Proud Echo

by Ronald McKie

Illustrated by Frank Norton

Angus and Robertson, 1953, black and white illustrations, two toned centre illustrative pages, illustrated endpapers, double page illustrated title page, hardcover, dustjacket

Very Good Condition, some edge and shelf wear, some rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, a little foxing, age toned pages, a little discolouration to covers and spine, photocopied dustjacket only front cover, spine and front wrap, back missing (see photographs)

“On the evening of 28^th February 1942 the Australian light cruiser, Perth, and the American heavy cruiser, Houston, having survived the disastrous battle of the Java Sea, sailed for the port of Batavia to force a passage through Sunda Strait to the Indian Ocean, where they hoped to join with other Allied naval units.  During the night they encountered a strong Japanese convoy, moving in to invade Java, and, after a fierce engagement with an overwhelming force of cruisers and destroyers, were both sunk.  Many of the men in Perth were killed during the action, and others perished in the sea.  Many of those who reached the coast of Java died later as prisoners of war.  Of a ship’s company of 682, only 229 lived to return to Australia...”