'The Chiefs' tells the remarkable story of the talented, dedicate, and now
little known, generals who led and shaped the Australian Army in its challenging
formative years.
Most important was Sir Edward Hutton, the larger than life Imperial officer,
who, as the Army's first commander, battled with politicians to create a new
army out of the disparate colonial forces. The first Chief of the General Staff,
William Bridges, who later died commanding Australians at Gallipoli, is also
well known; but other generals were also important.
Drawing on a wide ranging research, Dr Wood brings to life the achievements
of men like John Hoad, Australia's military attache with the Japanese Army in
Manchuria, and creator of the Australian General Staff, and Harry Finn, a hero
of Kabul and Omdurman, who became the Army's inaugural Inspector General.
'The Chiefs' explains how Adrian Wilson, exemplar British staff officer,
oversaw the introduction of the Universal Training Scheme and the reorganisation
of the Citizen forces. Another distinguished British officer, George
Kirkpatrick, Inspector General at a time of rising international tension, worked
relentlessly to prepare the Army for war.
Yet it was the obscure Joseph Maria Gordon, Chief of the General Staff, who
reshaped the General Staff into a War Staff, and in 1912 negotiated contribution
to a joint expeditionary force with New Zealand in the event of war.
These extraordinary men laid the foundation for the Australian Profession of
Arms 'whereby the Australian soldier, who by his military virtues, and by his
deeds in battle, has earned himself a place in history which none can
challenge'. (Monash)
Contents:
Frontespiece
Illustrations
Abbreviations
Preface
Prologue: The Development of the General Staff System to 1914
Chapter 1. The Military Legacies of the British Colonial Period in Australia
1788-1901
Chapter 2. The Exemplar Imperial Officer: Colonel Sir E.T.H. Hutton, KCMG, CB
Chapter 3. The General Officer Commanding the Military Forces of Australia:
Major General Sir E.T.H. Hutton, KCMG, CB
Chapter 4. The Military Board: Administration and Control of Committee
Chapter 5. The First Inspector General of the Military Forces of Australia:
Major General H. Finn, CB, DCM
Chapter 6. The Career Development of the First Australian Major General: Major
General J.C. Hoar, CMG
Chapter 7. From Cadet to Inspector General: Brigadier General W.T. Bridges, CMG
Chapter 8. Laying the Foundations for an Australian General Staff: Major General
Sir J.C. Hoad, KCMG, ADC
Chapter 9. Sustaining the Imperial Influence: Acting Chief of the General Staff,
Lieutenant Colonel F.A. Wilson, DSO, RFA, and Inspector General of the Military
Forces of Australia, Major General G.M. Kirkpatrick, CB
10. A General Staff is essentially a War Staff: Brigadier General J.M. Gordon,
CB
Appendices
Bibliography
Index
