Tarakan

by Peter Stanley

In 1945, 240 Australians died taking the small island of Tarakan from the Japanese. The tragedy of Tarakan was that by the time they succeeded, they needn't have begun. critically appraises the view that the Borneo campaign was unnecessary, arguing that the tragedy of Tarakan was that it was a justifiable operation doomed by the politics of coalition warfare and by bad planning.

Genres: World War II

Paperback

Published April 1, 1997

About the author

Peter Stanley is a leading military historian and author. A Stout Pair of Boots is based on his research on Australia's battlefields in many parts of the world. Formerly Principal Historian at the Australian War Memorial, he is now Director of the Centre for Historical Research at the National Museum of Australia.

Reviews

[John Sheridan · Rating 4 out of 5]

a forgotten battlefield

Stanley’s work on Tarakan captures the courageous and dedicated service of the Australian’s who took Tarakan against determined Japanese resistance. So complete was their victory that there were no senior Japanese left to conduct a surrender ceremony when the war ended. The sacrifice of these Australians is described well and in great detail. Highly recommended.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of a relatively obscure and misunderstood battle.