[Jon Skagfeld]

Colin Tigwell, aka herkman on this forum, was kind enough to send me a book by the marginally noted name.

Written by Peter Fitzsimons (also author "Nancy Wake"), it relates the story of a militia Battalion("Chocs"; for Chocolate soldiers) who endured incredible hardships during a campaign in New Guinea during World War II.

Despite the incompetent buffoonery of an Australian General, the disdain of a womanizing Prime Minister and the interference of an American five star General, the 39th Battalion (plus Regular Australian troops) succeeded in overcoming the bulk of Japanese troops at Buna on the north coast of the eastern tip of New Guinea after fighting up the Kokoda Track from Port Moresby.

Up until I had read this book, I had only been aware, somewhat peripherally, about such as Slim's "Forgotten" 14th Army in and about Burma.

I wonder how many of you members of MLU, apart from the "Down Under" mob, have ever heard of Kokoda?

Perhaps you might be prompted to google or otherwise search this fascinating item of battle about which, I for one, had no prior knowledge.