Australia 1944–45 Victory in the Pacific

The years 1944 and 1945 were pivotal in the development of Australia's approach to strategy during the Second World War and beyond. While the main battlefront of the Pacific War had moved further north, Australian air, land and sea forces continued to make a significant contribution to the Allied campaign and towards achieving Australia's strategic interests and objectives. In New Guinea, Australian operations secured territories and released men from service, while in Borneo a highly successful campaign was clouded by uncertain motives and questionable strategy. Australia 1944?45: Victory in the Pacific examines this complex and fascinating period, which has been largely under-represented 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.

Introduction; Part I. Strategy: 1. Advancing national interests: deciding Australia's war strategy 1944–1945 David Horner; 2. The Southwest Pacific area: military strategy and operations 1944–45 Peter J. Dean and Kevin Holzimmer; 3. Holding on to the finish: the Japanese Army in the South and Southwest Pacific, 1944–45 Hiroyuki Shindo; Part II. Australia at War: 4. The prisoner of war experience Joan Beaumont; 5. Total war on the Australian home front 1943–45 Michael Molkentin; Part III. Green Armour and Special Operations: 6. Learning and adapting for jungle warfare, 1942–1945: the Australian and British/Indian armies Daniel Marston; 7. Intelligence and special operations in the Southwest Pacific 1942–45 John Blaxland; Part IV. The Naval and Air War: the RAN and RAAF 1944–45: 8. The RAN at war in 1944–45 Ian Pfennigwerth; 9. 'On the scrap heap of the Yanks': the RAAF in the Southwest Pacific Area in 1944–45 Mark Johnston; Part V. The New Guinea Campaign: 10. 'Given a second rate job': operations in Aitape-Wewak and New Britain 1944–45 Lachlan Grant; 11. More than mopping up: Bougainville Karl James; Part VI. The Borneo Campaign: 12. Amphibious warfare: training and logistics 1942–45 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.

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.