The Lost Battalions: A Battle That Could Not Be Won. an Island That Could Not Be Defended. an Ally That Could Not Be Trusted.

The narrative centers on the valiant struggle of 2000 Australian soldiers stranded in Java during World War II, who faced overwhelming odds against the Imperial Japanese Army. Led by Brigadier Arthur Blackburn VC, these soldiers, alongside support personnel, managed to resist until surrendering under orders from Dutch allies. The book highlights their resilience, with many later suffering as POWs on the Thai-Burma Railway and in harsh conditions in Taiwan and Japan. Utilizing personal diaries and survivor interviews, it captures their remarkable fortitude and spirit.