Climax geared locomotive No. 1694 in active service on special occasions - stored at Emerald Station A Miraculous Survivor Climax locomotive No.1694 is a miraculous survivor of a rare breed of steam locomotive. For about 100 years from the mid-1850s sawn timber was carted from Victorian sawmills to the nearest railway station by timber tramway. These tramways were generally very rough, steeply graded, sharply curved, and of narrow gauge. Many had wooden rails, and horses provided haulage. The better ones used steam locomotives. In all about fifty steam locomotives are known to have worked on Victorian timber tramways. These locomotives were usually somewhat peculiar - made to cope with arduous, rough conditions, rather than speed. Climax locomotive No.1694 is the only one of these locomotives to survive intact. It was built in 1928 by the Climax Manufacturing Company, Corry, Pennsylvania, USA, for the Forests Commission of Victoria. The distinctive feature of the Climax locomotive is that the cylinders do not directly connect to the driving wheels. Instead they drive a cross shaft near the centre of the locomotive. From there the drive is transmitted to the small driving wheels through rotating shafts, universal joints, and bevel gears. The driving wheels are mounted in two four-wheel bogies so that they can easily follow sharp curves in the track. None of these features are found in normal steam locomotives. The result is a locomotive that is extremely powerful for its size, and that will cope with sharp curves and steep grades with ease. But this is at the cost of speed, Climax locomotive No.1694 is just about flat-out at 13 km/h (8 mph). Climax Locomotive Built in 1928 for the Forests Commission of Victoria and painted all-over black with the name CLIMAX painted on the sides of the cab in white block letters, this locomotive was issued to the Tyers Valley tramway which branched off the Moe to Walhalla line at Collins Siding. This locomotive was withdrawn from service in 1949 following the closure of the tramway and in 1950 it travelled from Tyers Junction to Collins Siding to Erica where it remained stored until 1965. Loaned to the Puffing Billy Preservation Society for its Steam Museum, it was taken to Menzies Creek in 1965 where it remained until 1982 when the Emerald Tourist Railway Board bought it and transferred it to Belgrave for restoration. It was returned to service for special use on the Belgrave to Gembrook line in 1988 painted in its original all-over black livery, except that the word “Climax” on the sides of the cab was now painted in the style of the Climax Manufacturing Co., a style that this locomotive had never carried.Historical - Industrial railway - Forests Commission of Victoria, Timber Logging Climax Locomotive Climax geared Steam locomotive made of steel and wrought iron Climax 1694climax locomotive works, climax, geared steam locomotive, puffing billy, climax locomotive no. 1694, steam locomotive

ill, p.12.non-fiction A history of the Climax geared steam locomotive in Australia.steam locomotives - australia - history, logging railroads - australia - history

ill, maps, p.22.non-fictionA history of the Climax geared locomotive from its time on the Victorian Forestry Commission railway near Erica, to preservation on the Puffing Billy railway.preserved locomotives - victoria - history, puffing billy - victoria - history

Among the many pressing priorities for Alf Lawrence, the Forests Commission's new Chief Fire Officer, in rebuilding the firefighting capacity after the catastrophic 1939 bushfires was to invest heavily in modern vehicles and equipment. Powered pumps like the trailer-mounted Coventry Climax (Godiva) gave firefighters a much greater capacity than ever before to put the “wet stuff on the red stuff”. Its four-cylinder, four-stroke, water-cooled, petrol motor produced 38Hp and was connected with either 1½ inch or 2½ inch canvas hose for direct attack, or as a filler pump it could deliver 300 gallons per minute at 120 psi. Some of the first acquisitions included this war surplus veteran shipped over from the London after the blitz bombings of WW2. Fire pump mounted on trailer Two lengths of suction hose, nozzles and some tools. Modified from original design at Altona to include recoil battery starterCoventry Climax fire pump, forests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire

Original Climax Loco Headlight Lamp made by the Star Lamp company THE HISTORY OF STAR HEADLIGHT & LANTERN COMPANY 1889: On April 20 of 1889, "Star Headlight Company" formed. The company is located on Allen Street in the city of Rochester, New York. There were five original investors. The original founders were Elias C. Glazier, George L. Estes, Allen D. Close, James H. Crouch and George S. Riley. 1914: Name of company changes to "Star Head Light & Lantern Company." 1915: Star Head Light & Lantern Company catalog now lists more than 100 versions lamps and lanterns. Historic - Industrial railway - Forests Commission of Victoria, Timber Logging Climax Locomotive Headlight Lamp Original Climax Loco Headlight Lamp made of metal climax loco headlight lamp, star loco headlight lamp, star head light & lantern company, puffing billy

Among the many pressing priorities for Alf Lawrence, the Forests Commission's new Chief Fire Officer, in rebuilding the firefighting capacity after the catastrophic 1939 bushfires was to invest heavily in modern vehicles and equipment. Powered pumps like the trailer-mounted Coventry Climax (Godiva) gave firefighters a much greater capacity than ever before to put the “wet stuff on the red stuff”. Its four-cylinder, four-stroke, water-cooled, petrol motor produced 38Hp and was connected with either 1½ inch or 2½ inch canvas hose for direct attack, or as a filler pump it could deliver 300 gallons per minute at 120 psi. Some of the first acquisitions included this war surplus veteran shipped over from the London after the blitz bombings of WW2. Fire pump mounted on trailer Two lengths of suction hose, nozzles and some tools.Coventry Climax Serial 3844 FCV No 24fire pump, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Locomotive Head Board - Commissioners Inspection Train Tin head board with gold, black and red vinyl. Climax, Puffing Billy, Commissioners Inspection Train, commissioners special, head board When Made - 1989 Historic - Puffing Billy Railway Locomotive Head Board - use on the Climax Locomotive - Commissioners Inspection TrainLocomotive Head Board - Commissioners Inspection Train Tin head board with gold, black and red vinyl. Emerald Tourist Railway Board Commissioners Inspection Train Belgrave Victoriaclimax, puffing billy, commissioners inspection train, commissioners special, head board

Lamp fitted to Coventry Climax pump trialerforests commission victoria (fcv), fire pump, bushfire

A wooden racquet with a concave throat. The throat on obverse features the inscription: CLIMAX. Below inscription is the Horsman 'centaur' trademark in black and gold. Materials: Wood, Gut, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Ink, Paint, Leather, Cloth tapetennis

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2001. Crowning glory: to raise funds for extensions to st Aidan's Orphanage, a series of ''queen'' competitions were held throughout the Diocese of Sandhurst. After months of fetes, raffles, house parties, dances, etc; the grand final climax was the crowning of the ''queen'' at the Princess Theatre. Pictured is Lil Delaney as the ''queen'', two standing are Alma Waldron and Carmel McInerny and the train bearers are Gloria Patten and Peg Elliot; circa 1926. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Buff coloured letter dated 11th March 1965, stating the Council has "decided that as a fitting climax to the ceremony of conferring upon the Unit (Royal Engineers 3 Division) the Freedom of Entry to Ringwood, a Ball be held at the Unit's depot in Dublin road, Ringwood east, on the night of the ceremony - that is, the 27th March next" Proceeds to the appeal for erection of the proposed Maroondah Cojmmunity Hospital. Invitation signed by B.J. Hubbard, Mayor - City of Ringwod Note: At the time of cataloguing (May 2024), no photos of the Ball have been found, nor any reference to the Ball in local newspapers. Ref A/1/9, Town Hall, Ringwood

Account page from the Northern Seed Supply Co., 315 Hargreaves St., Bendigo. Printed in dark blue with decoration around the name. On the left side are the name of the companies they are distributors for. They are: F H Brunning Pty Ltd, Destruxol Sprays, Manning's Cattle and Poultry Spice, Wolseley and 'Climax' Cream Separators, Ruddock's Stock Medicines, Freezing Works Manures, Floraphos, Ransome's Motor & Electric Lawn Mowers, Dunlop Perdriau Garden and Spray Hose, Donaghy's Binder Twine, Fowler's Bottling Outfits, Charters' Incubators, Elephant and Blue-Bell Sprays, and Brunnings.business, printers, cambridge press, cambridge press collection, the northern seed supply co, c k hyett, f h brunning pty ltd, destruxol sprays, manning's cattle and poultry spice, wolseley and 'climax' cream separators, ruddock's stock medicines, freezing works manures, floraphos, ransome's motor & electric lawn mowers, dunlop perdriau garden and spray hose, donaghy's binder twine, fowler's bottling outfits, charters' incubators, elephant and blue-bell sprays, brunnings

Len Lukey was a Victorian Racing Car Driver in the 1950s & 1960s and established his Car Exhaust Muffler business in his backyard in Highett c 1970. In 1964 he purchased the site and then developed and operated the Phillip Island Car Racing Track until his death 1978. He designed the Lukey Racing Car Museum and Gardens at that site. The 1959 Australian Drivers Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Formula Libre cars. The championship winner was awarded the 1959 CAMS Gold Star. The series was won by Victorian racer Len Lukey driving his Cooper T45 Climax and in the opening round of the series his own much modified Cooper T23 which was known as the Lukey-Bristol. Lukey was one of only a few drivers who attempted to complete the gruelling twelve race schedule, the longest in ADC history. Lukey finished just two points ahead of his season long rival, Alec Mildren from the ACT [1] (Cooper-Climax). Stan Jones, the father of F1 World Champion Alan Jones, was third in the championship, using four different cars over the course of the series. Race victories were shared around with Mildren taking three wins. Lukey, Jones and Bill Patterson each took two wins, with single victories going to Jack Brabham, Bib Stillwell and New Zealand Maserati 250F racer Ross Jensen. Jack Brabham later became F1 World Champion 3 times. A steel bottle opener with engraved advertising for Lukey Mufflers Pty Ltd HighettAlong Shaft : LUKEY MUFFLERS / HIGHETT VICTORIA / XL 3641car part manufacturers, lukey mufflers pty ltd, highett, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, early settlers, bottle openers, steel manufacturer, brabham jack, formula one grand prix champions, jones alan, phillip island car racing track.

The Museum was first considered in 1963 when it was felt that Victorian narrow gauge railway history was quickly being destroyed by progress. Originally it was planned to only cater for two locomotives and some rolling stock associated with the Moe and Walhalla Railway. Construction of the site commenced on Labour Day Weekend in March 1964, the area was then fenced. The first exhibit arrived soon after and companies with locomotives and other railway features offered items to the Museum. When interesting exhibits from the "Steam Era " were known to be coming available,discussions were held with the owners in an attempt to obtain the item for preservation. In 1965 an Umbrella style shed was built and by May, the first locomotive ex Erica State Saw Mill (CLIMAX) had arrived. The Museum was opened to the public in November 1970 but was officially opened by His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe on Saturday 7th April 1973.Historic - Puffing Billy Museum Entry SignPuffing Billy Museum Entry Sign Rectangular hand painted sign in use from 1970.Puffing Billy Museum This is one of the Volunteer activities of The Puffing Billy Preservation Society Preserving part of our National Heritage Proud to Help Preserve Australia's Heritage puffing billy, menzies creek, sir rohan delacombe, narrow gauge, steam

Purple hardcovered book153 pages plus 20 figures. Contents inlcude: Introduction to Entimology, classification of insects, quarantine rules, Woolly Aphis, Codlin Moth, Curve-winged Apple moth, Apple-tree borer, Apple-bark Scale, Apple Beetle, Red Spider, Harlequin Fruit Bug, Pear and Cherry Slug, Rutherglen Fly-pest, Cherry borer, Pear Phytoptus. Coloured plates (by C. Brittlebank)of insects and figures (by Hart Vonarx) include the Knowles' Pump, Charnwood Spray, Danks' Lever Spray Pump, Spawn's Climax Spray, Apparatus for Sparying Orange Trees, Strawsonizer, French Portable Hand Spraying Machine, Lowe and Park's Insect Exterminator, Greenhill Codlin Moth Lamp, Wolfskill Fumigator, Tutus Fumigator, Oliver Fumigator, Agitator Spray PumpBookplate - Ballarat School of Mines Ballaarat No 1201. Presented by Secretary for Agriculture, Melbourne, 14th July 1891 insects, pumps, c brittlebank, hart vonarx, c french

Footprint Tools is a hand tool manufacturer based in Sheffield, England. In 2014 most of their hand tools were still made in Sheffield at the Footprint factory. Footprint Tools can trace its manufacturing history as far back as the 1760s when Alfrid Ridge & Sons was established as a manufacturer of woodworking tools. Ridge was bought by the current owning family in 1932. The Footprint brand originates from 1875 when Thomas R Ellin, a member of a cutlery manufacturing family, started a tool manufacturing business under the brand "Footprint". This subsequently became known as Thomas R Ellin (Footprint Works). This company was bought by the current owning family in 1948 and began to manufacture a range of tools under the Footprint, Domino, Climax, John Bull, and Clinker brands. During World War 2 the divisions of the business were engaged in manufacturing hand tools for British and Commonwealth forces. After the war Footprint continued to grow, manufacture, and expand its range of hand tools for the professional tradesman. In 2008 Footprint moved to a larger factory and invested in new forging equipment, but this process was interrupted by a global recession, and Footprint was unable to generate enough business to cover the cost of the upgrades. In early 2009 the company was forced to liquidate and lay off its staff to pay creditors. The Jewitt family retained the brand and intellectual property, and later that year revived the company under the name Footprint Sheffield and began producing a smaller range of products at first. With the same family of owner-managers, now run by the fourth generation, in 2015 Footprint continues to manufacture most of their products in Sheffield, England, and exports worldwide.This item gives us a look into the history of the beginnings of an early company that made tools in Sheffield England and is still producing tools today.Ring Auger, Double Twist with Lead Screw, bit 1" with round shaft Imprinted 'footprint' trademarkflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Footprint Tools is a hand tool manufacturer based in Sheffield, England. In 2014 most of their hand tools are still made in Sheffield at the Footprint factory. Footprint Tools can trace its manufacturing history as far back as the 1760s when Alfrid Ridge & Sons was established as a manufacturer of wood working tools. Ridge was bought by the current owning family in 1932. The Footprint brand originates from 1875 when Thomas R Ellin, a member of a cutlery manufacturing family, started a tool manufacturing business under the brand “Footprint”. This subsequently became known as Thomas R Ellin (Footprint Works). This company was bought by the current owning family in 1948 and began to manufacture a range of tools under the Footprint, Domino, Climax, John Bull and Clinker brands. During World War 2 the divisions of the business were engaged in manufacturing hand tools for British and Commonwealth forces. After the war Footprint continued to grow, manufacture and expand its range hand tools for the professional tradesman. In 2004, Footprint cooperated with the University of Sheffield in a study of modern manufacturing techniques. In 2008 Footprint moved to a larger factory and invested in new forging equipment, but this process was interrupted by a global recession, and Footprint was unable to generate enough business to cover the cost of the upgrades. In early 2009 the company was forced to liquidate and lay off its staff in order to pay creditors. The Jewitt family retained the brand and intellectual property, and later that year revived the company under the name Footprint Sheffield, and began producing a smaller range of products at first. With the same family of owner managers, now run by the fourth generation, in 2015 Footprint continues to manufacture most products in Sheffield, England and exports worldwide.A tool that was made by a UK company in the 1950s that has a long history of tool manufacture and after many changes in company ownership is still producing tools today in Sheffield England.Screw driver wooden handle turned and steel blade. Made in Sheffield by Alfrid Ridge and Son. London patternNoneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, screw driver, alfrid ridge & son, footprint tools, tools

TACL-Tractor Appliance Company Limited TACL rail tractors manufactured by Malcolm Moore of Port Melbourne Located in the Parishes of Moondarra and Telbit, Gippsland, the tramway terminated at Collins Siding on the Moe Walhalla 2'6"gauge branch of the Victorian Railways. Its construction by the Forests Commission of Victoria was to facilitate the extraction of timber from the Southern and Western slopes of Mount Erica and to replace the outlet tramways destroyed during the disastrous forest fires of February 1926. Tyers Valley Tramway The line, following the Eastern arm of the river, passed Ingrams Siding (7m.) to terminate at a forest area, known as "Ten Acre Block", 8m. 60c. from Collins Siding. The western branch of the line followed the Western Tyers Valley to Growlers Creek, 13m. 40c. from Collins Siding. THE T.A.C.L. TRACTORS at Tyers Valley tramway. On the 19th January 1928, T.A.C.L. locomotive, purchased from Tractor Appliance Co. Ltd. (Malcolm Moore), was delivered. This unit had a 20 h.p. Fordson engine coupled by a chain drive to the two axles, providing a tractive effort of approx. 2000lbs. Wheelbase was 5’ and weight was four tons. It was intended that the two tractor locomotives, working with the grade, would deliver timber from the branch lines to Tyers Junction, from which place it would be steam hauled out to the Collins Siding transfer point. Following a breakdown of the steam locomotive, haulage during the early months of 1928 was carried out by the T.A.C.L. unit, supplemented by the Nattrass, which was, by this time, becoming unreliable. During April 1928, after ensuring that no suitable locomotive was available in Australia, an order was placed with the Climax Manufacturing Co., U.S.A. for the supply of a geared locomotive. A second T.A.C.L. engine was purchased during May and, on the 27th, the local mill owners, having obtained running rights on the tramway, commenced haulage with the Harman. The three tractor units worked the branch lines and transported ballast, whilst the Harman hauled the timber to Collins Siding in rakes of eight trucks (56 tons). The weekly loading of the line for the first, second and third weeks were 54, 62 and 71 trucks respectively. info from : http://www.nmra.org.au/tyersvalley/Tyers-Tram.html Historic - Industrial Narrow gauge Railway - Timber working - Rail Tractor used by the the Forests Commission of Victoria on the Tyers Valley TramwayRail Tractor with Fordson engine coupled by a chain drive to the two axles - made of steel and wrought ironerica sawmill, puffing billy, tacl, rail tractor, tractor appliance co. ltd. (malcolm moore), industrial narrow gauge railway, tyers valley tramway, forests commission of victoria

An Irish barrister, politician, Member of Parliament (M.P.), and the founder and first leader of a number of Irish nationalist parties and organisations, including the Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society in 1836, the Home Government Association in 1870 and in 1873 the Home Rule League. (Wikipedia) After being called to the bar in 1838, Butt quickly established a name for himself as a brilliant barrister. He was known for his opposition to the Irish nationalist leader Daniel O'Connell's campaign for the repeal of the Act of Union.[4] He also lectured at Trinity College, Dublin, in political economy. His experiences during the Great Famine led him to move from being an Irish unionist and an Orangeman[5] to supporting a federal political system for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland that would give Ireland a greater degree of self-rule. This led to his involvement in Irish nationalist politics and the foundation of the Home Rule League. Butt was instrumental in fostering links between Constitutional and Revolutionary nationalism through his representation of members of the Fenians Society in court. (Wikipedia) He began his career as a Tory politician on Dublin Corporation. He was Member of Parliament for Youghal from 1852 to 1865, and for Limerick from 1871 to 1879 (at the 1852 general election he had also been elected for the English constituency of Harwich, but chose to sit for Youghal). The failed Fenian Rising in 1867 strengthened Butt's belief that a federal system was the only way to break the dreary cycle of inefficient administration punctuated by incompetent uprisings.[6] In 1870 he founded the Irish Home Government Association. This was in no sense a revolutionary organisation. It was designed to mobilise public opinion behind the demand for an Irish parliament, with, as he put it, "full control over our domestic affairs."[6] He believed that Home Rule would promote friendship between Ireland and her neighbour to the east. In November 1873 Butt replaced the Association with a new body, the Home Rule League, which he regarded as a pressure-group, rather than a political party. In the General Election the following year, 59 of its members were elected. However, most of those elected were men of property who were closer to the Liberal cause.[7] In the meantime Charles Stewart Parnell had joined the League, with more radical ideas than most of the incumbent Home Rulers, and was elected to Parliament in a by-election in County Meath in 1875.[8] Butt had failed to win substantial concessions at Westminster on the things that mattered to most Irish people: an amnesty for the Fenians of '67, fixity of tenure for tenant-farmers and Home Rule. Although they worked to get Home Rulers elected, many Fenians along with tenant farmers were dissatisfied with Butt's gentlemanly approach to have bills enacted, although they did not openly attack him, as his defence of the Fenian prisoners in '67 still stood in his favour.[9] However, soon a Belfast Home Ruler, Joseph Gillis Biggar (then a senior member of the IRB), began making extensive use of the ungentlemanly tactic of "obstructionism" to prevent bills being passed by the house. When Parnell entered Parliament he took his cue from John O'Connor Power and Joseph Biggar and allied himself with those Irish members who would support him in his obstructionist campaign. MPs at that time could stand up and talk for as long as they wished on any subject. This caused havoc in Parliament. In one case they talked for 45 hours non-stop, stopping any important bills from being passed. Butt, ageing, and in failing health, could not keep up with this tactic and considered it counter-productive. In July 1877 Butt threatened to resign from the party if obstruction continued, and a gulf developed between himself and Parnell, who was growing steadily in the estimation of both the Fenians and the Home Rulers.[10] The climax came in December 1878, when Parliament was recalled to discuss the war in Afghanistan. Butt considered this discussion too important to the British Empire to be interrupted by obstructionism and publicly warned the Irish members to refrain from this tactic. He was fiercely denounced by the young Nationalist John Dillon, who continued his attacks with considerable support from other Home Rulers at a meeting of the Home Rule League in February 1879. Although he defended himself with dignity, Butt, and all and sundry, knew that his role in the party was at an end.[11] Butt, who had been suffering from bronchitis, had a stroke the following May and died within a week. He was replaced by William Shaw, who in turn was replaced by Charles Stewart Parnell in 1880. (Wikipedia)Image of a man known as Isaac Butt.

Index, ill, p.486.non-fictionDrawing material from the Imperial War Museum's extensive aural archive, Joshua Levine brings together voices from both sides of the Blitz and the Battle of Britain to give us a unique, complete and compelling picture of this turbulent time. We hear from the soldiers, airmen, fire-fighters, air-raid wardens and civilians, people in the air and on the ground, on both sides of the battle, giving us a thrilling account of Britain under siege. With first-hand testimonies from those involved in Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, Black Saturday on 7th September 1940 when the Luftwaffe began the Blitz, to its climax on the 10th May 1941, this is the definitive oral history of a period when Britain came closer to being overwhelmed by the enemy than at any other time in modern history.battle of britain 1940 - personal narratives, the blitz

p.426fictionThe year young Australians sailed off to war in high hopes of adventure, only to find themselves faced with disaster. The tragedy and violence of Gallipoli provide the climax to this very personal, moving and surprisingly romantic story. With remarkable skill and in achingly beautiful prose, Roger McDonald takes the reader on an archetypal Australian journey which parallels the nation's progress from its country childhood, through the adolescent exuberance of its young cities, to initiation on one of the world's ancient battlefields. It is a vital journey, haunted by menace and disillusionment, one embedded in our national mythology. This astonishing first novel, published to great critical acclaim in 1979 and since then selling over 100,000 copies, tells the story of two boys from the bush, the thoughtful and awkward Walter and his knowing friend Billy Mackenzie, and their girls Frances and Diana. Together they discover a future which seems full of promise, drawing them into the exciting turmoil of passion and war. But theirs is a fateful alliance, in a world all too quickly passing, with an outcome they never could have foreseen.gallipoli campaign - fiction, world war 1914-1918 - fiction

Index, ill, maps, p.251.non-fictionThe climax of this book is an account of the Battle of Long Tan, which is told here by the most senior ranking Australian soldier to survive the battle. vietnam conflict 1961-1975 - history, vietnam conflict - australian involvement, battle of long tan

p.429.fictionPortrays the married life of Henrietta Stuart, known as Minette, who married into the French royal family in the mid-seventeenth century. In particular it focuses on her careful diplomatic relationship with her brother Charles II, climaxing in the Treaty of Doverengland - fiction, historical fiction

ill, p160.non-fictionAustralia's colourful American locomotives describes the livery of American locomotives at the time of their import to Australia. With the exception of Shay and Climax geared locomotives, it includes all known American steam locomotives in the nineteenth centurylocomotives -- australia -- history, locomotives -- design and construction -- united states -- history

Index, ill, maps, p.303.non-fictionWhen tanks, the newly invented British weapon, were used for the first time in a mass attack on November 20 1917, they not only achieved one of the most remarkable successes of the First World War but set the pattern for the future of mechanized warfare. For the first time in three years of bloody trench warfare, epitomized by the slaughter at Passchendaele which was then reaching its climax, tanks brought about a breakthrough of the massive German defense system of the Hindenburg Line, followed up by British infantry and cavalry divisions. They were supported for the first time by low flying. tanks - history, france - campaigns - passchaendaele

Index, p.388.non-fictionThe ignominious fall of Singapore to the Japanese in February 1942 marked the climax of the greatese crisis in Anglo-Australian relations - Britain's inexcusable betrayal of Australia in time of war. Until World War II, Australia had always rushed to the Imperial colours, confident that just as Australian blood was shed for the Mother Country, so too would British Blood be in the defence of Australia. But in 1939 Australia lay wide open to attack, her defences practically non-existent, and she was reluctant to commit her meagre forces overseas. Her objections were overcome, however, by an unequivocal British promise to protect her from a Japanese attack, so she sent troops and ships to the northern hemisphere, leaving Singapore naval base as the cornerstone of her own defence policy. Britain's promise to defend Australia was made with little concern for the possibility of its ever being implemented and, certainly, in 1939 a direct threat to Australia looked unlikely. During 1940 and 1941, however, the threat from Japan increased, while Britain's ability to counter it weakened. Yet the British government resisted calls to strengthen the Far Eastern Defence, continually reassuring Australia that the Japanese threat would not materialize and that, even if it did, Britain could still contain it. Then the inconceivable happened: in December 1941 the Japanese decimated the US fleet at Pearl Harbour and in early 1942 took Singapore, leaving Australia suddenly in immediate peril. But the oft-repeated promise to defend the Dominion came to nought. And, at the most crucial time in Australia's history, Churchill tried to prevent substantial American forces from being sent to the pacific, and even attempted to delay the repatriation of Australian troops needed for defence. Thus Britain deliberately left Australia at the mercy of Japan, using her to divert and delay the Japanese thrust westwards towards India and the Middle East...[inside front and back cover]. This compelling and controversial book reveals how in 1942 Churchill, in an attempt to delay an attack on India, left Australia at the mercy of the Japanese by trying to prevent American forces being sent to the Pacific. Drawing on a wealth of sources, including many previously unavailable to historians, David Day exposes a saga of empty promises and asks serious questions about the past and future relationship between Britain and Australia. Collapse summary worls war 1939-1945 - diplomatic history, australia - foreign relations - britain