Angels of Kokoda

Papua New Guinea, 1942; thousands of Australian and Japanese Troops die while fighting on the Kokoda Track. Living in muddy, diseased conditions, soldiers from both sides fight to the death; the Japanese to continue their take-over of the Pacific, and the Australians to prevent it. Both sides suffer huge casualties, and the native Papuans are severely affected too.

The battles along the Kokoda Track is a difficult subject to broach, and as a result of this, it’s hard to find a novel that discusses the topic without glorifying war. David Mulligan's Angels of Kokoda treats war as it should be treated; respectfully, but with hatred and condemnation. Told through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Derek Anderson, Angels of Kokoda gives an amazing insight into the horrors of war and the bravery of the men who walked the Kokoda Track.

Derek Anderson is a young Australian boy who moved to Papua New Guinea with his missionary family. His best friend, a native boy named ‘Morso’, and him grow up together, and Derek is eventually initiated into Morso’s clan. However, when the Japanese invade Papua New Guinea on their way to Australia, Derek is to be sent back to Australia without his best friend and blood brother. To prevent being separated, Derek and Morso run off into the Papuan forests together.

Eventually returning once they were sure that Derek would be able to stay, Derek, Morso and Derek’s father join up with the 39th Battalion; the group of Australian militia soldiers who were responsible for defending the Kokoda Track and thus stopping the Japanese from invading Australia.

A very empathetic novel, Angels of Kokoda tells the true story of Australian troops along the Kokoda Track, showing the Australians’ bravery, compassion and humour amongst the dangers of war. It also gives credit to the many native Papuan men who carried supplies and injured soldiers to safety, putting their own needs and lives in jeopardy. Hundreds of Australian men owe their lives to these ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’ (nicknamed because of the frizzy afro style hair that the native men had), though they are hardly recognised in most historical novels about the Kokoda Track.

This book is wonderful because of its truthful yet empathic words; a must-read for all fans of war books, Angels of Kokoda is a riveting novel which shows the ‘hardships faced, sacrifices made and supreme courage displayed’ (Jeffery) by the Australian soldiers who walked the Kokoda Track.