Kokoda
Numerous accounts have been written of the infamous Kokoda Track campaign, but never before has this fascinating tale been told from both sides of the conflict. Now, in a unique and balanced portrayal, journalist Paul Ham recounts both the Australian and Japanese perspectives of the hellish Papuan jungle trail where thousands fought and died during World War II.Based on extensive research in Australia and Japan, and including previously unpublished documents, Kokoda intimately relates the stories of ordinary soldiers in the world's worst killing field, and examines the role of commanders in sending ill-equipped, unqualified Australian troops into battles that resulted in near 100% casualty rates.It was a war without mercy, fought back and forth along miles of mountains, river crossings, swamps and coastal plains, with both sides racked by hunger and disease, and terrified of falling into enemy hands. Defeat was unthinkable: the Australian soldier was fighting for his homeland against an unyielding aggressor; the Japanese ordered to fight to the death in a bid to conquer Ʋeater East Asia" Paul Ham captures the spirits of those soldiers and commanders who clashed in this war of exceptional savagery, and tells of the brave souls on both sides of the campaign whose courage and sacrifices must never be forgotten.Journalist Paul Ham was inspired even as a schoolboy to write the extraordinary tale of Kokoda. He has spent years conducting exhaustive research in which he interviewed Australian and Japanese veterans and their families, and uncovered unpublished historical documents. Ham is based in Sydney as the Australia correspondent for THE SUNDAY TIMES.