The Guns of Muschu: The Story of the One Australian Who Survived the Raid on the Island of Muschu in 1945

by Don Dennis

A true story of survival. Eight men went in - only one returned...During the night of 11 April 1945, eight Australian Z Special commandos landed on Japanese-held Muschu Island, off the coast of New Guinea. Their mission was to reconnoiter the island's defenses and confirm the location of two concealed naval guns that commanded the approaches to Wewak Harbour.But the secret mission suddenly went horribly wrong. Unknown to them, their presence had been discovered within hours of their landing. With no means of escape, the island became a killing ground. But one man refused to give in - and the hunted became the hunter, swearing if he was going to die, then he'd take as many of the enemy with him as he could. Nine days later, on the New Guinea mainland, the only survivor staggered back through the Japanese lines to safety after accounting for more than fifteen enemy...This is the remarkable, but true story of that lone survivor. A story of raw courage and determination against impossible odds.Seventy years after the mission, this book has led to an expedition to Muschu Island to investigate the fate of four of the commandos that went missing during the operation. These men have subsequently been found, their remains identified and re-interred in the Australian War Cemetery, near Lae New Guinea.

Genres: Biography Memoir

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 9, 2006

Reviews

[Diane in Australia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written about a 1945 Australian Z Special commando mission on Japanese held Muschu Island, off the coast of Papua New Guinea. One of the members of that commando unit was the author's uncle.

It all begins when the pilot of an Australian military plane had to ditch his aircraft in the water near Muschu. As it went down he was able to glimpse two large guns beneath camouflage nets on that island. The men were picked up by an American torpedo boat, and duly reported what they had seen.

This caused great concern because it could affect preparations for a coming Australian operation against the Japanese on the PNG mainland, Wewak Harbour. Therefore, it was decided that a Z Special Patrol would land on Muschu, and do reconnaissance.

During the night of 11 April 1945 that unit landed on Muschu. Eight men went in, but only one returned. The book covers what happened during that mission. The author has his uncle, and his diaries, as a resource, but he has done extensive research above and beyond that. This true story is well told, and held my attention from beginning to end.

[Jay Dwight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big reader of non-fiction, but I was totally engrossed in this war tale. A secret mission to the Island of Muschu for a team of eight Australians. So many things went wrong. Only one survived and it is a miracle he did. An amazing tale.

[Wayne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the incredible survival story of Mick Dennis an Australian Z special commando. Sole survivor of a mission in April 1945. Highly recommended.