Military History & Heritage Victoria

The 4th Biennial Two-Day Conference of Military History and Heritage Victoria Inc is planned for Melbourne over 9-10 April 2022.

This conference will examine the contribution of Australia’s Army, Navy and Air Force to Allied operations and campaigns in the Mediterranean Theatre over 1940-1945.From Libya, Greece, Crete, Syria-Lebanon, Egypt, and Malta, in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, southern France and the Balkans, Australians in units or as individuals were there.

What were the strategic imperatives about the Mediterranean Theatre and why was Australia there? How did Australia support Allied strategy in the Mediterranean Theatre and what were the consequences for Australia after Japan attacked in the Pacific? What was the Axis opposition and how did the Australians measure up against the Italians, Germans and Vichy French? What was the experience of Australia’s Air Force, Navy and Army? How did the Australian forces win victories, and how did they deal with their defeats? What was the experience of the Australians captured by the Axis and of Axis prisoners in Australia? How did the medical services cope? Who were the leaders and battle commanders? What were the stories of courage in ground, sea and air battles? How have we remembered those who fell?

Conference Chair: Dr Peter Edwards AM

Professor Peter Edwards (Deakin) is a diplomatic and military historian and is the Vice-Patron of MHHV. Educated at the University of Western Australia and the University of Oxford, he worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Australian National University and the University of Adelaide The Official History of Australia’s Involvement in Southeast Asian Conflicts 1948-1975 in 1982 at the Australian War Memorial. Since leaving the AWM Dr Edwards has worked as a senior academic, scholar and historical consultant. Of particular relevance to this conference is his publication Prime Ministers and Diplomats: The Making of Australian Foreign Policy, 1901-1949.

Convenor: Dr Andrew Kilsby

Dr Andrew Kilsby served for 23 years in the Australian Regular Army and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before moving to corporate roles and consulting in Asia and Australia. He completed his PhDat ADFA@UNSW. He has several military history publications to his credit including The Forgotten Cruiser: HMAS Melbourne 1 1913-1928, with Greg Swinden. His most recent, The Reservists: Through the Eyes of the Defence Reserves Association 1970-2020, is to be published this year. A founder of Military History & Heritage Victoria Inc., Dr Kilsby has convened and presented at military history conferences, curated historical exhibitions, and written numerous articles and biographies.