The Fight for Australia

The compelling story of Australia's desperate fight for survival during World War II.

In the dark days following the fall of Singapore in February 1942, Australia faced its toughest battle yet. It was centrestage and under direct attack from seemingly invincible Japanese forces. Winston Churchill was demanding our best battle-hardened troops stay in North Africa while President Roosevelt called for them to fight the Japanese in Burma. But Prime Minister John Curtin insisted, in an act of defiance, that they return to defend their homeland.

Australia had never been more isolated - strategically, politically and physically. Or less prepared.

In this masterful and gripping account, Roland Perry brings to life the bravery of our fellow Australians: from the forces engaged in brutal frontline fighting in the jungle, sea and air, to the backroom strategic campaigns waged by our politicians, and the sacrifices made on the home front.

The Fight for Australia is the rich and revealing story of how we, as a nation, fought for our very survival - and stood up for our interests, against friend and foe alike.

Now part of the Hachette Military Collection.

'A very readable and engaging study of Australia's Pacific war.' Australian defence Magazine

Previously published in hardback as Pacific 360

About the Author

Roland Perry is an award-winning author, journalist and documentary-maker, best known for his writing on Australian military and sporting history. His books include Bradman's Invincibles, The Fight For Australia, Monash: The Outsider Who Won The War, The Australian Horse, The Changi Brownlow, biographies of cricketers Keith Miller and Shane Warne, his highly praised life of Don Bradman, as well as the recent bestsellers Bill the Bastard and Horrie The War Dog. Roland Perry was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, for services to literature, in 2011.