Media: BOOK - paperback, 288 pages
Author: M. Johnston
Year: 2005
ISBN: 9781741146431
Other: b&w photos, maps, appendixes, bibliog, index
Publisher: Allen & Unwin

A comprehensive illustrated history of the Australian 9th Division during WWII. This is a unique and powerful visual history of the men who fought in the 9th Australian Division. Many never before published photographs, some from veterans' private collections, illustrate dramatic and confronting stories of Tobruk, El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo.

The 9th Division gained renown as 'Rats of Tobruk' in 1941. They were eulogised as 'that magnificent 9th' by General Montgomery after the battle of El Alamein in 1942, and drew praise from their formidable opponent, Field Marshal Rommel.

In 1943, the Division joined the war against Japan and served with distinction in New Guinea - undertaking the largest amphibious landing by Australian forces since Gallipoli-and in two controversial campaigns in Borneo.

These evocative photographs show the human face of war but also demonstrate the Australian digger's ability to find humour in the most unlikely circumstances. but also looks at them when resting. It discusses famous individuals, such as senior officers and medal winners, but also the common soldiers who comprised the majority of this extraordinary formation. Their dramatic, trying and often moving experiences are central to the story. A series of tables provides much previously unavailable information on the division's casualties, medals and commanders. Mark Johnston brings to bear the fruits of years of research on the Australian Army in World War II, and on 'that magnificent 9th' in particular.

Contents:
List of maps
Acknowledgements
Conventions and Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Origins and early days
2. Tobruk: crisis and survival
3. Tobruk: endurance and relief
4. Syrian interlude
5. Return to the desert: El Alamein, July 1942
6. The static period: El Alamein, August-22 October 1942
7. Climax at El Alamein
8. Ho-Ho-Home in 1943
9. New Guinea, new laurels
10. New Guinea: winning the high ground
11. 'Frustrated isolation': Australia, February 1944-April 1945
12. Tarakan
13. North Borneo
14. Conclusions
Appendix 1: 9th Division casualties
Appendix 2: 9th Division honours and awards
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index