Book Review - The Markham and Ramu Valleys 1943-1944 (Australians in the Pacific War)

 The Markham and Ramu Valleys 1943-1944 (Australians in the Pacific War)

Researched and written by Dr. Mark Johnston, Text and photo editing by Courtney Page-Allen

Canberra: Department of Veteran's Affairs, 2005       ISBN 9781920720490

This little book is part of a wonderful series printed by the Australian Department of Veteran's Affairs on the sixtieth anniversary of the end of World War Two. They consist of a short section of text and a carefully curated collection of photographs which illustrate a particular piece of Australian activity in the Pacific War. The books were distributed freely to libraries and schools to help to keep memory alive.

This particular volume describes the actions that led to the taking of Lae and the campaign up the Markham Valley through Nadzab, Kaiapit, and on to Shaggy Ridge, a name that rings through the history of Australia in World War Two. Battalions of the Seventh Division fought their way up into the Finisterre Ranges and along the ridge (which was often only wide enough for one man to walk along), fighting hand-to-hand battles to take features such as Johnson's Knoll and the famous Pimple.

The text, while very brief is crisp and accurate, and is wonderfully complemented by the photographs, which show the difficulty and danger of this campaign which lasted from September 1943 through to February 1944. The photos are especially poignant for me, as one of my Great Uncles with whom I used to spend my Summer holidays, fought in that campaign.

We will remember them.

Cheers for now, from

A View Over the Bell