Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Inc

The book “Darwin’s Battle for Australia  (Volume 1)”  has sold out and is now out of print.

Published in 2009, “Darwin’s Battle for Australia (Volume 2)” contains all the data from Volume 1 plus a substantial amount of new material.

Cover of Darwin

Volume 2 includes a free DVD with a PDF copy of the entire book in colour and copies of over 2700 photos sent in by members of the Darwin Defenders association.

Contents

This book is a concise history of Darwin and the events leading up to the war with Japan.

Major General Frank Poke , AO, KStJ, RFD, ED, who served in Darwin in WW2 has supplied an exclusive report on Darwin and its place in Australia’s Military History, and a summary of the Political Influences on WW2 in the Pacific. The strategic importance of Darwin in the South West Pacific defence zone is explained in detail.

The introduction is given by Brigadier Douglas Ball, AM, RFD, ADC, jssc, FAIM, who could be described as a “latter day” Darwin Defender. He was born about 20 years too late for WW2, but postwar he served as Commander of the 4th Brigade responsible for the defence of a large area of the NT based on Katherine. He is also National President of Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Inc.

Included are many eye-witness accounts by veterans of the Australian Army, Navy, Merchant Navy, RAAF and American Air Forces in the defence of Darwin and Northern Australia in World War II. The 64 Air Raids and the devastation wrought on Darwin is covered in word and photos.

A chapter has been included  on  “Australian Women at War”. Thousands of Australian women served in the Army, Navy and RAAF, and our Australian Nurses were angels in disguise to the many sick and wounded they tended.

Illustrations

There are over 100 photos selected from the collections of veterans who served in the Darwin area in WW-II. which have been restored and enlarged for inclusion in the book. Many thanks to those who sent in their photos to make this possible.

The free DVD

You will find this mounted inside  the back cover of the book. This is considered to be part of the book and must not be sold separately. It contains a full version of the book printed in colour in PDF format so that you can download stories or pictures that you want to use for personal or educational purposes. To avoid breaches of copyright or accusations of plagiarism be sure to give accreditation to the author of the particular story and to Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Inc.

Reviews for Volume 1

Readers of “Darwin’s Battle for Australia (Volume 1)”  have described the book as:

• “fantastic”
• “its great”
• “a wonderful resource”
• “a copy should be in every school library in Australia”
• “it is a very important thing you have done”
• “a tremendous amount of research involved”
• “I want another copy for my son’s birthday. I have never had a book that I have enjoyed so much; so much information and so much sadness, with all the suffering and death to so many persons. Many thanks for the chance to learn the truth about what really happened to Darwin and around the area.”

Publication details

Darwin’s Battle for Australia (Volume 2)
Published 2009 by Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Inc
ISBN 0-646-44554-5
Author and edited by Rex Ruwoldt.

368 pages on 90 gsm high gloss paper inside
250 gsm high gloss card cover

Price and ordering

All prices are in Australian dollars (A$).

Recommended retail price: A$44.00 per copy plus packing and postage

Member’s discount price (25% off): A$33.00 per copy plus packing and postage

Packing/postage for 1 or 2 copies in one parcel: A$12.00. For bulk orders, please email the Honorary Secretary for a quote.

To order, please send a cheque or money order to:

Honorary Secretary
Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Inc
73 Bayshore Avenue
CLIFTON SPRINGS VIC
Australia

Do not send cash, as it can get lost in the mail.

Remember to include your name, postal address, telephone number and the number of books you require.