'...Brune's book is a timely reminder that despite the warmest alliances, nations sometimes have to stand up and save themselves.' - The Weekend Australian Financial Review'...A Bastard of a Place undeniably ranks as the best book ever written about the Aussie battles in Papua ...Very highly recommended, and certainly one of the best books of the year.' - Bill Stone, Stone + Stone Second World War Books websiteIn 1942 and early 1943 Papua New Guinea was 'a bastard of a place' to fight a war. Peter Brune gives us the final, ...
Read More
'...Brune's book is a timely reminder that despite the warmest alliances, nations sometimes have to stand up and save themselves.' - The Weekend Australian Financial Review'...A Bastard of a Place undeniably ranks as the best book ever written about the Aussie battles in Papua ...Very highly recommended, and certainly one of the best books of the year.' - Bill Stone, Stone + Stone Second World War Books websiteIn 1942 and early 1943 Papua New Guinea was 'a bastard of a place' to fight a war. Peter Brune gives us the final, all-encompassing story of the five battles that changed Australia forever. Peter's compelling narrative resonates with the voices of both the well-trained AIF volunteer, and the young Militia conscript who triumphed together. He interviewed hundreds of these soldiers and himself travelled the treacherous terrain and bloody battlegrounds where so many of their mates perished. Peter reveals the inside story of how Generals MacArthur and Blamey sacrificed many of the senior Australian field commanders as scapegoats to protect their own positions.A Bastard of a Place restores Milne Bay, Gona, Buna and Sanananda to their rightful place beside Kokoda to what they should collectively be for all Australians sacred ground.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
This is a history of Australian military campaigns in New Guinea in WW II. A fairly small number of Australian troops defeated invading Japanese in 3 bloody campaigns. The Australian commanders in New Guinea were competent but under the over-all comand of MacArthur. Several officers were relieved because of perceived timidity - but they had actually performed well, possibly brilliantly. Far from the fighting MacArthur pushed for attacks, resulting in heavy losses which were largely unnecessary. When the campaigns were eventually successful MacArtur claimed all the credit.
The book details the campaigns and provides a tremendous amount of information about the officers and men. The author strongly favors the Australian army with the exception of the top commander who comes in for significant criticism which appears to be welll deserved. MacArthut is lambasted rather regularly for his ego and his uninformed interference with the field commanders.
I found the book fascinating because I knew so little about the fighting in New Guinea. This volume will probably become the standard Australian history of the campaigns - because of its criicism of MacArthur. the US Army is unlikely to favor it.
