Cruel Conflict The Triumph and Tragedy of HMAS Perth

The story of the men who served in HMAS PERTH in the early years of the second World War, Cruel Conflict is the story of the men who served in HMAS Perth between 1939 and 1942. The courage and humour of those who were taken as prisoners of war, who endured the hardships of the camps and laboured on the Burma-Thailand railway is a story of triumph and tragedy. Kathryn Spurling has interviewed the survivors and their families as well as mining thousands of documents to weave together a moving tale. It is ultimately a story of chance, endurance, and the power of the human spirit.

Dr. Kathryn Spurling served with the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS). Her late father FO Maxwell Norris (RAAF) served with RAF Bomber Command during WWII. After securing her PhD in military history, Dr. Spurling tutored history and strategic studies and guest lectured in history at the University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra. In 2012 she was appointed a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University, Canberra and in 2014 became an Adjunct Visiting Research Associate with Flinders University. She has lectured extensively overseas on military  issues.

Foreword Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, Chief of Navy iv Preface vi Acknowledgements viii List of abbreviations ix Timeline x Map of the Burma– Thailand railway xi One For those in peril on the sea. 13 Two One is amazed at, and somewhat ashamed of, the lack of foresight any of us had. 27 Three We soon came to realise that we were now in a real war. 42 Four Who can sleep, our nerves are just about going … I cannot stand much more of it without a rest. 56 Five I am only nineteen years old! What is expected of me? How much more can I give? 70 Six In battleship grey with swirling black camoufl age stripes down her sides she was a thrilling sight. 93 Seven War can be one of man’ s most exhilarating experiences, just as it can be terrifying and repugnant. 112 Eight Perth in anger was one of the fi nest sights. 128 Nine We fought like hell, but it was never going to be enough. 148 Ten They fought for King and Country and sleep in sailor’ s graves. 171 Eleven Hell on Earth. 196 Twelve They were rotten with ulcers, malaria, and every other disease and the stench from their hut made one vomit. 221 Thirteen A shining example of a good fellow, only a kid but remarkable in spirit and everything else. 248 Fourteen Some incidents I can never forget, as they are indelibly imprinted in my mind. 275 Endnotes 307 Bibliography 327 Index 334