Inside the War Cabinet: Directing Australia's War Effort 1939-45

Two key bodies, the War Cabinet and the Advisory War Council, shaped Australia's expeience in the Second World War. This book describes the inner workings of these bodies. It is the story of how the crucial decisions were made - to respond to the demands of Allies, to meet the challenge of the enemy, to sustain a nation at war and to send men off to combat.Inside The War Cabinet a fascinating glimpse of the work of some of the towering figures of Australian public life. Nine Australian prime ministers were to serve in the War Cabinet or Advisory War Council, including a World War I prime miniter, the fiery Billy Hughes, and the measured Robert Menzies, the consientious John Curtin and the imperturbable Ben Chifley, who were all Prime Ministers during the Second World War. Other participants such as Richard Casey, Percy Spender and the ambitious Herbert Evatt were to achieve high office in the years to come. The politicians were advised by some of Australia's outstanding military leaders such as Generals Sir Thomas Blamey and Sir Brudenell White. They also worked closely with General Douglas MacArthur, who came to Australia in March 1942 as Commander-in-Chief of the South-West Pacific Area.Inside The War Cabinet describes decision-making at a time of maximum peril by means of a series of detailed 'snapshots' as the war unfolds. It tells a dramatic story, which should be compelling reading for all who are interested in the life of Australia.David Horner is a Fellow in the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University. A graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon who served as an infantry platoon commander in Vietnam, Dr Horner is the author and editor of some 17 books on Australian military history, defence and strategy, including High Command (1982), General Vasey's War (1992), When The War Came To Australia (with Joanna Penglase 1992) and The Battles That Shaped Australia (editor, 1994).The main sources for Inside The War Cabinet aHorner, D. M. is the author of 'Inside the War Cabinet: Directing Australia's War Effort 1939-45', published 1996 under ISBN 9781863739689 and ISBN 1863739688.