The Gordon Bennett Story
Sydney, Angus and Robertson, 1965.
Octavo; cloth; an excellent copy with the very good dustwrapper creased, chipped and torn with slight loss to the extremities.
'Because of his temperament, [Bennett] was considered unsuitable for a semi-diplomatic command, and one that involved subordination to British generals. Bennett was as scathing of British officers as he was of Australian regulars ... His relationships with his senior officers were unhappy and some of them attempted at one stage to have him recalled on medical grounds ... Bennett's conduct of operations was questionable and Percival noted that his interest in the campaign seemed to wane towards the end. Surrender negotiations began on 15 February [1942, when] Bennett handed over command of the 8th Division to Brigadier C.A. Callaghan and left Singapore by sampan ... [While his escape] was applauded by those who thought that he had valuable lessons to impart on methods of fighting the Japanese; others, including many senior officers, denounced him for deserting his troops who became prisoners of war.' ('Australian Dictionary of Biography') Interestingly, Legg's account is sympathetic.
Item #114726
Price (AUD):
$50.00