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Thoroughly researched and generously illustrated, Australia 1944-45 is the compelling final instalment in Peter Dean's Pacific War series.
List of contents
Introduction; Part I. Strategy: 1. Advancing national interests: deciding Australia's war strategy 1944�45 David Horner; 2. The Southwest Pacific area: military strategy and operations 1944� Peter J. Dean and Kevin Holzimmer; 3. Holding on to the finish: the Japanese Army in the South and Southwest Pacific, 1944� Hiroyuki Shindo; Part II. Australia at War: 4. The prisoner of war experience Joan Beaumont; 5. Total war on the Australian home front 1943� Michael Molkentin; Part III. Green Armour and Special Operations: 6. Learning and adapting for jungle warfare, 1942�45: the Australian and British/Indian armies Daniel Marston; 7. Intelligence and special operations in the Southwest Pacific 1942� John Blaxland; Part IV. The Naval and Air War: the RAN and RAAF 1944�: 8. The RAN at war in 1944� Ian Pfennigwerth; 9. 'On the scrap heap of the Yanks': the RAAF in the Southwest Pacific Area in 1944� Mark Johnston; Part V. The New Guinea Campaign: 10. 'Given a second rate job': operations in Aitape-Wewak and New Britain 1944� Lachlan Grant; 11. More than mopping up: Bougainville Karl James; Part VI. The Borneo Campaign: 12. Amphibious warfare: training and logistics 1942� Rhys Crawley and Peter J. Dean; 13. 'To capture Tarakan': was operation Oboe 1 unnecessary? Tony Hastings and Peter Stanley; 14. Brunei and Labuan Bay Garth Pratten; 15. 'Calling the tune': Australian and Allied operations at Balikpapan Garth Pratten; Afterword: and then came peace? Michael McKernan.
About the author
Dr Peter J. Dean is a Senior Fellow at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Coral Bell School of Asia-Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University where he holds the position of Director of Studies. He is the author/editor of numerous works including Architect of Victory: The Military Career of Lieutenant General Sir Frank Horton Berryman (2011), Australia 1942: In the Shadow of War (2012), Australia 1943: The Liberation of New Guinea (2013) and Australia's Defence: Towards a New Era (2014). He is a member of the editorial board of the journal Global War Studies and managing editor of the journal Security Challenges.
Summary
Australia 1944–45: Victory in the Pacific examines this under-represented period in Australian military history. Peter Dean leads a team of highly regarded military historians in assessing Australian, Allied and Japanese strategies, the conduct of the campaigns in the Southwest Pacific Area and Australia's significant role in achieving victory.
