Career
He also served in World World War II as an infantry officer and the chief of staff of an Australian and two British divisions. When he was a captain in the Australian Army, Robertson was wounded during the capture of Tobruk from Italian forces. After this incident, Robertson was posted in Greece to fight against German forces.
Later in New Guinea, by now promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and filling a senior liaison officer role, Robertson was ordered to inspect the United States Army perimeter at Buna.
Robertson was unsatisfied with what he saw, and reported his observations to General Edmund Herring, and General Richard K. Sutherland who was also present at the time. Consequently, Douglas MacArthur made changes to the United States Army command at Buna.
In August 1943, Robertson was again promoted, this time to the position of General Staff Officer, Grade 1 to George Vasey, and Commanding Officer of the 7th AIF Division. During the Salamaua-Lae campaign, Vasey sent Robertson to Portuguese Moresby to seek better relations with the United States Army, and his manner was said to have surprised both the United States Army Air Force"s General George Kenney and General Frank Berryman.
Robertson later wrote to Vasey that he had succeeded in his task.
Robertson, as Vasey"s senior staff officer, was later involved in an operation following the capture of a Japanese order document. During World World War II, Robertson served in Europe with the British Army 51st (Highland) Infantry Division in March 1944.
