First Edition. pp. 395 illusts Evaluates the performance of Australian military commanders during World War 2, especially during the Papua New Guinea campaigns. Study of the leadership and military decision-making qualities of senior army officers in the early days of Japan’s Pacific-South East Asia conquest, beginning in 1941. The author finds that Australia’s preperations for war with Japan were inadequate particularly in equipment and strength, but also in planning and strategic forethought . As well as studying those aspects of the war, when Australia faced the possibility of invasion during 1942, Major Horner’s book also examines the performance of senior Australian officers and their relations with their American allies. These were made difficult when the Australian Government handed over command of its forces to the US. Under this structure the tensions that were bound to happen did so and the author in his research discovered material not prevouusly published. In doing so, he has provided a valuable resource for any student of the WWII conflict with Japan, particularly the New Guinea and adjacent campaigns of the South West Pacific theatre. Dustjacket laminate lifting (as usual).