Commando! - The M/Z Unit's Secret War Against Japan

This little-known story of Australia's M/Z Unit commandos, and the part they played in the Southwest Pacific during World War II, is a fascinating account of daring, clandestine operations conducted by the Allies deep into enemy-held territory. M Unit personnel were secretly landed to set up coastwatching posts and radio stations to report on Japanese shipping movements and bombing flights heading to raid Allied positions. Members of the Z Unit carried out assigned raids into enemy controlled areas, and also attacked targets of opportunity. Many commandos were delivered on their missions by U.S. Navy submarines that sneaked into dangerously shallow waters to put the men ashore-and then returned to pick them up. Other operatives were inserted by PT boats, Catalina aircraft, parachute, and snake boats. Many of these operations are still classified.

List of contents

Foreword by Colonel Robert Barr Smith, USA, (Ret.)
Acknowledgments
The Beginnings of Allied Intelligence and the Pensacola Convoy
The "Rimau" Expedition
Commando Training
Operation "Python" in Borneo
Operation "Politician": The USS Bream Patrols
The USS Pargo at Woody Island
The "Politician" Patrols of the USS Bluegill
The USS Boarfish and "Politician" at Tourane Bay
Operation "Starfish" and the USS Rock
The USS Perch II and "Platypus at Balikpapan
The USS Hawkbill and Operation "Crocodile
"Semut" Operations and the Invasion of Sarawak
"Semut IV": Rowan Waddy's Story
Rescue From New Britain: Fred Hargesheimer's Story
Epilogue
Afterword by Captain George W. Folta, USN, (Ret.)
Afterword by Captain John Keith Leasure, USNR, (Ret.)
Selected Bibliography
Index

About the author

A. B. Feuer

Product details

• Authors: A. B. Feuer, Feuer A. B.
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 18.04.1996
• EAN: 9780275954086
• ISBN: 978-0-275-95408-6
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Japan, European History, Australia, HISTORY / Military / General, HISTORY / Europe / General, military history, HISTORY / Asia / Japan, HISTORY / Australia & New Zealand, Second World War, c 1938 to c 1946 (World War Two period), Australasian & Pacific history, Asian History, Modern warfare, Australasian and Pacific history, War and defence operations, War & defence operations, HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General