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Back to Bangka

Searching for the truth about a wartime massacre

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Back to Bangka

By: Georgina Banks
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About this listen

 Bangka Strait, Indonesia, 1942. Allied ships are evacuating thousands in flight from Singapore, the island having fallen to Japanese Imperial forces. Facing terrifying assaults by fighter planes, one ship, the Vyner Brooke, is badly bombed and sinks. Its survivors swim or paddle for hours to the nearest land, a beach on Bangka Island, parched, many dreadfully injured.
One of the survivors is Australian Army nurse Dorothy 'Bud' Elmes, the great-aunt of Georgina Banks. Bud makes it to the island, where she, colleagues and a matron tend to the wounded as a plan is formulated. But it is soon discovered the place is occupied by Japanese forces, and two days later they arrive on the beach.

Seventy-five years on, Georgina receives an invitation to a memorial service for her great-aunt. She knows little of the national history buried in her family but as she retraces Bud's steps in Indonesia, and then deep in archives back in Australia, she is left making sense of half-truths and confronting the likelihood that she may never know exactly what unfolded on the beach on that devastating day.

Back to Bangka is a deeply moving intergenerational family story; a gripping retelling and investigation of events that throw a spotlight on women in wartime - in their vulnerability and profound strength. Military War
All stars
Most relevant
The reenactment. The long standing grief of families. Quiet. Unspoken. An interesting story of detective work.

The truths

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I’ve enjoyed this book from cover to cover, I liked the structure, the storyline kept me engaged. I feel like Bud was a friend of mine as the author painted such a vivid vibrant character, I’m an ‘old hound’ Remarkable story of incredibly brave nurses. A tough piece of history told in a respectful manner.
Highly recommend Back to Bangka

Wow! Australian history - everyone should know this story

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The story reveals history in the most interesting way - where the authors description has me literally walking with the nurses, sitting at the kitchen table with their parents and feeling it all with them when they are forced to they face their fears as they honour their duty. Tears poured and my gratitude for the writers efforts to bring these wonderful lives into our consciousness extended out to her as I read - a must read for everyone!

Couldn’t put this story down!

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.