The Letter Batteries - the History of the Letter Batteries in World War II de Kidd, Reg and Neal, Ray - 1998

Sydney: Reginald James Kidd and Raymond Eddy Neal, 1998. Book. Fine. Hardcover. 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall. Signed by Ray Neal. .

Sydney: Published by the Authors. 1998. Small Quarto Size [approx 17.5cm x 24cm]. Mint copy in a Mint Dustjacket. A New Copy. Dustjacket now protected in our purpose made clear archival plastic sleeve. Illustrated with black and white photographs. Robust, professional packaging and tracking provided for all parcels. 415 pages. The story of the raising of 19 batteries of coastal artillery supplied by the USA for the Australian Army in the South East Pacific region during World War Two. Named after the letters of the alphabet, their purpose was to protect the men and war materials that General Douglas MacArthur would bring to Australia to build up sufficient strength to launch a counter attack against the Japanese forces in this area. . New. 1st Edition. Hardback.

Sydney: The Author, 1998. xiv, 415pp, index, bibliography, bw ills, maps. Black boards in jacket. As new. The story of the 19 batteries of coast artillery in the Australian Army, collectively known today as the letter batteries because they were named for the letters of the alphabet. Being mobile they were also moved forward to defend the forward bases in New Guinea being developed by the Allies.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Fine/Fine. Small 4to.

Sydney, Castlecrag: Self-Published: Reg Kidd and Ray Neal, 1998. Hardback large octavo, dustjacket, very good condition (in very good dustjackt), black & white text-photos (mostly full-page), maps, diagrams, minor edgewear jacket (sticker mark front cover). Heavy (1.1 Kg), and extra postage may be requested to destinations outside Australia. 415 pp. This is the story of the raising of 19 mobile batteries of coast artillery in the Australian Army, using 155mm guns and 150cm searchlights, etc., supplied by the USA. Artillerymen were recruited from coast artillery units in all states of Australia, and later from other branches of artillery. The coastal batteries were named after letters of the alphabet. They protected Australian ports and the recently arrived American forces preparing to fight the Japanese in southeast Asia. The story is one of little blood, much sweat and tears, and little glory, but a job which had to be done and was done well.