Invasion Rabaul: The Epic Story of Lark Force, the Forgotten Garrison, January-July 1942: 01 (Rabaul Trilogy) Paperback – Illustrated, 1 Mar. 2014

I had heard a lot of "third-hand information" about the Rabual garrison, but this laid of lot of this to bed - it was very informative, lots of priceless information, and a very good easy read. The maps were detailed too. Essential to my research into the war in South East Asia.

Bought these book as a trilogy, The first was not what I was expecting as an aviation enthusiast but I have to say that it set the scene for the other two books very well. Pointing out the main geographical features and the initial Japanese invasion it helped to put the vast build up of fortress Rabaul in to context

Nice story. Was expecting a bit more exciting narrative but overal good book for War in the Pacific history buffs

I found it to be very well written, and very moving, particularly towards the end. I had no difficulty reading the book.

Very good read, all OK

Reading the other reviews, it seems the old adage you can't please everone holds true. Too much detail, not enough detail, too many characters, not enough character revealment - development, were it a novel.I came looking for a book about the Rabaul when held by the Japanese and found "Fortress Rabaul". I also found this. Downloading and finishing the chapter sample, I bought it immediately along with "Fortress Rabaul".For me, Bruce Gamble gets it just right. I like his flowing prosaic style, the way he interweaves the well researched historical truth together in event relevance and timelines. Sufficent detail to comprehend the personalities, units, scale, situations, maps and topographical description to make sense of it all tactically and strategically, whilst still personalising events sufficiently to maintain a personal connection on a level balancing its humanity. Importantly, he grants the gravity the historical record deserves without turning the tale into a turgid academic tome.Moral judgement of actions, personalities and political decisions of so long ago unable to be changed now which altered the course of so many lives are left to the reader to pronounce.Bought yesterday, I'm halfway through "Invasion Rabaul" already. I'd call it "a can't put down read", but I'm reading from my sickbed recovering from surgery and find fatigue prevails, otherwise its definitely in that category.If you're at all interested in the campaigns in the Solomons and PNG, the significance of the Battles of the Coral Sea and Savo Island, you'll A. understand the importance of Rabaul, and wanting to know as much about it as possible, B. want this book. Just buy it. Thanks Bruce. Job very well done.

I knew things must of been rough but this book kept me very interested through out the book.

Part one of a three book series on what was the most important Japanese base in the South Pacific. It has been difficult to find this quality of information on the role that Rabaul and New Britain played in the war and so Bruce Gamble has filled a major gap with his contribution. These books are a great read and, as a New Guinean familiar with the terrain and the subject, I thank Mr Gamble for his major effort in solidifying this history. Finally, his writing is a great and fitting honour to the Allied servicemen, missionaries, expatriates and New Guinea nationals who contributed, at great personal cost, to the ultimate allied successes.

This is the first of three books about the battle for Rabaul. This book was originally titled "Darkest Hour : The true story of Lark Force at Rabual". It is an interesting book in that it presents a contradiction in what the Australian government wants to do, what it should have done and what it ultimately did do. Which not unlike some of the Dutch and even the American forces in the Pacific at the opening of the war, they were needlessly sacrificed in the hope of being that one speed bump against the Japanese. My biggest complaint about the book is that there is one chapter on the actual invasion of New Britain and the area of Rabual by the Japanese. After that it is a chase story that you already know is going to end a certain way because the prologue gave away the chase. As well there is an impressive number of people covered and due to my copy being electronic, it was very hard to keep up with who is who and what their role was. The last half of the book when the Southwest Pacific Campaign is going on seems interesting, but the author appears to gloss over items either because the folks interviewed don't remember or more likely they are covered in more detail for the other two books of the trilogy. Oh one last complaint is that there are a number of civilians talked about and then dismissed in the discussion about Rabaul and the administration of the area by Australia, but there is no discussion as to if they were original to the area or recently arriving (when Australia gained control after WW1 and the Germans gave up the region). Some of this would have filled in the story as well.Overall, an interesting and amazing book about a particular portion of the world that I thought I knew. Well worth reading if your are interested in the Pacific war and the campaign for the Solomon Islands region.

Fascinating account of a little known event. I enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to reading the second book!