Inside the War Cabinet: Directing Australia's war effort, 1939-45

by D.M. Horner

How were crucial decisions made during World War II - to allocate resources, sustain a nation at war and send men off to their deaths? Taken from the Australian archives, including classified minutes and notebooks of the War Cabinet, the War Advisory Council and the Prime Minister's War Committee, this book presents original accounts of the making of 15 crucial decisions in Australia's war effort. It provides a look inside Australia's war machine at a time of maximum danger.

296 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1996

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though plodding at times this work provides a different perspective to World War II decision making. The sub-title "Directing Australia's War Effort 1939-45" indicates it is a work on government decision making in a British Commonwealth country. While there was a War Cabinet there was also a War Advisory Council which had "non-government" members, i.e. members of the opposition which created a unified war effort. Some interesting tid-bits come to light regarding WW II history. In February 1941 Aussies recognized an attack on Singapore would come from the rear, the Brits did not.
Aussies thought the Brits were underestimating a possible German counterattack in the 'Western Desert' when they withdrew troops to go to Greece. Rommel's counter attack got close to Cairo. Churchill wanted to send Aussie troops to Rangoon just before it fell to the Japanese.
There was also an "Australia First" movement like the "America First" movement. And the book also alludes to the egoistic nature of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his ability to prevaricate to get his way. Appendix A gives a good idea of how a permanent secretary can be beneficial. Appendix C provides examples of minutes of government meetings.