Published by Allen & Unwin
ISBN 978 1 74114 106 1
When I first picked up this book, I thought that this will be just about "The Minefield", but how wrong I was.
This book is so much more, from the 2nd World War up to 2005. With the TRUTH about "The Minefield" the main thrust of the book.
Brigadier Stuart Graham made the fateful decision to construct an 11 kilometer long barrier minefield. This decision would end up killing and maiming over 300 young Australians. The fact that Graham made this decision against all advice and in a "Colonial/Empire War" frame of mind defies logic.
Not only does this book describe the "Physical Minefield", but also the "Political Minefield".
It shows the depth of the Political manipulation within the Army itself, which allowed Graham to be promoted to Major General AFTER the Minefield debacle.
It tells of young men being tasked to lay 1000 deadly mines a day, only to see that the mines were being lifted by the enemy even as these young men laid them.
These lifted mines were then used against the Australian troops with devastating consequences.
Above all it is a story of great courage. From the laying, patrolling and removal of these appalling monsters, it tells of the ANZAC spirit. The simple act of Soldiering on, amid all the carnage, shows the tremendous courage and bravery of these young ANZACS
Reviewed by "The Web Bloke"