Assault Brigade

The 18th Australian Infantry Brigade in World War II

Australian Army History Series

By Matthew E. Miller

Published by Cambridge University Press

RRP $59.95 in hardback | ISBN 9781009431811

 

Professor Peter Stanley, as General Editor of the Australian Army History series, has continued on the fine tradition of his predecessors, including Professor David Horner, of overseeing the production of academically rigorous histories for the Army History series, which has been enhanced by the notably long association with the highly esteemed Cambridge University Press.

In this latest in the series, Matthew Miller, who completed a PhD in History at the Australian Defence Force Academy, UNSW, explores the role of the 18^th Australian Infantry Brigade in World War II.

The 18^th Brigade was activated as part of the 6^th Australian Division on 13 October 1939 and consisted of soldiers from Queensland, yet its transition to a ‘jungle brigade’ came late.

The Brigade fought its first South West Pacific Area (SWPA) campaign at Milne Bay without the benefit of jungle warfare training. In the end, the infantry brigade, as an intermediate formation commanding multiple infantry battalions and numerous attached units, was key in Australian efforts to secure victory.

The 18th Infantry Brigade participated in a variety of combat operations with a range of allies allowing it rare experience among Australian units. Its involvement in operations from Europe to the Middle East and onto the Pacific ensured that it was one of the most modern brigades at the close of the war.

Assault Brigade examines the challenges and development of the Australian Army’s 18th Infantry Brigade throughout World War II, via the campaigns fought across the SWPA, highlighting lessons learnt and adaptations implemented as a result of each battle.

Written by a Senior Historian with over thirty years of active and reserve service, this book presents the first thorough examination of the Australian 18th infantry brigade in World War II and its evolution during that time.

VERDICT: A book for the serious student of military history and the leaders of tomorrow’s Army.