Primary materials database
In keeping with the philosophy for this site to be an ever-growing resource, an online database of the extensive primary materials held by the Army History Unit is in development. These include maps, official and unofficial documents, both published and unpublished. Where possible, this material will be suitably formatted and available for perusal online.
1918 - 1939
Department of Defence Historical Document
Report on the Activities of the Australian Military Forces
1929-1939
(Jess Report)
Jess Report
Sir Carl Jess compiled this report in the early stages of the Second World War. It is both a history of the Australian Army in the lean years from the Great Depression to the Second World War, and also a study of the effort required to mobilise for war in a country desperately unprepared.
1939 - 1945
Address by Brigadier Wootten, DSO, circa 1942
Address by Brigadier Wootten George Wootten commanded 18th Brigade through the siege of Tobruk and in the bitter campaign around Buna-Gona in 1942. He later assumed command of the 9th Division and commanded it in the Lae-Finschhafen and Tarakan campaigns.
In this address, Brigadier Wootten discusses Officers' responsibilities and duties.
Related item
L-R: The final colour patches of HQ 18th Australian Infantry Brigade and the units under command as at March 1940 - 2/9, 2/10 and 2/12th Infantry Battalion.
More colour patches: Colour Patches
Australian Intelligence Corps Historical Documents
This material has been prepared from documents held in the collection of the Museum of Australian Military Intelligence, Kokoda Barracks, Canungra, Queensland.
Amongst other documents, it includes Military Orders, reports on Intelligence activities in Queensland between 1939-1945 and the transcript of a notebook of a private soldier at the School of Intelligence in 1918.
1945 - 1959
Australian Military Forces Minute Paper
The Post-War Army - Policy Paper No 1
S.F. Rowell
AMF Minute Paper - The Post-War Army - Policy Paper No 1 - S.F. Rowell 
Lieutenant General S.F. Rowell, Vice Chief of the General Staff, submitted this policy paper to the members of the Military Board, which was about to reform after being suspended in wartime, on 6 March 1946.
The paper considers the proposed shape of the post war Australian Army. It examined likely threats and proposed a force structure in the light of the lessons of 1939-45. The structure was optimistic, and included one Regular division and two CMF divisions, with the latter having the capacity to provide a cadre for two more divisions on mobilisation. It also proposed a form of conscription to ensure trained manpower was available on mobilisation.
Related item
Image opposite: The Chief of the Imperial General Staff & the Military Board - 4 July 1947. Standing: MajGen W Bridgeford (QMG); RH Nesbitt Esq (BM); MajGen WM Anderson (AG); J Fitzgerald Esq (FM); MajGen WW White (MGO); CB Laffan Esq (Sec). Sitting: LtGenS Rowell (VCGS); Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery (CIGS); LtGen VAH Sturdee (CGS); FR Sinclair Esq (Sec D of A)
More images of official bodies: Images
Australian Army Small Craft
Specification Plans and General Information
1946
Australian Army Small Craft Department of the Army Minute
Walking Out Dress for ARA and CMF
R.F. Sinclair
Department of Army Minute - Walking Out Dress - R.F. Sinclair This 1948 Minute, from the Secretary of the Department of Army to the Secretary of the Miiltary Board, is a fine example of an expression of official displeasure and bureaucratic delay.
Department of Defence Historical Document
Report on The Directorate of Prisoners of War and Internees
at Army Headquarters Melbourne
1939-1951
POWs and Internees
Both the original and a transcription of this substantial report (circa 1953) is available online. Its six Parts cover enemy internees, enemy POWs, matters affecting both enemy internees and POWs, Australian POWs, war crimes, the POW Information Bureau and the revision of Conventions.
Morshead Report 1957
Morshead Report 1957 Sir Leslie Morshead presented the Advisory Committee Report on the organisation of the defence group of departments to Prime Minister Menzies in late 1957, with an additional report to answer Cabinet's questions and provide further information provided early in 1958.
The Committee chaired by LTGEN Sir Leslie Morshead sought to find a more rational structure for the Defence group of departments, which still reflected the ad hoc arrangements of the wartime expansion 1939-1945. Its recommendation to amalgamate the Departments of Supply and Defence Production was the only one accepted. The proposed amalgamation of the three Service ministries with the Department of Defence under a single Minister assisted by two junior Ministers was rejected. An associated proposal to review the Service Boards was also rejected. As a minor concession, a new post of Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee was created, but with no statutory authority and little support staff.
The Morshead Report prefigured much of the reform of higher Defence structures implemented by Tange in the 1970s.
Related item
Morshead: Hero of Tobruk and El Alamein by David Coombes was published with the assistance of the Army History Unit.
Read more: Morshead
1959 - 1975
Military Funerals Vol 4
Material used in the preparation of the instruction on Military Funerals
1963 print
Military Funerals Vol 4 1963 print Trooping the Colours
Trooping the Coulours General Instructions
1963 print
Trooping the Colours 1963 print Flag Protocol 1965 print
Flag Protocol 1965 print Guards and Catafalques 1965 print
Guards and Catafalques 1965 print