July 1945. Eighteen young British, Australian and New Zealand special forces from a top-secret underwater warfare unit prepare to undertake three audacious missions against the Japanese. Using XE-craft midget submarines, the raiders will creep deep behind Japanese lines to sink two huge warships off Singapore and sever two vitally important undersea communications cables. Success will hasten ultimate victory over Japan; but if any of the men are captured they can expect a gruesome execution. Can the Sea Devils overcome Japanese defences, mechanical failures, oxygen poisoning and submarine disasters to fulfill their missions? Mark Felton tells the true story of a band of young men living on raw courage, nerves and Adrenalin as they attempt to pull off what could be the last great raid of World War Two.ww2, special operations, submarine operations

The history of the No. 2 Independent Commando Company and 2/2 Commando Squadron during World War II – scarce as a 1st edition dated 1986. Having completed its training at Foster, on Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, the 2nd Independent Company was raised and travelled north to Katherine, in the Northern Territory. However, following Japan’s entry into the war, as with the other independent companies that were sent to the islands off Australia, the 2nd was sent to Timor, where it joined the 2/40th Battalion and the rest of Sparrow Force. Sparrow Force divided itself between west Timor, part of the Netherlands East Indies, and east Timor, which belonged to Portugal. The 2/40th Battalion defended the capital of west Timor, Koepang, and the airfield at Penfui. Most of the independent company moved to the airfield at Dili, in east Timor, and the nearby mountains. Portugal was opposed to the stationing of a Dutch or Australian garrison in case this provoked the Japanese, but despite this opposition, on 17 December 1941, elements of the 2nd Independent Company and Dutch troops landed near Dili. On 20 February 1942 the Japanese invaded the island, attacking east and west Timor simultaneously. The 2/40th Battalion held out for three days, but were overrun and were killed or captured. Similarly, the 2nd could not hold the airfield and were also driven back. But they were not captured and instead retreated to the mountains where they conducted a very successful and pursued a guerrilla war against the Japanese which lasted for over a year. Following the capture of Timor, the 2nd occupation the company was listed as “missing”, the company’s signallers were able to build a wireless transmitter, nicknamed ‘Winnie the War Winner’, and on 18/19 April were able to contact Darwin. At the end of May RAN vessels began landing supplies for the Australians on the south coast of east Timor. These supply runs were very dangerous but they allowed the Australians on Timor to continue fighting. In September the guerillas were reinforced with the 2/4th Independent Company. However, this could not go on indefinitely. In August the Japanese lunched a major offensive against the guerrillas and Japanese reprisals against the civilian population of east Timor reduced their support for the Australians. The 2nd (now named the 2/2nd Independent Company) and 2/4th were withdrawn in December and January 1943 respectively. Although the 2/2nd Independent Company is best known for its time on Timor, it also saw extensive service in New Guinea and New Britain. The independent company reformed at the army’s training centre at Canungra, Queensland, where it was reinforced and reequipped. The company then moved to the Atherton Tableland, where it briefly became part of the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. Due to this reorganisation, in October, the 2/2nd Independent Company was renamed the 2/2nd Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. When this happened though, the 2/2nd was back in action. In June 1943 the 2/2nd sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby and was subsequently flown to Bena Bena, in the Bismark Range in New Guinea’s highlands. Here they supported the 2/7th Independent Company in patrolling the Ramu River area. In the second week of July the 2/2nd moved into position, with its headquarters at Bena Bena and with its platoons’ occupying neighbouring positions. By the end of the month their patrols were skirmishing with the Japanese. The 2/2nd remained in New Guinea until October 1944. After 90 days leave, the squadron reformed at Strathpine in Queensland before sailing to New Britain in April 1945. The 2/2nd landed at Jacquinot Bay on 17 April. The squadron then moved to Wide Bay, in order to support the 13th Brigade of the 5th Division, and was based at Lamarien. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or transferred to other units. For those who were left, they returned to Australia and in early 1946 the 2/2nd Commando Squadron was disbanded. Includes Nominal Roll Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 270 pages

When Lloyd Campbell joined the AIF, he was underage and went to the Middle East with 2/17 Battalion. Later in New Guinea he made a major career change and volunteered for an unknown unit and special operations. What he had joined was the SRD – known as Z-Special Unit. Z Special Unit—also known as Special Operations Executive (SOE), Special Operations Australia (SOA) or the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD)—was a joint Allied special forces unit formed during the Second World War to operate behind Japanese lines in South East Asia. Predominantly Australian, Z Special Unit was a specialist reconnaissance and sabotage unit that included British, Dutch, New Zealand, Timorese and Indonesian members, predominantly operating on Borneo and the islands of the former Netherlands East Indies. The unit carried out a total of 81 covert operations in the South West Pacific theatre, with parties inserted by parachute or submarine to provide intelligence and conduct guerrilla warfare. The best known of these missions were Operation Jaywick and Operation Rimau, both of which involved raids on Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour; the latter of which resulted in the deaths of 23 commandos either in action or by execution after capture. Although the unit was disbanded after the war, many of the training techniques and operational procedures employed were later used during the formation of other Australian Army special forces units and they remain a model for guerrilla operations to this day. pp. 274, illusts, maps ww2, the australian special operations, special forces, z special unit

A detailed history of Australian Special Forces operations during World War Two by the commandos of the Allied Intelligence Bureau and the Independent Companies/Commando Squadrons and through to operations in Vietnam and later conflicts. Compiled by two of Australia’s most famous military historians for the 60th anniversary of Operation JAYWICK in 2003.

Twenty-two young New Zealand soldiers were posted to a clandestine intelligence unit in Melbourne called the Allied Intelligence Bureau. Their task was to undertake espionage and sabotage lines of communication, train natives as soldiers for local resistance and set up a radio link back to Australia. This is the account of the experiences of one soldier’s operation in Borneo – and is an account of their divine protection. Soft cover 174 pageSigned by author.ww2, australian special operations, nz special forces in ww2

The story of Australian men and women, wireless interceptors, whose skill in intercepting coded Japanese transmissions in WWII provided MacArthur’s intelligence organisation with vital information about enemy operations in the South West Pacific Area.iSoft cover 261 pagesww2, signals, australian signals intelligence, special operations

This 236 page, full-colour hard copy reference work, catalogues the metal insignia embellishments used by all Corps and Schools of the Australian Army (including philanthropic organisations), from 1953 through to the present. The book provides images of the front and the back of a given (metal) insignia set for each Corps etc. Each image set depicts the relevant hat badge, collar badges and epaulette title and/or cloth shoulder title applicable. The book's images record three distinctly different 'generations' of insignia manufacturing methods/types, including the: gilt brass and white metal items used in the 1953 to 1964 period; and anodised aluminium 'StayBright' insignia introduced as from 1964[ and 'BriteShine' insignia introduced with effect from 1997 (running through to the present). The full colour photographic images in the book are complimented by written descriptions which cite each item's distinguishing characteristics... including measures of: typical weight, height, width and thickness (at a given point). A discussion of copies and faked items is also provided, including microscope resolution images of 'tell tale' signs to look for. The entries in the book are organised alphabetically and match those used in the Authors' 614 page eBook version of this work (the eBook is a separate edition which provides scalable images of all relevant insignia and many manufacturing variants).The hard copy and electronic editions of this work are able to be used either separately or concurrently, as and when users require. Regards Mark Corcoran & Arthur Butler The Authors charlibravobooks.com Re: Copyright As the original authors we hold the sole copyright authority to sell this work. This item does not infringe on any copyright, trademark and/or intellectual property rights and we hold specific written publication approval from the Australian Defence Force. Soft cover, spiral bound 235 pagesaustralian army, post ww2 insignia

This 305 page, full colour hard copy reference work, catalogues the series of metal uniform embellishments used by Units and Regiments of the Australian Army, from 1953 through to the date of publication. The book provides images of the front and the back of a given (metal) insignia set for each Unit or Regiment operating within the Australian Army since 1953 (including abolished formations). Each image set, depicts the relevant hat badge, collar badges and epaulette title and/or cloth shoulder title applicable. The book’s images document at least three distinctly different ‘generations’ of insignia manufacturing methods/types, including the: gilt brass and white metal items used in the 1953 to 1964 period; and anodised aluminium ‘StayBright’ insignia introduced as from 1964 and ‘BriteShine’ insignia introduced with effect from 1997 (running through to today). The full colour photographic images in the book are complimented by written descriptions which cite each item’s distinguishing characteristics… including measures of: typical weight, height, width and thickness (at a given point). A discussion of copies and faked items is also provided, including microscope resolution images of ‘tell tale’ signs to look for. The entries in this book are organised alphabetically and are consistent with those used in the Authors’ earlier publications (ie. the 614 page eBook version of Volume 1, as well as with the 236 page ‘Concise’ hard copy Editions of Volume 1). australian army insignia, post ww2 insignia and badges

Deadly Secrets tells the engrossing true story of the Allied raids launched on Singapore in World War II. Laying many myths to rest, military historian Lynette Ramsay Silver, the author of The Bridge At Parit Sulong, outlines Operation Jaywick, which used a stolen Japanese fishing boat, renamed Krait, to attack Singapore Harbour. It also discusses the more ambitious raid; Operation Rimau.Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 464 pagesworld war ii, ww2, australian commandos, australian special operations, operation jaywick, operation rimau

In addition 1- 230 of the post World War II M and Z commando Association quarterly newsletter. World War II operatives were subject to a 30 year security provision this collection includes many personal stories, many of which remain unpublished, which were included in the magazines after the security restrictions were lifted in the mid-1980s.Four volumes of bound magazines. In Edition 1-230.

Chris Masters is Australia’s foremost investigative journalist. His descriptions of battle are some of the most powerful reporting from that war. No Front Line takes this story even further, to the heart of Special Forces and its war in Afghanistan, a war the Australian public know very little about. Implicitly trusted by Special Forces, Chris gives voice to these soldiers. He takes us right into the centre of some of the fiercest combat, opens up the story of the relationship between the Australians and their US partners and provides the most intimate examination of what it is like to be a member of this country’s elite fighting forces. australian special forces, afghanistan, commandos

On 22 June 2013, Corporal Cameron Baird was a 2nd Commando Regiment Special Forces soldier when he led his platoon into a known Taliban stronghold to back-up another Australian unit under heavy fire. In the prolonged firefight, Cameron was mortally wounded. In 2014, Cameron's bravery and courage under fire saw him posthumously awarded the 100th Victoria Cross, our highest award possible for bravery in the presence of the enemy. Cameron Baird died how he lived - at the front, giving it his all, without any indecision. He will forever be remembered by his mates and the soldiers he served with in the 2nd Commando Regiment. THE COMMANDO reveals Cameron's life, from young boy and aspiring AFL player, who only missed out on being drafted because of injury, to exemplary soldier and leader. Cameron's story and that of 4RAR and 2nd Commando personifies the courage and character of the men and women who go to war and will show us the good man we have lost. australian special forces, commandos, afghanistan, 2nd commando regiment

Warrior Elite is a unique and compelling account of Australia's special forces and intelligence operations - ranging from the early special forces of World War II to the establishment and development of the SAS and Commando Regiments as the elite fighters of today, and from the Australian Security Intelligence Service to the Australian Signals Directorate and ASIO. It is an authoritative, gripping and thoroughly up-to-date account of both the history and current state of our special forces and intelligence bodies - and gives a unique glimpse into the warfare of the future. Our future. Robert Macklin has conducted dozens of exclusive interviews and uncovered incredible, daring and sometimes heartbreaking stories of the elite troops that guard our nation and engage in secret operations around the world. He has had significant cooperation from numerous sources within the special forces and the various intelligence agencies. Both thoroughly researched and colourfully written, Warrior Elite will attract the reader of action memoirs as well as those interested in broader military history and espionage. australian special forces, australian army, commandos, military history

SOE Singapore 1941 - 1942... --... Richard Gough... Richard Gough, a veteran of World War II in Singapore follows the story of Singapore's collapse and the resistance before and after from the perspective of Colonel Alan Warren, with Special Operations Executive (SOE). A true story from the 1940s. 245 pages with conclusion...Includes references to Australian WW2 Special OperationsSoft cover 238 pagesww2, world war 2, specila operations, soe, singapore

Details the work of the Special Operations Executive in the five countries of Mountbatten's South East Asia Command-- India, Burma, Ceylon, Malaya and Sumatra, later expanded to include the Dutch East Indies and French Indochina-- and how the actions of the command could have made Force 136 a more decisive player in the liberation of the South East Asia.There were Australia members of Force 136.Relevant to WW2 Australian Special operations. ww2, soe, special operations

ww2, borneo

WW2 Australian Special OperationsSoftcover 304 pages, Douglas Shire library serviceww2, australian commandos, singapore raid

Softcover 306 pages

Acquired in Fort Worth, Scotland in August 2019.Allied Memorial to World War II commandos in locations where commando training was undertaken.A4 size framed paintingPrinted by Mark Leggett

Several members who participated in this battle were former commandos and members of 2 commando CompanyFind bySoftcover 332 pageInscribed presentation by Harry Smith dated June 2012australian commandos, vietnam war, australian special forces

This book tells in close detail the stories of the perilous adventures and dreadful ordeals of 90 attempted escapes, some successful, by desperate Australian prisoners of war in Borneo 1942 - 1945. It also covers in detail a number of operations conducted by Special Operations Australia in the North Borneo region during World War II.signed by authorworld war ii, australian commandos, australian special operations, borneo, special operations australia, allied intelligence bureau, z special unit

Popularly known today as Z Special Unit, or by the wartime cover names of Inter-Allied Services Department (ISD) and Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), Special Operations Australia (SOA) was the Special Operations component of the US-led Allied Intelligence Bureau in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War. The first in a set of five, Volume 1 – Organization tells the story of the establishment, organisation and function of SOA from its earliest days as a direct offshoot of the British Special Operations Executive, until the organisation’s disbandment after a long, brutal and bloody conflict. Introduced by clandestine operations and espionage writer C.A. Brown, Volume 1 tells the story of the establishment of SOA and its fight for survival as a British-oriented Special Ops organisation under American command, while giving the Imperial Japanese invaders a bloody nose all the way from New Guinea to Indochina. Covering in detail the major personalities, departments, directorates, training and operational bases of SOA, Volume 1.Soft cover with 200 pagesaustralian commandos, special operations, special forces, world war ii

Popularly known today as Z Special Unit, or by the wartime cover names of Inter-Allied Services Department (ISD) and Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), Special Operations Australia (SOA) was the Special Operations component of the US-led Allied Intelligence Bureau in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War. From the secret files of Z Special Unit, and the second in a set of five volumes, Volume 2 - Operations describes almost two hundred separate "Z" Operations. Through the examination of this volume, the strategic role of the Special Operations - Australia organisation becomes apparent. Students of history will easily identify the ebb and flow of the Allied campaigns in the Pacific Theatre, with many of the operations of SOA being precursors to larger Allied offensives. Several serious blunders by SRD headquarters are also identified, one of which in particular had the capacity to compromise one of the greatest secrets of the Second World War and could have cost thousands of Allied lives...special operations australia, australian commandos, world war ii, special forces