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Lonely Vigil

Coastwatchers of the Solomons

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Lonely Vigil

By: Walter Lord
Narrated by: Norman Dietz
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About this listen

From the best-selling author of Day of Infamy: In the bloodiest island combat of WWII, one group of men kept watch from behind Japanese lines.

The Solomon Islands was where the Allied war machine finally broke the Japanese empire. As pilots, marines, and sailors fought for supremacy in Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Slot, a lonely group of radio operators occupied the Solomon Islands' highest points. Sometimes encamped in comfort, sometimes exposed to the elements, these coastwatchers kept lookout for squadrons of Japanese bombers headed for Allied positions, holding their own positions even when enemy troops swarmed all around.

They were Australian-born but Solomon-raised, and adept at survival in the unforgiving jungle environment. Through daring and insight, they stayed one step ahead of the Japanese, often sacrificing themselves to give advance warning of an attack.

In Lonely Vigil, Walter Lord, the number one New York Times best-selling author of A Night to Remember and The Miracle of Dunkirk, tells of the survivors of the campaign and what they risked to win the war in the Pacific.

©1977 Walter Lord (P)2018 Tantor Armed Forces Genre Fiction Military Naval Forces War & Military World Fiction War Survival Imperial Japan
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Fantastic listen really enjoyed the story detailed and precise . Was completely involved in the stories

Fantastic listen

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An excellent history of the Coast Watchers who contributed so much to the Allied victory in the South Pacific. Truly heroic men whom we owe a debt of never forgetting their efforts & sacrifice.

Superb story, they should never be forgotten

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Really paints a picture of the individuals and their unified goal. I look forward to when Australia is that unified again in the next pacific war with China.

Very interesting.

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Enjoyed this audio very much. Narration was pretty good, some of the pronunciation a bit strange to Australian ears but not to bad. Would recommend to anyone with an interest in the war in the South Pacific.

Excellent insight into the Coastwatchers

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A consummate storyteller, Walter Lord weaves the individual stories of the volunteer Coast watchers, and the Islanders who supported them, against the bigger backdrop of the Pacific War. Hiding out behind enemy lines they provide the Allies with priceless information on enemy movements as well as rescuing splashed pilots, always keeping one step ahead of the Japanese troops hell bent on wiping them out.

The unsung heroes of the Pacific war

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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.