With the possibility, in July 1970, of having to use force against rioting civilians - land squatters near Rabaul - the Australian Army in New Guinea entered a new era in which its activities are bound to be the subject of close scrutiny as the country moves towards independence. After filling in the historical background of the Pacific Islands Regiment, Dr O'Neill sets out to examine the present role of the Army in Papua-New Guinea: defence against external attack, maintenance of law and order, training of loyal, non-political soldiers, and the civic action program.