Australian Heroes of World War II

Remarkable Stories of Battlefield Courage

Mark Johnston

$39.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

New South Books
01 October 2025

History; Second World War

Leading military historian Mark Johnston tells stories of the courage of individual soldiers across every battle in which Australians fought in World War II.

When Australians defended against Rommel's tanks at Tobruk and Alamein, tackled paratroopers landing among them on Crete, attacked French Foreign Legionnaires in Syrian forts, held off Japanese tanks in Malaya, fought hand-to-hand on the Kokoda Track, and took on well-hidden and tenacious Japanese in countless grim jungle-clad locations, brave individuals risked everything to bring victory.

Australian soldiers performed acts of remarkable bravery in the roles of stretcher-bearers and snipers, in victories and defeats, and in desert and jungle. Such astonishing deeds were often rewarded with medals, but many brave deeds went unrecognised, and whether acknowledged or not, the heroes often paid a heavy price for their courageous acts, in the form of physical injury, psychological trauma or death.

Australian Heroes of World War II features hundreds of stories that have been rarely if ever told, and that are guaranteed to amaze.

'Mark Johnston shows again why he is the premier historian of the Australian Army in WWII.'

Peter Stanley

'Mark Johnston has produced a study of battlefield bravery that is both erudite and a page turner. It is the story of ordinary Australians in extraordinary situations.'

Karl James

'An outstanding contribution to our understanding of Australia's experience of war, and a wonderful tribute to ordinary men whose remarkable deeds need to be remembered and honoured.'

David Horner

By: Mark Johnston
Imprint: New South Books
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm,
ISBN: 9781761170362
ISBN 10: 1761170368
Pages: 448
Publication Date: 01 October 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Mark Johnston is one of the foremost authorities on the Australian Army in World War II. As the author of a dozen books on Australian soldiers, he is well qualified to write about their heroic actions in every campaign and battle of the Second World War. With NewSouth he has published An Australian Band of Brothers and Derrick VC in His Own Words.