| Description |
1 online resource : illustrations, maps |
| Summary |
This is the extraordinary and little known story of Qantas' significant role during World War II, particularly in its campaigns against the Japanese |
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"In this most readable book, Jim Eames captures the experiences of a small band of brave, professional and pioneering aircrew who confronted the dangers of war, the challenges of unforgiving oceanic and tropical weather and the uncertainty of navigation in unarmed flying boats and conventional aircraft."--Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret'd) This is a story of truly heroic deeds during the fall of Singapore, taking munitions and military personnel up and refugees back, of escape and subterfuge as crews prepared for these dangerous operations. It tells of how Qantas confronted the Japanese advance into Indonesia and on to Timor, of its planes being shot down by Japanese Zeros, and the little mentioned bombing of Broome during which 14 flying boats were destroyed and many lives were lost. Then there are the Papua New Guinea campaigns, the highlights of which are the rescue of 90 Australian civilians who made it through to Mt Hagan after the Japanese took Rabaul and the airline's involvement in the great battles of Kokoda, Buna and Gona. This is a story of an extraordinary group of Australians who confronted the dark days of World War II with bravery, commitment and initiative. They just happened to be Qantas people |
| Notes |
Introduction -- 1. Prelude to a war : The Imperial-BOAC dilemma -- 2. A world at war -- 3. The shadows darken, 1940 -- 4. Cats across the Pacific -- 5. The Americans are coming : Pan Am -- 6. Route extensions and Sibolga dogs -- 7. The battle for Singapore -- 8. Running the gauntlet -- 9. Impregnable no more : The fall of Singapore -- 10. Aub Koch's war, Part one -- 11. Loss and retreat : The link is cut -- 12. Means of escape -- 13. Near miss at Darwin -- 14. The reluctant spy : Dave Ross's Dili dilemma -- 15. The rat trap : Tjilatjap -- 16. 'One of our aircraft is missing' : The loss of Circe -- 17. Death and disaster at Broome -- 18. The last stand : Papua New Guinea -- 19. The struggle for aircraft and the Bully Beef Bombers -- 20. Empires to the rescue -- 21. 'The Japanese have landed' -- 22. Aub Koch's war, Part two -- 23. 'The most fascinating and romantic undertaking' : In secret across the Indian Ocean -- 24. The home front -- 25. The end comes -- 26. Among those who served -- 27. The struggle for recognition |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Notes |
Print version record |
| Subject |
Qantas Airways -- History
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| SUBJECT |
Qantas Airways. fast (OCoLC)fst00548337 |
| Subject |
World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations.
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Airlines -- Australia -- History
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Airlines.
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Military operations, Aerial.
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Australia.
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| Genre/Form |
History.
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| ISBN |
9781760633714 |
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1760633712 |
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