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The military career of Keith Miller, an Australian Test cricketer and Australian rules footballer, lasted from August 1940 until June 1946, when World War II interrupted his sporting career. Miller enlisted in the Militia, before switching to the Royal Australian Air Force, where he served from November 1941 until 1946 when he was discharged with the rank of flying officer. Miller trained as a fighter pilot, and in the last month of the European theatre of war, he flew combat missions over German installations. However, Miller was more notable for his efforts as a cricketer, representing the Royal Australian Air Force cricket team and after VE Day, the Australian Services in the Victory Tests of 1945, followed by a tour of the Indian subcontinent and Australia before being demobilised. While serving in the Militia, Miller continued playing football for St Kilda Saints and interstate cricket for Victoria when he was off duty. Miller struggled to conform to military norms and was soon fined for "using insulting language towards a superior officer". In late 1941, he left the Militia and was accepted into the Royal Australian Navy, but tore up his form because his friend was rejected, before enlisting in the RAAF. After his initial training in 1942, he earned his wings and was deployed to the United Kingdom in early 1943 where he continued his training with the No. 169 Squadron RAF. Miller survived a few disciplinary incidents while training to eventually take part in combat operations in the closing stages of the European theatre of the war, and had several narrow escapes from death throughout his combat and training period. He received several campaign medals for his service. Away from battle, from 1943 onwards, Miller was selected to represent the RAAF in a series of matches against the Royal Air Force and other English teams. The objective of the matches was to show that the British Commonwealth would not be cowed by German attacks, and the team was officially designated as a military unit. In 1945, following the Nazi surrender, the RAAF team merged with members of the Australian Imperial Force team to become the Australian Services, involving army and air force personnel, and competed against England in the five Victory Tests. Following the end-of-war tour of England, the Services team toured the Indian subcontinent before returning to Australia and playing in the 1945–46 season against the Australian states before being demobilised. Miller was the vice-captain of the team on the return leg of the tour to Australia. Miller was Australia's top-scorer during the Victory Tests and came to the fore with his fast bowling. Miller was acclaimed for his free-spirited and adventurous batting, which he attributed to the triviality of sport in comparison to war. This was particularly exhibited in his 185 from 165 minutes for Dominions against England. It was through his involvement in wartime cricket that Miller met many of his future international colleagues, such as England's Denis Compton, Bill Edrich and Len Hutton. ==In Australia== As was the case with many of his contemporaries, Miller's sporting career was interrupted by World War II. On 20 August 1940, towards the end of the football season, almost a year after war broke out, Miller joined the Militia (army reserve), and was assigned to the 4th Reserve Motor Transport Company.〔Perry, p.49.〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】 "MILLER, KEITH ROSS" (Number V74626 During the summer of 1940–41, Miller was granted leave so that he could play interstate cricket. In a season shortened due to war, Miller played in three matches and scored 140 runs at 28.00. In the second match, which was against South Australia, Miller scored 63, his only fifty of the summer,〔 and bowled for the first time at first-class level, conceding three runs from a solitary over. In the third match he took his maiden first-class wicket,〔Coleman, p. 432.〕 in a war fundraising match for Stan McCabe's XI against Don Bradman's XI,〔Harte, p. 384.〕 that of Ken Ridings, caught behind with wicket-keeper Don Tallon.〔 His pace was noticed by Bradman.〔Perry, p. 51.〕〔Whitington, p. 53.〕 The 1941 VFL season went ahead despite the loss of many players to military service. Miller alternated between playing in the backline and in attack depending on match conditions. When St Kilda were kicking downwind, Miller would play in attack, and when they kicked against the wind, he would return to a defensive position. In the forward line, he alternated with Sam Loxton, a future ''Invincibles'' teammate.〔 He booted 28 goals in 16 games,〔(【引用サイトリンク】accessdate=2008-12-09 )〕 including eight in one match against North Melbourne.〔 Miller also gained a reputation among opponents for kicking them in the ankles.〔 He again showed his disrespect for authority and reputation. In one match against Melbourne, for whom his boss and state cricket team-mate Percy Beames played, Miller charged towards Beames with a raised elbow at the start of the match, forcing his boss to be taken from the field. Miller came second in St Kilda's best and fairest for 1941 as his team again came second to last.〔Perry, p. 52.〕 Miller's season ended early after he was called back for army service and he was stationed in the northern suburb of Broadmeadows. However, he had disciplinary problems and disliked taking orders from his officers, whom he often felt were inferior to him.〔 He left the Militia on 8 November 1941.〔 Miller and a friend then attempted to join the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as stokers. When the navy would not take his friend, Miller tore up his paperwork in protest, left the recruiting office,〔〔 and walked around the corner to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) recruiting office.〔〔Whitington, p. 52.〕 He was acutely aware of the risks, as many of his playing colleagues had been killed, injured or captured. The threat of combat increased when the Pacific Theatre of World War II opened on 7 December 1941 with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.〔 The 1941–42 cricket season was cancelled and many cricket and football grounds were converted into army bases.〔〔Perry, p. 53.〕 On 30 January 1942 he was called to active service by the RAAF.〔(【引用サイトリンク】 "MILLER, KEITH ROSS" (Number 410608 Soon after, on 19 February 1942, the Japanese launched air raids on Australian soil, targeting the northern city of Darwin.〔Perry, p. 55.〕 Miller trained at flying schools at Cunderdin, Western Australia and Mallala, South Australia, just north of Adelaide and gained his wings in late 1942.〔〔 He played only one match during the football season, playing in a combined West Adelaide and Glenelg Football Club team while posted in South Australia. His team lost.〔〔 On 17 December he returned to Melbourne and was promoted to the rank of flight sergeant.〔 On 15 January 1943, he embarked on the USS ''West Point'' at Port Melbourne, which was to take him to Europe in readiness for war combat.〔Perry, p. 56.〕 The journey included a stopover in February at a training camp in Boston in the United States. It was there that Miller met Peg Wagner, his future wife.〔〔Coleman, p. 478.〕 They were engaged before Miller left for the United Kingdom. He arrived in Scotland on 18 March 1943 and was deployed to the southern English coastal town of Bournemouth. The once-popular tourist resort had been turned into a military centre and was the target of frequent German air raids.〔Perry, pp. 59–61.〕〔Whitington, p. 54.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Military career of Keith Miller」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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