Qantas at War

This is the extraordinary and little known story of Qantas' significant role during World War II, particularly in its campaigns against the Japanese. It 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 Japanes 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.

Jim Eames is author of The Country Undertaker, Six Feet Under Or Up in Smoke, Taking to the Skies and The Flying Kangaroo. As one of Australia's first aviation writers, and former press secretary to the Minister for Aviation and former Director of Public Affairs for Qantas, he is a man who has lived and breathed aviation. He also tells a great yarn.