The unknown story of how a fleet of Australian fishing boats, trawlers and schooners supplied US and Australian forces in the Pacific – and helped turn the course of World War II.

Mid-1942: from China to New Guinea, the Pacific belonged to the Japanese. In this desperate situation, a fleet of hundreds of Australian small ships is assembled, sailing under the American flag, and crewed by over 3000 Australians either too young or too old to join the regular armed forces. Their task: to bring supplies and equipment to the Allied troops waging bloody battles against Japanese forces across the South Pacific.

THE RAG TAG FLEET is the unknown story of the final months of 1942 – when these men ran the gauntlet of Japanese air attacks, malaria and dysentery, reefs, and shallow, shark-infested waters to support the US and Australian troops that defeated the entrenched Japanese forces at Buna on the New Guinea coast, and so helped turn the war in the Allies’ favour. Their bravery, ingenuity and mettle helped turn the tide of the war. For the first time, their story is told.

‘enthralling . . . makes for a fascinating read.’ CANBERRA TIMES
xxiv, 310 pages : illustrations, 1 map, portraits ; 24 cm @250322/081024
United States. Army, Pacific. | Australia. Army. | World War, 1939-1945 — Equipment and supplies. | World War, 1939-1945 — War work — Australia. | World War, 1939-1945 — Campaigns — Pacific Area. | Fishing boats — War use — Australia. | Fishing boats — War use — Pacific Area. | Civilians in war — Australia — Biography. | Military service, Voluntary — Australia — History. | Military supplies. | Military sealift — Australia — History. | Pacific Area — History, Military — 20th century. | Australian