in a six-volume boxed set, provides more than 5500 profiles of units in the Australian Army during World War II. Each profile covers what is known of the unit's formation, role, organisation, movements, operations and place in the Army's hierarchy, including references to the unit's War Diary and an extensive bibliography. There are Orders of Battle for most of Australia's significant campaigns or locations defended by Australian troops, which will be invaluable to military historians and researchers.

Moss, Tristan (2017). Guarding the periphery: the Australian Army in Papua New Guinea, 1951 - 75 (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge) 266 pp., Call No: 503.2 MOSS 2017.

Based around the Pacific Islands Regiment, the Australian Amy's units in Papua New Guinea had a dual identity: integral to Australia's defence, but also part of its largest colony and viewed as a foreign people. Moss explores the operational, social and racial aspects of this unique force during the height of the colonial era and during the progression to independence.

Rees, Peter (2016). Anzac girls: the extraordinary story of our World War I nurses (Allen & Unwin: Crows Nest, NSW) 363 pp., Call No: 570.02 REES 2016.

This is the story of the Australian and New Zealand Army nurses who served overseas in the Middle East (mainly Gallipoli) and on the Western Front during World War I. By the end of the War, 45 had died on overseas service and over 200 had been decorated. They left for war looking for adventure and romance, but were soon confronted with challenges for which their civilian life could never have prepared them. Their strength and dignity were remarkable.

Richardson, Thomas (2017). Destroy and build: pacification in Phuoc Tuy, 1966-72 (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge) 280 pp., Call No: 547 RICH 2017.

Richardson explores the 1st Australian Task Force's implementation of pacification in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, between 1966 and 1972. He challenges the accepted historiography of the Western forces' fight against insurgency in Vietnam.

Sheahan, John (2015). The Kapooka tragedy: remembering 21 May 1945 (Triple D Books: Wagga Wagga, NSW) 256 pp., Call No: 580.14 SHEA 2015.

On 21 May 1945, at Kapooka base near Wagga Wagga in southern New South Wales, a squad of Royal Australian Engineers was being trained in demolitions. Somehow, 50 kg of explosives ignited, killing 26 of 27 engineers in a dugout. This event is not recorded in any of the official war histories. Sixty-five years later, a formal memorial was constructed near the site and an annual commemorative service was instituted. This book honours the memory of the sappers who were killed.

St. Claire, Ross (2006). Our gift to the Empire: 54th Australian Infantry Battalion, 1916 - 1919 (self-published: The Junction, NSW) 454 pp., Call No: 570.14 CLAI 2006.

The 45th Battalion, Australian Infantry, which drew its men from New South Wales, was formed in Egypt in February 1916 and subsequently saw active service in France and Flanders on the Great War's Western Front. The battalion had a disastrous start at Fromelles in July1916 and did not lead another major attack until September 1918 at Péronne, where it earned two Victoria Crosses. During the intervening years, it endured the horrific rigours of trench warfare and the European winters, and took part in battles at Bullecourt, Polygon Wood and Villers-Bretonneux. This is its story.

Stefanovic, Peter (2017). Hack in a flak jacket: wars, riots and revolutions - dispatches from a foreign correspondent (Hachette Australia: Sydney) 289 pp., Call No: 501.2 STEF 2017.

This is Stefanovic's memoir of his decade as a Channel Nine foreign correspondent in Europe, United States, Africa and the Middle East, frequently putting his personal safety in the firing line as he delivered the news on camera as it happened, wherever it happened and whatever the risk in places like Gaza, Libya, Egypt, and Paris.

Thomson, Jimmy, and MacGregor, Sandy (2016). Tunnel rats vs the Taliban: how Aussie sappers led the way in the war on terror (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 269 pp., Call No: 543.4 THOM 2016.

This is the story of Australian Army engineers in Afghanistan who were inspired by the original Tunnel Rats of the Vietnam War. In Afghanistan this century, they have rooted out the enemy from deep inside their caves and mountain hideouts, have defused thousands of improvised explosive devices, built bridges and schools, and fought side-by-side with special forces. They also have lost a disproportionate number of their comrades and many returned home with PTSD.

Tyquin, Michael (2017). A bit in the side: price fixing, rationing, profiteering and black markets in Australia and Britain, 1939 - 1945 (Michael Tyquin: VIC)299 pp., Call No: 580.14 TYQU 2017.

This book describes rationing and price control in wartime Australia and compares them with contemporary developments in Britain, in the context of the prevailing economic and social landscape.

To reserve any of these books, email: .

For further information, phone (02) 8262 2922 on a Monday or Wednesday between 1000 - 1600 hours.

David Leece
Library Manager
31 March 2018

Acquisitions September to December 2017

The following 18 recently-published books have been added to the collection since 1 October 2017. They will be on display in the Library for two months, during which time Institute members may reserve them for borrowing once they come off display. While there is a waiting list, books may be borrowed for 14 days. Once there is no longer a waiting list for them, books may be borrowed for up to 28 days.

Browning, Neville (2017). The green and white diamond: 20^th Battalion AIF 1915-1919 (self-published: Huntingdale, WA) 556 pp., Call No: 570.14 BROW 2017.

This is a newly-published unit history. The 20^th Battalion served in Egypt and Gallipoli in 1915, and then in France and Flanders from 1916 to 1918, as an infantry battalion of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division, Australian Imperial Force. Notable battles included Gallipoli, Somme, Pozi res, Zillebeke, Bapaume, Lagnicourt, Bullecourt, Ypres, Bois de Hangard, Amiens, Mont St. Quentin.

Bryant, Shane, with Park, Tony (2010). War dogs: an Australian and his dog go to war in Afghanistan (Pan Macmillan Australia: Sydney) 256 pp., Call No: 543.4 BRYA 2010.

In Afghanistan, highly-trained dogs and their handlers search for improvised explosive devices or hidden weapons out on patrol with combat troops. It is a perilous job - they are a high-priority target for Taliban insurgents. Bryant, a former Australian Army dog handler, tells here of four years as a civilian contractor dog handler with elite American special forces. He commuted to and from the war zone, spending months on operations, while also trying to keep alive relationships with family and loved ones at home.

Deayton, Craig (2017). At any price: the Anzacs in the Battle of Messines 1917 (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 335 pp., Call No: 572 DEAY 2017.

This is a history of the Battle of Messines in June 1917, the essential prelude to the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgian Flanders. It focuses on the contribution of the New Zealand Division and the Australians, in particular the 3rd Division and the tunnellers. It also sets their contribution within the broader tactical and strategic context.

Fermour, Patrick Leigh (2014). Abducting a general: the Kreipe Operation and SOE in Crete (John Murray: London) 206 pp., Call No: 587 FERM 2014.

This book is Leigh Fermour's account of Operation Kreipe in which he kidnapped the German commander in Crete, General Kreipe, on 26 April 1944. The plan was hatched to kidnap the general while ensuring that no reprisals were taken against the Cretans. Dressed as German military police, Fermour and Billy Moss stopped and took control of Kreipe's car, drove it through 22 German check points, then hid from the German army, before finally being picked up from a beach to the south of the island and transported to safety in Egypt on 14 May.

Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of (2017). 2017 foreign policy white paper (Commonwealth of Australia: Canberra). 122 pp., Call No: 472 DFAT 2017.

The white paper shows that Australia is focused on our region, determined to realise a secure, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific. It is grounded in our national foundations of freedom, equality, the rule of law and mutual respect. More than ever, Australia must be sovereign, not reliant. We must take responsibility for our own security and prosperity, while recognising we are stronger when sharing the burden with trusted partners and friends.

Jordan, Lucas (2017). Stealth raiders: a few daring men in 1918 (Vintage Books: North Sydney, NSW) 303 pp., Call No: 572 JORD 2017.

In 1918, a few daring low-ranking Australian infantrymen, alone among the armies of the Western Front, initiated stealth raids without orders. These stealth raiders killed Germans, captured prisoners and advanced the line, sometimes by thousands of metres. They were held in high regard by other men of the lower ranks and were feared by the Germans facing them.

Mackenzie, Lieutenant-Colonel K. W. (2010). The story of the Seventeenth Battalion A.I.F. in the Great War 1914-1918 (The Naval and Military Press Ltd: East Sussex) 376 pp., Call No 570.14 MACK 2010.

This is a facsimile reprinting of the original unit history published in 1946. The 17^th Battalion served in Egypt and Gallipoli in 1915, and then in France and Flanders from 1916 to 1918, as an infantry battalion of the 5^th Brigade, 2^nd Division, Australian Imperial Force. Notable battle and theatre honours included Gallipoli 1915 (Hill 60, Quinn's Post), Somme 1914-1918, Pozi res, Bapaume 1917, Bullecourt, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Broodseinde, Morlancourt, Amiens, Mont St. Quentin, Hindenburg Line, Beaurevoir.

Masters, Chris (2017). No front line: Australia's special forces at war in Afghanistan (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 594 pp., Call No: 543.4 Mast 2017.

The soldiers of the SAS, the Commandos and Special Engineer Regiment, are Australia's most highly trained. Their work is often secret, their bravery undeniable and, for 13 years, they were at the forefront of Australia's longest war. Masters' investigation took 10 years and has produced one of Australia's finest books on contemporary soldiering.

McFadden, Meredith D. (2017). Dear everybody - letters from a Bomber Command pilot (Aubrey Warsash Publishing: South Croydon, Surrey, UK) 234 pp., Call No: 950.14 MCFA 2017.

Bill McFadden enlisted in the RAAF in 1940 and, in six years away, wrote copious letters to his family in Queensland. They were kept. Selected letters are transcribed and edited herein by his daughter. They reveal what he did, where he went and how he felt about the circumstances in which he found himself in World War II.

McGrath, Kim (2017). Crossing the line: Australia's secret history in the Timor Sea (Redback Quarterly: Carlton, VIC) 216 pp., Call No: 456 MCGR 2017.

For 50 years, Australia has schemed to deny East Timor billions of dollars of oil and gas wealth. McGrath tells the story of Australia's secret agenda in the Timor Sea, exposing the ruthlessness of successive governments. Even today, Australia claims resources that, by international law, should belong to East Timor.

Muir, Sir William (1902). Records of the Intelligence Department of the Government of the North-West Provinces of India during the mutiny of 1857 Vol. II (T. & T. Clark: Edinburgh) 398 pp., Call No: 543.2 MUIR 1902.

This volume includes the Ninth to Thirteenth Series of rough notes of intelligence (deposition from spies, etc.,); correspondence with Delhi, etc.; letters from Mr Muir to various high officials; memoranda of intelligence circulated for general information at Agra; and letters written during the mutiny to and from Agra, etc.

O'Connor, Damian P. (2011). Between peace and war: British defence and the Royal United Services Institute, 1831-2010 (Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies: London) 334 pp., Call No: 404 OCON 2011.

For 180 years, the Roya United Services Institute has been at the heart of British thinking on defence and security. It was founded after an 1829 call for a scientific and professional approach to the study of military affairs. The book surveys a period of British and international history through the lens of an institution that reflected and shaped the unfolding British approach to a changing, and often dangerous, world.

Perry, Roland (2017). Monash and Chauvel: how Australia's two greatest generals changed the course of world history (Allen & Unwin: Crows Nest, NSW) 567 pp., Call No: 570.02 PERR 2017.

This biography of Generals John Monash and Harry Chauvel tells the story of these brilliant Australian soldiers, who commanded the two most effective armies in defeating, respectively, the Germans on the Western Front and the Turks in the Middle East in the Great War. Monash and Chauvel planned thoroughly and acted in the best interests of the soldiers under their command. Their capacities and attitude presented a winning formula for their armies and ensured that they never lost a battle they planned and executed.

Shaw, Ian W. (2017). The rag tag fleet: the unknown story of the Australian men and boats that helped win the war in the Pacific (Hachette Australia: Sydney) 310 pp., Call No: 740 SHAW 2017.

The unknown story of how a fleet of Australian fishing boats, trawlers and schooners supplied US and Australian forces in the Pacific and helped turn the course of World war II. The focus of this book is on the final months of 1942 when the fleet of small ships supported the US and Australian troops that defeated the entrenched Japanese forces at Buna on the Papua coast and so helped turn the war on the Allies' favour.

Spurling, Kathryn (2017). Abandoned and sacrificed: the tragedy of the Montevideo Maru (New Holland: London) 304 pp., Call No: 588.14 SPUR 2017

This is the story of Australia's worst maritime disaster. In 1942, over 1000 prisoners and internees perished as the Japanese-requisitioned Montevideo Maru was sunk by a lone American submarine. Spurling tells how the victims - nuns, priests, soldiers and civilians, many barely adults - came to perish and reveals why the Australian government continued to cover-up the details long after the war's end.

Stevenson, Angus, and Waite, Maurice (2011). Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 12^th Edition (Oxford University Press: Oxford) 1682 pp., Call No: 042 OXFO 2011.

This is the centenary edition of this word-famous dictionary. It presents the most accurate and up-to-date picture of the English language. It is the dictionary used by the Institute's quarterly professional journal, United Service.

Tyquin, Michael (2017). Training for war: the history of Headquarters 1^st Division 1914 - 2014 (Big Sky Publishing: Sydney) 254 pp., Call No: 503.2 TYQU 2017.

This book encapsulates 100 years of the history of Headquarters 1^st Division and the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters. During that time, the headquarters has commanded subordinate formations and units; soldiers; and assets. They all have a place in the story as do many distinguished Australians who have had a close association with the division, either commanding it or holding senior positions there. To provide context, reference also is made to wider events in the Australian political and Defence environment.

Walker, Frank (2017). Traitors: how Australia and its allies betrayed our Anzacs and let Nazi and Japanese war criminals go free (Hachette Australia: Sydney) 320 pp., Call No: 581 WALK 2017.

This book outlines the treachery of the British, American and Australian governments, who turned a blind eye to those who experimented on Australian prisoners of war; how Nazis hired by ASIO were encouraged to settle in Australia; and how the Catholic Church, CIA, and MI6 helped the worst Nazi war criminal escape justice. Betrayals included allied corporations trading with the enemy; and Nazi and Japanese scientists being enticed to work for Australia, the US and the UK.

To reserve any of these books, email:

For further information, phone (02) 8262 2922 on a Monday or Wednesday between 1000 - 1600 hours.

David Leece
Library Manager
5 December 2017

Acquisitions July to September 2017

The following 27 recently-published books have been added to the collection since 1 July 2017. They will be on display in the Library for two months, during which time Institute members may reserve them for borrowing once they come off display. While there is a waiting list, books may be borrowed for 14 days. Once there is no longer a waiting list for them, books may be borrowed for up to 28 days.

Baldino, Daniel, and Brennan, Mike (editors) (2016). 1915: Australians at war and on the home front (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 96 pp., Call No: 570.14 BALD 2016.

This book contains the proceedings of military and political history conference conducted by the Royal United Services Institute of Western Australia and staff of Notre Dame University to commemorate the centenary of Gallipoli. The eight papers presented went well beyond the events on the Gallipoli peninsula and covered problems on war, strategy, national identity, politics and the ANZAC story.

Barrett, Vice Admiral Tim (2017). The navy and the nation: Australia's maritime power in the 21^st century (Melbourne University Press: Melbourne) 89 pp., Call No: 702 BARR 2017.

The Royal Australian Navy is at a watershed moment in its history. It is being re-equipped with offshore patrol boats, a new class of frigate, a modern and extended submarine force, and an air-warfare destroyer. The current Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, says the Navy must prepare for the future by re-imagining the way the Navy views itself, especially its domestic and international relationships. He addresses naval power, maritime power and strategic reach, the strategic context, and alliances and coalitions; then goes on to look at the Navy as a system and a national enterprise; before looking at the place of the Navy in the community and the nation.

Blutstein, Harry (2017). Cold war games: spies, subterfuge and secret operations at the 1956 Olympic Games (Echo/Bonnier Publishing: Richmond, VIC) 348 pp., Call No: 411.7 BLUT 2017.

The 1956 Olympic Games became known as the 'friendly games', but East-West rivalry ensured that they were anything but friendly. This book shows vividly how USSR and US exploited the Melbourne Olympics for propaganda, turning athletic fields, swimming pools and other sporting venues into battlefields in which each fought for supremacy. It contains fresh information from ASIO files and newly-discovered documents from archives in the USSR, US and Hungary revealing secret operations in Melbourne.

Cameron, David W. (2017). The charge: the Australian Light Horse victory at Beersheba (Viking/ Penguin Random House: Docklands, VIC) 339 pp., Call No: 576 CAME 2017.

At dusk on 31 October 1917, the Australian Light Horse Brigade charged through the Turkish defences to seize the strategic town of Beersheba and so turn the left flank of the Ottomans' Gaza-Beersheba defensive line which blocked the British advance from the Sinai into southern Palestine. Cameron describes, in Part 1, the background campaign in the Sinai, including Romani and Magdhaba; and, in Part 2, the first and second battles of Gaza; before, in Part 3, describing in detail the Beersheba action, a key element of the third battle of Gaza, which breeched the Gaza-Beersheba line and opened the road to Jerusalem.

Clark, Christopher (2013). The sleepwalkers: how Europe went to war in 1914 (Penguin: London) 697 pp., Call No: 571.1 CLAR 2013.

Clark describes the politico-social and diplomatic context and events from the late 19^th century which led up to the Great War. His account vividly reconstructs key decision points while deftly sketching the context driving them. Easily the best book ever written on the subject, it combines meticulous research with sensitive analysis and elegant prose. Clark has done a masterful job of explaining the inexplicable in a highly readable account.

Clark, Margaret A. (2014). Carmichael's 1000: a history of 36^th Battalion, AIF 1916 - 1918 (Australian Military History Publications: Loftus, NSW) 396 pp., Call No: 570.14 CLAR 2014.

This is a history of the 36^th Australian Infantry Battalion AIF, which was formed in New South Wales in 1916 and later served in France with 9^th Brigade, 3^rd Division, during some of the most important battles of 1917 and 1918. It is based on the unit diaries and letters of the men. It tells of their journey from Australia, training on Salisbury Plain, and engagements on the battlefields of France at Messines, Oostaverne, Broodseinde and Passchendaele in 1917 and Villers Bretonneux in spring 1918, before the battalion was disbanded due to the lack of reinforcements.

Dean, Peter J., editor (2014). Australia 1943: the liberation of New Guinea (Cambridge University Press: Melbourne) 309 pp., Call No: 588.14 DEAN 2014.

By January 1943, Australia had secured the northern coastlines of Australia and Papua. Australian forces were poised for a full-scale offensive to liberate New Guinea from Japanese control. This book explores the high point of Australia's influence on operations and strategy in the Southwest Pacific. It investigates the critical operations from January 1943 to April 1944, including Salamaua, Lae-Nadzab, Finschhafen, Shaggy Ridge, the Markham Valley, and the Huon Peninsula.

Donaldson, Mark (2013). The crossroad: a story of life, death and the SAS (Pan Macmillan Australia: Sydney) 422 pp., Call No: 501.2 DONA 2013.

This is the autobiography of SAS trooper Mark Donaldson who was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia in Afghanistan in 2009. A rebellious child and teenager, his decisions could have led to a life of self-destructiveness and petty crime. Instead, he chose the army. It proved to be his salvation. He was a natural soldier and he progressed to the SAS. This is a frank and compelling story of a man who turned his life around by sheer determination and strength of mind.

Dufty, David (2017). The secret code-breakers of Central Bureau: how Australian signals-intelligence network helped win the Pacific War (Scribe Publications: Melbourne) 451 pp., Call No: 411.7 DUFT 2017.

Central Bureau, in World War II, was Australia's own large and sophisticated intelligence network, built from scratch. It was this group of mathematicians, code-breakers and radio experts who, for example, intercepted the travel plans of the architect of the Pearl Harbour attack, Admiral Yamamoto, leading to his ambush and death. This is their story.

Dunbar, Raden (2014). The secrets of the Anzacs: the untold story of venereal disease in the Australian Army, 1914 - 1919 (Scribe: Brunswick, VIC) 274 pp., Call No: 570.14 DUNB 2014.

During World War I, about 60,000 soldiers in the Australian Army were treated by army doctors in Egypt, Europe and Australia for venereal diseases. This silent, secret scourge took hold in Egypt in 1914 and continued until 1919 when survivors of the war waited in Europe to be repatriated. This book details this aspect of the Anzac story.

Gatfield, John (editor) (2015). The RSL book of World War I: true stories of Aussie courage and mateship from the annals of the RSL (Harper Collins Publishers: Sydney) 353 pp., Call No: 570.02 GATF 2015.

This is a collection of riveting short stories from the annals of the RSL written by diggers for diggers during and after the war and capturing the impact of war on those who took part. It includes accounts from the capture of German New Guinea, to Gallipoli, the Middle East and the Western Front.

Gia p, Vo~ Nguye^n (1970). The military art of the people's war: selected writings of General Vo Nguyen Giap [edited and with an introduction by Russell Stetler] (Monthly Review Press: New York) 332 pp., Call No: 820 GIAP 1970.

This is a collection of the major writings between 1940 and 1969 of General Giap, a 20th-century strategist and tactician - indeed, a military genius, as demonstrated both by his victories over the French and the Americans in Vietnam and by his theoretical writings on revolutionary warfare in both the guerrilla and conventional warfare phases. The collection is presented here in English with a valuable historical introduction by the editor, Russell Stetler.

Gower, Steve (2017). Rounds complete: an artillery forward observer in Vietnam (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 198 pp., Cal No: 547 GOWE 2017.

In 1966, Steve Gower, a young gunner captain in the 101st Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, was sent to Vietnam where he served with the 5^th and 6^th Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment, as a forward observer. Gower describes providing timely, accurate and effective artillery fire support to the two battalions, all the while living with them as they conducted a variety of operation, including search and destroy, cordon and search, heliborne and road protection, and company patrols from forward operating bases. These are his memoirs.

Maynard, Roger (2017). Hero or deserter? Gordon Bennett and the defeat of the 8^th Division (Penguin Random House: Docklands, VIC) 374 pp., Call No: 588.14 MAYN 2017.

Major-General Gordon Bennett played a decisive role in the defence of Malaya and Singapore in World War II. A colourful character, his officers found him at times abrasive and cocky, but he was also known as an outstanding divisional commander. He is, however, best remembered for his daring escape by boat from Singapore in the dying days of the Japanese invasion. Bennett's decision to leave his men to their fate was most controversial. While exonerated by the Australian prime minister, he was never forgiven by the military's top brass for what many regarded as desertion. Maynard re-examines the case.

McDonald, Neil (2004). Chester Wilmot reports: broadcasts that shaped World War II (ABC Books: Sydney) 401 pp., Cal No: 580.01 MCDO 2004.

ABC broadcaster, Chester Wilmot, was one of the greatest correspondents of the Second World War. This is a textual compilation of his original broadcasts from the Middle East, Greece, Crete, Syria, Tobruk, the Crusader Offensive and New Guinea 1942. Each broadcast is accompanied by a commentary from journalist and writer, Neil McDonald.

McDonald, Neil, with Peter Brune (2016). Valiant for truth: the life of Chester Wilmot, war correspondent (NewSouth Publishing: Sydney) 493 pp., Call No: 501.2 MCDO 2016.

This is a biography of Chester Wilmot (1911 - 1954), a renowned Australian war correspondent, broadcaster, journalist and writer. Covering the first triumphant North African battles of Bardia, Tobruk and Derna; the heartbreaking Greek Campaign; the epic struggle along the Kokoda Track; the momentous amphibious invasion at Normandy; and the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany; his voice stood above all others during BBC and ABC broadcasts throughout World War II.

Mearns, David L. (2017). The shipwreck hunter: a lifetime of extraordinary discovery and adventure in the deep seas (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 400 pp., Call No: 728 MEAR 2017.

This is the autobiography of David Mearns who has discovered some of the world's most fascinating and elusive shipwrecks, including HMAS Sydney, HMS Hood and AHS Centaur and the crumbling wooden skeletons of Vasco de Gama's 16^th century fleet.

Rosen, Sue (2017). Scorched earth: Australia's secret plan for total war under Japanese invasion in World War II (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 284 pp., Call No: 588.14 ROSE 2017.

In 1942, the threat of Japanese invasion hung over Australia. Prime Minister Curtin ordered state governments to prepare. From January, a team frantically pulled together secret plans for a 'scorched earth' strategy. The goal was to prevent the Japanese from seizing resources for their war machine and capturing Australians as slaves as they had done in Malaya and elsewhere in Asia. This is the first time these once top-secret plans have been made public.

Silver, Lynette Ramsay (2010). Deadly secrets: the Singapore raids 1942-45 (Sally Miller Publishing: Binda, NSW) 464 pp., Call No: 588.14 SILV 2010.

This book tells the story of the commando raids on shipping in Singapore Harbour in 1943 (Operation Jaywick) and 1944 (Operation Rimau), the planning for the raids and their aftermaths. The author provides an insight into the world of covert operations; lays to rest a number of myths that have arisen concerning the operations; and points out that the operations were politically, rather than militarily, motivated, and, in in the Australian Army's post-war assessment, achieved nothing but death misery and suffering.

Smith, Fred (2016). The dust of Uruzgan (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 399 pp., Call No: 543.4 SMIT 2016.

This gripping book is the first comprehensive on-the-ground account of Australia's involvement in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. Part memoir, part history, part eyewitness reportage, it offers a sympathetic explanation of an obscure and impoverished province where tribal leaders conspire against one another in a society devastated by 35 years of civil war. The book recounts the setbacks and successes of Australian soldiers, diplomats and aid workers struggling to make a difference in a place where truth and clarity were often buried, and where too many young Australians perished in the dust of Uruzgan.

Smith, Lieutenant Colonel Neil C. (2016). Australia's bluejackets in German New Guinea, 1914 (Mostly Unsung Military History: Brighton, VIC) 65 pp., Call No: 578 SMIT 2016.

The sailors of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force to German New Guinea in 1914 were the first Australians to fight and die in the Great War. They conducted the first bayonet charge and won the first gallantry decorations. The story of these unique Bluejackets is told; their honours and awards citations are included; and they are identified by name in the nominal roll of the Naval Expeditionary Force.

Stone, Barry (2017). Secret army: an elite force, a secret mission, a fleet of Model-T Fords, a far flung corner of World War I (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 228 pp., Call No: 577 STON 2017.

An elite force was assembled in London in late 1917 from Australian, British, New Zealand, Canadian and South African veterans of Gallipoli and the Western Front. They were sent to the ethnic powder keg of the Caucasus to preserve British interests. They matched wits with German spies and assassins. They fought Turks. They dined with sheiks, outraged local mullahs, forged unlikely alliances with Russian Cossacks, helped Armenians flee genocide and saved the lived of thousands of starving Persians.

Wood, Graeme (2017). The way of the strangers: encounters with the Islamic State (Random House: New York) 317 pp., Call No: 412 WOOD 2017.

The Way of the Strangers is an intimate journey into the minds of the Islamic State's true believers. From the streets of Cairo to the mosques of London, Wood interviews supporters, recruiters, and sympathizers of the group. Wood speaks with non-Islamic State Muslim scholars and jihadists, and explores the group's idiosyncratic, coherent approach to Islam. The Islamic State is bent on murder and apocalypse, but its followers find meaning and fellowship in its utopian dream. The theology, law, and emotional appeal of the Islamic State are key to understanding it - and predicting what its followers will do next. Through character study and analysis, Wood provides a clear-eyed look at a movement that has inspired so many people to abandon or uproot their families.

The Official History of Australian Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and Post-Cold War Operations

Horner, David (2011). Australia and the 'New World Order': from peacekeeping to peace enforcement: 1988-1991; Volume II of the Official History (Cambridge University Press: Port Melbourne, VIC) 601 pp., Call No: 500 OHAP v. 2.

This is the first comprehensive study of Australia's role in peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations that developed at the end of the Cold War. It covers the commitment of Australian Army engineers to Namibia (1989); military observers in Iran (1988-90); mime clearance instructors in Pakistan and Afghanistan (1989-93); maritime interception operation following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait (1990); and participation in the 1991 Gulf War.

Horner, David, and Connor, John (2014). The good international citizen: Australian peacekeeping in Asia, Africa and Europe, 1991-1993; Volume III of the Official History (Cambridge University Press: Port Melbourne, VIC) 582 pp., Call No: 500 OHAP v. 3.

This volume explores Australia's involvement in six overseas missions in the years following the Gulf War: Cambodia (1991-99); Western Sahara (1991-94); the former Yugoslavia (1992-2004); Iraq (1991); Maritime Interception Force Operations (1991-99); and inspection of weapons of mass destruction facilities in Iraq (1991-99).

Breen, Bob (2016). The good neighbour: Australian peace support operations in the Pacific Islands, 1980-2006; Volume V of the Official History (Cambridge University Press: Port Melbourne, VIC) 540 pp., Call No: 500 OHAP v. 5.

The volume explores the Australian government's efforts to support peace in the Pacific Islands from 1980 -2006, including: peace enforcement in Vanuatu (1980); the contingency operation in the waters off Fiji; and unarmed and armed interventions in Papua New Guinea (Bougainville) and the Solomon Islands; and Tonga (2006).

Bullard, Steven (2017). In their time of need: Australia's overseas emergency relief operations, 1918-2006; Volume VI of the Official History (Cambridge University Press: Port Melbourne, VIC) 577 pp., Call No: 500 OHAP v. 6.

The volume recounts the activities of Australia's military forces in response to overseas natural disasters. It begins with the 1918-19 influenza epidemic which ravaged the Pacific and culminates with the 2005 Pakistan earthquake.

To reserve any of these books, email:

For further information, phone (02) 8262 2922 on a Monday or Wednesday between 1000 - 1600 hours.

David Leece
Library Manager
30 September 2017

Acquisitions January to June 2017

The following recently-published books have been added to the collection since 1 January 2017. They will be on display in the Library for two months, during which time Institute members may reserve them for borrowing once they come off display. While there is a waiting list, books may be borrowed for 14 days. Once there is no longer a waiting list for them, books may be borrowed for up to 28 days.

Alford, Bob (2017). Darwin 1942: the Japanese attack on Australia (Osprey Publishing: Oxford) 96 pp., Call No: 588.14 ALFO 2017.

On 19 February, just eleven weeks after the attacks on Pearl Harbour and two weeks after the fall of Singapore, the same Japanese battle group that had attacked Hawaii was ordered to attack the ill-prepared and under-defended Australian port of Darwin. Publishing 75 years after this little-known yet devastating attack, this fully illustrated study details what happened on that dramatic day in 1942 with the help of contemporary photographs, maps, and profiles of the commanders and machines involved in the assault.

Bou, Jean, editor (2016). The AIF in battle: how the Australian Imperial Force Fought 1914-1918 (Melbourne University Press: South Carlton, VIC) 328 pp., Call No. 570.14 BOU 2016

By the end of the First World War the combat formations of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in both France and the Middle East were considered among the British Empire's most effective troops. How the force came to be so was not due to any inherent national prowess or trait. Instead it was the culmination of years of training, organisational change, battlefield experimentation and hard-won experience. This book brings together some of Australia's foremost military historians to outline how the military neophytes that left Australia in 1914 became the battle winning troops of 1918.

Braithwaite, Richard Wallace (2016). Fighting monsters: an intimate history of the Sandakan tragedy (Australian Scholarly Publishing: North Melbourne) 530 pp., Call No: 588.14 BRAI 2016.

Only six escapees survived the Sandakan death marches of 1945 in North Borneo - 1787 Australian and 641 British POWs perished. Previous descriptions of the numerus violent acts have yielded little understanding of a situation where the real struggle was to keep one's humanity. Braithwaite recounts the four stages of the Sandakan tragedy: active resistance in 1942-3; suborn endurance in 1943-4; the collapse of civilised existence in 1945; and, finally, the postwar decades of torment for the six damaged survivors, and the commemoration of the tragedy by the families and communities involved.

Cameron, David W. (2016). The battle of Long Tan: Australia's four hours of hell in Vietnam (Penguin Random House: Australia) 392 pp., Call No: 547 CAME 2016.

Marking the battle's 50th anniversary and drawing on unpublished first-hand accounts, David Cameron brings life to the events of this famous battle as it unfolded and reveals deeds of heroism and mateship.

Collie, Craig (2017). Code breakers: inside the shadow world of signals intelligence in Australia's two Bletchley Parks (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 389 pp., Call No: 411.7 COLL 2017.

At the height of World War II in the Pacific, two secret organisations existed in Australia to break Japan's military codes. They were peopled by brilliant and idiosyncratic cryptographers who patiently unravelled the codes in Japanese signals, ultimately playing a crucial role in the battles of Midway and the Coral Sea, as well as in Macarthur's push into the Philippines. The book recounts the personalities and rivalries between the Melbourne group and the group at Macarthur's Brisbane headquarters.

Curran, James (2016). Fighting with America: why saying no to the US wouldn't rupture the alliance (Penguin Random House: Sydney) 154 pp., Call No: 408 CURR 2016.

In Fighting with America, historian James Curran argues that the current intensity in Canberra's relations with Washington has led Americans and Australians to forget past disagreements between the two nations. As the alliance becomes more focused on Asia, Australian and American interests will sometimes coincide - other times they may clash.

Dapin, Mark (2017). Jewish Anzacs: Jews in the Australian military (NewSouth Publishing: Sydney) 435 pp., Call No: 501.1 DAPI 2017.

A landmark history of Australian Jews in the military, from the First Fleet to the recent war in Afghanistan. Over 7000 Jews have fought in Australia's military conflicts, including more than 330 who gave their lives. Mark Dapin reveals the personal, often extraordinary, stories of many Jewish servicemen and women: from air aces to POWs, from nurses to generals, from generation to generation. Weaving together official records and interviews, private letters, diaries and papers, Dapin explores the diverse lives of his subjects and reflects on their valour, patriotism, mateship, faith and sacrifice

Dean, Peter J. (2011). The architect of victory: the military career of Lieutenant General Frank Horton Berryman (Cambridge University Press: Port Melbourne, VIC) 395 pp., Call No: 501.2 DEAN 2011.

Lieutenant-General Sir Frank Berryman is one of the most important, yet relatively unknown, officers in the history of the Australian Army. Peter Dean charts Berryman's special relationships with senior United States and Australian officers and explains why the man poised to become the next Chief of General Staff would never fulfil his ambition.

Dean, Peter J., editor (2016). Australia 1944-45: victory in the Pacific (Cambridge University Press: Port Melbourne, VIC) 359 pp., Call No.: 588.14 DEAN 2016.

The years 1944 and 1945 were pivotal in the development of Australia's approach to strategy during the Second World War and beyond. While the main battlefront of the Pacific War had moved further north, Australian air, land and sea forces continued to make a significant contribution to the Allied campaign and towards achieving Australia's strategic interests and objectives. Australia 1944-45 examines this complex and fascinating period, which has been largely under-represented in Australian military history.

Douhet, Giulio (2009). The command of the air (University of Alabama Press: Tuscaloosa, AL) 394 pp., Call No: 960 DOUH 2009.

This edition includes English translations of the four books published by Douhet on the strategic employment of air power: The command of the air (1921); The probable aspects of the war of the future (1928); Recapitulation (1929); and The war of 19-- (1930). Douhet's seminal work, The command of the Air, was the first detailed analysis of the offensive and defensive employment of air power. Douhet's theories influenced the employment of air power by both sides in World War II and in later conflicts.

Echevarria II, Antulio, J. (2017). Military strategy: a very short introduction (Oxford University Press; Oxford) 131 pp., Call No: 820 ECHE 2017.

This book provides a systematic, succinct and incisive guide to the main themes of military strategy - annihilation, attrition, deterrence, terrorism, decapitation, cyber power; and to what causes military strategies to succeed or fail.

Finlayson, Damien (2017). The lightning keepers: the AIF's Alphabet Company in the Great War (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 329 pp., Call No: 570.14 FINL 2017.

Few soldiers on the Western Front had heard of the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining Company - nicknamed 'Alphabet Company'. Yet many knew of the work of this tiny unit which numbered fewer than 300 at full strength. Despite its small size, the Alphabet Company's influence was enormous and spanned the entire British sector from the North Sea to the Somme, operating pumps, generators, ventilation fans, drilling equipment and other ingenious devices in extreme circumstances. This is the story of Alphabet Company, its men and its equipment, told for the first time.

Frame, Tom, and Palazzo, Albert, editors (2016). On ops: lessons and challenges for the Australian Army since East Timor (UNSW Press: Sydney) 324 pp., Call No: 503.2 FRAM 2016.

This is a collection of essays which look at the lessons and challenges that have arisen for the Australian Army since 1999 when its peacekeeping taskforce was deployed to East Timor. It is a constructive critique of the modern Army.

To reserve any of these books, email .

For further information, phone (02) 8262 2922 on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday between 1100 - 1600 hours.

David Leece
Library Manager
14 June 2017

Acquisitions July to December 2016

The following books were added to the collection July to December 2016.

Anderson, Nicholas (2014). To Kokoda. Australian Army Campaign Series - 14 (Army History Unit: Canberra) 236 pp. Call No: 588.14 ANDE 2014

This book describes the Japanese attempt to capture Port Moresby in 1942 via the treacherous Kokoda Trail over the Owen Stanley Range and the bloody and protracted struggle which followed leading ultimately to Australian militia battalions and AIF brigades driving the Japanese off the Owen Stanleys and out of Papua.

Blaxland, John (2015). The protest years. The official history of ASIO Volume II, 1963 - 1975 (Allen & Unwin: Sydney). 565 pp. Call No: 411.7 BLAX 2015

This book tells the inside story of Australia's domestic intelligence organisation from the last of the Menzies years to the dismissal of the Whitlam government. It examines the role of the CIA in the fall of the Whitlam government; the background to the raid by Attorney-General Lionel Murphy on ASO's Melbourne headquarters; efforts to counter Soviet espionage; and sensitive intelligence activities in South Vietnam.

Blaxland, John and Crawley, Rhys (2016). The secret cold war. The official history of ASIO Volume III, 1975 - 1989 (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 522 pp. Call No: 411.7 BLAX 2016

The Cold War went underground in 1975 until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. This book details the extent of clandestine operation in Australia by foreign intelligence operatives and the violence-prone activities of local extremist groups from the Middle East, Armenia and Croatia in the 1970s and 1980s. Meanwhile, ASIO was being transformed into a modern intelligence organisation.

Bomford, Michelle (2012). The battle of Mont St Quentin-Péronne 1918. Australian Army Campaign Series 11 (Army History Unit: Canberra) 169 pp. Call No: 570.14 BOMF 2012

This book charts an extraordinary journey from the trenches facing Mont St Quentin on 31 August 1918 through the frenetic phases of the battle until the final objectives are taken on 5 September. This is the story of the capture of the 'unattackable' Mont and the 'invincible' fortress town of Péronne, two of the great feats of Australian forces in the First World War. It includes an overview of infantry firepower, tactics, training and discipline and demonstrates that there was more to the Australian soldier than daring and dash. Likewise, the Australians' German opponent was determined and tenacious.

Carlton, Mike (2016). Flagship: The cruiser HMAS Australia II and the Pacific War on Japan (Random House: North Sydney) 642 pp. Call No: 740 CARL 2016

In 1928 the RAN acquired a new ship, the fast, heavy cruiser HMAS Australia II. She finally saw action when World War II began, patrolling the North Atlantic on the lookout for German battleships. By March 1942 Australia had returned home. Only weeks later Australia fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first sea battle to stop the Japanese advance in the Pacific. She was heavily attacked and bombed from the air but, with brilliant ship-handling, escaped unscathed. In 1944, she took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, which returned the American General Douglas MacArthur to the Philippines. She was struck by a kamikaze bomber, killing her captain and 28 other men. The next year, she was hit by no fewer than four kamikaze planes on four successive days. She retired gracefully, laden with battle honours, and was scrapped in 1956.

Carlton, Mike (2014). First victory 1914: HMAS Sydney's hunt for the German raider Emden (William Heinemann: North Sydney) 467 pp. Call No: 718 CARL 2014

In the opening months of World War I, a German raider, Emden, wreaked havoc on the maritime trade of the British Empire. Its battle against the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney, when it finally came, was short and bloody - an emphatic victory at sea for the fledgling Royal Australian Navy. This is a stirring story of the perilous opening months of the Great War and the deadly sea battle that destroyed the Emden in a triumph for Australia that resounded around the world.

Coombes, David (2016). A great sum of sorrow: the battles of Bullecourt (Big Sky Publishing: Newport, NSW) 427 pp. Call No: 572 COOM 2016

In April-May 2017 the hamlet of Bullecourt in northern France became the focus of two battles involving Australian and British troops. The first battle marked the Australians' introduction to the tank. It failed dismally amid enormous casualties. Despite this, two infantry brigades from the 4th Australian Division captured parts of the formidable Hindenburg Line with minimal artillery and tank support, repulsing German counter-attacks until forced to withdraw. In the second battle, launched with a preliminary artillery barrage, more Australian divisions were forced into the Bullecourt 'meat-grinder' and casualties soured to over 7000. Again Australian soldiers fought hard to capture parts of the enemy line and hold them against savage counter-attacks. While Bullecourt had no strategic value, Field Marshal Haig considered its capture 'among the great achievements of the war'.

Evans, Bryn (2016). Air battle for Burma: allied Pilots' fight for supremacy (Pen & Sword: Barnsley, UK) 251 pp. Call No: 950 EVAN 2016

Using first-hand accounts, Evans reveals the decisive nature of Allied air power in inflicting the first major defeat on the Japanese army in World War II. Newly equipped Spitfire squadrons made the crucial difference at the turning point battles of the Admin Box, Imphal and Kohima in 1944. The book covers both the strategic and tactical levels.

Faulkner, Andrew (2016). Stone cold: the extraordinary true story of Len Opie - Australia's deadliest soldier (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 318 pp. Call No: 501.2 FAUL 2016

Stone Cold is the extraordinary story of one of Australia's most fearless fighters. It takes us into the jungles of New Guinea and Borneo and some of the fiercest battles of World War II. It goes to the cold heart of Korea, where Len emerged from the ranks to excel in the epic Battle of Kapyong and play a key role at the Battle of Maryang San. And it drops us into the centre of the American counterinsurgency war in Vietnam with Len's involvement in the CIA's shadowy black ops programme Phoenix. Action-packed and surprising, Stone Cold gives rich life to a warrior soldier and one of Australia's greatest diggers.

Gascoine, Keith, editor (2016). Peaks and troughs: reflections 50 years on from the naval college (self-published: Tallebudgera, QLD) 376 pp. Call No: 750 GASC 2016

2016 was the 50^th anniversary of the graduation from the Royal Australian Naval College of a select group of young men from diverse backgrounds and with different motivations. These are their stories: the personal accounts of what happened to them before, during and after the navy.

Horner, David (2014). The Spy Catchers: The official history of ASIO 1949 - 1963 Volume 1 (Allen & Unwin: Sydney) 710 pp. Call No: 411.7 HORN 2014

This is the story of Australia's domestic intelligence organisation, from shaky beginnings to the expulsion of Ivan Skripov in 1963. ASIO's mission was to catch spies. In the late 1940s, the top secret Venona programme revealed a Soviet spy ring in Australia, supported by leading Australian communists. Horner outlines the tactics used in counter-espionage. He sheds new light on the Petrov Affair and overturns many myths about ASIO.

James, Karl (2016). Double diamonds: Australian commandos in the Pacific war (NewSouth Publishing: Sydney) 231 pp. Call No: 588.14 JAME 2016

In the mountains and jungles of Timor, Bougainville and New Guinea during the Second World War elite Australian forces fought arduous campaigns against the Japanese. The story of these independent companies and commando squadrons, whose soldiers wore the distinctive double-diamond insignia, is told here fpr the first time.

Lee, Roger (2010). The battle of Fromelles 1916. Australian Army Campaign Series - 8 (Army History Unit: Canberra) 206 pp. Call No. 570.14 LEER 2010

The Battle of Fromelles remains the single bloodiest day in terms of numbers of soldiers killed, wounded or missing, in Australia's military history. The battle for Fromelles was undoubtedly a tragedy. Should anyone be blamed? Does finger pointing from the safety of 95 years' distance add much to our understanding of the battle, the Western Front, or the war itself? This book attempts to look at the battle, free from emotion, and place the course of events and the unfurling of the tragedy into its tactical, operational and strategic setting.

Likeman, Robert (2010). Gallipoli doctors. The Australian Doctors at War Series Volume 1 (Slouch Hat Publications: McCrae, VIC) 223 pp. Call No: 575.14 LIKE 2010

This book includes mini-biographies of some 300 doctors who served on Gallipoli in World War I. It also includes mini biographies of Australian doctors who served as combatants in the AIF and in British units.

Likeman, Robert (2012). From the tropics to the desert: German New Guinea, Egypt & Palestine. The Australian Doctors at War Series Volume 2 (Slouch Hat Publications: McCrae, VIC) 223 pp. Call No: 570.14 LIKE 2012

This book includes mini-biographies of some 450 doctors who served in New Guinea, Egypt and/or Palestine in World War I. There are also introductory essays about the campaigns in which Australians served.

Likeman, Robert (2014). Australian doctors on the Western Front: France and Belgium 1916 - 1918. The Australian Doctors at War Series Volume 3 (Slouch Hat Publications: McCrae, VIC) 496 pp. Call No: 572 LIKE 2014

This book covers the carnage on the Western Front from 1916 - 1918. It includes mini-biographies of >700 doctors who served on the Western Front and in the training establishments and hospitals in the UK. There are also introductory essays about the campaigns in which Australians served.

O'Neill, Robert (1985). Australia in the Korean War 1950-1953, Volume 2 Combat operations 1^st Edition (Australian War Memorial and Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra) Call No: 545 ONEI 1985

This is the official history of Australia in the Korean War. This copy, recently acquired second-hand, replaces the Library's copy which was borrowed and never returned.

Reynolds, Henry (2016). Unnecessary wars (NewSouth publishing: Sydney) 266 pp. Call No: 554.2 REYN 2016

"Australian governments find it easy to go to war. Their leaders seem to be able to withdraw with a calm conscience, answerable neither to God nor humanity." Australia lost 600 men in the Boer War, a three-year conflict in Africa that had, ostensibly, nothing to do with Australia. Coinciding with Federation, the war kick-started Australia's commitment to fighting in Britain's wars overseas, and forged a national identity around it. By 1902, when the Boer War ended, a mythology about our colonial soldiers had already been crafted, and a dangerous precedent established. Henry Reynolds shows how the Boer War left a dark and dangerous legacy, demonstrating how those beliefs have propelled us into too many unnecessary wars - without ever counting the cost.

Singer, P. W., and Cole, August (2015). Ghost fleet: a novel of the next world war (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Boston) 404 pp. Call No: 590 SING 2015

What will the next global conflict look like? Find out in this ripping, near-futuristic thriller. The United States, China, and Russia eye each other across a 21st century version of the Cold War, which suddenly heats up at sea, on land, in the air, in outer space, and in cyberspace. The fighting involves everything from stealthy robotic-drone strikes to old warships from the navy's 'ghost fleet'. Fighter pilots unleash a Pearl Harbour-style attack; American veterans become low-tech insurgents; teenage hackers battle in digital playgrounds; Silicon Valley billionaires mobilize for cyber-war; and a serial killer carries out her own vendetta. Ultimately, victory will depend on blending the lessons of the past with the weapons of the future. Ghost Fleet is a page-turning speculative thriller in the spirit of The Hunt for Red October. The debut novel, by two leading experts on the cutting edge of national security, is unique in that every trend and technology featured in the novel - no matter how sci-fi it may seem - is real, or could be soon.

Singer, P. W., and Friedman, Allan (2014). Cybersecurity and cyberwar: what everyone needs to know (Oxford University Press: Oxford) 320 pp. Call No: 830.6 SING 2014

In Cybersecurity and CyberWar: What Everyone Needs to Know, New York Times best-selling author P. W. Singer and noted cyber expert Allan Friedman team up to provide the kind of easy-to-read, yet deeply informative resource book that has been missing on this crucial issue of 21st century life. Written in a lively, accessible style, filled with engaging stories and illustrative anecdotes, the book is structured around the key question areas of cyberspace and its security: how it all works, why it all matters, and what can we do? Along the way, they take readers on a tour of the important (and entertaining) issues and characters of cybersecurity, from the "Anonymous" hacker group and the Stuxnet computer virus to the new cyber units of the Chinese and U.S. militaries. Cybersecurity and CyberWar: What Everyone Needs to Know is the definitive account on the subject for us all.

Tyquin, Michael (2014). Greece, February to April 1941. Australian Army Campaign Series - 13 (Army History Unit: Canberra) 157 pp. Call No: 587 TYQU 2014

This book describes the Greek campaign of 1941, which was from start to finish a withdrawal. Operations in Greece proved to be a nightmare, particularly for logistics units. It draws out lessons for the contemporary student of strategy, tactics and history.

Tyquin, Michael (2014). Sudan 1885. Australian Army Campaign Series - 15 (Army History Unit: Canberra) 159 pp. Call No: 551.2TYQU 2014

This book provides the context for Australia's involvement in the Sudan in 1885, and describes the 5-month campaign by the New South Wales contingent. It was Australia's first military engagement abroad and set the precedent for Australia's later involvement in the second Anglo-Boer War (1899 - 1902) and the Boxer Rebellion (1900).

Wakeling, Adam (2016). The last fifty miles: Australia and the end of the Great War (Random House: Melbourne) 316 pp. Call No: 572 WAKE 2016

March, 1918: The young Australian nation is struggling to cope with the Great War, now in its fifth year - the strain of maintaining huge armies halfway across the globe, the bitter divisions over conscription, anxiety from the rise of Communism in Russia, and the creeping influence of the War Precautions Act. And, above all, the country-wide grief over the death of its men on a scale never before seen or even imagined. The five Australian divisions have recently been combined into an all-Australian Corps, fighting as one unit in France. They need a commander and Major-General John Monash is a leading candidate, but rose through the ranks as a part-time militia officer rather than as a professional soldier, and is of German-Jewish background at a time when xenophobia is at its height. Before the issue can be settled, German supreme commander Erich Ludendorff resolves to launch a massive offensive, seize Paris and win the War. This book is the riveting account of how, when it mattered most, Australia stood up to play a critical role in one of the most decisive victories of World War One. Told with immediacy, lyricism and a clear-eyed focus, it relives an extraordinary, neglected chapter of Australian history.

Walsh, Doug (2016). The black ANZACs: the AIF's first trench raid on the Western Front (self-published: Nedlands, WA) 270 pp. 572 WALS 2016

This book describes the background to the first trench raid conducted by the AIF on the Western Front on 5-6 June 1916. It describes the raid near la Chapelle d'Armenti res and its aftermath and includes mini biographies of the 73 raid participants.

Wood, Herbert F. (1966). Strange battleground: official history of the Canadian Army in Korea (Queen's Printer: Ottawa). Call No. 545 WOOD 1966

Lieutenant Colonel Wood describes the Canadian operations in Korea and their effect on Canada's defence policy. He also provides the context in which the operations were fought, including the actions of adjacent Australian units. Colonel John Hutcheson recommends the book which has been obtained second-hand.

To reserve any of these books, email .

For further information, phone (02) 8262 2922 on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday between 1100 - 1600 hours.

David Leece
Library Manager
19 December 2016