A Basis For Victory: The Allied Geographical Section 1942-1946 (2005) By Reuben R. E. Bowd
 
In the annals of popular military history, pride of place goes to the exploits of major combat units and formations, decisive battles and covert special operations forces. What is often overlooked in the recounting of events is the tireless contribution of a cast of thousands who are overshadowed, often unjustly by the exploits of the combat elements that prosecute the war. Success in battle is more often than not attributed to factors such as good generalship, superior combat forces, and the lethality of the weaponry brought to bear against an enemy. seldom is much heard of the work of specialist planning staffs, members of smaller unique units, headquartered many miles, perhaps thousands of miles, rearward of the front line working painstakingly during the weeks and months leading up to that cataclysmic event when combat forces take to the field. It is the accuracy of their work that inevitably distinguishes victory from defeat.
 
This book examines a unique, yet largely forgotten, cornerstone intelligence organisation that played an important role in ensuring allied victory in the war against Japan during the Second World War. This interservice and inter-allied unit, the Allied Geographical Section (AGS), was established by General Douglas MacArthur's Intelligence Chief, Colonel (later Major General) Charles Willoughby, to address the paucity of even the most basic geographic, anthropologic and hydrographic intelligence available in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) of operations. Its task was so immense and its importance so great that not to record its achievements would be a travesty.
 
Soft Cover
168 Pages
In Good Condition