PRODUCT REVIEW<strong>The</strong> Magnificent 9th -An Illustrated History <strong>of</strong> the9th <strong>Australia</strong>n Division 1940 - 46By Mark JohnstonAllen & Unwin Books 201)2Hani Cover. 272 pages IllustratedReview ed by Paul D. Johnstone•k.-TV \AN II.U StKA l'KI>IIIMIIIV Ol llll VihAl iiKAI.IANDIVISIONI 'MII-4M A K k 1 1 ' 1 l \ ' S I I ) \A key to the success <strong>of</strong> this book is stated within theintroduction when the author remarks how the opportunity toconduct thorough research for this topic will never again beable to be undertaken with the passing <strong>of</strong> so many who werethe 9th Division. This includes the ability to express and shareas an eyewitness accounting the hazards and challenges <strong>of</strong> theWestern Desert, the Jungles <strong>of</strong> South East Asia and NewGuinea.<strong>The</strong> many oral histories, as well as the generousinclusion <strong>of</strong> private collections <strong>of</strong> photographs, contributewidely to the success <strong>of</strong> this book. 1 for one enjoyed howpersonal experiences were so well blended with thechronological journey <strong>of</strong> the raising <strong>of</strong> the 9th Division in1940 and its subsequent adventures until its disbandmentin 1946.<strong>The</strong> book has excellent coverage <strong>of</strong> the 9th's exploits inboth maps and photographs. Many <strong>of</strong> the wide variety <strong>of</strong> thephotographs are from private collections and differ greatlyfrom those so <strong>of</strong>ten repeatedly exhibited in many otherpublications. Perhaps the only downside is that eachillustration does not have a caption beneath it to assist withmore readily identifying the finer details <strong>of</strong> the photograph ormap rather than the bold cross - reference to the photographsduring the prose. <strong>The</strong> author's research is most thorough inthat he actually points out many <strong>of</strong> the staged photographs thatwere constructed for prop-aganda purposes by "Chets Circus"a British photographic unit whose role was to reconstructbattle scenes.Insight and detail is provided into many <strong>of</strong> the experiencesand attitudes that prevailed in the 9th Division during thisperiod. One constant within the book is how poorly armed, illequipped and unprepared these men were for the enormouschallenges laid down before them. Clearly demonstrated is theAIF's ability to scrounge, make do and improvise under some<strong>of</strong> the most hostile and worst conditions, <strong>of</strong>ten channellingwit. courage and humour into a quest for survival andultimately a significant contribution to military victory in thedarkest hours <strong>of</strong> the Second World War. <strong>The</strong> Magnificent 9th- An Illustrated History <strong>of</strong> the 9th <strong>Australia</strong>n Division 1940 -46. is a well researched, well written and well illustratedinformative history and is highly recommended reading.Mutiny on the Globe:<strong>The</strong> Fatal Voyage <strong>of</strong> SamuelComstockBy Thomas Fare!BloomsburyHeffernanPublishingS<strong>of</strong>tcover. 280 pages$ 29.95Reviewed by Doug Steele.I'll be honest. When 1 was first handed a copy <strong>of</strong> this book andread the description on the back cover - 'a fascinating event inNantucket's whaling history' - I thought it looked a bit dulland obscure. Nonetheless. I gave it a go and I'm glad that Idid. I was immediately drawn into a story that is part MobyDick, part Robi.ison Crusoe, and part Mutiny on the Bounty,but what made it all the more engaging is that it is historicalfact. For me. history is at its most fascinating when itdemonstrates how fact can be stranger than fiction.In Mutiny on the Globe Heffernan tells the story <strong>of</strong> SamuelComstock. a young man from 'rugged stock' who was eerilyinsensitive to physical pain, seemingly incapable <strong>of</strong> emotion,a risk taker, a liar, a womaniser who became obsessed with theidea <strong>of</strong> 'native nymphs', and most <strong>of</strong> all. a buddingpsychopath. In a scenario reminiscent <strong>of</strong> Francis FordCoppola's Colonel Kurtz' in Apocalypse Now. Samuel wasobsessed by the idea <strong>of</strong> living the rest <strong>of</strong> his life as the onlywhite man among natives <strong>of</strong> a Pacific island. Samuel believedhe would quickly be elected King, and "once in power hewould make the island a pirate kingdom, launching a nativenavy that would capture everything in sight. His exploitswould turn him into a fable; he would gain immortality as theterror <strong>of</strong> the South Seas." <strong>The</strong> plan devised by Samuel wentlike this: join a whaling ship, sail for the Pacific, kill theCaptain and <strong>of</strong>ficers, take it over, land at an island inhabitedby savages, murder the rest <strong>of</strong> the crew, become king, and turnthe natives into a private army. Simple.Heffernan does a good job <strong>of</strong> tracing the influences onSamuel and his formulation <strong>of</strong> the idea. He then describes inquite gory detail how Samuel goes about conducting themutiny, including how the Captain, <strong>of</strong>ficers and noncooperativecrewmembers all met extremely violent deaths.<strong>The</strong> mutineer's use <strong>of</strong> oversized whaling tools to do the jobis, to say the least, horrifyingly innovative.Having reached the pivotal point in Samuel's grand planfor realising his 'destiny', the remainder <strong>of</strong> the story followsthe consequences for Samuel and the remaining crew.Needless to say. this is where things went awry. Havingreached the Mili Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the mendiscover that the natives' temperament is quite different toSamuel's romantic conception. All but two are killed, and thesurvivors are kept as a mixture between a slave and a pet untila daring rescue almost two years later.Heffernan's treatment <strong>of</strong> the wider historical context inwhich the events took place is an intriguing aspect <strong>of</strong> thisbook. This was a time when growing up in New York wasunimaginably miserable; stagnant and squalid, with anightmarish fire hazard and no reliable water supply. I foundit interesting how Manhattan had an inland lake that had to bedrained and filled when effluents, rubbish, and the dumping<strong>of</strong> dead animals had irreversibly polluted it (while Broadway,on the other hand, was lined by poplars and four-storyhomes). It was a time when harsh reality forced youth tomature quickly: as his Schoolmaster prepared to give Samuel- aged six - the equivalent <strong>of</strong> the cane as punishment formisbehaving, Samuel defiantly warned him "Ah! FriendMark, it will be <strong>of</strong> no use; father has used up a whole poplartree on me. already; but to no purpose." And it was also a timewhen the Pacific was viewed with the same sense <strong>of</strong>immensity, adventurism, mystery, awe and inherent dangerthat we now ascribe to the depths <strong>of</strong> space. Of course, prolificstories nbout remote islands populated by 'vivacious nativegirls' who swam out to meet ships clothed only with 'a largegreen leaf' that was 'generally lost by swimming any length<strong>of</strong> the way' only served to fan the flames in many a youngmai.'s mind.In the end the psychopathology <strong>of</strong> Samuel Comstockovershadows everything else in the Globe story. Describingthis book as 'a fascinating event in Nantucket's whalinghistory' simply does not do it justice. Heffernan deals with thecontributing historical, social, and psychological (or is thatpsycho-pathological?) factors in such a way that the readercan clearly see the storm clouds gathering. Delusion,frustration and deep-seated aggression are clearly conspiringto drive an already unbalanced Samuel <strong>of</strong>f the rails. Andwhen it does happen, it happens in spectacular fashion - andproves that truth really can be stranger than fiction.Notice is hereby given that theANNUAL GENERAL MEETING<strong>of</strong>THE NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIAwill be held at the Brassey Hotel, Belmore Gardens, Barton, ACTOn Friday, 15 November <strong>2002</strong> at 8.00 pmBUSINESS1. To confirm the Minutes <strong>of</strong> the Annual General Meeting held in Canberra on Friday 16 November. 20012. To receive the report <strong>of</strong> the Federal Council, and to consider matters arising3. To receive the financial statements for the year ended 30 June <strong>2002</strong>4. To elect Office Bearers for the <strong>2002</strong>-2003 year as follows:- Federal President- Federal Vice-President-AdditionalVice-Presidents (4)Nominations for these positions are to be lodged with the Honorary Secretary prior to the commencement<strong>of</strong> the meeting.5. General Business:-To deal with any matter notified in writing to the Honorary Secretary by 5 November. <strong>2002</strong>-To approve the continuation in <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> those members <strong>of</strong> the Federal Council who have attained 72 years <strong>of</strong>age. namely John Bird (Vic), Joan Cooper (Tas). Arthur Hewitt (WA). Gwen Hewitt (WA), John Jeppesen(NSW). Tom Kilburn (Vic) and Andrew Robertson (NSW).ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTENDBy order <strong>of</strong> the Federal CouncilRay Corboy, Honorary Federal Secretary, PO Box 309, MtWaverley VIC 3149Telephone (03) 9888 1977 Fax (03) 9888 108334 VOLI NO 4THE NAVYTHE NAVY VOL M NO 4 35
S I \ I I Ml \ I <strong>of</strong> |»< )l l( \<strong>The</strong> strategic background to <strong>Australia</strong>'s security haschanged in recent decades and in some respects becomemore uncertain. <strong>The</strong> <strong>League</strong> believes it is essential that<strong>Australia</strong> develops capability to defend itself, payingparticular attention to maritime defence. <strong>Australia</strong> is. <strong>of</strong>geographical necessity, a maritime nation whose prosperitystrength and safety depend to a great extent on the security<strong>of</strong> the surrounding ocean and island areas, and on seabornetrade.<strong>The</strong> <strong>Navy</strong> <strong>League</strong>:• Believes <strong>Australia</strong> can be defended against attackby other than a super or major maritime power andthat the prime requirement <strong>of</strong> our defence is anevident ability to control the sea and air spacearound us and to contribute to defending essentiallines <strong>of</strong> sea and air communication to our allies.• Supports the ANZUS Treaty and the futurereintegration <strong>of</strong> New Zealand as a full partner.• Urges a close relationship with the nearer ASEANcountries. PNG and the Island Stales <strong>of</strong> the SouthPacific.• Advocates a defence capability which isknowledge-baseu with a prime consideration givento intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.• Advocates the acquisition <strong>of</strong> the most modernarmaments and sensors to ensure that the ADFii'aintains some technological advantages overforces in our general area.• Believes there must be a significant deterrentelement in the <strong>Australia</strong>n Defence Force (ADF)capable <strong>of</strong> powerful retaliation at considerabledistances from <strong>Australia</strong>.• Believes the ADF must have the cap: ,h 'lny toprotect essential shipping at considerable distancesfrom <strong>Australia</strong>, as well as in coastal waters.• Supports the concept <strong>of</strong> a strong modern Air Forceand highly mobile Army, capable <strong>of</strong> island andjungle warfare as well as the defence <strong>of</strong> Northern<strong>Australia</strong>.• Supports the development <strong>of</strong> amphibious forces toensure the security <strong>of</strong> our <strong>of</strong>fshore territories and toenable assistance to be provided by sea as well as byair to friendly island states in our area.• Endorses the transfer <strong>of</strong> responsibility for the coordination<strong>of</strong> Coastal Surveillance to the defenceforce and the development <strong>of</strong> the capability forpatrol and surveillance <strong>of</strong> the ocean areas all aroundthe <strong>Australia</strong>n coast and island territories, includingthe Southern Ocean.• Advocates measures to foster a build-up <strong>of</strong><strong>Australia</strong>n-ow ned shipping to ensure the carriage <strong>of</strong>essential cargoes in war.• Advocates the development <strong>of</strong> a defence industrysupported by strong research and designorganisations capable <strong>of</strong> constructing all neededtypes <strong>of</strong> warships and support vessels and <strong>of</strong>providing systems and sensor integration withthrough-life support.As to the RAN. the <strong>League</strong>:• Supports the concept <strong>of</strong> a <strong>Navy</strong> capable <strong>of</strong> effectiveaction <strong>of</strong>f both East and West coasts simultaneouslyand advocates a gradual build up <strong>of</strong> the Fleet toensure that, in conjunction with the RAAF. this canbe achieved against any force which could bedeployed in our general area.• Is concerned that the <strong>of</strong>fensive and defensivecapability <strong>of</strong> the RAN has decreased markedly inrecent decades and that with the paying-<strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> theDDGs. the Fleet will lack air defence and have areduced capability for support <strong>of</strong> ground forces.• Advocates the very early acquisition <strong>of</strong> the newdestroyers as foreshadowed in the Defence WhilePaper 2.• Advocates ihe acquisition <strong>of</strong> long-range precisionweapons to increase the present limited powerprojection, support and deterrent capability <strong>of</strong> theRAN• Advocates the acquisition <strong>of</strong> the GLOBAL HAWKunmanned surveillance aircraft primarily forolTshore surveillance.• Advocates the acquisition <strong>of</strong> sufficient <strong>Australia</strong>nbuiltafloat support ships to support two naval taskforces with such ships having design flexibility andcommonality <strong>of</strong> build.• Advocates the acquisition at an early date <strong>of</strong>integrated air power in the fleet to ensure that ADFdeployments can be fully ucfcndcd and supportedfrom the sea.• Advocates that all <strong>Australia</strong>n warships should beequipped with some form <strong>of</strong> defence againstmissiles.• Advocates that in any future submarineccnstruction program all forms <strong>of</strong> propulsion beexamined with a view to selecting the mostadvantageous operationally.• Advocates the acquisition <strong>of</strong> an additional 2 or 3updated Collins class submarines.• Supports the maintenance and continuingdevelopment <strong>of</strong> the mine-counter measures forceand a modern hydrographic/oceanographiccapability.• Supports the maintenance <strong>of</strong> an enlarged, flexiblepatrol boat fleet capable <strong>of</strong> operating in severe seastales.• Advocates the retention in a Reserve Fleet <strong>of</strong> Navalvessels <strong>of</strong> potential value in defence emergency.• Supports the maintenance <strong>of</strong> a strong NavalReserve to help crew vessels and aircraft in reserve,or taken up for service, and for specialised tasks intime <strong>of</strong> defence emergency.• Supports the maintenance <strong>of</strong> a strong <strong>Australia</strong>n<strong>Navy</strong> Cadets organisation.<strong>The</strong> <strong>League</strong>:Calls for a bipartisan political approach to nationaldefence with a commitment to a steady long-term build-upin our national defence capability including the requiredindustrial infrastructure.While recognising current economic problems andbudgetary constraints, believes that, given leadership bysuccessive governments. <strong>Australia</strong> can defend itself in thelonger term within acceptable financial, economic andmanpower parameters.VOI. <strong>64</strong> NO 4THKNAVY