General Vasey's War

To his troops he was 'Bloody George', a hard-bitten professional soldier, technically competent and tactically proficient. His brigade bore the brunt of the fighting in Greece. He commanded the entire Australian force in Crete in the battle against German airborne invaders. He directed the Australian advance from Kokoda and presided over the defeat of the Japanese in the savage battles of the beachheads.

But there was more to Major-General George Vasey than his impressive record. Through the existence of a remarkable collection of letters to his wife, Jessie, we have a rare opportunity to get inside the mind of this successful commander. The picture that emerges is one that his closest comrades knew—one of compassion and humanity, a commander who genuinely cared for the well-being of his men.

General Vasey's War analyses Vasey's military performance but it also allows us to share Vasey's private thoughts— his frustrations and triumphs, his hopes and cares. Through a unique insight into one man's war we are rewarded with a better understanding of the practice of warfare during those momentous years.