* ‘I just wish,’ noted historian Hank Nelson of these shameful episodes, ‘that the Australian commanders had been able to back each other instead of being ready to sacrifice those below. Find me a grand gesture of selfless decision-making that puts a career—let alone a life—at risk that matches Kingsbury on the track. I would like Blamey to have said something like this to Curtin: “Mr Prime Minister, Syd Rowell and Tubby Allen are closer to the action than MacArthur and his team, they are much more experienced in battle in this war, they are two of our best officers, and I have every confidence in them. I will back them and their judgment and their troops, and I expect you will do the same for me”.’ (Interview with Hank Nelson.)