Index, bibliography, notes, ill, map, p.404.non-fictionBy March 1942, the Japanese had steamrolled through Malaya, laid siege to Singapore, and bombed Darwin with the same ferocity they had dealt Pearl Harbor. Nothing could stop them. Their next step was inevitable, surely: the invasion and occupation of Australia. Meanwhile, as Australian prime minister John Curtin was battling with Winston Churchill to get troops back from overseas to defend their homeland, he was also positioning to ensure the United States would be there with us to fend off the approaching enemy. And at home, people pitched in as best they could and in any way to frustrate the invader. They all played their part, torn between 'she'll be right' and near panic. On Our Doorstep is the story of how Australia and Australians - the government, the military and the people - prepared to face this calamity, and the events that persuaded them of its probability. In the end, Japan found it had stretched itself beyond the reliability of its supply line, but had it ever intended to invade Australia?world war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – south west pacific, australia - politics and government - 1939-1945

Ill, map, p.352.non-fictionJim Molan is the Australian General who served in Iraq with the Coalition during 2004-05. Initially, under General Ricardo Sanchez, he worked on infrastructure: trying to restore/maintain the provision of water, power and rail services. Under General George W. Casey, he became Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Operations with the Multi National Forces Iraq and ran the operations for all the US and Coalition forces assigned to the Iraqi area of operations. He had to interact with the new interim Iraqi government, bringing the political, diplomatic, information, economic and reconstruction sectors into line with the military side. In this book he describes his background and military career, but focuses on describing key aspects of his time in Iraq.australian army - iraq war - 2003, iraq war - personal narratives

Index, ill, p.390.non-fictionIn war, there is no easy victory. When troops invaded Iraq in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein's regime, most people expected an easy victory. Instead, the gamble we took was a grave mistake, and its ramifications continue to reverberate through the lives of millions, in Iraq and the West. As we gain more distance from those events, it can be argued that many of the issues facing us today - the rise of the Islamic State, increased Islamic terrorism, intensified violence in the Middle East, mass migration, and more - can be traced back to the decision to invade Iraq.iraq war - personal recollections, iraq war 2003-2011 - history

Framed black and white photograph of troops alighting from a US Army Huey Helicopter in a jungle clearing. A marksman stands in front directing the operationA/C 10 - 189us army huey helicopter photo, photograph, huey helicopter

Three coloured Photograph in a black frame with white matting. 1. Recovery vehicle "Tunza Guts" damaged and being recovered from the mud following ANO NVA Attack 2. Troops taking a well earned break during action at FSB Coral 3. US Army 2nd 35 Medium Artillery 155 Cal and Ammunition Carrier at FSB Coralphotograph, battle of coral-balmoral, troops, battle of coral-balmoral

Two black and white Photograph of an Airborne Assault. Photo 1. Manned US Army M551 Sheridan Light Assault Tank Photo 2. Six Huey's depart after deploying Assault Troops.photograph, uh-1h helicopter, m551 sheridan tank, huey helicopter

The first tunnel rats: this is the thrilling, hilarious and inspiring true story of a ragtag band of Aussie Army Engineers who redefined the word heroes...and reinvented larrikin to. Amongst the first Australians to fight in Vietnam, they faced death every day defusing Viet Cong booby traps - then partied all night in a casino they'd built in secret. They led hundreds of American troops to safety, but fought the US military police to a standstill in the bars of South Vietnam. They built the Australian Task Force's base - then sabotaged a headquarters conference, booby trapped showers and blew up a generator rather than kowtow to newly arrived officers.3 field troop royal australian engineers, cpl bob bowtell, tunnel rats, royal australian engineers, 1rar battalion, booby traps, viet cong, australian task force

Standard type water bottle as issued to American and Australian troops in the Vietnam War.00095.1 Cloth , Canvas Water bottle cover with “FIX” stud fittings. Khaki, US Maker. 00095.2 Khaki Plastic Water Bottle Marked US 1966. 00095.3 Aluminium Dixee Cup, made by Stokes Melbourne Reg No 8465 - 66 - 058 - 5567

The M7 bayonet was introduced in 1964 for use with the M16 rifle. It was issued to Australian troops during the Vietnam conflict 1962 - 1972.Part of a collection of edged weapons relevant to Victorian Colonial and Australian military forcesUS M7 bayonet , blade 170mm length, Plastic handle. Scabbard Green Plastic.On blade " US M7 Cometta " On scabbard " US M8 A1 "bayonet, vietnam war, m16

Sometimes called a sweetheart postcard, it was a way of sending thoughts to the troops overseas. The printing on the rear implies it was sent with a hamper to the troops overseas. The text and poem on the front says : 'Like the boomerang may you quickly come back. / To wish you a Speedy, Safe and Sure Return. This hamper is sent you with greetings sincere, And the hope that its contents will bring you "good cheer"; While you're doing your bit, we are thinking of you And we'll welcome you home when you've seen the job through, In the meantime just send us a message to say You've received this all right if you find it OK.' Was with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. There was a large collection of postcards so he may have been collecting them as souvenirs. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. His full war record is available from AWM. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving in Portsea in 1920.A record of correspondence with the troops in World War 1 and sending good wishes with a hamper. This type of experience would have been familiar to the first Legatees as they had served in World War 1.Postcard with a boomerang stapled to the front, also the image of a kookaburra.Printed on the back is' Postcard / Per Hamper Mail / From Griffiths Bros, Syd / To An Australian Hero / on Active Service ABROAD'world war one, war correspondence

A leaflet issued by General William Birdwood to the AIF troops just after the Armistice on 11 November 1918 to end the first world war. 'To the officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the Australian Imperial Force. It is now just four that we have been serving together, often through days of hardship and peril, and often through times of well-deserved success. During this time I hope and think we have come to know each other well and I trust we realised how rightly we have confidence in each other. No words of mine can possibly express all I feel for the magnificent work which has been done by the Australian soldier during these long four years. It is well known and recognised, not only throughout the British Empire, but throughout the world - and now we have peace in sight, and peace after a victory in which the Australian soldier has taken so large a share. Even then, with peace there are still difficult times before us. Faith in our recent foe cannot quickly be established, and it may be that some little time yet we shall be able to relax no precautions, until we are assured of the complete and honest fulfilment of our terms. Then will come the difficult time of demobilisation, and it is regarding this that I wish to make a personal appeal to every single member of the AIF in the full confidence that it will be met as every other appeal to face and tackle the strongest positions has ever been met by the Australian solider. Never has the name of Australia stood higher than it does now throughout the world, thanks to the bravery of her soldiers, and it sup to everyone one of us to see that this is maintained, and that no reproach can be cast on the Australian Flag owing to any behaviour of ours. The time of demobilisation will undoubtedly be difficult and irksome - I fully realise what great personal self-restraint will certainly be required - but if each individual of us makes up his mind to do his best during these times, realising the good name we bear, I feel confident that all will go well. I want you to remember that everything possible will be done to look after and help the troops during this period, while every energy will be strained to get men back to their homes as soon as this possibly can be done. You will have to realise, however. that there is a great shortage of shipping, and that there must be a considerable inevitable delay. Play the game, boys, during this time, as you have always done, and add still more to the deep debt of gratitude which will always be acknowledged to you by the Empire and remembered by me as your comrade and commander. In the field, 14 November 1918.' (Signed) 'W Birdwood'.A rare example of a notice to troops about the Armistice.A leaflet issued by General Birdwood to AIF troops to commemorate the end of World War 1.world war one, soldier

An address delivered by P.W. Powell (the first Secretary of the Club) in October 1923 to the newly formed Legacy Club. In it he notes that "The most important thing in the development of this Club is to formulate a sound constructive policy that will draw in the best type of member and make the Club a live force in the advancement of this country." The comradeship and cooperation developed by the troops during wartime should be applied in civilian life to the development of Australia. He finishes by calling for the Club to be named the Legacy Club "in token of the heritage that has been bequeathed to us by those who so nobly commended the work that is left to us to carry on."An insight into corporate and political thinking of the 1920s as the country transitioned from wartime to peacetime, and an insight into the thinking of one of the founder members of Melbourne Legacy.4 sheets of white copy paper, black typing.'H45' (see Item 00937)in blue ink on first pagehistory, founding legatee

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of the 1st Australian Task Force Commander Brig C.M "Sandy" Pearson meets with the Admiral commanding the United States 7th Fleet upon his arrival at 1ATF. The Admiral and his staff had called on Brig Pearson to discuss naval gunfire support for Australian troops whilst on operations as there had been some problems with the Americans understanding the Australian forward, artillery, observers radio transmissions when calling for fire support.photograph, 1st atf base, brig sandy pearson, us 7th fleet, gibbons collection catalogue, troops, fire support, commander, admiral commanding, naval gunfire support, australian troops, denis gibbons

This was the official state flag of Italy used by Italian armed forces during WWII. The tri-colour flag with the emblem of the former Royal House of Savoy was the first national flag and lasted for 85 years until the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946. Soldiers' inscriptions on the flag suggest that it was capture from Italian troops during the Battle of El Alamein on 9 July 1942. The service numbers tell us that these soldiers served with the 2/24th Battalion which was raised Wangaratta. Walter Edward PARKER VX34529 Lancelot HALL VX32047 DOB 25/10/1904 Mildura Greville Egerton DENNYS Capt. NX4731 DOB 4/3/1917 DOD 4/10/1969 Enlisted 27/10/1939 George Charles GREEN VX21968This was the official state flag of Italy used by Italian armed forces during WWII. The tri-colour flag with the emblem of the former Royal House of Savoy was the first national flag and lasted for 85 years until the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946. Soldiers' inscriptions on the flag suggest that it was capture from Italian troops during the Battle of El Alamein on 9 July 1942. The service numbers tell us that these soldiers served in the 2/24th Battalion which was raised in Wangaratta. Recognising the cultural and historical significance of the flag to both Italy and Australia, the Wangaratta RSL received a grant to have the flag professionally restored and framed in 2017.Large Italian flag with green, white and red vertical panels of equal size defaced with the Savoyan coat of arms, a red shield with white cross bordered with blue. Three two-piece hoist ties on the green side. Panels are sewn together from separate pieces of fabric. The shield appears to have been printed directly onto the white panel. The edges are hemmed.There are several handwritten inscriptions on the coat of arms in red and blue/black ink detailing the name and service numbers of different soldiers. (Not all of the writing is legible). Legible texts reads: "VX32047 / L HALL / ALAMEINE / 9.7.42" "VX21968 / G Green" "VX?45?? / W PARKER / ALAMEIN" - "NX4731 Greville Denys"italian flag, italy, el alamein, battle of el alamein, 2/24th battalion, wangaratta, ww2

Typical US Army cold weather cap used in Korean War and post-Korea eraRepresentative US Army cap. This type of clothing was issued to Australian troops during the Korean War Olive Drab cotton and wool peaked Field Cap with imitation alpaca fold-down ear comforters, ends secured by cord. Cotton identification label sewn to liner. Wear instructions cotton label sewn to liner. CAP, FIELD, PILE, O.D., MQ-1 Size 7 ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS MFG. CO. Dated 13 Jan. 1951 Q.M. 9532-OI-10070 Pur.Desc. 1 Nov. 1950 Stock No. 73-C-16376-45 NYQMPA ALPACA 60% WOOL, 40% COTTON LINING 80% WOOL, 20% COTTON plus - wearing instructions "CAP, FIELD,PILE,OD, M-Q1" (sic)

This holster was copied by the Canadians from the British Pattern 1937 web equipment designed to hold the British .38 Calibre Enfield No.2 Mk 1 Revolver. Canada produced its own P37 webbing during WW2 and commenced production in 1940. Two companies produce the vast majority - Z L & T Ltd in Guelph, Ontario and M S & U Ltd (Montreal Suspender and Umbrella Manufacturing Company Limited) in Montreal, Quebec. A great deal of webbing was sent to Australia. These pistol cases saw much use by our troops during WW2 and holstered US Smith & Wesson 'Victory' model and various British Webley .38 revolvers in addition to Enfields.Khaki cotton webbing holster with press studded flap for a .38 calibre revolver. Webbing sleeve on interior for the cleaning rod and three brass hooks on the rear, two to allow attachment to a P37 web belt plus a top hook to permit attachment of a P37 web ammunition pouch. Z L & T Ltd (holster) UNITED CARR CANADA (snap fastener)

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. .A black and white photograph of two Huey 'slick" helicopters of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company collecting Vietnamese troops operating in the Mekong Delta area of IV Corps, South Vietnam. This Unit was unique, consisting of half Australian Navy and half US Army pilots.photograph, huey helicopter, mekong delta, 135th us army & ran, 135th ahc ran, gibbons collection catalogue, photographer, vietnam war, denis gibbons, vietnamese troops, iv corps

BHS CollectionHand written list of war restrictions: On paper with blue lines for writing, sheet came from a writing pad. War situation Ordinance Factory Guns. Con on Trams. Guards - Women in Industry - Stacking. Man power regulations. Direction of Labour. Rationing Coupon System. Black Marketing. Black out regulations - Street lighting, Shops and Homes. 100 mile inland. Road Signs. Shovels for road trenches. Petrol rationing. 4 Galls Police Supplies. Women in slacks for Winter. Power restrictions. Air raid wardens. Organise spare ........... Race course was camp. Show grounds was camp also. American troops billeted with us. Volunteer Air observers. Corps. All planes to be accounted for and ......................................................Severe Winters. Radiators banned. Box 625

From the title page - "NOTHING OVER US/ The story of/ The 2/6th Australian Infantry Battalion" Part of the "William (Bill) THOMASON" Collection. Refer Cat. No. 4136P for more items.Hardcover book with dust cover. Cover - cardboard, mid brown colour buckram, gold colour print on spine. Dust cover - paper, white and dark green colour print on front and spine on dark green, mid brown and cream colour background. Front illustration - brown colour crayon drawing of an Australian soldier. Flaps - white colour printed information. 604 pages, cut, plain white colour paper. Illustrated black and white and colour photographs, maps and drawings. End papers - front and back - sepia toned photograph of troops on Parade, background streetscape of trees and tram. publications, books, history 2/6th infantry battalion, william (bill) thomason collection