We Were the First. The Unit History of No 1 Independent Company

Loftus, Australian Military History Publications, 1998. Quarto, [i], xiii, 242 pages with maps, numerous illustrations and a three-page nominal roll. Colour-pictorial papered boards slightly rubbed at the extremites and a little abraded at head of the spine; an excellent copy. 'The history of the First Independent Company details the Australian experimentation with British style commandos and how the first company's experience ended in misuse and tragedy. This is the story of untried Australian troops, thrown into a battle that they could not win and used in roles for which they were not trained or equipped. Like many other campaigns in the Pacific War, they had little hope of winning but they lived up to the proud history of Australians at Arms' (rear cove blurb).