High Command: Australia's Struggle for an Independent War Strategy, 1939–1945 (Routledge Library Editions: Historical Security Book 7)

Since it was first published in 1982, High Command had become the standard reference for anyone interested in Australia's participation in the Second World War, this edition was originally published in 1992. The 50th anniversary of battles such as Singapore, Coral Sea and Kokoda in 1942 re-awakened interest in these milestones in Australia's struggle for independence. Despite the well-known exploits of Australian servicemen in a score of famous battles, Australia's contribution to the war was ultimately determined by the strategic policy-makers in Canberra, Washington and London. How competent were our politicians, military leaders and advisers in formulating our own war strategy? How much did the performance of Australian troops on the battlefield affect our ability to influence allied strategy? The author describes the clash between Generals Rowell and Blamey in Greece. He reveals the impact of the secretary of the Department of Defence, Sir Frederick Shedden, on strategic policy-making. He analyses the role of intelligence, especially signals intelligence, in allied strategy. He shows how Blamey's miscalculation in 1944 removed any chance of Australian troops joining the Americans in the Philippines. And he reveals how a British admiral challenged the authority of the Australian government. High Command presents the remarkable, full story of the political battles behind the military battles. 1. The Birth of Independent Air Power: British Policy in the First World War Malcolm Cooper (1986)2. Douglas Haig, 1861-1928 Gerard J. DeGroot (1988)3. Decision by Default: Peacetime Conscription and British Defence 1919-39 Peter Dennis (1972)4. Saratoga: The Decisive Battle Rupert Furneaux (1971)5. Studies in Secret Diplomacy: During the First World War W. W. Gottlieb (1957)6. The Commanders: Australian Military Leadership in the Twentieth Century D. M. Horner (Ed.) (1984)7. High Command: Australia's Struggle for an Independent War Strategy 1939-1945 David Horner (1992)8. Warfare in the Twentieth Century: Theory and Practice Colin McInnes & G. D. Sheffield (Eds) (1988)9. Strategy Without Slide-Rule: British Air Strategy, 1914-1939 Barry D. Powers (1986)10. Swords and Covenants Adrian Preston & Peter Dennis (1976)11. War and State Making: The Shaping of the Global Powers Karen A. Rasler & William R. Thompson (1989)12. Effects of Chemical Warfare: A Selective Review and Bibliography of British State Papers Andy Thomas, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (1985) This 12-volume set contains titles originally published between 1957 and 1992. International in scope, the set looks at security and military history covering several battles, particularly the first and second world wars. Highlighting the difference between theory and practice, it also explores the people involved in the policy making and strategy of war, and the leaders tasked with carrying those decisions out. This 12 volume set looks at security and military history covering several battles, particularly the first and second world wars. Highlighting the difference between theory and practice, it also explores the people involved in the policy making and strategy of war, and the leaders tasked with carrying those decisions out. Since it was first published in 1982, this title had become the standard reference for anyone interested in Australia’s participation in the Second World War, this edition was originally published in 1992. The book presents the remarkable, full story of the political battles behind the military battles.