George Brett (military)

:For the Major League Baseball player, see George Brett (baseball).

World War II

Following the outbreak of the Pacific War, Brett was appointed commander of all United States forces in Australia and arrived there on December 28, 1941. He was based initially in Brisbane.

Related Topics:
Pacific War - Australia - Brisbane

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Brett was promoted to Lieutenant General in January 1942 and the Allied governments appointed him deputy to the British General Archibald Wavell, commander of ABDACOM. Brett travelled to ABDA headquarters at Bandung, in the Dutch East Indies. However the rapid advance of Japanese forces through South East Asia had soon split the Allied-controlled area in two, and Brett returned to Australia.

Related Topics:
Lieutenant General - 1942 - Archibald Wavell - Bandung - Dutch East Indies

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In the meantime, General Douglas MacArthur had also arrived in Australia and was appointed to the new post of Supreme Commander South West Pacific Area (SWPA), based in Melbourne. In April, Brett was made commander of Allied air forces in the SWPA.

Related Topics:
Douglas MacArthur - South West Pacific Area - Melbourne

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Following disagreements with MacArthur, Brett was transferred to the US on August 4, 1942. General George Kenney officially took over as Allied air commander, SWPA.

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In November 1942, Brett was appointed commander of the US Caribbean Defense Command and the US Army's Panama Canal Department.

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