Semut cover art

Semut

The Untold Story of a Secret Australian Operation in WWII Borneo

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Semut

By: Christine Helliwell Emeritus Professor Emeritus Professor
Narrated by: Christine Helliwell Emeritus Professor Emeritus Professor, Dorje Swallow
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About this listen

 March 1945. A handful of very young Allied operatives are parachuted into the remote jungled heart of the Japanese-occupied island of Borneo, east of Singapore, there to recruit the island's indigenous Dayak peoples to fight the Japanese. Yet most speak next to no Borneo languages and know little about Dayaks, other than that they were once headhunters who might kill them on arrival. For their part, some Dayaks have never before seen a white face.

This is the story of Operation Semut, an Australian secret military operation launched by the organisation popularly known as Z Special Unit in the final months of WWII. Anthropologist Christine Helliwell has called on her years of first-hand knowledge of Borneo, interviewed more than one hundred Dayak people and all the remaining Semut operatives, and consulted thousands of military and other documents to piece together this astonishing story. Focusing on two of Borneo's great rivers - the Baram and Rejang - the book provides a detailed military history of Semut II's and Semut III's brutal guerrilla campaign against the Japanese, and reveals the decisive but long-overlooked Dayak role in the operation.

But this is no ordinary history. Helliwell captures vividly the terrors of the jungle environment into which the operatives are plunged. And she takes us into the lives and cavernous longhouses of the Dayaks on whom their survival depends. The result is a truly unique account of the meeting of two very different cultures amidst the savagery of the Pacific War. Anthropology Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Military Oceania War Imperial Japan
All stars
Most relevant
couldn't stop listening, can not wait for the next.
I am extremely proud and fortunate that my grandfather served with Z special in Borneo and made it home.

outstanding

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I liked the respect shown to the local Dayak population by the operatives of Semi-trailer.

The detail

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Beautifully researched and gives a great insight to the indigenous people of Borneo. A wonderful way to listen to history. I would recommend this if you are travelling to Borneo

Great detailed story telling

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As the son of an operative attached to Semut 1 I was very grateful for this book by Christine Helliwell. The research involved given the passage of time was brilliant. Her team assisting with research of the Z men and Dayaks was first class and places the reader/listener back in Borneo during 1945 during this time of the war. I have a greater understanding of the bravery, hardship and courage of the Z men and native Dayaks that I wouldn't have otherwise had. I can't thank Christine enough for the honour she bestows upon the Z operatives and Dayak people alike and has ensured that this part of history will be shared by all in my family and passed down through the generations. The book covers Semut 2 & 3 with Semut 1 & 4 being covered in a future book. I am looking forward to the release of her second book which will detail more of the operation involving my father. Thanks again Christine Helliwell for your tireless commitment, dedication to this extremely detailed account of Operation Semut conducted by Z Special Force during WW2 You do great honour to the memories of these brave men.

Outstanding story about the brave Z men of Semut

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This is a part of Australia's wartime history which should be taught in schools! Required reading for anyone interested in the Borneo campaign

unknown history

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