Full Description
Lieutenant General Sir Frank Berryman is one of the most important, yet relatively unknown officers in the history of the Australian Army. Despite his reputedly caustic personality and noted conflicts with some senior officers, Berryman was crucial to Australia's success during the Second World War. But did the man known as 'Berry the Bastard' deserve his reputation? Bold, calculating and talented, Berryman was at the forefront of operations that led to the defeat of the Japanese, and his operational planning secured Australia's victories at Bardia, Tobruk and in New Guinea during the Pacific War. With access to rare private papers, Peter Dean charts Berryman's special relationships with senior US and Australian officers such as MacArthur, Chamberlin, Blamey, Lavarack and Morshead, and explains why the man poised to become the next Chief of General Staff would never fulfil his ambition.
Contents
Introduction; Part I. The Formative Years, 1894-1939: 1. The foundations of a military career; 2. A gunners-war; 3. The bitter-sweet years; Part II. Battle Plans and Command, 1939-1942: 4. North Africa; 5. Bardia and Tobruk; 6. Operation Exporter; Part III. The Pacific War, 1942-1945: 7. War with Japan; 8. New Guinea force; 9. Operation Postern; 10. Reconquest; 11. Two armies - two headquarters; Part IV. The Post-World War, 1946-1981: 12. All careers must come to an end; Conclusion. In reflection, 1894-1941.
