Hell’s Battlefield: To Kokoda and beyond

Hell’s Battlefield is the first book that tells the whole story of the Australians against the Japanese in New Guinea during World War II, from invasion in 1942 to the brutal end game in 1945. Besides giving new perspectives on the Kokoda campaign, the book covers the battles that preceded and those that followed, most of which have previously received scant attention.

Phillip Bradley has conducted extensive research on the official and private records from Australia, the US and Japan, and as well as these perspectives, shows those of the Papua New Guineans. He has also conducted wide-ranging interviews with veterans, and made extensive use of Japanese prisoner interrogation records.

The text is further illuminated by the author’s deep familiarity with the New Guinea battlefields, and is well illustrated with photographs, many previously unpublished, and maps.

Hundreds of thousands of Australians, Phillip’s father among them, fought in New Guinea. Many never returned. Hell’s Battlefield tells their story, and those of the battles that raged on land, in the air and at sea.