DERRICK VC in his own Words: The wartime writings of Australia's most famous fighting soldier of World War II

NewSouth Publishing, 2021. Softcover. Near Fine. AUSTRALIAN MILITARY Tom 'Diver' Derrick VC DCM was Australia's most famous fighting soldier of World War II. Derrick fought in five campaigns, won the highest medals for bravery, and died of wounds sustained while leading his men in the war's last stages. His career reached its climax on the jungle-clad heights of Sattelberg in New Guinea, where he won the Victoria Cross by spearheading the capture of seemingly impregnable Japanese defences. The diaries Derrick kept throughout his campaigns, from Tobruk to Tarakan, are among the most important writings by any Australian soldier. Those diaries and all his other known wartime correspondence and interviews are published here for the first time in their entirety. 'Diver' had only a rudimentary education, but his intelligence, humour, ambition and fighting outlook shine through his words. Edited and annotated by Mark Johnston, one of Australia's leading authorities on World War II, this book provides unprecedented insights into the mind and the remarkable career of one of Australia's most decorated and renowned servicemen.First Edition. vii, 438 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps, portraits ; 24 cm. #081223 Derrick, Thomas Derrick, Thomas -- Diaries Australia. Army. Division, 9th Australia. Army. Australian Imperial Force, 2nd (1939-1946) Australia. Army. Battalion, 2/48th Victoria Cross -- Biography World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Australian World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- New Guinea -- Personal narratives, Australian Soldiers -- Australia -- Diaries Diaries World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, Australian Australia -- Armed Forces -- Diaries Australian Elizabeth's Bookshops have been one of Australia's premier independent book dealers since 1973. Elizabeth's family-owned business operates four branches in Perth CBD, Fremantle (WA), and Newtown (NSW). All orders are dispatched within 24 hours from our Fremantle Warehouse. All items can be viewed at Elizabeth's Bookshop Warehouse, 23 Queen Victoria Street\, Fremantle WA. Softcover Near Fine