Australia's Secret Army

Established after World War I by the Royal Australian Navy, the Coast Watchers were a loose organisation of several hundred European settlers, missionaries, patrol officers and planters living in British and Australian Pacific Island territories whose job it was to observe and report on the enemy. They were mostly all unpaid volunteers whose job it was simply to observe and report on foreign shipping and aeroplane movements.

It was never envisaged that the Coast Watchers would do any fighting, nor operate inside enemy-occupied territory. But when World War II came to the Pacific, that is exactly what they ended up doing, becoming, in effect, Australia's secret army. Fully cognisant of their fate should they be caught, they nonetheless battled not just the enemy, but constant exhaustion, tropical disease, and the ever-present spectre of capture, torture and death.

Without the Coast Watchers and the crucial intelligence they provided, key moments in the war could have turned out very differently. This is the story of these unsung heroes who risked their lives - and sometimes lost them - in the service of their country.

Excellent untold story

Everything! Great history of an essential yet forgotten part of the Pacific war. Not to be missed by anyone interested in history.

Amazing story of men and women unlikely heroes

enjoyed the whole book, from background of the organization to the interaction between US military and coastwatchers, to hearing about women in war during a time when they were looked down upon as defensless.

A brilliant story!

A compelling narrative about an amazing effort. Beautifully written and narrated! This book is a “must read”.

Great story I wish I’d heard sooner

This was a great book with lots of interesting characters and anecdotes, telling the story of a group if very impactful people during ww2 that I had never heard of. Well written and good narration too.