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Title: The Ghost Mountain Boys: Their Epic March and the Terrifying Battle for New Guinea---The Forgotten War of the South Pacific
ISBN: 1400155762
Author:
James Campbell
Publicate Date: 2007-11-26
Publish: 2007-11-26
List Price: $24.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: MP3 CD
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $14.69
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $17.61
Amazon Merchant Price: $19.74
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| Customer Review: |
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1: So close you can almost feel it...
Over the past few years I've tried to expand my knowledge of America's early struggle in WWII, before we were the arsenal of freedom. One of my focus points has been the war in the South West Pacific (for those not familiar, New Guinea). To further this effort, I picked up The Ghost Mountain Boys.
The Ghost Mountain Boys deals with the 32nd Infantry Division (ID) (the 32nd ID was made up of Michigan and Wisconsin National Guardsmen who were Federalized), their training, deployment to Australia, and exploits in the battle for Buna (Buna is a small village on the north coast of New Guinea). While Mr. Campbell tells us the story of the 32nd ID, the real focus is on the 2nd Battalion, 126th Regiment and the supporting units that hiked over the Owen Stanley Mountains via native trails. The reason for this focus is the grueling nature of the hike; going from sea-level to about 10000 feet, then back down to sea-level while carrying your equipment in a tropical jungle environment was exceedingly grueling. This merged with the telling of the battle for Buna makes for an excellent read.
For the New Guinea portion, The Ghost Mountain Boys covers the Japanese advance down the Kokodo and their eventual halt (due to the Australians and the 5th Air Force). In writing about the Australian contribution, Mr. Campbell relies solely on documented historical record. This is an interesting counter-point to the rest of the book because there Mr. Campbell weaves an interesting blend of documented history with oral and letters and diaries from soldier to tell this story. Most sections open with Mr. Campbell setting the stage and then bringing in the additional material to complete the story (always at the appropriate moment. This mixture paints a very desperate environment where war is at its worst; soldiers suffering from malaria and other tropical disease crawling thru the kuni grass without a machete to take out dug-in Japanese positions makes for something of a heart wrenching story (yes, it's shocking at times the conditions the men were in and expected to fight). Making matters worse was that General MacArthur (nick-named Dug-out Doug) was putting incredible pressure on Generals Harding and Eichelberger to capture Buna at the soonest (later General MacArthur said schedule was not a factor) without being aware of the situation (MacArthur never came north of Port Moresby).
Rating wise, this one's a solid 4.5 star book that I'm rounding up to 5. First, this is a fairly unique subject to write on. The only other book I've read on this campaign was Bloody Buna and this one blows Bloody Buna away in many ways. This leads directly to Mr. Campbell's writing style; it's compelling, you can't wait to turn the page to see what happens next. I found myself sucked into the story of Major Stuttering Smith, Private Jastrzembski, Sgt. Bottcher and the rest. Yes, the Ghost Mountain Boys are compelling and so are the rest of the 32nd ID. The only real weakness is the maps. There're four maps, one showing the Pacific, one showing the path from Port Moresby to Buna, and two show the general situation around Buna. What really would have completed this book though is a couple of maps that showed the tactical situation where the 32nd Id was attacking and the Japanese defensive positions. Other than that though, this is a superb book documenting a little known subject in American history.
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2: Wonderful story that illustrates the true cost of freedom
This is one of the best written historical books that I have ever read. It reads more like a novel but is fully and carefully documented with historical notes. James Campbell tells a compelling story of the bitter fight between the American/Australian forces and the Japanese in a little known area in the southwest Pacific. The level of detail is perfect, giving a grim view of the terrain and hardships encountered. You truly feel the mud, the heat, the bugs, and the hunger as you read about the deprivations on both sides. The diaries and letters make it very real. Campbell also provides the reader with plenty of interesting background and details to explain the significance of both the men who fought and the meaning of the battle. Make sure that you take out an atlas to find the location of New Guinea to Australia to understand the significance of this battle. Here's to the Red Arrows and all the other heroes who fought to protect their homeland!
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3: "Gost Mountain Boys" DVD
Good sound rendition of "Gost Mountain Boys" on CD/ROM DVD.
During his life my father, HQ Coy - Special troops, 32nd Infantry Division, He did not speak much about his service.
This DVD provides insight of the trials and tribulation
and commemorates his New Guinea service. It is a good sound rendition of the book "GhostMountain Boys".
He did not talk much about his WW2 service.
He did, however, march on ANZAC Day commemoratiomns with Australian vets he fought alongside at Gona and Buna. Purple Heart awarded there. Returned to recover at Townsville and returned to go to Leyte and the Grosse Verde Trail and then into recover Manila. Another Purple heart there and then onto Japan after the surrender and demobilisation.
Charles Schuster,
Australia
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4: Ghost Mountain Boys Remembered
Along with the great U.S. sacrifices at Iwo Jima, a little known action of Americans and Australians fought well dug-in Japanese forces in Papua, New Guinea. The green troops of the 32nd Division (Wisconsin and Michigan men) withstood the withering fire from the Japanese, the plague of malaria and jungle rot, and the complete misunderstanding of the state of affairs by MacArthur. They crossed over on foot the nearly impassable Owen Stanley Mountains, referred by them as Ghost Mountain, only to be met with chest deep swamps, flesh cutting grass while an invisible enemy poured machinegun fire onto them.
With the greatest of efforts, the Ghost Mountain Boys surmounted all the obstacles, both natural and human, at a great price in blood and death. Only after the conclusion of the action did the American high command come to realize what the facts were concerning the conditions the 32nd had to face.
Although I know of no monuments in Washington commemorating this event, readers should know about the Ghost Mountain Boys and other lesser known actions that didn't make the newsreels. Their sacrifices were as real as those that made the headlines.
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5: The Ghost Mountain Boys
Great book. I couldnt put it down. Well written. Anyone interested in history should read this. DR
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