Australia 1943: The Liberation of New Guinea

Cambridge University Press, 9/27/2013
EAN 9781107037991, ISBN10: 1107037999

Hardcover, 337 pages, 23.1 x 15.2 x 2.8 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English

By January 1943, Australia had emerged from the shadow of war in a strong position. The victories in 1942 at Kokoda, Guadalcanal, Buna, Gona and Sanananda had secured the northern coastlines of Papua and Australia. Australian forces were now poised for a full scale offensive to liberate New Guinea from the Japanese, the largest and most complicated operations in their history. Australia 1943 explores the high point of Australia's influence on operations and strategy in the South West Pacific, a campaign that has been traditionally overshadowed by the drama of Kokoda. It investigates critical operations from January 1943 to April 1944, including Salamaua, Lae/Nadzab, Finschhafen, Shaggy Ridge, the Markham Valley and the Huon Peninsula. Australia 1943 is the first detailed single-volume study of Australia's military operations in the Pacific during 1943 - Australia's 'finest hour' in the Second World War.

Introduction Peter Dean
1. MacArthur and Curtin
deciding Australian war strategy in 1943 David Horner
2. MacArthur's war
strategy, command and plans for the 1943 offensive Peter Dean
3. The Japanese Army's search for a new South Pacific strategy, 1943 Hiroyuki Shindo
4. On the offensive
US operations in the Southwest Pacific Area and the South Pacific Ocean Area in 1943 Kevin C. Holzimmer
5. Perspiration, inspiration, frustration
the RAAF in New Guinea in 1943 Mark Johnston
6. The naval perspective
the RAN in 1943 Ian Pfenningwerth
7. Logistics and the Cartwheel operations Ross Mallett
8. The 'Salamaua magnet' Karl James
9. From the air, sea and land
the capture of Lae Peter Dean
10. The Markham-Ramu Valley operation Lachlan Grant
11. Applying the principles of war
securing the Huon Peninsula Garth Pratten.