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- Hachette Australia
- Hachette Australia
- Hachette Australia
- Hachette Australia
Turning Point: The Battle for Milne Bay 1942 - Japan's first land defeat in World War II
Michael Veitch
20th century, True war & combat stories, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, Military history, Second World War, Air forces & warfare
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Imprint
Hachette Australia
- Paperback Jul 27, 2022 | 9780733648670 | RRP $24.99 Buy Now
- Trade Paperback Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733640551 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
- e-Book Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733640568 | RRP $14.99 Buy Now
- Audiobook Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733643125 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
Play Sample0:00 -
Imprint
Hachette Australia
- Paperback Jul 27, 2022 | 9780733648670 | RRP $24.99 Buy Now
- Trade Paperback Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733640551 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
- e-Book Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733640568 | RRP $14.99 Buy Now
- Audiobook Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733643125 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
Play Sample0:00 -
Imprint
Hachette Australia
- Paperback Jul 27, 2022 | 9780733648670 | RRP $24.99 Buy Now
- Trade Paperback Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733640551 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
- e-Book Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733640568 | RRP $14.99 Buy Now
- Audiobook Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733643125 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
Play Sample0:00 -
Imprint
Hachette Australia
- Paperback Jul 27, 2022 | 9780733648670 | RRP $24.99 Buy Now
- Trade Paperback Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733640551 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
- e-Book Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733640568 | RRP $14.99 Buy Now
- Audiobook Jul 23, 2019 | 9780733643125 | RRP $34.99 Buy Now
Play Sample0:00
Told for the first time, this is the epic story of the Milne Bay campaign of 1942 - which saw Japanese land forces suffer their first defeat of the war - and has properly been called the RAAF's forgotten finest hour.
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.
Praise for Turning Point: The Battle for Milne Bay 1942 - Japan's first land defeat in World War II
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Veitch has done a wonderful job . . . a fast-paced and thrilling tale - Daily Telegraph on Michael Veitch's Barney Greatrex
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should be part of Australian military folklore - Adelaide Advertiser on Michael Veitch's 44 Days
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fascinating . . . Veitch brings the story vividly to life - Sydney Morning Herald on Michael Veitch's Barney Greatrex
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In many ways a significant event in the history of Australia's participation in World War II, this book brings to life the people and the formidable situations they endured - making it a commendable resource for students of the history of the war in the Pacific, as well as an engrossing read for the general reader. - ReadPlus
Reader reviews (1)
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The author exhibits a special ability to write in such a way as to be - in equal parts - both enlightening and entertaining. To achieve that again here with this difficult topic, where so many of our WWII veterans had remembered Milne Bay as being an especially nasty place in which to find themselves fighting to protect their country, is really quite remarkable.
Rated 5
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Michael Veitch
Michael Veitch is well known as an author, actor and former ABC television and radio presenter. His books include the critically acclaimed accounts of Australian airmen in World War II, 44 Days, Heroes of the Skies, Fly, Flak, Barney Greatrex, Turning Point and The Battle of the Bismarck Sea. He lives in the Yarra Valley, outside Melbourne.
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