Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Paul Malone, For Pity Sake Publishing, $24.99.
The largest amphibious operation in Australia’s history, Kill the Major is the harrowing, true story of the most successful Allied guerrilla war in Borneo.
It tells the story of the Australian, British and New Zealand guerrillas dropped behind Japanese lines in Borneo in World War II to gather intelligence on the Japanese and assist the Australian Imperial Force landings on the island.
British soldier Major Tom Harrisson may have led a successful mission to force the surrender of the last Japanese troops in Borneo, but he was a highly divisive figure. Rather than revere their leader for his vision and leadership, many of the ‘Z’ Specials hated Major Harrisson. In fact, three planned to kill him.
The men’s disturbing personal stories tell us much about why they came to this view. Australian journalist and author Paul Malone provides a well-researched insight into why, recounting the harrowing personal stories of these soldiers and the native recruits they fought alongside in Borneo.
After parachuting into the remote central mountains, the guerrillas ventured alone or in pairs, into the jungle to recruit, train and arm native warriors. The traditional head-hunting local tribesmen readily joined the cause, attacking small Japanese outposts and ambushing Japanese patrols.
By the war’s end the force of only 42 men had taken control of 41,000 square kilometres of Borneo, killed over 1,000 Japans and forced the surrender of the last company of 400 Japanese combatants.
The AIF abruptly wound-up operations when Japan surrendered in August 1945, leaving the Borneo tribes people and brothers-in-arms to the fate of two roaming Japanese companies.
Harrisson led a small band of guerrillas to hunt down these renegades, forcing their surrender on 30 October 1945. He required his men to live off the land and at times, appeared oblivious to their appalling conditions. Nevertheless, all 42 members of his Special Operations Unit survived their jungle ordeal – and the war.
