As The Australian Army begins its second century, it can look back on a proud and rich history that has seen it answer the nation's call during two world wars as well as a number of lesser conflicts. Although the army's great achievements on numerous fields of battle are already well recorded, the story of how the nation organised its military strength is only now being told. The Australian Army: A History of its organisation 1901-2001 fills a significant gap in the army's history. It focuses on the development of the army's organisation and its evolution from the colonial armies of Federation to the modern, professional force it is today.

The army's organisation is the result of complex interactions between the government's security and fiscal policies, the desires of the public, and the vision and ambitions of the nation's military leaders. This book demonstrates that the forces that shaped the army's organisation have been dynamic and innovative, and that the army's leaders have been required to address great changes. The army has risen to these challenges and has redesigned itself more than once to meet the requirements of a changing defence environment.

Sometimes the relationship between the various interests directing the army has been uneasy. On several occasions the government has failed to provide the army with the resources it needed, and military leaders have ignored or undermined official policy. However, as this book shows, the army has always striven to meet its obligations to the nation and provide for the security of the Australian people.