Under the same Moon
An Australian Battalion at War and a Family at Home
Published on 2. April 2025
336 pages
978-1-923300-21-7 (ISBN)
Description
"A moving and intimate portrait of two brothers at war." Michael McKernan
Under the same Moon intricately weaves together the lives of a family, their sons, and the men of the battalion they join, all set against the backdrop of a bygone Australia during World War II. This compelling historical narrative breathes life into the people and places of the era, immersing readers in a vivid sense of immediacy and intimacy.
Drawing extensively from unpublished and previously unseen written accounts, oral histories, letters, and archival materials, Under the same Moon offers a deeply personal exploration of the lesser-known Australian campaign in the Middle East. It captures the dramatic separation of a group of men from their Australia-bound convoy and their arrival in Java, teetering on the brink of collapse. The narrative also illuminates the fears and anxieties of families left in the dark.
This unforgettable story of love, camaraderie, bravery, and courage is laced with humour, suffering, and beauty. Through its rich narrative, Under the same Moon invites readers to experience the profound human connections forged in times of turmoil.
Praise for the Book
"A vivid portrait of the most desperate chapter in our nation's history." Michael Veitch
"Touching and horrifying, galvanizing and tragic." Don Watson
"A compelling, highly engaging and thrilling history." Professor Joy Damousi
"A story of war and peace - of love and separation, combat and capture, anxiety and hope." Professor Alistair Thomson
Under the same Moon intricately weaves together the lives of a family, their sons, and the men of the battalion they join, all set against the backdrop of a bygone Australia during World War II. This compelling historical narrative breathes life into the people and places of the era, immersing readers in a vivid sense of immediacy and intimacy.
Drawing extensively from unpublished and previously unseen written accounts, oral histories, letters, and archival materials, Under the same Moon offers a deeply personal exploration of the lesser-known Australian campaign in the Middle East. It captures the dramatic separation of a group of men from their Australia-bound convoy and their arrival in Java, teetering on the brink of collapse. The narrative also illuminates the fears and anxieties of families left in the dark.
This unforgettable story of love, camaraderie, bravery, and courage is laced with humour, suffering, and beauty. Through its rich narrative, Under the same Moon invites readers to experience the profound human connections forged in times of turmoil.
Praise for the Book
"A vivid portrait of the most desperate chapter in our nation's history." Michael Veitch
"Touching and horrifying, galvanizing and tragic." Don Watson
"A compelling, highly engaging and thrilling history." Professor Joy Damousi
"A story of war and peace - of love and separation, combat and capture, anxiety and hope." Professor Alistair Thomson
More details
Person
Peter Mitchell is a lawyer by training and was a partner in a major law firm. More recently, for many years he ran a regional non-profit organisation, based in Singapore. History is his passion. He grew up listening to his father and his friends regularly talk about their wartime experiences and has read extensively. He lived in Singapore for twenty years and has travelled and worked extensively throughout East Asia.
