Lionel Veale

In the ultimate Second World War victory in the South-West Pacific, a very significant role was played by a group known as the Coastwatchers.Their numbers were small but the contribution they made to the war effort was invaluable. The Coastwatchers Unit was made up mainly of people who were living in New Guinea at the time of the Japanese invasion. They were plantation owners, Government staff and officials of various kinds, and people who were involved in the everyday businesses and industries of the Territory. The Unit also included members of the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal Australian Navy and various Army Commando units. The role of the Coastwatchers was to observe the actions of the Japanese Throughout New Guinea and the islands of the South-West Pacific. Their work was extremely hazardous as they searched out the intelligence behind enemy lines. This book tells the story of a Coastwatch mission which took four Australian soldiers on an amazing expedition deep into Japanese held territory in the north of New Guinea. It is a story of outstanding courage, dedication and endurance, a fitting tribute to the fine efforts of all the Coastwatchers during the war in the Pacific.