Caught in the Crossfire: An Australian peacekeeper beyond the front-line

by Matina Jewell

This is a story of idealism and heroism; of romance and terrifying drama.

In 2006, while part of an un-armed UN peacekeeping team at the border junction of Lebanon, Israel and Syria, Australian Major Matina Jewell and her colleagues were caught in a full-scale war with tragic consequences. In the days that followed she and her team-mates reported hundreds of violations of the peace agreement as Israeli artillery, tank fire and aerial bombs, as well as rockets fired by Hezbollah fighters, exploded only metres away and shrapnel rained down around them. But the story does not end there.

Matti Jewell is the kind of soldier every country is proud to have - fearless, honourable and highly skilled. A star graduate from Duntroon by the age of only 24, she became a highly valued army commander. In the years that followed, she earned eight war medals, tracking militia leaders in the Solomons, fast-roping out of Navy helicopters and boarding smuggler ships in the Arabian Gulf, as well as serving on operations with the American Navy SEALS and Australian Special Forces.

Caught in the Crossfire is a frighteningly dramatic first-hand account of what really happens in modern warfare and the high price our soldiers pay for their country.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Historical, Military Fiction

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

Matina rose to the rank of Major in the Australian Army. She has a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Project Management. She speaks both Arabic and Bahasa Indonesian, and has represented Australia internationally in volleyball. She is the recipient of six Australian Defence Force service medals and of two war decorations from the Lebanese Government. She is a member of the Federal Commission for the ANZAC Centenary and the Ambassador of the Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemakers Veterans Association. She was born and raised near Byron Bay; today she lives regional Victoria. This is her first book.

Reviews

[Tracey Allen at Carpe Librum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caught in the Crossfire by Australian author Matina Jewell is an incredibly personal and courageous memoir. Growing up near Byron Bay, Matina spent her weekends swimming, surfing, riding horses and playing team sports including volleyball, going on to play her first national titles when she was just thirteen. Matina even travelled to China to play volleyball for Australia and decided she wanted a career where she could travel and continue to learn about other cultures around the world.

Initially wanting to pursue a career in physiotherapy, Matina joined the Australian Defence Force Academy after High School, and began her training as an Officer in the Army. After graduating she spent time in the Solomons and the Middle East, and in 2004 was selected for a prestigious role with the United Nations. Prior to taking up her UN posting she took the opportunity to learn Arabic, a decision that later saved her life.

In July 2006, Matina was close to finishing her posting at Patrol Base Khiam in Lebanon, when war broke out. Matina was seriously injured whilst leading a convoy of armoured vehicles to safety. Shortly afterwards, her unarmed UN team mates - who had become like brothers to her - were killed when PB Khiam was hit by an aerial bomb, despite their requests to evacuate.

Matina's evacuation to Australia was a nightmare, and she later learned the full extent of her physical injuries, including fractured and crushed vertebrae. Matina suffered from survivor guilt and battled severe depression, being achingly honest in her memoirs. However this is an inspirational story, as Matina eventually finds the inner strength to turn her life around and find a way to honour and commemorate her fallen comrades. It's also a love story as the love and support of her boyfriend at the time Clent, proves pivotal; he literally travels halfway around the world for her.

I also loved the QR codes, enabling me to watch the footage interspersed throughout the book, it really added to the reader experience.

Matina has had an incredible physical and emotional journey to get to this point and hers is a story that must be read to be believed. (Imagine being dropped from an ambulance with an already broken back for instance!) I highly recommend this informative and engaging memoir, and for anybody interested in learning how a person can recover from debilitating physical and emotional hardship, turn their life around and start living again.

[Tessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, the writing in this memoir became tedious very quickly, and there were also a few parts that ideologically ground my gears a bit. I lost sympathy with her a bit at the end, because the examination of her mental state started to drag / didn’t really carry the plot, so it started to read like a polemic. A long list of the ways the UN system fails returnees does not a good story make.

[Claire Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book after seeing Mattina deliver a key note address at a conference I attended. Her presentation received a standing ovation and, I think it’s fair to say, touched everyone in the audience. Having seen her talk and then reading this book, I have to say I found it an extremely emotional read (hence it took me a while to finish). Had I just been reading it cold, without having seen Mattina speak first, I’m sure it wouldn’t have had quite such an impact.

That being said, an incredible story of a brave, courageous woman who endured so much both on the front lines and back at home. Her drive to succeed and give her best is inspirational.

Having had a war-time serving family member be treated as absolute A-class by the DVA, it was very saddening to read about Mattina’s very different experiences with the DVA, and I hope the situation is able to improve through her continued advocacy work.

[Lenny Markovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always had a weird relationship with memories and biographies. I think it’s hard when you like reading true crime or other genres you want something thrilling with a twist but that is rare in memoirs. I read this as it was a gift from a friend and I had no real expectations. It did surprise me though. I like that it wasn’t trying to be something it wasn’t. Matina spoke from the heart, focused on what was important for her and the book told a story of what a version of military life and peacekeeping was like. I think it’s a good book and an easy read and if you’re interested in what our military factions do and how you can overcome bureaucracy if you’re patient and keep fighting. I’ve heard she’s an amazing speaker so we’ll have to keep an eye out for her.

[Andrew Tupper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poster child for women in the armed forces goes to do good things, and finds herself badly let down - Matina tells her edgy, disturbing, courageous true story of peacekeeping in the middle east. She's not an experienced writer, but that adds to the strength of this book - this is raw, powerful, and stays with you. It's not so much the obvious heroism displayed, but the dawning realisation that all is not well in the system - the army system, the UN system, the rotten, rotten conflict, and finally the bureaucracy that should have looked after her on return. Outstanding. Matina is also a compelling live speaker for anybody who gets the chance to hear her.

[Caryatid · Rating 1 out of 5]

What fool sent this delicate flower to UN peacekeeping in the middle east, where wearing a uniform instead of total covering, got horrified, dismayed and shocked at a man outside the fence masturbating and reported him to her superiors setting equal rights in the armed forces back decades.

[Christine Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I received from work and otherwise probably wouldn't have had opportunity to read.
An enlightening look into governement operations and war, though disappointing to see how poorly managed some aspects can be at the expense of innocent lives.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast-paced yet thoughtful read from a rarity of a person whose motivation and moxie matters.

[Nicola Bergano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly inspirational. I heard the author speak and had to read the book. It does not disappoint

[John Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book a lot, I would have liked to have seen a little more of what happened AFTER PB Khiam was bombed. Also, the chapters that appear after Matti gets evacuated back to Australia, (but actually occur BEFORE she is posted to Lebannon) confused me at first, before I realised what was happening.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got two thirds of the way through this book and had had enough.

[Julie Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Matina so this book had more of an impact than expected. Such a remarkable young woman and an incredible journey. Great inspirational speaker; you can find her on facebook.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, a real eye opener regarding problems facing UN Peacekeepers. Easy & informative read.