Hostages to Freedom. The fall of Rabaul. New Guinea 1941-1945

The definitive work on the invasion of Rabaul, Papua New Guinea in January 1942, and the subsequent events that led to the bombing of the harbour, Hostages to Freedom – The Fall of Rabaul is one of the most comprehensive books on World War 2. The book documents the invasion and futile attempt to ward off the 20,000 Japanese invasionforce, the escape of only 400 out of an Australian garrison of 1400, and the horrific Tol Massacre. It tells of MacArthur’s initial desire to invade, and then to bypass Rabaul, prefering to bomb the Japanese stronghold into isolation and ineffectiveness. As a result, over fifty ships and aircraft went to the bottom of the harbour. Chapters are devoted to identification and diving the shipwrecks in the harbour, and aircraft wrecks in the vicinity and elsewhere in New Britain and New Guinea. A significant section covers the post-war salvage of ships, aircraft and war surplus. The life of the Japanese on the island, and the Australian, British, American, Chinese, and Indian prisoners of war is detailed from first-hand accounts. Only one Australian military POW survived. The Coastwatchers, and guerilla warfare is included. Third printing. HCDJ