Penguin Books, Melbourne, 1991. First Edition. Softcover. Good Condition. First impression. Size: Octavo 8vo (standard book size). 424 pages. Text body is clean, and free from previous owner annotation, underlining and highlighting. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. Moderately foxed throughout. Edges foxed and browned. The book has been read and it may have some creases but is sound overall. The book is available and will be PACKAGED professionally, DISPATCHED promptly and a TRACKING NUMBER will be advised by Australia Post.. After Pearl harbour was bombed in 1941 the war in the Pacific gained momentum; Japanese troops began to move relentlessly south, towards Australia. Determined to provide an information network along the vulnerable coastlines of Northern Australia and the islands to the north, the Australian Navy developed the Coast Watching Organisation. Many of the Coast Watchers worked voluntarily behind enemy lines, isolated and ill-equipped. Yet their radioed reports gave the Allies a decisive advantage in some of the most crucial battles of the war, including the famed battle of Guadalcanal. The Coast Watchers is a fascinating record of initiative and loyalty. Eric Feldt, commander in charge of the Coast Watchers, writes with authority, meticulously documenting the intelligence strategies as well as the personal suffering and courage of these brave men. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilogram. Category: Military & Warfare; Australia; 1940s; ISBN: 0140149260. ISBN/EAN: 9780140149265. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 9886. . 9780140149265

Synopsis

As the threat of German raiders and Japanese aggression increased, Director of Naval Intelligence, Rupert Long, enlisted Eric Feldt to command the Coast Watching Organization. Feldt had been through Naval College with Long. Having left the Navy in 1922 as lieutenant, Feldt settled in New Guinea, where he became mining warden of the Wau goldfield. As commander in charge he set about increasing the coast watching capability in New Guinea, New Britain and the Solomon Islands. Japan attacked Pearl Harbour and went on to take, among many other possessions in the Greater East Asia Prosperity Sphere, Rabaul. Taking the Solomons, just south of the naval base at Rabaul, would isolate Australia and greatly reduce the United States' ability to launch counter attacks in the South West Pacific.Resource rich New Guinea would be defended only by Australia unless the United States Navy was prepared to commit their Aircraft Carriers to a decisive battle (an obsession of Japan's). The Coast Watchers remained behind enemy lines with teleradios to report on enemy ship movements and proved invaluable in giving early warnings of air attacks from Rabaul as the Allies tried desperately to hold and supply the hard gains made in Guadalcanal. Countless Allied Servicemen's lives were saved by giving the slow climbing hellcats time to achieve advantageous altitude prior to attacks and rescuing downed airmen and stranded seaman. A remarkable story of remarkable men, living in a very difficult and dangerous time.

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Details

Bookseller: Great Southern Books (AU)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 9886
Title: The Coast Watchers
Author: Feldt, Eric
Format/Binding: Softcover
Book Condition: Used - Good Condition
Quantity Available: 1
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Paperback
ISBN 10: 0140149260
ISBN 13: 9780140149265
Publisher: Penguin Books
Place of Publication: Melbourne
Date Published: 1991
Keywords: BZDB137 military history, australia, japan, pacific, coast watchers Military & Warfare; Australia; 1940s; Unbranded ISBN: 0140149260 EAN: 9780140149265 Feldt, Eric The Coast Watchers

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Spine: The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
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Octavo: Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
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