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Federation University Historical Collection
Booklet - Programme, 'Chu Chin Chow' Theatre Programme, c 1917
Chu Chin Chow is a musical comedy written, produced and directed by Oscar Asche, with music by Frederic Norton, based (with minor embellishments) on the story of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves. Tickets to see Chu Chin Chow were particularly eagerly sought by troops on leave from the Western Front. One of the attractions for the on-leave soldiers was the chorus of pretty slave girls who, for the period, were very scantily dressed. The cast was large and included a camel, a donkey, poultry and snakes. A total of 2,800,000 people saw the show. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu_Chin_Chow) It is thought that Harry Holmes attended 'Chu Chin Chow' while on leave in London during World War One. Around this time he had been serving in the Australian Imperial Forces in Egypt. Henry 'Harry' Holmes was the son of Violet Holmes. He enlisted under the name Harry Smerdon Holmes and was put into the 18th A.A.S.C., then later transferred into the 5th Division Train A.S.C. According to his Soldier's Pay Books (Cat. No. 20112) Holmes Registration number was 7983. He was Catholic and enlisted in the Third Military District on 17 September 1915, and embarked on 8 November 1915. Holmes was in the 18th AASC Unit with the rank of Driver at that time. On 15 November 1918 Holmes was promoted to Lance Corporal. He received leave on: * 3 August 1917 - London (10 days) * 19 February 1918 - Paris (10 days) * 27 August 1918 - London (14 days) White paper theatre programme with red and black writing. It is a publicity brochure from the play 'Chu Chin Chow' by Oscar Asche set to music by Frederic Norton. In black ink in front 'So far this is an easy first of the shows I've seen, The scenes are great and being Egyptian we understand them all the better'. chatham family collection, holmes, theatre, world war 1, world war, world war i, herbert tree, entertainment, music, musical, oscar asche, fred norton -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Colour, Alan Scarlett, Morwell War Memorial, 2015, 2015
The Morwell War Memorial Morwell War was unveiled on 06 June 1921. The Memorial was originally the level crossing between Commercial Road and Station Street (later Princes Highway). It was later moved to its present position on the Princes Highway opposite Hoyle Street. (http://www.morwellhistoricalsociety.org.au/warmemorial.htm) Names Inscribed on War Memorial – World War 1 *Killed in action * Allis G. Francis J. Pettit H. Amiet C. Graur R. L. Pryor W. * Amiet F. D. Hall J. A. Pryke R. Anderson C. Hall S. D. Rowell F. Billingsley A. H. Hare Bert Rowe C. Butters C. * Handler P. Ronald A. Q Butters R. Hogan E. J. Rintoull W. G. (D.C.M.) Brown H. H. Kleine F. W. Saddler J. Brinsmead F. S. Whitelaw A. Smith C. Collins W. Whitelaw D. Symons H. Collins J. S. F. Keegan F. Thomas L. G. Cooper H. S. Little K. Thomas R. W. Capon W. V. Lock E. * Thomson R. H. Davey R. R. Lyons C. * Tulloch J. Davey E. W. Lyons R. P. Vunell C. R. E. Davey W. R. Miller F. Vinall H. V. Davey C. E. Maher A. Wood A. Duncanson J. Maher L. Wilkins F. Dusting C. * McIntosh A. Warnett J. * Dusting H. Neal A. E. Warnetyt W. H. Derham H. * O’Donnell T. Young J. A. World War 2 – Killed in action Allen H. A. Eason L. W. McDonald D. Angus C. P. Evans H. T. Muncaster J. Bolitho H. Ferguson R. W. Murray A. M. Bolton C. R. A. Gair N. Peter T. Bowden N. J. Green D. I. A. Read L. H. M. Brudge W. G. Hewat G, A, Roy E. W. Catterick J. H. Horsefall L. Sillcock R. R. Deanne A. Johnson F. Stagg J. L. Deering C. J. King L. S. Templer R. C. Doolan W. T. Lawrence F. E. Tienery R. Dickson L. H. McArthur D. Turner R. H. Williams R. K. Vietnam War – Killed in action Adrian RichColour photograph of a life sized Australian soldier wearing a slouch hat, on top of a large raised platform. A commemorative plaque is depicted in the foreground. The front inscription of the memorial reads: "This plaque was erected in memory of those who paid the Supreme Sacrifice in the Boer War [Names] Erected by the residents of Morwell riding as a tribute to the men resident in the riding who enlisted and in memory of those who made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Great War 1914-19 [Names] This plaque is erected in memory of those who paid the Supreme Sacrifice in World War II and Korea [Names] In affectionate remembrance of A. Rich R.A.R killed in action Vietnam 1962-72"The plaque in the foreground reads" "Centenary Commemoration Plaque This plaque commemorates 100 years since the first World War commended in 1914 and Australian and New Zealand (ANZAC) troops landed at Gallipoli on 25th April, 1915. Members of the Morwell RSL Sub-Branch will always remember the sacrifices made by service personal to give us the freedom we enjoy the this day. They Shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them Lest We Forget."morwell, morwell war memorial, world war one, anzac centenary, gippsland -
Federation University Historical Collection
Newspaper Supplement, The Sun ANZAC Anniversary Souvenir, 22 April 1990, 22/04/2015
25 April 1915 is the date that the ANZAC troops landed at Gallipoli during World War One. After that year it has been commemorated as ANZAC Day.28 pages newspaper supplement relating to the 75th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing by the ANZACs during World War One. The supplement includes: List of 8100 ANZAC heroes who died at Gallipoli (pp 9-20), Keith Murdoch and his Gallipoli letter; Diary of Gallipoli Digger Apear Leslie de Vine, ceasefire for burial; Turkish soldiers; Simpson and his Donkey; Albert Henry Gayden's diary; Gallipoli nurses; Burial for a Lost Digger; Chunuk; Names of those who went to Gallipoli for the 70th anniversary An article by Geoffrey Blainey is headed 'A day not of death, but birth'. He states that Able Seaman Williams is the first Australian to be killed in action in the 1914-1918 war.james monro, john laffin, ian hamilton, keith murdoch, andrew fisher, ross bastiaan, albert jacka, leonard keysor, wiliam symons, alexander burton, william dunstan, frederick tubb, john hamilton, alfred shout, hugp throssell, albert gayden, ella tucker, bill cooper, jim douglas, walter parker, bob ponsford, tom meagher, claude franhauser, roy kyle, edmund thompson, jim kibble, robert barclay, roy longmore, jim lees, george fullerton, tom neal, stanley quinn, world war one, gallipoli -
Federation University Historical Collection
Postcard - black and white, Estaires, France, c1917, C1917
WW1 Australian soldier Holmes Famiiy memento. Estaires is a town and commune in the Department of the Nord, about 11 kilometres west of Armentieres. The Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension is on the eastern outskirts of the town and on the east side of the road to Bailleul. Estaires town was occupied by French cavalry on the 15 October 1914, and passed at once into British hands. On the 10 April 1918 it was captured by the enemy, after an obstinate defence by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division; and it was finally retaken by British troops at the beginning of September 1918. The town was a Field Ambulance centre as early as November 1914, and later the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station was posted in it. (http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/26801/ESTAIRES%20COMMUNAL%20CEMETERY%20AND%20EXTENSION, accessed 11/07/2014)Australian soldier's WW1souvenirA black and white postcard with buildings along a river at Estaires in Northern France.estaires communal cemetery and extension, estaires, france, chatham-holmes family collection, 1st australian casualty clearing station, postcard -
Federation University Historical Collection
Booklet, Report of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Federal Council of the Boilermakers' Society if Australia, 1952, 1952
Sixteenth meeting of the Federal Council of Boilermakers' Society of AustraliaSmall buff soft covered booklet of 41 pages relating to the Federal Council of Boilermakers' Society of Australia meeting at at the Railway Institute, Perth, Western Australia.federal council of boilermakers' society of australia, boilermakers, a. barty, s. willis, s. wookey, world peace, opposition to war, recall of troops from korea, cessation of immigration, schuman plan, coal mining award, industrial deafness, unions -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Gun, Mid 19th Century
Hollis Brothers were first recorded trading from 11 Weaman Row in 1840 but appear to have started trading a little earlier. The firm later became Isaac Hollis & Sons and claimed establishment from 1814. Richard & William Hollis were recorded trading in Bath Street Birmingham from 1814 to 1818 so it may be that the Hollis brothers were descended from them. The brothers were Isaac Hollis (b.1815) and Frederick Hollis (birth date unknown), but Frederick died 20 December 1839. Isaac was recorded in the 1841 census living in Weaman Row. He was a 25-year-old gun and pistol maker, married to Emma 1821. They had two children, Isaac (1837), and Henry (1839). After Frederick died, Isaac carried on trading under the name of Hollis Brothers until 1845 when he re-named the business Hollis Brothers & Co who traded up to 1848. In 1844 Isaac entered into a short term partnership with William Tranter at 10 & 11 Weaman Row, presumably to complete a particular contract or supply certain parts. This partnership lasted until 1849. In 1848 Isaac took in Isaac Brentnall Sheath as a partner, and the firm of Hollis & Sheath was established, expanding into 10 Weaman Row. Hollis & Sheath were licenced makers of percussion breech-loading guns. In 1861 the firm changed its name to Isaac Hollis & Sons on the departure of Isaac Brentnall Sheath. Isaac Sheath died in July 1875. By about 1870 Isaac Hollis and Henry Hollis had taken over the day to day running of the business. Isaac Hollis was responsible for the overall management and the marketing of the firm's products. Henry was responsible for manufacturing. The firm became volume producers of inexpensive trade guns and sporting guns for the South African and the British colonies. In 1870 the firm opened a shop at 44a Cannon Street in London; in 1871 this moved to 83 Cheapside. Isaac Hollis Jnr died October 1875 in Birmingham aged 37. He was never married and in 1876/1877 Henry registered a limited liability company, Isaac Hollis & Sons Ltd, but by 1879 they were again trading as Isaac Hollis & Sons. From 1879 the London shop was at 6 Great Winchester Street. From 1932 to 1933 the London business traded as Hollis, Bentley & Playfair Hollis, Bentley & Playfair finally closed in Birmingham in 1953. This gun is a typical example of the type of firearm issued to the colony's military in 1861. Specifically made by Isaac Hollis and Sons for the military market of the time and sold through contractors Hebbert & Sons, military suppliers, in London. The gun was probably issued from the Hythe Armory to British troops (a training facility) or police prior to coming to Tasmania Australia around 1861.Gun; Percussion Carbine, .577 Cal. Colonial Tasmanian issue Artillery carbine, Pattern 1861. Muzzle loading "Cap and Ball" musket. Wood stock and ram rod. Inscriptions are on the stock and breech. Gun was made for Herbert & Co. London by Isaac Hollis & Sons, Birmingham.Stamped on stock "SOLD 95", " ISAAC HOLLIS & SONS" "GUN & PISTOL MANUFACTURES" "BIRMINGHAM" "LASTON ARMOURER HYTHE" "MANUFACTURED EXPRESSLY FOR HEBBERT & CO LONDON". Stamped on breech "25", and "25C ---05"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, firearms, gun, muzzle loading musket, isaac hollis and son, hebbert & sons, military supplies, lee enfield -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book - Instruction Manual, British War Office, Manual of Siege and Garrison Artillery Exercises Vol 1, ca 24-06-1882
This little book has been designed to fit into a small space such as a pocket, backpack or trunk. The brass book lock helps keep the pages and covers together, preserving them from being bent, torn or damaged in handling.The book includes four of ten parts of the Manual, published for use in training the garrison troops, including the placement and firing of cannon. The four parts included in this Volume I are: - Part 1 - Gunnery Part 2 - Ammunition Part 3 - Siege Artillery Part 4 - Garrison Gun Drills The remaining six of then parts are: - Part 5 - Material and Appliances Part 6 - Elementary Instruction Part 7 - Machines Part 8 - Mounting and Dismounting Ordnance Part 9 - Sleighs Part 10 - Sheers and DerricksThe book is significant to both British and Australian history, being issued for the training of the garrison defense of both countries in the late 10th Century. It is also significant for its connection with other historical military items within the Collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village.Manual of Siege and Garrison Artillery Exercises Vol 1 [Parts I, II, III, IV] Publisher Her Majestys Stationery Office Date 1879, Corrected June 24th 1882 Small, red, hard-cover book with embossed gold letters and British Coat of Arms on the front. The book has a brass closure or locking clip across the text block. There are diagrams and a foldout table within the text. flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, training manual, book, british garrison, garrison artillery, siege exercises, british government training book, technical book, pocket book, manual of siege and garrison artillery exercises vol 1, garrison exercises, military training, defense training, british artillery, royal artillery, gunnery, gun drill, brass book lock, british war office, locking clip, reference book -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph (black & White), Lieutenant-Colonel Alderson - South Africa
Edwin Alderson was born in 1859 and served in several campaigns of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He saw service in the First Boer War in 1881 in the Transvaal. In 1896 he was sent to Mashonaland as a commander of a regiment of local troops during the Second Matabele War. In 1900 shortly after the outbreak of the Second Boer War he returned to South Africa to command the Mounted Infantry against the Boer forces. Alderson also served in the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War, Mounted Camel Regiment during the failed expedition to relieve Khartoum and rescue General Gordon. At the outbreak of the First World War, Alderson was in charge of the 1st Mounted Division. He retired from active service in 1920 aged 61. In 1901, as a result of Alderson's contribution to many campaigns he was rewarded with confirmation as a Brigadier General, appointment as a Companion of the Order of Bath and to receive the ceremonial post of Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria, who died the same year. He also received the Queen's South Africa Medal. He died in 1927 aged 68. Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards. alderson, campaigns, first boer war, transvaal, mashonaland, south africa, second boer war, first world war, anglo-egyptian war, mounted camel regiment, second matabele war, general gordon, brigadier-general, companion of the order of bath, aide-de-camp, queen victoria, queen's south africa medal -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph (black & White), General Sir Henry John Thoroton Hildyard - South Africa
During the Second Boer War Hildyard was posted to South Africa and commanded 2nd Brigade from 1899 to 1900. He saw active service at the Battle of Colenso. Hidyard remained in South Africa to command the 5th Division from 1900 to 1901 and took part in the Battle of the Tugela Heights. He was appointed as Director-General of Military Education from 1903 to 1904 and lieutenant general on the Imperial General Staff commanding the troops in South Africa from 1904 to 1905. He was General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa from 1905 to 1908. He retired in 1911. Awarded Companion of the Order of the Bath 1897, (Diamond Jubilee Honours); Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath 1900; Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath 1911, (Coronation Honours)Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.sir henry hildyard, south africa, second boer war, battle of tugela heights, battle of colenso, military education, knight commander of the order of the bath, knight grand cross of the order of the bath -
Federation University Historical Collection
Postcard - colour, "Tommy At Home in German Dug-Outs, c1916
Most probabaly purchased by Harry Holmes.World War One official war postcard showing English soldiers in german dug-outs during World War One.world war one, harry holmes, dug outs, troops, english dugouts -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Copied Photos, The Amiens Gun, WW1
This 11 inch (28) Railway Gun was captured by the AIF in front of Harbonnieres near Villers Bretonneaux on the 8th of August 1918. It was one of the Guns used by the Germans to shell Amiens from a distance of 15 miles (24km) in an endeavor to destroy the railway centre in the city. However the destruction of the city was prevented by the advance of Allied Troops on the morning of 8th August when 5 Australian, 4 Canadian, 4 British and 9 French Divisions broke the German Front before Amiens./ The Barrel of the Great Gun, 41 feet (12,5m) long and weighing more than 45tons (45-80 tonnes), is exhibited at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. More information can be found at www.Wikipedia/The Amiens Gun Two copied photos of the Amiens Gun (seperate Frames) and a history of the Amiens Gun in seperate frame.None on Photos, the history frame has a short history and "Presented by the Canberra Services Club 2003"ww1, gun, the, railway, amiens, harbonnieres, villers, bretonneaux -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Letter
Letter written from (unknown) POW imprisioned by the Japanese on Morotai Island from 1942 - 1945 to (unknown) friend. Descriptive of life and treatment in POW camp. The island was captured by the Japanese in early 1942. Morotai's southern plain was taken by American forces in September 1944 during the Battle of Morotai, and used as a staging point for the Allied invasion of the Philippines in early 1945, and of Borneo in May and June of that year. Japanese soldier Teruo Nakamura was discovered in the Morotai jungle in 1974, as one of the WWII Japanese soldiers who held out subsequent to the Japanese military's surrender.Photocopy of letter, 4 pages, originally written in ink on (unofficial) Australian Red Cross form.Added to head of letter at a later date is inscription ' First letter written home for 3 1/2 years'.Top left hand- FOR SAFETY/ IN YOUR LETTERS DO NOT REFER TO:-/ The name of your ship or other ships in the convoy, or its escorts./The date of sailing, ports of call, or probable destination./ The description of troops, their loca-/tion or any other information/ which, if intercepted, would be of/ value to the enemy. In your Top right hand- Australian Red Cross Society/ (UNOFFICIAL)/ 25-8-45/ (added at later date 'Morotri Island')/ Alex, Have witten this especially/ as i don't wish our women folk to know the tougher side of life./Well Alex for the first/ 2 1/2 years as POWs we lived reasonably/ well, but the last 15 months was like /hell. Heres the worst lot of b-s/ you could find on earth, they worked /us from 7AM till 6 PM, & fed/ us on muck you wouldn't feed to/ Pigs. I'm nothing at all they would 2, pow, morotri island, morotai island, world war, prisoner of war, australian red cross society -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Commando White Diamond: Unt History of the 2/8th Australian Commando Squadron, 1996
The detailed history of the No.8 Independent Commando Company during World War II. Plastic protective cover over the book. The 2/8th Independent Company was formed at Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, in July 1942 and travelled to Yandina, in Queensland, in September. While the other seven independent companies saw action in the islands off Australian and in New Guinea, the 2/8th spent most of the next two years based at Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory. While it was in the Territory, the independent companies underwent a series of reorganisations and the name of the 2/8th was changed from the 2/8th Independent Company to the 2/8th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. In July 1944, after years of waiting, the squadron left the Territory and sailed from Townsville to Lae, via Milne Bay. While at Lae, the squadron received an intake of 70 men from the 2/8th from the 2/3rd, 2/5th and 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Squadrons, many of whom were veterans of the earlier New Guinea campaigns. Their experience was no doubt a useful reserve that would have been called upon during the 2/8th’s subsequent campaign in Bougainville. Others though, were able to implement some of their commando training when a small group from the 2/8th they made a secret landing on New Britain. Towards the end of the 1944 the 5th Division was preparing to make a landing at Jacquinot Bay in New Britain. Part of these preparations included landing a small group of officers from the division at Jacquinot Bay to make a secret reconnaissance of the potential landing site. As Jacquinot Bay was still in Japanese controlled territory, ‘C’ Troop from the 2/8th provided the protection for the reconnaissance party by establishing a position on the beach and by patrolling the surrounding country. Everything went well and the 5th Division later landed at Jacquinot Bay in November. The squadron too was on the move, and in October it sailed to Torokina, the main Australian base on Bougainville, where it joined the II Australian Corps. The campaign on Bougainville was dived into three areas, the Central, Northern and Southern Sectors. The 2/8th served in the latter two areas. The 2/8th made the first move of the Australian campaign in the Northern Sector, by patrolling from Torokina to Kuraio Mission and Amun once a week. The squadron did this from the second week of November unit the second week of December. The 2/8th was then transferred to the Southern Sector. The main battle for Bougainville was fought in the Southern Sector, as the 3rd Division advanced towards Buin – the main Japanese base on the island. As the division’s infantry brigades advanced along the coast, the 2/8th’s task was to protect their flank by conducting forward reconnaissance patrols, harassing the Japanese with raids and ambushes and conducting a form of guerrilla warfare. The squadron had a long campaign. For nine months, from the end of December until August 1945, the troopers were in action the whole time. After securing the Jaba River, they moved inland, first to Sovele Mission, then the villages of Opai, Nihero and Morokaimoro. They had reached Kilipaijino by the end of the war. Each village taken became a patrol base. Patrols were usually limited to two sections, although up to six sections could be operating at a time. Patrols generally lasted four to six days, but nine-day patrols were not unknown. The squadron collected and collated track information, terrain reports and located the enemy. Once patrols had gathered information, they were free to make a ‘strike’ against the Japanese by setting an ambush or taking a prisoner. These raids were very effective, as they forced the Japanese to deploy troops to their rear areas, removing men from the front created by the infantry. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or were transferred to other units. For those who were left, the squadron returned to Australia at the end of December. In mid January 1946, at Liverpool, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was disbanded.non-fictionThe detailed history of the No.8 Independent Commando Company during World War II. Plastic protective cover over the book. The 2/8th Independent Company was formed at Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, in July 1942 and travelled to Yandina, in Queensland, in September. While the other seven independent companies saw action in the islands off Australian and in New Guinea, the 2/8th spent most of the next two years based at Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory. While it was in the Territory, the independent companies underwent a series of reorganisations and the name of the 2/8th was changed from the 2/8th Independent Company to the 2/8th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. In July 1944, after years of waiting, the squadron left the Territory and sailed from Townsville to Lae, via Milne Bay. While at Lae, the squadron received an intake of 70 men from the 2/8th from the 2/3rd, 2/5th and 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Squadrons, many of whom were veterans of the earlier New Guinea campaigns. Their experience was no doubt a useful reserve that would have been called upon during the 2/8th’s subsequent campaign in Bougainville. Others though, were able to implement some of their commando training when a small group from the 2/8th they made a secret landing on New Britain. Towards the end of the 1944 the 5th Division was preparing to make a landing at Jacquinot Bay in New Britain. Part of these preparations included landing a small group of officers from the division at Jacquinot Bay to make a secret reconnaissance of the potential landing site. As Jacquinot Bay was still in Japanese controlled territory, ‘C’ Troop from the 2/8th provided the protection for the reconnaissance party by establishing a position on the beach and by patrolling the surrounding country. Everything went well and the 5th Division later landed at Jacquinot Bay in November. The squadron too was on the move, and in October it sailed to Torokina, the main Australian base on Bougainville, where it joined the II Australian Corps. The campaign on Bougainville was dived into three areas, the Central, Northern and Southern Sectors. The 2/8th served in the latter two areas. The 2/8th made the first move of the Australian campaign in the Northern Sector, by patrolling from Torokina to Kuraio Mission and Amun once a week. The squadron did this from the second week of November unit the second week of December. The 2/8th was then transferred to the Southern Sector. The main battle for Bougainville was fought in the Southern Sector, as the 3rd Division advanced towards Buin – the main Japanese base on the island. As the division’s infantry brigades advanced along the coast, the 2/8th’s task was to protect their flank by conducting forward reconnaissance patrols, harassing the Japanese with raids and ambushes and conducting a form of guerrilla warfare. The squadron had a long campaign. For nine months, from the end of December until August 1945, the troopers were in action the whole time. After securing the Jaba River, they moved inland, first to Sovele Mission, then the villages of Opai, Nihero and Morokaimoro. They had reached Kilipaijino by the end of the war. Each village taken became a patrol base. Patrols were usually limited to two sections, although up to six sections could be operating at a time. Patrols generally lasted four to six days, but nine-day patrols were not unknown. The squadron collected and collated track information, terrain reports and located the enemy. Once patrols had gathered information, they were free to make a ‘strike’ against the Japanese by setting an ambush or taking a prisoner. These raids were very effective, as they forced the Japanese to deploy troops to their rear areas, removing men from the front created by the infantry. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or were transferred to other units. For those who were left, the squadron returned to Australia at the end of December. In mid January 1946, at Liverpool, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was disbanded. -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, Keith White, Criado:
This book brings to life for many Australians, the close connection between Australia and East Timor. In 1941-42, Archie Campbell was a lieutenant in the 'Sparrow Force' the 300 men of the 2/2nd Independent Company in a 14-month campaign of ambushes and hit-and-run tactics which effectively pinned down more than 15,000 Japanese troops in East Timor. This book recounts the bloodless Australian landing in Portuguese East Timor, military actions against the Japanese, and eventual evacuation to Darwin. Central to Campbell's experience is the ambush and execution of a section from his platoon, shortly after the Japanese landing in Dili. In 1973, Archie returned to East Timor to meet Barana, the East Timorese man who, as a 12-year-old boy, helped and protected him during the campaign. Each Timorese boy who helped a commando and guarded him while he slept, was called that commando's Criado. Ken White accompanied Archie in the 1973 journey to East Timor to find Barana. He has used excerpts from Archie's own diary to tell the heart-warming story of their first meeting after 30 years. Historical background on the centuries of Portuguese rule, the Japanese occupation and the more recent Indonnon-fictionThis book brings to life for many Australians, the close connection between Australia and East Timor. In 1941-42, Archie Campbell was a lieutenant in the 'Sparrow Force' the 300 men of the 2/2nd Independent Company in a 14-month campaign of ambushes and hit-and-run tactics which effectively pinned down more than 15,000 Japanese troops in East Timor. This book recounts the bloodless Australian landing in Portuguese East Timor, military actions against the Japanese, and eventual evacuation to Darwin. Central to Campbell's experience is the ambush and execution of a section from his platoon, shortly after the Japanese landing in Dili. In 1973, Archie returned to East Timor to meet Barana, the East Timorese man who, as a 12-year-old boy, helped and protected him during the campaign. Each Timorese boy who helped a commando and guarded him while he slept, was called that commando's Criado. Ken White accompanied Archie in the 1973 journey to East Timor to find Barana. He has used excerpts from Archie's own diary to tell the heart-warming story of their first meeting after 30 years. Historical background on the centuries of Portuguese rule, the Japanese occupation and the more recent Indonworld war ii, independent companies, australian commando, timor -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Container - World War 1939-45 Ration pack, c1940
... principles to the feeding of troops. 1943 the Australian Army... principles to the feeding of troops. 1943 the Australian Army ...AMF Operational Ration This ration pack was developed by Sir Stanton Hicks. It contained three meals, each waterproofed (a vital consideration for the tropics), which offered a balanced selection of meat, vegetables, fruit and vitamin supplements. Before the development of this ration pack, Australian soldiers were supplied with quantities of preserved food that were difficult for a man to carry and divide, and which often did not provide a nourishing diet. Sir Cedric Stanton Hicks (1892-1976), university professor and army catering officer, was born on 2 June 1892 at Mosgiel, New Zealand. University of Otago (B.Sc., N.Z., 1914; M.Sc. Hons, 1915; M.B., Ch.B., 1923) 1916-18 Hicks served as a non-commissioned officer in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and he assisted Professor J. K. H. Inglis in the synthesis and production of Chloramine-T for use against meningitis among the troops. Hicks was appointed government analyst in 1918. On a Fellowship 1923, he travelled to England and studied at Trinity College, Cambridge (Ph.D., 1926) and caried out research in Switzerland, Germany and the United States of America. 1927 he was appointed to the new chair of physiology and pharmacology at Adelaide University, which he was to hold until 1957. During the Depression he studied the dietary patterns of five hundred families receiving relief. 1940 Hicks was appointed temporary captain, Australian Military Forces, and performed part-time duty as catering supervisor. Moved to Melbourne as chief inspector of catering, he began a campaign for applying scientific principles to the feeding of troops. 1943 the Australian Army Catering Corps was formed. Hicks altered the basis of the allowance for military rations from a monetary to a nutrient entitlement, improved the pay and promotion opportunities of cooks, established schools of cooking and catering, devised new methods for preparing food, supported the service's adoption of the Wiles steam-cooker, and designed jungle-patrol, emergency and air-drop rations. His 'Who Called the Cook a Bastard?' (Sydney, 1972) gave an account of his experiences in military catering.Men from most families in the City of Moorabbin area served in the Australian Military Forces during World War 2.A tin container , khaki colour, used for the storage of a food ration item for a soldier serving in the Australian Military Forces World War 11.TURN KEY ← TO OPEN CAN / diagram of key / A.M.F. / OPERATION/ RATION/ 02 / D↑Dworld war 11, australian military forces, sir cedric stanton hicks, army catering corps, soldier rations, food supplys, australian diggers, food preservation -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Vehicle - Furphy Water Cart, J. Furphy & Sons, c. 1942
This horse-drawn, two-wheeled cart with a tank, is known as a Furphy Farm Water Cart that was made in Shepparton, northern Victoria, c. 1942. John Furphy (1842-1920) was born in Moonee Ponds, in 1842 to Irish immigrant parents and subsequently raised in the Yarra Valley before the family moved to Kyneton in central Victoria, where he completed an apprenticeship with the firm Hutcheson and Walker. Murphy began operations of his own at a site on Piper Street in Kyneton in 1864. He relocated for a business opportunity and founded the first blacksmiths and wheelwrights shop in the newly surveyed town of Shepparton in 1873. Furphy invented many farming tools and machines including a patented grain-stripper, and won awards at the 1888-89 Melbourne International Exhibition. His most famous invention is the Furphy Farm Water Cart, designed in the 1880s, at a time when water for most households and farms was carted on wagons in wooden barrels. The Furphy’s water cart is a single item that combines a water metal tank and a cart. The design of the cart was simple yet effective, and became popular very quickly and established itself as a vital piece of farming equipment. The water cart has had a number of words cast into its ends over many years. References to the foundry’s location in Shepparton, as well as advertising of other products also manufactured by J. Furphy & Sons were present on the ends. However, the most significant set of words to feature on the tank, was a poem encouraging continual improvement: ‘Good Better Best, Never Let it Rest, Until your Good is Better, And your Better Best’. During The Great War (1914-1918), the water cart was used by the Australian militarily at a large AIF (Australian Imperial Force) camp in Broadmeadows (Melbourne) where thousands of men were camped for months, before being transported aboard. Furphy Water Carts provided water to the troops, and were usually placed near the camp latrines, which was one of the few places the troops could share gossip and tall tales away from the prying eyes and ears of their officers. The water cart drivers were also notorious sources of information, despite most of their news being hearsay, or totally unreliable. By the time the men of the AIF were in engaged in combat on the Gallipoli Peninsula and the Western Front, the carts used for water supply had no markings and became simply referred to as Furphys. This owed as much to the coining of the term ‘Furphy’, Australian slang for suspect information or rumour. After a number of decades as principally a soldier’s word, 'Furphy' entered the broader Australian vernacular and was used mainly by the political class until recently when the term was taken up by a Australian brewer as a beer brand. This Furphy Water Cart was purchased by Friends of Flagstaff Hill in 2014. The support of local individuals, organisations and businesses enabled its restoration and later its installation alongside the existing late-19th century water pipe stand and 1940s hand pump The Furphy Farm Water Cart is of historical significance as it represents a famous Australian time-saving and energy-saving invention of the 1880s, replacing the labour intensive activity of collecting and dispensing water from barrels and casks on the back of carts. The water cart’s connection with manufacturing companies J. Furphy & Sons and Furphy Foundry are significant for being early Australian businesses that are still in operation today. Furphy carts are of military significance for the role they played during The Great War (1914-1918) in Australian army camps, and theatres of war in Europe and the Middle East, to supply the AIF troops with fresh water. A wooden framed, two-wheeled, horse-drawn cart, fitted with a horizontally mounted, cylindrical metal tank. The tank is made of rolled, sheet steel with a riveted seam, and cast iron ends with cast iron ends. The spoked metal wheels have fitted flat iron tyres and metal hubs. A metal pipe is joined to the outlet. The tank is silver coloured, the ends, wheels and trims are crimson, and the script lettering on tank sides is black. There are inscriptions on the tank, ends, and hubs. The water tank was made in 1942 in Shepparton, Australia, by J. Furphy & Sons and has a capacity of 180 gallons (848 litres). Hub perimeter, embossed “J. FURPHY & SONS” “KEEP THE / BOLTS TIGHT” Hub centre embossed [indecipherable] Tank, each side, painted “J. FURPHY & SONS / Makers / SHEPPARTON” Tank ends, embossed – “FURPHY’S FARM WATER CART” “BORN ABOUT 1880 – STILL ‘GOING STRONG’ 1942” “j. FURPHY & SONS / MAKERS / SHEPPARTON - VIC “ “S - - - - - L MANUFACTURERS” [SPECIAL] “SPIKE ROLLERS” “SINGLE TREES” “PLOUGH WHEELS” “IRON CASTINGS” “LAND GRADERS” “STEEL DELVERS” “CAST IRON PIG” “CHAIN YOKES” “GOOD – BETTER – BEST / NEVER LET IT REST / TILL YOUR GOOD IS BETTER / AND YOUR BETTER – BEST” Image [Stork carrying a baby] above shorthand, transcribed "Produce and populate or perish" Image [Furphy Pig Feeder] beside ‘Cast Iron Pig’ Shorthand, transcribed “"Water is the gift of God but beer and whiskey are concoctions of the Devil, come and have a drink of water"warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, water cart, furphy cart, furphy tank, furphy farm water cart, furphy, john furphy, john furphy & sons, furphy foundry, kyneton, shepparton, mobile water tank, jinker, hutchinson & walker, blacksmith, farm equipment, implement maker, tool maker, horse drawn, stork and baby, good, better, best, barrel, tank, first world war, wwi, eastern front, gallipoli, j furphy & sons -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Clothing - Leather Leggings, 1899 to 1920
... troops known as the Australian Light Horse that served... are associated with mounted troops known as the Australian Light Horse ...The subject leather leggings are associated with mounted troops known as the Australian Light Horse that served in the South African War from 1899 to 1902. After the war, Britain wanted to use fewer mounted troops and restructured its force around a style of combat that needed more infantry. But the defence of Australia still relied upon mounted military units as these were more mobile than infantry and could travel faster over long distances. Light Horse brigades in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) mostly contained recruits who served in the Light Horse regiments of the Citizen Forces. Many young men from rural areas of Australia volunteered for the Light Horse regiments. They had to pass a riding test to join, this test was easier for men from the bush because horses were still the main method of transport on farms and in country towns. The army did not officially accept First Australians into the AIF until May 1917 when enlistment standards were relaxed to include 'half-castes' with a parent of European origin. Indigenous soldiers served as valuable members of the Light Horse and many possessed excellent horse handling skills and specialist tracking knowledge.The subject items are part of the uniform for the Light Horse Units that served in the Australian army from 1899 until 1918. These leggings were worn by soldiers on horseback and are significant as they represent a noteworthy time in Australia's early military history. It was a time when many young men gave their lives during the South African and First World Wars in the defence of the then British Empire as part of the Imperial Forces that were gathered from many British-controlled Colonial countries.A pair of two Leather Leggings used by Mounted Australian soldiers during the first world war. The leggings are dark tan in colour with stitching to attach buckles and fastener straps. The strap buckles are made of brass and the leather legging straps are of same leather as leggings. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, leggings, leather leggings, protective leggings, protective clothing, australian mounted light horse units, military equipment -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - AUSTRALIAN COMFORT FUND DISPLAY, 1940's
black and white photo. Two ladies sitting, one standing, display of clothing being sent to the troops overseas through the Bendigo Municipal Branch of the Australian Comforts Fund. Mrs. Hope Whitney at left, Miss Violet W. Hesse at right. Written on back Miss. Violet W. Hesse, Mrs. Hope Whitney. Stamped Sun News, Pictorial copyrightSun News Pictorial, copyrightorganization, club/society, aust. comfort fund -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph
Black and white photograph in black frame Troops on board a ship being farewelled by two young women with their backs to the camera.vietnam war, 1961 - 1975 -- veterans -- australia, vietnam war, 1961 - 1975, embarkation - australian, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - participation - australian, photograph -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Poster - Poster, Framed
A framed poster against black matt board of 'Power Brewing Salutes our Vietnam Veterans'. Picture of can of beer and graphic of Huey and troops in foregroundthe proudly Australian Brewery pays tribute.... Power Brewing salutes our Vietnam Veteransposter, vietnam veterans -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Film - Film, DVD, Action in Vietnam
Actual footage of troops, helicopters and APC's in the Vietnam Waraustralia. army. royal new south wales regiment. battalion, 3rd, 1 rar -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Troopship, Ceramic (A40), outer west Railway Pier, WWI
COPYRIGHT PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE B&W photo (copy) showing the vessel the Ceramic (A40) - built 1913/18, 481 Tons gross, is at the outer West of Railway Pier/Station Pier. The troops were part of the second contingent waiting to embark for a departure at 14.30 that day (22nd dec 1914) for Albany in Western Australia where she was joined by other ships from all Aust and N.Z. major ports for a final destination the Middle Eastpiers and wharves - railway pier, piers and wharves - station pier, transport - shipping, war - world war i, ceramic -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph, Bob Powell's League & Association, Fags for Fighters Football Club 1940, 1940
From the collection of Terry KEENAN.Back Row from left -Tom LAHIFF (Port), George BARNETT (Port), Jack WILLIAMS (South) , Ron REYNOLDS (Port), CHIEF LITTLE WOLF (American wrestler), Norm FLETCHER (Port), ?, ?, Roy KENT (Port official). Centre row from left - Ian JOHNSON ( Australian Cricket Captain), Austin ROBERTSON(South/Port), Laurie NASH ( South/Camberwell), Syd COVENTRY ( Collingwood), Bob POWELL (South official), Herbie MATTHEWS ( South/Oakleigh), Charlie RICHES (Port). Front row from left - unknown except for 2nd from left Hugh McLAUGHLIN (South).Black and white photocopy of Bob Powell's League & Association Fags for Fighters Football Club team 1940. Includes players from Port & South Melbourne, South/Camberwell, South Oakleigh & Collingwood. Bob Powell was a well know proprietor of the Railway Club Hotel in Ferrars Street, South Melbourne. Fags for Fighters was a fund raising organisation to provide funds for troops overseas.sport - australian rules football, fags for fighters football club, bob powell's league & association, george barnett, jack williams, ron reynolds, chief little wolf, norm fletcher, roy kent, ian johnson, austin robertson, laurie nash, syd coventry, bob powell, herbie matthews, charlie riches, hugh mclaughlin, tommy lahiff -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Film - Film, DVD, Order No. 6511062: Lorrae Desmond in a yellow dress singing for troops in Vietnam
This Film, DVD was purchased by Andrew Kilsby (a former CEO of the museum) from the Australian War Memorial in May 2014. It was used for the 'Show must go on' promotional poster.entertainers - vietnam war -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph - Photograph, Suoi Nghe, 7RAR
A reprinted black and white Photograph of an area with a small rectangle area in the middle and the road goes down from below middle left side to near bottom on the right side. Above the photograph reads: This aerial photograph shows a rectangular fort like enclosure at "Ap Suoi Nighe" North of the Australian Base at Vung Tau. the fort was manned by Montangard Soldiers. they lived in the walls of the fort along with their families. The RSO of 7 Battalion, John Methven, and one of his signa,ers would fly out from Nui Dat and act as liaison when troops from 7 BN would be in the area.This aerial photograph shows a rectangular fort like enclosure at "Ap Suoi Nighe" north of Australian base at Vung Tau. The fort was manned by montangard soldiers. They lived in the walls of the fort along with their families. The RSO of 7 Battalion, John Methven and one of his signalers would fly out from Nui Dat and act as liaison when troops from 7 BN woul be in the area.7 rar, 7 battalion map, john methven, montagnard, suoi nghe, signals -
Polish Museum & Archives in Australia
Pennant, La Casa de Banderin, 08/1955
In 1955 the Polish Community in Chile wanted to Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the ending of the 2nd World War but, since it was not a happy occasion, as Poland had been betrayed and placed in the Soviet sphere of influence, they chose to create a Pennant with a plea for the Patron Icon of Eastern Poland - Our Lady of the Sharp/Morning Gate (Matka Boska Ostrobramska/Zaranna) in Vilnius (Wilno) - to give them a new Miracle on the Vistula, in reference to an epic battle which took place on 15th August 1922 on the banks of the Vistula (Wisla) River in which the Polish troops defeated the Soviet Army and turned back the march of Communism to the West. This particular Pennant was purchased by Stanislawa Zamecznik (nee Zakrzewska), while living in Chile after deportation from her birth place in Sianozatki near Bychov (Bychow) to Schweningen in Germany from which they emigrated to South America as Displaced Persons. It was brought to Australia when the Zakrzewski Family emigrated from Chile in 1956, first to Port Augusta and then subsequently to Sydney.It is significant in that it tells the story of the aspirations of the Polish Diaspora displaced from it's Homeland in the Kresy Region and scattered throughout the World, including the Americas and Australia.Pennant of red cloth with screen printing in white, mustard yellow and black hung on copper wire with gold cord Front: Polish inscription "KROLOWO POLSKI / BLAGAMY CIE O NOWY / CUD NAD WISLA / SANTIAGO DE CHILE / 15.VIII.1955" Back: Spanish inscription "LA CASA DE BANDERIN AHUMADA 61"polish pennant polski proporczyk orzel eagle matka boska ostrobramska zaranna our lady of vilnus santiago chile cud nad wisla miracle on the vistula -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Suzanne Wellborn, Bush heroes : a people, a place, a legend, 2002
More than one quarter of the Australian soldiers chosen to land on Gallipoli at dawn on 25 April 1915 were Western Australians. Four years later, only one in four of them had escaped death or severe injury. But that morning, by climbing the cliffs under a hail of Turkish bullets, they won a permanent place in Australia's most celebrated national legend. At Gallipoli that was all any of the attacking troops won." "The British and French, whose armies also suffered heavy losses at the Dardanelles, regarded the campaign as nothing but a humiliating military disaster best forgotten. In Australia Gallipoli was hailed as 'the proving of a nation's soul' and the day of the landing became sacred.Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.240.non-fictionMore than one quarter of the Australian soldiers chosen to land on Gallipoli at dawn on 25 April 1915 were Western Australians. Four years later, only one in four of them had escaped death or severe injury. But that morning, by climbing the cliffs under a hail of Turkish bullets, they won a permanent place in Australia's most celebrated national legend. At Gallipoli that was all any of the attacking troops won." "The British and French, whose armies also suffered heavy losses at the Dardanelles, regarded the campaign as nothing but a humiliating military disaster best forgotten. In Australia Gallipoli was hailed as 'the proving of a nation's soul' and the day of the landing became sacred.world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - gallipoli, australian army - soldiers - western australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Harper Collins et al, Stoker's submarine, 2003
On 25 April 1915 - the day the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli - Lieutenant Commander Dacre Stoker set out as captain of the Australian submarine AE2 on a mission to breach the treacherous Dardanelles Strait with the intention of disrupting Turkish supply lines to the isolated Gallipoli peninsula. Facing dangerous currents, mines and withering enemy fire, Stoker and his men succeeded where British and French submarines had come to grief." "Stoker's achievement meant much in military terms, and even more emotionally in boosting the morale of embattled Allied troops. But what was proclaimed at the time as 'the finest feat in submarine history' has since sunk into oblivion. Few Australians even know their country had a submarine at Gallipoli, much less that it achieved daring feats, sank an enemy craft, and possibly played a pivotal role in Anzac troops staying on the beachhead for eight months." "Now, finally, Stoker's Submarine tells the story of a remarkable naval hero and the men under his command. And the AE2 itself, still lying intact on the floor of the Sea of Marmara, is celebrated as the most tangible relic of Australia's role at Gallipoli, the crucible of nationhood.Index, bibliography, notes, ill. (some col.), maps, ports, p.318.non-fictionOn 25 April 1915 - the day the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli - Lieutenant Commander Dacre Stoker set out as captain of the Australian submarine AE2 on a mission to breach the treacherous Dardanelles Strait with the intention of disrupting Turkish supply lines to the isolated Gallipoli peninsula. Facing dangerous currents, mines and withering enemy fire, Stoker and his men succeeded where British and French submarines had come to grief." "Stoker's achievement meant much in military terms, and even more emotionally in boosting the morale of embattled Allied troops. But what was proclaimed at the time as 'the finest feat in submarine history' has since sunk into oblivion. Few Australians even know their country had a submarine at Gallipoli, much less that it achieved daring feats, sank an enemy craft, and possibly played a pivotal role in Anzac troops staying on the beachhead for eight months." "Now, finally, Stoker's Submarine tells the story of a remarkable naval hero and the men under his command. And the AE2 itself, still lying intact on the floor of the Sea of Marmara, is celebrated as the most tangible relic of Australia's role at Gallipoli, the crucible of nationhood.world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - gallipoli, gallipoli campaign - naval operations, submarine ae2 -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Mark Clisby, Guilty or innocent? : the Gordon Bennett case, 1992
Many Australians, in a typically Australian fashion, recall Gordon Bennett as "the bloke who shot through and left his troops at Singapore". Whether this is a fair assessment or not, there is no doubt that General Gordon Bennett's escape from Singapore in February 1942 left an ineradicable mark on Australia's military and legal history, and that the rights and wrongs of his actions will be debated forever.Index, bibliography, notes, ill, p.134.non-fictionMany Australians, in a typically Australian fashion, recall Gordon Bennett as "the bloke who shot through and left his troops at Singapore". Whether this is a fair assessment or not, there is no doubt that General Gordon Bennett's escape from Singapore in February 1942 left an ineradicable mark on Australia's military and legal history, and that the rights and wrongs of his actions will be debated forever. world war 1939-1945 - campaigns - singapore, capitulations - military -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Harper Collins, Tobruk, 2006
... 15 000 Australian troops - backed by British artillery ...Peter FitzSimons, Australia's most beloved popular historian, focuses on one of the seminal moments in Australian history: the Battle of tobruk in 1941, in which more than 15 000 Australian troops - backed by British artillery - fought in excruciating desert heat through eight long months, against Adolf Hitler's formidable Afrika Korps. During the dark heart of World War II, when Hitler turned his attention to conquering North Africa, a distracted and far-fl ung Allied force could not give its all to the defence of Libya. So the job was left to the roughest, toughest bunch that could be mustered: the Australian Imperial Force. the AIF's defence of the harbour city of tobruk against the Afrika Korps' armoured division is not only the stuff of Australian legend, it is one of the great battles of all time, as against the might of General Rommel and his Panzers, the Australians relied on one factor in particular to give them the necessary strength against the enemy: mateship. Drawing on extensive source material - including diaries and letters, many never published before - this extraordinary book, written in Peter FitzSimons' highly readable style, is the definitive account of this remarkable chapter in Australia's historyIndex, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.580.non-fictionPeter FitzSimons, Australia's most beloved popular historian, focuses on one of the seminal moments in Australian history: the Battle of tobruk in 1941, in which more than 15 000 Australian troops - backed by British artillery - fought in excruciating desert heat through eight long months, against Adolf Hitler's formidable Afrika Korps. During the dark heart of World War II, when Hitler turned his attention to conquering North Africa, a distracted and far-fl ung Allied force could not give its all to the defence of Libya. So the job was left to the roughest, toughest bunch that could be mustered: the Australian Imperial Force. the AIF's defence of the harbour city of tobruk against the Afrika Korps' armoured division is not only the stuff of Australian legend, it is one of the great battles of all time, as against the might of General Rommel and his Panzers, the Australians relied on one factor in particular to give them the necessary strength against the enemy: mateship. Drawing on extensive source material - including diaries and letters, many never published before - this extraordinary book, written in Peter FitzSimons' highly readable style, is the definitive account of this remarkable chapter in Australia's historyworld war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – north africa, siege of tobruk