The Last Battle: Australian SAS, Commandos and our Greatest Victory in our Longest War

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The thrilling true tale of Australia's greatest victory in our longest war. The explosive history of the Commandos and the SAS, and Ben Roberts-Smith's VC. The SAS, THE COMMANDOS AND THE MAKING OF A VICTORIA CROSS 'The corporal made a decision that turned him into the most-famous Australian soldier alive. It might have killed him. Instead, it ruined his life.' Over five days in June 2010, in southern Afghanistan, 150 Australian Commandos and SAS soldiers fought and won the Battle of Shah Wali Kot, our largest engagement since Vietnam. Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, for his part in the battle, received our nation's highest military honour - the Victoria Cross. He became an instant household name. The bravery and heroism of the 2nd Commando Regiment remained in shadow. After underestimating the size and skill of their enemy, the Commandos found themselves in a fight for their lives. Within the SAS, disputes over recognition and what really happened split the unit apart, eventually leading to fellow senior soldiers to allege Roberts-Smith was a war criminal. The Last Battle is the thrilling true tale of that fateful fight in Shah Wali Kot. It renders in compelling detail the personal stories of the Commandos and SAS members involved, the conflict between our two Special Forces regiments, and the aftermath that both forged and destroyed our country's once most lauded hero. Praise for The Last Battle 'Epic. One of Australia's finest military feats - savage, bloody, and hard-won.' - Mark Wales, Special Air Service Regiment veteran, actor and bestselling author 'An intense account of combat and lost honour. The Last Battle reminds us that truth is the first casualty of battle. Fear, fatigue and ego distort our perception, making recalling the past difficult and reconstructing it precarious.' - Anthony 'Harry' Moffitt, Special Air Service Regiment veteran, psychologist and bestselling author 'Unfiltered and unscripted - this book provides readers with a first hand account of the Commandos in the moments before battle before delivering minute by minute accounts of how one of Australia's most triumphant battles unfolded. The author so eloquently captures close combat in modern warfare, providing a poignant and powerful reminder of the strength of the Australian fighting spirit in the face of adversity.' - Major Paul Dunbavin OAM, 2nd Commando Regiment veteran and Commando Welfare Trust Executive Officer 'Well researched and written in an engaging style, the author highlights the importance of sound leadership, high quality training, well-coordinated support and the confidence the troops had in each other in explaining the outcome of this complex battle that serves as an insight into the secretive world of the SAS operations in Afghanistan. I highly recommend the work for its accuracy, honesty and comprehensiveness.' - Dr Roger Lee, Head of the Australian Army History Unit and Army Historian

Author Bio

Aaron Patrick is a highly experienced journalist and a former Senior Correspondent at the Australian Financial Review, currently working at The Nightly, published by Seven West Media. He has written for the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal. He is the author of four previous books about Australian politics. The Last Battle reflects his deep and life-long fascination for military history and the personal experience of warfare. He lives in Sydney.