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The Battle for Milne Bay - Japan's first defeat on land in the
Second World War - was a defining moment in the evolution of the
indomitable Australian fighting spirit. For the men of the AIF, the
militia and the RAAF, it was the turning point in the Pacific, and
their finest - though now largely forgotten - hour. Forgotten,
until now. In August 1942, Japan's forces were unstoppable. Having
conquered vast swathes of south-east Asia - Malaya, Singapore, the
Dutch East Indies - and now invading New Guinea, many feared the
Empire of the Rising Sun stood poised to knock down Australia's
northern door. But first they needed Port Moresby. In the still of
an August night, Japanese marines sailed quietly into Milne Bay, a
long, malaria-ridden dead end at the far eastern tip of Papua, to
unleash an audacious pincer movement. Unbeknown to them, however, a
secret airstrip had been carved out of a coconut plantation by US
Engineers, and a garrison of Australian troops had been
established, supported by two locally based squadrons of RAAF
Kittyhawks, including the men of the famed 75 Squadron. The scene
was set for one of the most decisive and vicious battles of the
war. For ten days and nights Australia's soldiers and airmen fought
the elite of Japan's forces along a sodden jungle track, and forced
them back step by muddy, bloody step. In Turning Point, bestselling
author Michael Veitch brings to life the incredible exploits and
tragic sacrifices of these Australian heroes.
The Battle for Milne Bay - Japan's first defeat on land in the
Second World War - was a defining moment in the evolution of the
indomitable Australian fighting spirit. For the men of the AIF, the
militia and the RAAF, it was the turning point in the Pacific, and
their finest - though now largely forgotten - hour. Forgotten,
until now. In August 1942, Japan's forces were unstoppable. Having
conquered vast swathes of south-east Asia - Malaya, Singapore, the
Dutch East Indies - and now invading New Guinea, many feared the
Empire of the Rising Sun stood poised to knock down Australia's
northern door. But first they needed Port Moresby. In the still of
an August night, Japanese marines sailed quietly into Milne Bay, a
long, malaria-ridden dead end at the far eastern tip of Papua, to
unleash an audacious pincer movement. Unbeknown to them, however, a
secret airstrip had been carved out of a coconut plantation by US
Engineers, and a garrison of Australian troops had been
established, supported by two locally based squadrons of RAAF
Kittyhawks, including the men of the famed 75 Squadron. The scene
was set for one of the most decisive and vicious battles of the
war. For ten days and nights Australia's soldiers and airmen fought
the elite of Japan's forces along a sodden jungle track, and forced
them back step by muddy, bloody step. In Turning Point, bestselling
author Michael Veitch brings to life the incredible exploits and
tragic sacrifices of these Australian heroes.
'Brilliantly researched and sympathetically told, 44 DAYS is more
than just a fitting tribute to brave but overlooked heroes. It's
also a top read.' DAILY TELEGRAPH The epic World War II story of
the heroes of Australia's 75 Squadron - and the 44 days when these
brave and barely trained pilots fought alone against the Japanese.
In March and April 1942, RAAF 75 Squadron bravely defended Port
Moresby for 44 days when Australia truly stood alone against the
Japanese. This group of raw young recruits scrambled ceaselessly in
their Kittyhawk fighters to an extraordinary and heroic battle, the
story of which has been left largely untold. The recruits had
almost nothing going for them against the Japanese war machine,
except for one extraordinary leader named John Jackson, a balding,
tubby Queenslander - at 35 possibly the oldest fighter pilot in the
world - who said little, led from the front, and who had absolutely
no sense of physical fear. Time and time again this brave group
were hurled into battle, against all odds and logic, and succeeded
in mauling a far superior enemy - whilst also fighting against the
air force hierarchy. After relentless attack, the squadron was
almost wiped out by the time relief came, having succeeded in their
mission - but also paying a terrible price. Michael Veitch, actor,
presenter and critically acclaimed author, brings to life the
incredible exploits and tragic sacrifices of this courageous
squadron of Australian heroes.
In the thick of World War II, during the first week of March 1943,
Japan made a final, desperate lunge for control of the South West
Pacific. In the ensuing Battle of the Bismarck Sea, a force of
land-based Australian and American planes attacked a massive convoy
of Japanese warships. The odds were against them. But a devastating
victory was won and Japan's hopes of regaining the initiative in
New Guinea destroyed. More importantly for Australians, the victory
decisively removed any possibility that Australia might be invaded
by Japanese forces. It was, for us, one of the most significant
times in our history - a week when our future was profoundly in the
balance. Bestselling author Michael Veitch tells the riveting story
of this crucial moment in history - how the bravery of young men
and experienced fighters, renegades and rule-followers, overcame
some of the darkest days of World War II.
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