Too often returned service men and women are reticent about recounting their wartime experiences. But when their stories are told, they can be tales of amazing bravery, endurance, commitment to duty, and frequently, blind luck.

This is such an account.

In 1945, the final year of World War Two, while the Americans headed towards Japan, the Australians were charged with 'mopping up' the Japanese from the southwest pacific areas. In April '45 there was great concern that two concealed naval guns on Muschu Island off the coast of New Guinea might endanger invading forces.

To scout the existence and location of the 'Guns of Muschu', eight Australian commandos secretly landed on the island. Of the eight, only one survived - Sapper Mick Dennis.

His story, including beating off deadly attacks from Japanese troops, a Cassowary and a shark is an incredible tale, now told in a book, written by his nephew Don Dennis, entitled The Guns of Muschu.

Foreword by General Peter Cosgrove, AC, MC

I first met Brian Cooper back in 1980 when I worked for him in what was then known as Headquarters Field Force Command at Victoria Barracks Sydney. Brian was then the Colonel (Operations). This was a very important job because in those earlier times, there were not the layers of headquarters and lines of command that presently exist in the Australian Defence Force. Simply, if the Army needed to do a job of work either operational or some specific peace time project somewhat out of the ordinary, then the Colonel (Operations) at Victoria barracks in Sydney would be the principal staff officer who would plan, direct and monitor its execution.

Brian was a very good boss and I learned a great deal from him. In those days what shone through was his good humour, great wisdom and experience and his considerable pragmatism. When he eventually retired we all of us saw a totally different dimension to Brian Cooper. Within months he had become the keenest analyst and student of defence and security issues, a prolific writer on those issues and in all of that the most splendid catalyst to challenge orthodoxy, eminent opinion and the obfuscatory effects of modern jargon.

Like many other readers of this excellent collection of essays, analyses and think pieces, in the past I spent many stimulating and pleasurable moments reading Brian's literary contributions to strategic and defence conceptual debate over the preceding years. He remains both balanced and from time to time appropriately pungent. He combines good humour and keenly drawn criticism of woolly thinking and humbug. Brian is that rare creature among the defence commentariat - he has a deep and admirable expertise as a practitioner. His analysis of systems, platforms, processes and behaviour has the ring of truth based on experience. I agree with a great deal of what he proposes.

I found The Defence Theory of Relativity analytical, critical, stimulating, persuasive and an attractive read. You will too. I congratulate Brian and those. with whom he has collaborated most warmly on this significant contribution to issues vital to Australia's future safety and prosperity.

Peter Cosgrove