This excellent book offers more than the title suggests. Action! Action! Action! is a concise story of the evolution and employment of Australian artillery from its colonial beginnings through to the present day, all encapsulated in its history during peace and war. Furthermore, in several breakout boxes the authors explain artillery terminology in relation to guns and howitzers, ammunitions and propellants, as well as discussing tactics, technology, and techniques, together with potted histories of some Australian artillery commanders and Gunners who have distinguished themselves. Campaign level coloured maps and a liberal addition of photographs enhance the text. Finally, four appendices provide organisation tables, an extensive glossary of artillery and military terms, and list the significant dates in colonial and Commonwealth artillery history.
The authors state that the book is “aimed at assisting readers to understand how and why this combat arm has been employed in the past. Equally, it provides a foundation for modern Gunners to build on in designing and planning the future employment of Australian artillery as part of a wider fighting force.” They have achieved both of these admirably. Presented in a highly readable style, liberally supported by illustrations and diagrams, Action! Action! Action! will appeal to both former and currently serving soldiers, and the general public. In particular, it delivers a clear explanation of artillery terminology and techniques that the layman will readily understand.
Commencing with an ‘Introduction to Artillery’, it then traces the development of artillery, and the manner in which it has been employed by the colonial and Australian armies, through fifteen historical chapters. Two cover the colonial period and the creation of a national artillery following Federation, two cover the Great War, one is devoted to the inter-war years, four address the campaigns of the Second World War, while the remaining six discuss the peacetime evolution and developments in the context of changing Government defence policies, together with operational commitments from Korea to Afghanistan. A sound ‘Conclusion’ addresses the main points in a way that conclusions should be written. Above all, it highlights that while conflicts may differ, and technology will change dramatically, the principles of employing artillery remain relevant irrespective of the type of campaign, and will do so in future operations, while detailed and thorough training are required to master the intricacies of this often decisive combat arm.
As such, Action! Action! Action! should be in every Gunner’s knapsack, and it should grace the bookshelves of all military officers. Highly recommended.
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