Those Dark Days of Early 1942

It's just such an incredibly good audio book - you feel like you're actually there, and that these events are being brought to life around you, at the actual scene of where these historic aerial 'dive & zoom' tactics were so effectively used against the invading Japanese fighters and bombers. Amazingly, despite being heavily outnumbered, they were somehow able 'hold the fort' against almost seemingly impossible odds, until American reinforcements could arrive. However, without their charismatic and gifted leader, sometimes known as 'Old John' Jackson (I read here or somewhere, if I remember correctly)...it would certainly have been literally impossible to have achieved this outcome - a point on which all of the surviving pilots unanimously agreed, apparently. Tragically, and the way it happened it was doubly so, he didn't survive the six weeks in question.

The book extends to in-depth discussion of the strategies used respectively by each side: by the Australians flying their robust Kittyhawk fighters with better firepower; as well as by their opponents flying the renowned and formidable/ almost aerobatic Zero. Michael Veitch graphically details the extraordinarily daunting circumstances in which this very critical Air Battle of Port Moresby took place - fought largely by these recently recruited pilots who had volunteered (without hesitation) to join the RAAF and who were then sent into action while still ill-trained, but also: largely ill-equipped, and with very limited back-up. The general lack of proper food, supplies, medical and other equipment was further compounded, not only by tropical diseases and dysentery, but by a failure to receive any moral support from within their own (effectively incomplete, or virtually broken..) chain of command. Michael Veitch tells this amazing tale extremely well, complete with its 'controversial' elements, of which there were - unfortunately - no shortage!

This latest book by Mr Veitch strikes me as an invaluable 'documenting' of this struggle, and at the same time one which is effortlessly undrstood as the tale unfolds about this truly momentous few weeks in Australia's military and aerial history. I feel it's high time it became better known, as does now seems to be occurring - thanks to the talents of Michael Veitch with his ability, whether on stage or (as here) through the spoken or written word, to illuminate this kind of subject matter which is potentially still full of valuable lessons yet to be finally learned.

I would highly recommend it, as a must-read addition to his growing contribution of books/ audio-books in this area.