44 Days: 75 Squadron and the Fight for Australia

by Michael Veitch

The epic World War II story of Australia's 75 Squadron - and the 44 days when these brave and barely trained pilots fought alone against the Japanese.

In March and April 1942, RAAF 75 Squadron bravely defended Port Moresby for 44 days when Australia truly stood alone against the Japanese. This group of raw young recruits scrambled ceaselessly in their Kittyhawk fighters to an extraordinary and heroic battle, the story of which has been left largely untold.

The recruits had almost nothing going for them against the Japanese war machine, except for one extraordinary leader named John Jackson, a balding, tubby Queenslander - at 35 possibly the oldest fighter pilot in the world - who said little, led from the front, and who had absolutely no sense of physical fear.

Time and time again this brave group were hurled into battle, against all odds and logic, and succeeded in mauling a far superior enemy - whilst also fighting against the air force hierarchy. After relentless attack, the squadron was almost wiped out by the time relief came, having succeeded in their mission - but also paying a terrible price.

Michael Veitch, actor, presenter and critically acclaimed author, brings to life the incredible exploits and tragic sacrifices of this courageous squadron of Australian heroes.

Genres: Aviation, History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, World War II, War, Audiobook

336 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2016

About the author

Michael Veitch spent much of his youth writing and performing in television sketch comedy programs, before freelancing as a columnist and arts reviewer for newspapers and magazines. For four years he presented Sunday Arts, the national arts show on ABC television, and produced two books indulging his life-long interest in the aircraft of the Second World War, Flak and Fly. He lives in Hobart, where he presents ABC radio.

Books:
Hailing from a family of journalists, Veitch wrote Flak – True stories from the men who flew in World War II published in 2006 by Pan Macmillan and later, Fly: True stories of courage and adventure from the airmen of World War II published by Penguin Australia in August 2008. A third book, The Forgotten Islands, exploring the lesser-known islands of Bass Strait, was published by Penguin Australia in August 2011.

Further publications include a history of the CSIRO marine exploration vessel, Southern Surveyor will be released in late 2015 (CSIRO Publishing) and a further volume of Second World War airman stories, which will also be published late 2015 (Penguin Books).

Reviews

[Jonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early in 1942, with the British and Americans defeated in Malaya, the Philippines and the Java Sea, Australia stood alone. A scratch force dispatched to New Guinea were at the mercy of Japanese air power, waiting for the Japanese army to arrive and overrun them.
Then 75 Squadron arrive.
Forget the myths of the Battle of Britain - these guys are the real Few. A mix of desert war veterans, converts from other aircraft and New trainees (with an average time on Kittyhawks of 10 hours) they eventually make their way to an airfield in name only (if you remove 'air' from the word you may be closer to the truth) where they contend with primitive conditions, endemic gastro-enteric problems, the Japanese and the jungle and mountains.
And they take on the dreaded Zero, and hold them, strength slowly ebbing away until after 44 days they're finally withdrawn, having suffered the loss of their leader to the ridiculous order to try and dogfight with Zeros rather than use the advantage of their aircraft to fight a battle they could hold their own in.
Told thorough the recollections of the pilots, medical staff, embattled maintenance crews and frustrated early warning teams, this really is the one that needs to be told . Such a shame that the story ends the way it does, but I suppose happy endings are for Disney.
Read it. You know you should.

[Helen O'Sh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chomped through this one super quick! It was easy to listen to (like Michael Veitch’s other books) and really interesting. Again, I had no idea this was that this was how the Japanese were first slowed (?) from reaching Australia. Interesting personalities, interesting landscape, crazy lifestyle, and a hint of Kokoda.

[Peter Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 44 days of Australia’s first air operations by 75 squadron in action above Port Moresby at a time when the tide of Japanese actions and victories throughout the Pacific in 1942 appeared, to all, to be unstoppable

A neglected part of Australian military and aviation history, brought to life, warts and all, in an easily engaging prose by an excellent writer.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and told little known story of Australia's Second World War. Michael covers a lot of angles and the background to the conflict, including Japanese accounts and experiences. Another classic case of the Australian military and hence public not giving full credit and acknowledgement of brave and heroic acts at a critical point for the nation.

[Brian S · Rating 2 out of 5]

The content is OK but the style was repetitive and lacked real detail. It was more a sort of diary with some key events and some recollections / reminiscences. Unlike his later book on the Bismark sea this one just doesn't flow, its really a base summary of a 44 day (imprtance and largley forgotten) battle.

[Lisa Towson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw the title 44 days I did not know what the story was about so after reading few chapters I started getting interested and as I got into detail about the Squadrons defending from Japan and going over to Philippines to join as allies and how the day of the pilots and co pilots were doing each day

[Angelo Mifsud · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed account of 75 SQN fending of the enemy during WW!! in New Guinea. It may be too much detail for some but those who served in RAAF will appreciate the tension and frustration of the hierarchy of the time in Australia. A good read.

[Drew Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the precursor before my father's arrival 6 months later

[Roy White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earthy, brutal, inspiring, tragic... I am glad I listened to this fascinating account of a warts and all tiny but vital life an death struggle.

[Jennifer Hopson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad waste of good men's lives but they held the enemy off till reinforcements arruved

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five star read for me! I knew nothing about this part of Australian history.
During March/April 1942, RAAF 75 Squadron fought the Japanese in defense of Port Moresby. How these men survived the 44 days of fighting in horrific conditions is truly miraculous.

[Graham Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

While many Australians are aware of the severe land fighting on the Kokoda Trail against the Japanese Army, many would be unaware of the air fighting over Port Moresby between the RAAF and the Japanese Air Force in March-April 1942. Michael Veitch brings to life the brave men of 75 Squadron who time after time, often against overwhelming odds, took off to stop the Japanese gaining air control over Port Moresby. This book is a must read for anyone interested in WW2 Australian military history.