STATIONERY

In **The Combat Doctor** by **Dr Dan Pronk**, an army scholarship, an early sporting setback, and a hard-won medical career collide to create a gripping **military memoir** about purpose under pressure. This is a candid, sharply observed account from a doctor who didn’t just treat injuries—he worked inside the tempo and risk of **special operations**. After qualifying in medicine, Pronk completes SAS selection and serves five years in special forces, including four deployments to Afghanistan. He writes with the clarity of a clinician and the immediacy of someone who has had to make decisions in chaotic, high-stakes moments. Alongside the operational story, you’ll find thoughtful reflections on leadership, identity, and **resilience** that connect directly to life beyond the battlefield. Perfect for readers of Australian military history, fans of SAS Australia, and anyone interested in frontline medicine, teamwork, and **leadership**. Add it to your shelf and discover the mindset behind survival, service, and strength.

The Unknown Warrior by John Nichol is a deeply felt work of military history that traces how one unidentified soldier came to stand for the vast, uncounted losses of the First World War. Clear-eyed and humane, it’s written with the pace of a story and the care of a memorial. Nichol begins with a nation in mourning: more than a million British Empire dead, and hundreds of thousands still without a known grave. From that grief grew the plan to bring one “unknown warrior” home from the Western Front battlefields, laying him to rest in Westminster Abbey on Armistice Day 1920 as the Cenotaph was unveiled on Whitehall. Drawing on his own experience of combat and loss, Nichol follows the idea’s origins and its afterlife, exploring remembrance, service and the bonds that form under pressure. Perfect for readers of WWI history, remembrance stories, and thoughtful non-fiction with an emotional core. Add it to your shelf and discover why this story still matters.

In **The Commando by** (author name), readers are drawn into the true story of Corporal Cameron Baird VC—an Australian Special Forces soldier whose decisive leadership in Afghanistan would become part of our military history. This compelling **military biography** follows Cameron from his early years as a footy-mad kid with AFL dreams cut short by injury, through to the discipline, mateship and sheer drive that shaped him into an outstanding soldier. It also offers a grounded look at 4RAR and the 2nd Commando Regiment, building a wider picture of the people behind the uniform and the realities of combat service. Perfect for readers of **Australian military history**, **war memoirs**, and anyone interested in courage under fire, leadership, and the personal cost of service. Add it to your shelf and discover the man, the regiment, and the legacy he left behind.

Leading expert Gavin Mortimer tells the remarkable origin story of a wartime special forces unit that defied the odds. Z Special Unit, one of the most intrepid but arguably the most unsung of Allied Special Forces of the Second World War waged a guerrilla war against Japan for two years in the south-west Pacific. On some of their 81 operations Z Special Unit slipped into enemy harbours in canoes and silently mined ships before vanishing into the night; on others they parachuted into the dense Borneo jungle to fight with headhunters against the Japanese and on one occasion they landed on an Indonesian island and smuggled out the pro-Allied sultan from under Japanese noses.   The Japanese weren't the only adversary that Z Special Unit encountered in the brutal terrain of the Pacific. In the mango swamps of Borneo and the dense jungle of Papua New Guinea they were faced with venomous snakes, man-eating crocodiles and deadly diseases. But it was the enemy soldiers who proved the most ruthless foe, beheading those Z Special Unit commandos who fell into their hands. Drawing on veteran interviews as well as operational reports and recently declassified SOE files, Gavin Mortimer explores the incredible history of this remarkable special forces unit and the band of commandoes that defied the odds.

A Hidden Tragedy The untold story of Australia’s first Royal Australian Navy wartime loss — revealed in full for the first time.While the thunder of overseas battles often dominates the narrative of Australians in World War Two, a forgotten tragedy unfolded in the quiet waters of Port Phillip Bay. In 1940, less than 100 km from Melbourne, the humble minesweeper HMAS Goorangai was on a vital mission, clearing German-laid sea mines in Bass Strait, when she was catastrophically struck by the much larger merchant vessel, MV Duntroon.Within minutes, the Goorangai was gone, taking all 24 of her crew to their watery graves. This little-known collision, often overlooked or misrepresented, is finally brought to light in a meticulously researched and fully referenced account.Discover the untold story of the collision, the desperate search, the challenging salvage operations, and the puzzling aftermath. Uncover why the Duntroon’s master, despite causing the disaster, evaded all charges, and why one sailor remains unidentified to this day. This book cuts through the inaccuracies and vested interests of past accounts, offering a compelling and definitive narrative that reveals the true events of that fateful night.

No Heil Hitler Winner of the National Seniors Literary Prize (Australia) and the Philpott Prize.“I saw the flicker of flames as the first plane fired its guns and heard the trees above my head splintering as the stream of bullets hit them. Branches toppled down. Cattle panicked. The ricocheting bullets whined around the valley.”On September 1, 1939, ten-year-old Paul Cieslar’s peaceful childhood in the Polish countryside came to an end. German fighter planes roared overhead, and with them came the invasion of Poland and the chaos of war.In No Heil Hitler, Paul recounts his extraordinary true story of survival, faith, and quiet resistance in Nazi-occupied Poland. As Seventh-day Adventists, Paul’s family refused to give the “Heil Hitler” salute or work on Saturday—their Sabbath. These simple acts of faith became bold defiance under the watchful eyes of the Gestapo.Through Paul’s eyes, readers witness the fear, hunger, and moral choices that defined his formative years. In a time when conformity meant safety, the Cieslar family’s courage to live by their beliefs stands as a powerful reminder of human resilience and spiritual conviction.With moments of terror, glimpses of grace, and an unwavering commitment to truth, No Heil Hitler is both a riveting wartime memoir and a testament to the strength of faith in the face of evil.“Paul Cieslar’s story is also that of his family and his church, one of faithfulness and endurance in the face of grave threats and many hardships in occupied Poland. Their story should inspire our faithfulness and renew our trust in a God who is with us always.”—Geoff Youlden, presenter, Beyond the Search‘I read Paul’s book from cover to cover in the quiet safety of a hotel room, realising no-one can fully comprehend the depth of utter desperation and confusion unless one travels the journey. Paul’s story comes from the depth of such an experience. It flows from a heart nurtured by a family’s love, determined to stay faithful to God and to stand up with a boldness for what is just.’ - John Skrzypaszek, Avondale University News‘Like ‘The Hiding Place’, this unforgettable memoir reveals how one family's quiet defiance and unshakable faith became a powerful stand for truth amid terror, persecution, and the darkness of war.’ - BigSkyPub

Dogs Of WarThese are the stories we rarely hear — the ones that stay with soldiers long after the war is over.From the frozen training grounds of Norway to the deserts of Afghanistan, from the jungles of East Timor to the streets of Ukraine, these remarkable dogs have served in every climate and conflict. Trained to detect explosives, track enemies, protect bases, and comfort soldiers under fire, they have saved countless lives while asking for nothing in return.These pages share the real accounts of soldiers and handlers who trusted their lives to a dog — rescue dogs turned warriors, mascots who became comrades, and special operations canines who leapt into danger without hesitation. What sets these stories apart is not only the dogs’ loyalty and courage, but also the unbreakable bonds they forged with their human partners — bonds that endured long after the battle ended.Dogs of War is a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering companionship of the four-legged diggers who carried the weight of war alongside those who led them.Nigel Allsopp has worked with military and police dogs for over three decades, both in Australia and internationally. He has spent many months over the last several years in war-torn Ukraine, training handlers in advanced K9 First aid — continuing his mission to honour the animals who serve beside us.Royalties will be donated to The Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation.‘More than heroes, these dogs were lifelines — loyal, fearless, unforgettable.’

Unknown Enemy: The Hidden Nazi Force That Built The Third Reich'Riveting, timely and truly revelatory. The Organisation Todt is the Nazi-era secret that still needs to emerge from the shadows' Damien Lewis, author of SAS Brothers in Arms and The Nazi Hunters'Charles Dick has done a major service to the history of the Third Reich. The Organisation Todt exploited camp prisoners and forced labourers as ruthlessly and murderously as the better-known SS, but its responsibility has never been properly explored' Richard Overy, author of Blood and RuinsDiscover for the first time the story of the Organisation Todt, a hidden and brutal organisation overseen by Hitler at the heart of the Nazi machine.Adolf Hitler described the Organisation Todt as 'the greatest construction organisation of all time'. It was from this organisation, headed by Albert Speer, that Hitler enlisted the nation's leading engineers and architects to build his empire of dreams. In time, it became a key partner to the SS and the Wehrmacht and led to the deaths of millions. Unknown Enemy reveals the full extent of the OT and its long arm across Europe and the Reich. In wartime, its operations relied mainly on Germany's slave labour system, the largest exploitation of foreign labour since the end of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Charles Dick takes us inside the OT's vast building projects throughout German-occupied Europe, from the Arctic circle to the Balkans, to tell the story of how engineers and builders, so-called 'ordinary men', perpetrated some of the gravest war crimes under its banner.Despite its extensive network, the Organisation Todt largely managed to slip under the radar of war prosecutors after Germany's defeat. Drawing on extensive new research, first-person accounts and survivor testimony, Unknown Enemy finally unearths its dark story.

InfernoThe epic story of the Australians on history's greatest battlefront, 1916-1918

A Mouse At Moresby'A fascinating unalloyed time-capsule' - Michael Veitch“Irvine Green didn’t just see the war — he showed it to us.”Irvine Green pencilled the title 'A Mouse at Moresby' on the cover of his war diary—a quiet nod to the 'Rats of Tobruk'. It was a fitting epithet for a man who, amid the chaos of war, used his camera and words to bear witness to the Pacific War in New Guinea.A Mouse of Moresby offers a firsthand account of World War II in New Guinea through the eyes of RAAF photographer Irvine Green. His rare photographs and personal diaries reveal the daily hardships of Australian servicemen facing Japan’s advance, capturing moments of courage, sacrifice, and endurance.As the Pacific War escalated, Irvine—a recent graduate of the RAAF photo survey course—was rushed to Port Moresby to assist with aerial reconnaissance and vital intelligence work. Armed with little more than his amateur skill and a resolve to serve, he became one of the few who documented, in real time, the critical period when New Guinea stood as Australia’s frontline.Stationed at HQ, Irvine had a unique perspective. His diaries and letters—written as events unfolded—offer a vivid, unfiltered account of the dread of invasion, the chaos of air raids, and the long, anxious wait for news. His lens and pen captured the tension, camaraderie, and day-to-day survival of those on the ground, as they joked to relieve stress and scavenged to get by.From the Fall of Rabaul and the Battle of the Coral Sea to the Kokoda Track, Irvine chronicled the conflict not from the vantage of generals or politicians, but from muddy airstrips, makeshift bunkers, and mess tents. His words and images reflect a frontline view of Australia’s fight for survival—raw, immediate, and deeply human.A Mouse of Moresby is not only a tribute to the resilience of Australian servicemen, but also an intimate portrait of a young man swept up in history. Featuring many previously unseen photographs, it offers a powerful glimpse into war, memory, and the lasting force of the image.Compiled by his son, Dr Tony Green, this book honours Irvine’s remarkable archive. Together, father and son bring to life the story Irvine never had the chance to publish—until now.“In the chaos of war, the camera is both witness and weapon.”"Irvine Green’s photographs aren’t just images; they are silent witnesses to the courage and sacrifice of Australian soldiers in the Pacific."

Borneo: The Last Campaign Michael Veitch is well known as an author, actor, and former ABC television and radio presenter. His books include the critically acclaimed accounts of Australian airmen in World War II, 44 Days, Heroes of the Skies, Fly, Flak, Barney Greatrex, Turning Point, and The Battle of the Bismarck Sea. He lives in the Yarra Valley, outside Melbourne.

The Siege Britain's best-selling historian writes the first definitive account of the famous televised SAS storming of the Iranian embassy in London in 1980On April 30, 1980, six heavily armed gunmen burst into the Iranian embassy on Princes Gate, overlooking Hyde Park in London. There they took 26 hostages, including embassy staff, visitors, and three British citizens.A tense six-day siege ensued as millions gathered around screens across the country to witness the longest news flash in British television history, in which police negotiators and psychiatrists sought a bloodless end to the standoff, while the SAS - hitherto an organisation shrouded in secrecy - laid plans for a daring rescue mission- Operation Nimrod.Drawing on unpublished source material, exclusive interviews with the SAS, and testimony from witnesses including hostages, negotiators, intelligence officers and the on-site psychiatrist, bestselling historian Ben Macintyre takes readers on a gripping journey from the years and weeks of build-up on both sides, to the minute-by-minute account of the siege and rescue.Recreating the dramatic conversations between negotiators and hostages, the cutting-edge intelligence work happening behind-the-scenes, and the media frenzy around this moment of international significance, The Siege is the remarkable story of what really happened on those fateful six days, and the first full account of a moment that forever changed the way the nation thought about the SAS - and itself.