AUTOGRAPHED BY AUTHOR
Central Bureau - Australia’s own large and sophisticated intelligence network, built from scratch. It was this group of mathematicians, code-breakers and radio experts who intercepted the travel plans of the architect of the Pearl Harbour attack, Admiral Yamamoto, leading to his ambush and death. Australian signals intelligence also played a vital role in the battles of the Coral Sea, Milne Bay, Hollandia and many others. General Douglas MacArthur, the supreme commander of the local Allied forces, went so far as to insist that the men of Central Bureau accompany him on his counter-attack in the Pacific.
After the war, the US sought to give these non-combatants the highest awards possible - honours that were suppressed by the Australian government in their need for secrecy.
