
A Very Rude Awakening
The Night The Japanese Midget Subs Came To Sydney Harbour
By: Peter Grose
Paperback | 24 April 2018
At a Glance
Paperback
$26.99
In Stock and Aims to ship in 1-2 business days
When will this arrive by?
In May of 1942, the war seemed very far away to most Sydneysiders - until the night the three Japanese midget submarines crept into the harbour and caused an unforgettable night of mayhem, high farce, chaos and courage. A ground-breaking look at one of the most extraordinary stories of Australia at war.
On the night of 31 May 1942, Sydney was doing what it does best: partying. The theatres, restaurants, dance halls, illegal gambling dens, clubs and brothels offered plenty of choice to roistering sailors, soldiers and airmen on leave in Australia's most glamorous city. The war seemed far away. Newspapers devoted more pages to horse racing than to Hitler.
That Sunday night the party came to a shattering halt when three Japanese midget submarines crept into the harbour, past eight electronic indicator loops, past six patrolling Royal Australian Navy ships, and past an anti-submarine net stretched across the inner harbour entrance. Their arrival triggered a night of mayhem, courage, chaos and high farce which left 27 sailors dead and a city bewildered. The war, it seemed, was no longer confined to distant desert and jungle. It was right here at Australia's front door.
Written at the pace of a thriller and based on new first person accounts and previously unpublished official documents, A Very Rude Awakening is a ground-breaking and myth-busting look at one of the most extraordinary stories ever told of Australia at war.
About the Author
Peter Grose is a former publisher at Secker + Warburg, founder of Curtis Brown Australia, and was until recently the chairman of ACP (UK). He is the author of An Awkward Truth published by Allen + Unwin in 2009.
On the night of 31 May 1942, Sydney was doing what it does best: partying. The theatres, restaurants, dance halls, illegal gambling dens, clubs and brothels offered plenty of choice to roistering sailors, soldiers and airmen on leave in Australia's most glamorous city. The war seemed far away. Newspapers devoted more pages to horse racing than to Hitler.
That Sunday night the party came to a shattering halt when three Japanese midget submarines crept into the harbour, past eight electronic indicator loops, past six patrolling Royal Australian Navy ships, and past an anti-submarine net stretched across the inner harbour entrance. Their arrival triggered a night of mayhem, courage, chaos and high farce which left 27 sailors dead and a city bewildered. The war, it seemed, was no longer confined to distant desert and jungle. It was right here at Australia's front door.
Written at the pace of a thriller and based on new first person accounts and previously unpublished official documents, A Very Rude Awakening is a ground-breaking and myth-busting look at one of the most extraordinary stories ever told of Australia at war.
About the Author
Peter Grose is a former publisher at Secker + Warburg, founder of Curtis Brown Australia, and was until recently the chairman of ACP (UK). He is the author of An Awkward Truth published by Allen + Unwin in 2009.
Industry Reviews
Peter Grose has a natural ability to tell a good yarn and the story of the Japanese subs that slid into Sydney Harbour in 1942 is about as good as any Aussie yarn can get . . . a great retelling of a great story. * The Sydney Morning Herald *
ISBN: 9781760633301
ISBN-10: 1760633305
Published: 24th April 2018
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number of Pages: 328
Audience: General Adult
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Country of Publication: GB
Dimensions (cm): 2.3 x 12.8 x 19.5
Weight (kg): 0.31
Shipping
Standard Shipping | Express Shipping | |
---|---|---|
Metro postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
Regional postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
Rural postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
How to return your order
At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.
Additional postage charges may be applicable.
Defective items
If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.
For more info please visit our Help Centre.
You Can Find This Book In
This product is categorised by
- Non-FictionHistoryRegional & National HistoryAustralasian & Pacific History
- Non-FictionHistoryMilitary HistorySecond World War
- Non-FictionHistoryEarliest Times to Present Day20th Century History from 1900 to 2000
- Non-FictionHistoryGeneral & World History
- Booktopia Gift GuideFather's Day Gift GuideFather's Day History Gift Guide
- Booktopia Gift GuideFather's Day Gift GuideFather's Day True Stories