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Leading military historian Mark Johnston tells stories of the courage of individual soldiers across every battle in which Australians fought in World War II. When Australians defended against Rommels tanks at Tobruk and Alamein, tackled paratroopers landing among them on Crete, attacked French Foreign Legionnaires in Syrian forts, held off Japanese tanks in Malaya, fought hand-to-hand on the Kokoda Track, and took on well-hidden and tenacious Japanese in countless grim jungle-clad locations, brave individuals risked everything to bring victory. Australian soldiers performed acts of remarkable bravery in the roles of stretcher-bearers and snipers, in victories and defeats, and in desert and jungle. Such astonishing deeds were often rewarded with medals, but many brave deeds went unrecognised, and whether acknowledged or not, the heroes often paid a heavy price for their courageous acts, in the form of physical injury, psychological trauma or death. Australian Heroes of World War II features hundreds of stories that have been rarely if ever told, and that are guaranteed to amaze. Mark Johnston shows again why he is the premier historian of the Australian Army in WWII. Peter Stanley Mark Johnston has produced a study of battlefield bravery that is both erudite and a page turner. It is the story of ordinary Australians in extraordinary situations. — Karl James An outstanding contribution to our understanding of Australias experience of war, and a wonderful tribute to ordinary men whose remarkable deeds need to be remembered and honoured. — David Horner |
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