George Alan Vasey

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George Alan Vasey
Deputy Chief of the General Staff (1942)
19th Infantry Brigade
(1941)
13th Field Battery (1916–17)
Battles/wars
AwardsCompanion of the
War Cross
(Greece)
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1921)​

Second World War, before being killed in a plane crash near Cairns
in 1945.

A professional soldier, Vasey graduated from

Indian Army
.

Shortly after the outbreak of Second World War in September 1939, Lieutenant General

Finisterre Range campaign
.

By mid-1944, his health had deteriorated to the extent that he was evacuated to Australia, and for a time was not expected to live. By early 1945 he had recovered sufficiently to be appointed to command the 6th Division. While flying to assume this new command, the RAAF Lockheed Hudson aircraft he was travelling in crashed into the sea, killing all on board.

Early life

George Alan Vasey was born in

Edward James Milford. At Wesley, Vasey served in the Australian Army Cadets, in which he became a second lieutenant.[3]

In 1913, he entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Canberra. Of 33 members of his class, in which Vasey graduated tenth, nine died in the Great War. Six later became generals: Leslie Beavis, Frank Horton Berryman, William Bridgeford, John Chapman, Edward James Milford and Vasey himself. The war, which began in August 1914, caused his class to be graduated early, in June 1915.[4]

First World War

Vasey was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Permanent Military Forces (regular army), and joined the

captain in August, and given command of the 13th Field Battery in November.[5]

In February 1917 Vasey was posted to Brigadier General

3rd Division, was involved in heavy fighting at Messines and Passchendaele,[7] for which Vasey was promoted to major in September 1917 and awarded the Distinguished Service Order.[8]
His recommendation read:

During the periods October 4th and 12th 1917, as brigade major this officer worked continuously day and night with untiring effort and devotion to duty.

It was due to the assistance rendered by this officer that the arduous work was successfully carried out.

In July and August 1917 near Warneton this officer showed conspicuous gallantry in action in supervising the work of the battalions in the forward line without any fear for his personal safety in a way that was most eminently satisfactory and deserving of the highest praise.

During the 19 days in June 1917, that this brigade was in the line in front of Messines, Major Vasey carried out the duties of brigade major with devotion and ability.

This officer has been brigade major of this brigade since August 1917 and during the whole of this period he has worked with zeal and ability in such a way that his work has been most successful, and has aided materially in bringing the brigade to its present high standard of efficiency.[9]

In July 1918 Vasey was assigned to 3rd Division Headquarters as a staff officer (GSO3) but this appointment was brief; his successor at the 11th Infantry Brigade was wounded and Vasey returned to his former post. As such, he participated in the

Mentioned in Despatches. He served for a time as GSO2 of the 3rd Division before embarking for Australia on 14 September 1919.[11]

Between the wars

Vasey returned to the PMF, in which he held the substantive rank of lieutenant and the honorary rank of major. He became so discouraged at his prospects with the Army that, studying at night, he qualified as an accountant.[12] He married Jessie Mary Halbert at St Matthew's Church of England, Glenroy, Victoria on 17 May 1921. They bought a house in Kew, Victoria with a War Service Loan.[13]

Vasey held a series of staff postings in Australia and India. From 1928 to 1929 he attended the

Bernard Montgomery was an instructor.[15] In October 1934 he was appointed as a brigade major once more.[16] Following a brief stint as a GSO2 on the headquarters of the 1st Indian Division, his final posting in India was again as a brigade major,[17] from April 1936 to March 1937.[18] By November 1934 his substantive rank was that of captain, but while he held the brevet and local rank of major,[19] he was not promoted to the substantive rank of major until 1 March 1935.[20] Vasey was finally promoted to brevet lieutenant colonel on 12 May 1937, after nearly 20 years as a major, although he was only promoted to the substantive rank on 2 November 1939.[21] This was not unusual, and it fostered a sense of injustice and frustration among regular officers, who found themselves outranked by CMF officers who had enjoyed faster promotion.[22]

Second World War

Middle East and Greece

Shortly after the outbreak of the

Second AIF serial number VX9.[23] Vasey embarked for Palestine as commander of the advance party of the division in December 1939.[24]

Women friends and family on the wharf waving farewell to the departing troop transport ship RMS Strathallan carrying the Advance Party of the 6th Division AIF to service overseas. They include: Vasey's wife Jessie (second from the left), her sisters Thelma Halbert (left) and Doris Sleigh (second from right), and Vasey's sister Marjorie (right).[25]

Gavin Long noted that Vasey was "highly strung, thrustful, hard working... concealed a deeply emotional even sentimental nature behind a mask of laconic and blunt speech. Although he was appointed to head the administrative staff there burned within him a desire to lead Australian troops as a commander."[23] Nonetheless, Vasey remained AA&QMG during the Battle of Bardia.[26] Following the capture of Tobruk in January 1941, he replaced Frank Berryman as GSO1.[27]

In March 1941, Vasey was promoted to temporary

Greek War Cross
.

Papuan Campaign

Vasey returned to Australia in December 1941 to become Chief of Staff of Home Forces, with the rank of major general, which became substantive on 1 September 1942. At age 46, this made him the youngest general in the Australian Army for a time.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff (DCGS).[37] The two men worked closely, with Vasey conveying Blamey's orders to commanders in the field.[38] With the establishment of Advanced Land Headquarters (Landops) at St Lucia, Queensland, Vasey became the principal operational staff officer there.[39]

In September 1942, Blamey decided to send the 6th Division to

Arthur "Tubby" Allen of the 7th Division. On 27 October, Vasey flew up to Myola to relieve Allen.[42]

Under Vasey's command, the 7th Division recaptured Kokoda on 2 November.

Heidelberg Military Hospital for treatment for Malaria.[46]

New Guinea Campaign

US 503rd Parachute Infantry seize the airstrip at Nadzab, allowing the 7th Division to fly in. General Vasey was in the plane from which the photograph was taken.[47]

By July 1943, the 7th Division was on its way back to Port Moresby. Vasey flew up to work out arrangements with Herring and the air commander in New Guinea, Major General

US 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment in broad daylight to seize the airstrip at Nadzab in the Markham Valley. They were soon reinforced by Australian and Papuan troops that had advanced overland from Wau, and then by the 7th Division's 25th Infantry Brigade, which flew in by air.[49]

The 25th Infantry Brigade advanced down the Markham Valley and entered

Finisterre Range campaign, the 7th Division captured Shaggy Ridge and advanced across the mountains towards Madang.[53]

Death and legacy

Despite his achievements, Vasey was twice passed over for promotion. In November 1943, the announcement of the appointment of Lieutenant General

James Cannan—he dropped his objection.[56] General Douglas MacArthur considered Vasey's supersession "outrageous".[57] Yet Blamey had not lost faith in Vasey; asked at a social function about his opinion of Vasey, Blamey called out to him across the room. "There, ladies and gentlemen," Blamey declared, "is my ideal fighting commander."[58]

Vasey chats with three of his men. Vasey's concern for and rapport with his men was a key factor in his success as a general.[59]

Blamey had reason to be concerned about Vasey's health. Vasey was drinking heavily,[60] and was hospitalised in New Guinea in February 1944 with a skin condition,[61] and again in Australia in March 1944 with a respiratory tract infection.[62] In June 1944, he became seriously ill with malaria and acute Peripheral neuropathy, and for a time was not expected to live. 7th Division soldiers in the hospital constantly asked the nursing staff about his progress.[63] The men called him 'Bloody George', not after his casualties, but after his favourite adjective, and Vasey's personable style of command attracted immense loyalty from his men. "Vasey owns the 7th," wrote a Melbourne journalist, "but every man in the division believes he owns Vasey."[58] He was again Mentioned in Despatches on 21 July 1944.[64]

Vasey slowly recovered. In October 1944, Blamey set up a Post-War Army Planning Committee headed by Vasey to report on the future of the Royal Military College and the training and education of

Aitape-Wewak campaign.[69]

Generals Simpson, Blamey, and Morshead pay their respects at the military funeral service for Generals Vasey and Downes in Cairns. A public memorial service was also held in Melbourne.[70]

Vasey flew north to take up his new command. The aircraft Vasey was travelling in, RAAF

Edward Milford and George Wootten and Brigadiers Frederick Chilton, Ivan Dougherty, Kenneth Eather, John O'Brien, Henry Wells and David Whitehead.[74]

Vasey's concern for his men outlived him. Jessie went on to found the War Widow's Guild, serving as its president until her death in 1966. Thus, "the legacy of George Vasey's war was a more compassionate Australian society."[75] As a military commander, Vasey demonstrated that a regular officer could be an "ideal fighting commander" and not just a competent staff officer. Vasey hastened the post-war transition of the Australian Army to a professional force dominated by regular soldiers.[76] Historian David Horner wrote: "Not only was his command marked by tactical flair, innovation and imagination, but he also displayed remarkable qualities of leadership in adverse situations. Vasey led not just through technical expertise but by example, personality, and a genuine concern for his men."[77]

Today, Vasey's papers are in the National Library of Australia,[78] and his decorations are held by the Australian War Memorial,[79] as is his portrait. A final Mention in Despatches was published three days after his death.[80] The Mulgrave Shire Council (Cairns) named the esplanade at Trinity Beach "Vasey Esplanade" in his honour and erected a plaque on a brick memorial wall to commemorate all eleven service personnel lost in the crash.[81]

Notes

  1. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 4
  2. ^ Clark, No Mean Destiny, p. 8
  3. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 8–9
  4. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 9–10
  5. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 10–13
  6. ^ "No. 30325". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 October 1917. p. 10351.
  7. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 10–18
  8. ^ "No. 30716". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 May 1918. p. 6461.
  9. ^ "Recommendation for George Alan Vasey to be awarded a Distinguished Service Order" (PDF). Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  10. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 15–19
  11. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 19–20
  12. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 22–23
  13. ^ Clark, No Mean Destiny, p. 11
  14. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 23
  15. ^ Clark, No Mean Destiny, p. 12
  16. ^ "No. 34112". The London Gazette. 7 December 1934. p. 7929.
  17. ^ "No. 34291". The London Gazette. 5 June 1936. p. 3594.
  18. ^ "No. 34391". The London Gazette. 5 June 1936. p. 2632.
  19. ^ "No. 34101". The London Gazette. 2 November 1934. p. 6985.
  20. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 29
  21. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 32
  22. ^ Long, To Benghazi, p. 45
  23. ^ a b Long, To Benghazi, p. 50
  24. ^ Long, To Benghazi, p. 68
  25. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 38
  26. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 79–81
  27. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 81
  28. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 87–88
  29. ^ Long, The Six Years War, pp. 66–74
  30. ^ Dennis, Grey, Morris and Prior, The Oxford Companion to Australian History, p. 607
  31. ^ Long, The Six Years War, pp. 80–87
  32. ^ Long, Greece, Crete and Syria, p. 316
  33. ^ "No. 35120". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 March 1941. pp. 1865–1866.
  34. ^ "No. 35333". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 October 1941. p. 6357.
  35. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 163
  36. ^ Horner, Crisis of Command, pp. 57–58
  37. ^ Horner, Crisis of Command, p. 299
  38. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 172–175
  39. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 175–176
  40. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 190
  41. ^ Horner, Crisis of Command, pp. 181–188
  42. ^ Horner, Crisis of Command, pp. 203–204
  43. ^ McCarthy, South West Pacific Area – First Year, pp. 314–315
  44. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 218–219
  45. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 235–237
  46. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 239
  47. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 263–265
  48. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 258–259
  49. ^ Dexter, The New Guinea Offensives, pp. 344–346
  50. ^ Long, The Six Years War, pp. 330–331
  51. ^ Dexter, The New Guinea Offensives, pp. 414–425
  52. ^ Long, The Six Years War, pp. 335–336
  53. ^ Long, The Six Years War, pp. 350–351
  54. ^ Dexter, The New Guinea Offensives, pp. 594–595
  55. ^ Dexter, The New Guinea Offensives, p. 780
  56. ^ Keating, The Right Man for the Right Job, p. 137
  57. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 306
  58. ^ a b Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 308
  59. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 332
  60. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 319
  61. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 305
  62. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 307
  63. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 310–314
  64. ^ "No. 36615". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 July 1944. p. 3378.
  65. ^ a b Grey, The Australian Army, pp. 161–162
  66. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 314
  67. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 318
  68. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 318–319
  69. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 320
  70. ^ Clark, No Mean Destiny, p. 26
  71. ^ a b Court of Enquiry: Aircraft Accident A16-118 on 5 March 1945, NAA(ACT): A705 32/14/502
  72. ^ Long, To Benghazi, p. 89. White is the only four-star Australian general to die in any conflict.
  73. ^ Dennis, Grey, Morris and Prior, The Oxford Companion to Australian History, p. 682. Wynter, who died of natural causes on 7 February 1945, is the only three-star Australian general to die in any conflict.
  74. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 323–324
  75. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 333
  76. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, p. 330
  77. ^ Horner, General Vasey's War, pp. 1–2
  78. ^ "Vasey papers". 14 September 1999. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
  79. ^ "AWM Collection Record: REL29673.005". Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
  80. ^ "No. 36972". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 March 1945. p. 1305.
  81. ^ "Minutes of Mulgrave Shire Council" (PDF). 14 September 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2009.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to George Alan Vasey.
Military offices
Preceded by
Major General
Arthur Allen
 General Officer Commanding 7th Division
1942–1944 		Succeeded by
Major General Edward Milford
Preceded by
Major General Allan Boase
 General Officer Commanding 6th Division
1942 		Succeeded by
Major General Jack Stevens
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