Robert Powell's agreeable narration takes us through the experience of the Australian/New Zealand troops of World War II, colonial who played a large and difficult part in both of England's wars with Germany. Mismanagement saw to it that they suffered grievously at Gallipoli. In the second war, they mustered several divisions out of a total population of about two million people. All of Australia had a population about the same as Houston, Texas, has now.
New Zealanders tend to be more reserved than the Aussies, but I have to admit I love the Aussies. They're brash, industrious, cheerful, they have a good sense of humor, a marvelous slang lexicon, and they enjoy beer and sports. They had a keenly developed taste for singing too -- "Waltzing Matilda," yes, but also Nelly Melba and Dame Joan Sutherland. And that's not to mention Naomi Watts, Cate Blanchett, and Nicole Kidman. I could get used to these Olympian generalization with little effort. I just mention national character because it plays a role in their combat performance and because I had some mates when I lived in the Pacific.
Anyway, many of the Anzacs were sent to North Africa, where they acquitted themselves honorably during Rommel's siege of Tobruk -- an isolated British outpost on the Mediterranean coast.
These battles were fought in the early years. When the Japanese entered, bombing Pearl Harbor, and invading Malaya, they threatened the British stronghold of Singapore. If they took Singapore, it would be a disaster, not simply because of the loss of the city but because it would put the Japanese within easier distance of Australia and New Zealand.
It was a disaster, again through weaknesses in management. The Japanese were expected to attack Singapore directly from the sea. Instead they landed north of the city, on the Malayan coast, and advanced faster than anyone had anticipated -- by riding bicycles instead of marching. When Singapore fell, it was a route, with drunken soldiers deserting and looting the shops. A significant number remained behind as coast watchers for the Allies.
Australia then called some of its forces back from Africa for home defense. They were desperately needed. The Japanese had occupied the northern coast of New Guinea and were moving over the Kokoda trail to take Port Moresby as a staging area for an invasion of the Anzac's homeland.
The first opposition to the Japanese advance came from lightly trained Australian militia aided by local tribesmen. Conditions were abominable. It was the worst kind of jungle fighting in the mud, up and down hills, along a narrow trail. Neither side in the conflict realized just how difficult movement would be or the effects of heat and disease would be on their men.
Eventually the Japanese were driven off -- those who had survived. Anzac operations continued in the Mediterranean and in the South Pacific until the end of the war. Their contribution to the Allied victory was out of all proportion to their numbers.
This is an exceptional series, all in all. It may be a little easier on some of the leadership than other sources.
New Zealanders tend to be more reserved than the Aussies, but I have to admit I love the Aussies. They're brash, industrious, cheerful, they have a good sense of humor, a marvelous slang lexicon, and they enjoy beer and sports. They had a keenly developed taste for singing too -- "Waltzing Matilda," yes, but also Nelly Melba and Dame Joan Sutherland. And that's not to mention Naomi Watts, Cate Blanchett, and Nicole Kidman. I could get used to these Olympian generalization with little effort. I just mention national character because it plays a role in their combat performance and because I had some mates when I lived in the Pacific.
Anyway, many of the Anzacs were sent to North Africa, where they acquitted themselves honorably during Rommel's siege of Tobruk -- an isolated British outpost on the Mediterranean coast.
These battles were fought in the early years. When the Japanese entered, bombing Pearl Harbor, and invading Malaya, they threatened the British stronghold of Singapore. If they took Singapore, it would be a disaster, not simply because of the loss of the city but because it would put the Japanese within easier distance of Australia and New Zealand.
It was a disaster, again through weaknesses in management. The Japanese were expected to attack Singapore directly from the sea. Instead they landed north of the city, on the Malayan coast, and advanced faster than anyone had anticipated -- by riding bicycles instead of marching. When Singapore fell, it was a route, with drunken soldiers deserting and looting the shops. A significant number remained behind as coast watchers for the Allies.
Australia then called some of its forces back from Africa for home defense. They were desperately needed. The Japanese had occupied the northern coast of New Guinea and were moving over the Kokoda trail to take Port Moresby as a staging area for an invasion of the Anzac's homeland.
The first opposition to the Japanese advance came from lightly trained Australian militia aided by local tribesmen. Conditions were abominable. It was the worst kind of jungle fighting in the mud, up and down hills, along a narrow trail. Neither side in the conflict realized just how difficult movement would be or the effects of heat and disease would be on their men.
Eventually the Japanese were driven off -- those who had survived. Anzac operations continued in the Mediterranean and in the South Pacific until the end of the war. Their contribution to the Allied victory was out of all proportion to their numbers.
This is an exceptional series, all in all. It may be a little easier on some of the leadership than other sources.
