The Coastwatchers: Operation Ferdinand and the Fight for the South Pacific

The Coastwatchers, first published in 1946, is the story of the brave men and women who served behind enemy lines as observers and reporters of enemy movements in the South Pacific during Wold War II. Their dedication in the face of numerous daunting challenges—betrayal by natives, capture by the Japanese, and isolation and loneliness—remains inspiring today. Their efforts were critical to the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific. The Coastwatchers was written immediately after the war by Eric Feldt, the first commander of the operation code-named Ferdinand. His intimate knowledge of the operation, and his familiarity with the islands and their people, provide a unique perspective on this important piece of military history.