WW2 Aust publications - 'As You Were', 'Stand Easy', etc

[Bruce Gilbert]

I have been recently going through my Father's (Darwin Mobile Force and 2/12 Fd Amb - Tarakan) collection of these excellent books (spanning from 1943 to 1947), and note there are many action shots of vehicles, guns, diggers, ships, etc.

The books (at least the Army-related) were "Published for The Australian Military Forces by Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT, 194n."

There are also wonderful personal stories, cartoons, sketches, battle maps, etc. showing the Aussie digger at war.

Has there ever been an attempt to digitise these publications?

I'm sure many Australian families have these books, but as time passes their relevance may be lost to future generations.

Other than being of general interest to families, would these publications have given serving soldiers at the time in a particular theatre-of-war a first-hand understanding and appreciation of their comrades-in-arms (men and women in the Army, Navy(RAN) and Air Force (RAAF)) in other TOW's?


Were these publications unique to Australia, or did other countries produce similar publications for their troops?.


Lest We Forget (in every sense of the phrase)

Bruce Gilbert
NSW, aust.

[Keith Webb]

They're part of a much wider range of books covering Australia's military effort in WW2, some great pictures and stories. There's a series for the RAAF, Army, Signals and more. They are often seen at second hand bookshops. I was fortunate to find several in their original mailing packages.

[Mike Kelly]

The rarest one seems to be the 'SIGNALS' .

The RAN series was HMAS and HMAS Mk2 and HMAS Mk3 . I have the HMAS Mk2 in its original post cardboard box, my father bought it new and posted it to my mother.

[hrpearce]

It took a while but I think I have them all.

[jack neville]

It is the WW1 books that are hard to find. The RAAF being the hardest of the WW2 books, probably because they had the smallest numbers of personnel I suppose. My collection has steadily improved over the years as I buy and sell better books, original copies, but more importantly, those with original dust covers.

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by hrpearce

It took a while but I think I have them all.

Seem to know who started you off with those Robert. Glad to see that they have been put to good use.

Here are some of mine I have 21 different books in that set and quite a few double and triple ups.

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Here are some shots of part of my library. All of this wall are military related.

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And about 1/2 of this one. The other 2 walls I didn't photo, or the boxes under the table.

yep 185.JPG

Regards Rick.

[hrpearce]

Yes Rick the visit to your library was an eye opener for me and I have followed your example and handed on the doubles I got while collecting to the next generation. My collection is of 24 books will have to write the titles down and compare notes with you in Corowa.