Index, 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

Index, ill, maps, p.587.non-fictionThis is volume 2 of series 1 (Army) of Australia in the War, 1939-1945. The first series has seven volumes, the first three covering military campaigns in the Middle East and the last four in the Pacific. world war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – greece – syria, military history of australia in world war two

Index, bibliography, maps, p.96.non-fictionThe North African campaign has been studied in detail over the years but much of the study has been dedicated to the battles between the British Eighth Army and Rommel's Afrika Korps. There has been little serious study of Wavell's campaign against Italian forces in 1940-41, nor of the role played by the Australian Sixth Division.world war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – north africa, libya - campaigns - 1940-1941

Index, bibliography, ill, p.478.non-fictionIn Crisis in the Pacific acclaimed historian Gerald Astor draws on the raw experiences of marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen under fire - from generals and admirals to correspondents, line officers and enlisted men on both sides of the battle lines - to present a view of the critical struggle for the Philippines, the keystone to Japanese domination of the Pacific and to ultimate Allied victory. These accounts, many published here for the first time, are dramatic and graphic, brutal and awe-inspiring. Ranging from the diplomatic and nursing corps' experience of the Japanese conquest and occupation of the islands, to the Bataan death march and first-hand accounts of war crimes inflicted by the Japanese on prisoners of war, to the final push for the hills of Mindanao, Crisis in the Pacific is the first complete history, told in the words of the men and women who were there, of one of the most crucial battlegrounds of World War II.world war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – phillipines, world war 1939 – 1945 – personal narratives

Index, ill, maps, p.267.non-fictionA regimental history of the 39th battalion from 1941 to its disbandment in 1943 and its participation in the Kokoda campaignworld war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – new guinea, world war 1939-1945 - regimental histories - australia

Ill, map, p.194.non-fictionA collection of letters that document the catastrophe of Hiroshima. The author - a professor of history at Hiroshima University - spent several days after bomb searching for his wife and son. His joy on being re-united with them was short-lived as radiation sickness took his wife ten days later. world war 1939 – 1945 – personal narratives – japan, hiroshima - atomic bombing

Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.548.non-fictionPearl Harbour. Kokoda. The fall of Singapore. Curtin's fight with Churchill. The bombing of Darwin. The Battle of Midway. POWs. Kamikaze. Hiroshima. These words alone are enough to convey the terror, courage and drama of the Pacific War, when the balance of power stood on a knife-edge and when the future of Australia herself was on the brink - threatened by Japanese aggression on one hand and British apathy on the other. Until now the history of the Pacific War has largely been written from the American perspective. Now, for the first time, Peter Thompson places Australian voices and action at the heart of a struggle that took an unimaginable number of lives and only ended with the unleashing of the most powerful weapon the world had ever seen. Pearl Harbor; The fall of Singapore; Curtin's fights with Churchill; The bombing of Darwin; POW camps; The battle of Midway; Kokoda; Buna; Kamikaze pilots; Hiroshima. These words alone are enough to convey the terror, courage and drama of the Pacific War, when the balance of power stood on a knife-edge and when the future of Australia was on the brink - threatened by Japanese aggression on the one hand and British deception on the other. After a conflict that took an unimaginable number of lives and ended with the unleashing of the most powerful weapon the world had ever seen, the Allies emerged victorious. Australia, however, was criticised by Churchill and his generals for showing cowardice in the face of the enemy and for not caring about the fate of other nations. The endorsement of these claims by several military historians today shows that the smear has not gone away. Until nowworld war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – pacific, world war 1939 – 1945 – australia

Bibliography, ill, maps, p.176.The story of Flying Fortress Lightning Strikes, 42-3073 from its construction in a California factory in 1942 to its loss over Germany a year laterworld war 1939-1945 - aerial operations - usa, b17 bomber - history

Index, ill, p.190.non-fictionThe biography of Joe Leach and his exploits in World War twoworld war 1939 – 1945 – aerial operations - australia, joe leach - biography

Ill, maps, p.203.non-fictionPacked with interesting anecdotes this book brings to life events that have escaped or have been overlooked about Australian military historyworld war 1939 – 1945 – aerial operations - australia, catalina - seaplane

Index, bibliography, ill, maps, p.909.non-fictionThe second volume of this history covers the period 1942 - 1945 when the U boats suffered reverses and final defeat.world war 1939 – 1945 –naval operations - britain, u-boats - germany

Index, ill, maps, p.686.non-fictionThis volume tells briefly the story of the Royal Australian Navy and of Australian naval policy between the wars, and then records the part played by the ships and men of that Navy on every ocean and particularly in the eastern Mediterranean and Indian and Pacific Oceans from 1939 until the end of the first quarter of 1942. When the volume ends most of the surviving ships are on the Australia Station again and the Japanese fleets dominate half the Pacific Ocean and the seas to the north of Australia. The [author] describes not only the actions of the Australian ships but the problems and policies of the British fleets of which they often formed a part, and discusses the strategical and administrative questions encountered by the senior leaders in Australiaworld war 1939 – 1945 – naval operations - australia, royal australian navy - history

Index, notes, ill, tales, p.175.non-fictionThe reminiscences of Australian POW's and Japanese historians at a meeting 50 years after the war ended on the Burma Thailand railway.world war 1939 – 1945 - prisons and prisoners – japanese, burma - thailand railway

Bibliography, index, glossary, ill (b/w)non-fictionA collection of anecdotes and excerpts from diaries that have never been published.australia - history - military - personal narratives, australia - military culture

non-fictionThis war diary distils the major military events of recent Australian history from 1870 the the present day.war - press coverage - australia, australia - social life and customs - history

bibliography, index, pg.402.non-fictionGordon Thomas is a leading expert on intelligence communities. This book provides the definitive historu of the famed MI5 and MI6intelligence services - great britain - history, great britain mi5 - history, great britain mi6 - history

Bibliography, index, ill (b/w) (plates), p,263.non-fiction This history traces Legacy's first fifty years in considerable detail, but places it firmly within its social environment. It will be of interest, not only to current and past members of Legacy, but students of Australian history and society, and all who are concerned with Australia's welfare services. legacy clubs of australia - history, australia - returned service personel

Bibliography, index, ill (b/w) (maps), p.492.non-fictionFollows Australia's participation through nine wars and the battles from 1860 Maori Wars to Long Tan Vietnam. Titleaustralia - history - military, australia - history- armed forces

Index, notes, ill (b/w plates) (maps).non-fictionA tribute to the servicemen and women of the past, and peacekeepers of the present, in the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force. Begins with the Boer War, goes on to cover the Boxers conflict in China, the First and Second World Wars, Malayan emergency, Korean War, Indonesia, Vietnam War, also the Gulf War, and East Timor. australia - armed forces - history, australia - history - military

non-fictionCaught in a Snare' explores the plight of the refugee scholars fleeing Germany and the Incorporated Territories between 1933 and the beginning of World War II in 1939, and the War years in England.refugees - great britain - history, great britain - intellectual life, great britain - political refugees

Bibliography, Index, Chronology, ill (plates, col, b/w) maps. p.452.non-fictionFrom longbow, pike, and musket to Challenger tanks, from the Napoleonic Wars to the Gulf campaign, the Duke of Marlborough to Field Marshal Montgomery, The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Army recounts the history of the British army from its medieval antecedents to the present day. Drawing on the latest scholarship, this survey shows how British fighting forces have evolved over the last five centuries. The continuities revealed are sometimes surprising: narrow recruitment patterns, friction between soldiers and civilians, financial constraints and recurrent political pressure for economies are constant themes. Commanders, campaigns, battles, organization, and weaponry are covered in detail within the wider context of the social, economic, and political environment in which armies exist and fight. The British army has been remarkably successful in fighting terms, losing only one major war (of American Independence 1775-83). As one of the engines of empire it has been active all over the world, as well as shaping the internal destiny of the nation in civil war and revolution. Its history is charted in a sequence of chronological chapters, each containing special feature articles, beginning with the medieval, Elizabethan, and Restoration army and moving on through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to the two world wars of the twentieth. The book concludes with accounts of the army of British India, the amateur military tradition, the British way in warfare, and an assessment of what the future may hold in the light of the Options for Change review. Extensively illustrated in black and white and colour, and with a detailed chronology and further reading lists, this is the definitive one-volume history of the British army for specialists and non-specialists alike.great britain - military history, great britain - military tradition

Index, ill (b/w plates), p.342.non-fictionThe story of Douglas Bader's life is the stuff of legend. After losing both his legs in a flying accident he returned to the RAF at the beginning the Second World War to become Britain's most famous airman and hero. In the Battle of Britain he led his squadron of Spitfires to kill after kill, keeping them going with his unstoppable banter. Shot down in occupied France, his German captors had to confiscate his tin legs in order to stop him trying to escape. And Bader faced it all, disability, leadership and capture, with a charm and determination that was to become an inspiration to all around himbader douglas - biography, battle of britain - history

Index, Notes, Bibliography, ill (b/w)non-fictionThe Australian digger represents all the virtues Australians hold dear - mateship, equality, bravery and irreverence. But before 1914 Australia had no military tradition. Jane Ross has analysed the nature and origins of the myth of the digger.australian army - history, australia - military culture

Index, bibliography, notes, appendices, ill (b/w), p.427.non-fictionA story of humour and courage, of professionalism, and above all dedication to duty, this is the official history of The Royal Australian Regiment. "The Royal Australian Regiment, consisting initially of three battalions, formed at the end of World War 2. This "official history" was first published in 1990 and adds a detailed coverage of the activities of and developments in the regiment since 1990."--Provided by publisher. The Royal Australian Regiment, consisting initially of three battalions, has been the mainstay of the Australian Regular Army for over 60 years since its formation at the end of World War 2. Thisofficial history was first published in 1990 and adds a detailed coverage of the activities of and developments in the regiment since 1990. Titleaustralian army - royal australian regiment - history, australian army - regimental histories

Index, ill (B/W plates), p.726.non-fictionIn 'Prisoners of War' dozens of interviews with former POWs are used to show the strength and courage of Australians taken prisoner in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. This book was written for those who know little of the experiences of these men and women; their courage, endurance and pain.australia - military history, australia - prisoners of war

Index, ill (b/w plates), maps, p.276.non-fictionThe author has travelled in Nepal and met many Gurkhas to investigate the background to their traditional service to Britain and the threat that this is now under. He recounts famous battles when they collected VC's and earned admiration.great britain - army - history, ghurkha soldiers

Index, maps, ill(b/w), p.285.non-fictionA narrative history illustrated by photographs from the Nation's Archives by A.K. MacDougall, which include the Boer War, World War I, World War II, Korea War, Malaya War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Battle of Britain, Mediterranean War, Tobruk, Battle of the Coral Sea, Desert War, Gallipoli, Dardanelles and diggers. With a list of VC (Victoria Cross) awards from Australia and New Zealand.australia - history - military, australian army - history

Index, bibliography, notes, ill (b/w), p.348.From the 1930s through WWII to Afghanistan today, from total war to counterinsurgency, this history unravels and defines the intangible qualities that differentiate the "Sky Men" from other soldiers Seventy years ago the Parachute Regiment was formed - the army's elite air assault force was tough, well-trained, and designed to fight hazardous operations behind enemy lines with little or no backup. Dropping into the middle of enemy territory, these "Sky Men"- British, American, German, and Russian soldiers - engage in gruelling combat in the most dangerous conflict zones around the world. Ex-Parachute Regiment officer Robert Kershaw reveals the history of these airborne forces and their role during the most dramatic battles of the 20th century. He finds out what drives a "Sky Man" to take these extraordinary risks, and what marks these sky warriors out from ordinary soldiers. How do military paratroopers conquer the fear of jumping from aircraft at low level, by night, and frequently under fire? Has the helicopter replaced the need for parachutists in the 21st Century? Has the increasing lethality of anti-aircraft weapons made the airborne option redundant? These issues are examined alongside the personal experiences of the Soviet "Locust Warriors," German Fallschirmjäger, British Red Devils, American "devils in baggy-pants," and Les Paras. Based on letters, diaries, and exclusive interviews with soldiers from around the world, this book is full of vivid personalities and nail-biting action.great britain - history - military, great britain - parachute regiment

Index, Bibliography, ill (b/w), p.108.non-fictionThis book tells the story of the Royal Australian Navy in the years following the Second World War - an optomistic and confident period following the commissioning of Australia's first aircraft carrierroyal australian navy - aviation history, royal australian navy - history

ill (b/w), plans, p.104.non-fictionA detailed history of the American designed half-tracks which served the Allied nations in World War 2 and for many years after.half track vehicles - military, united states army - history