This is the third of the 1940s and the fourth book overall to be released in a series of 34 about life in Australia – one for each year from 1939 to 1972. They describe happenings that affected people, real people. The whole series, to coin a modern phrase, is designed to push your buttons, to make you remember and wonder at things forgotten. The books might just let nostalgia see the light of day, so that oldies and youngies will talk about the past and re-discover a heritage otherwise forgotten. Hopefully, they will spark discussions between generations, and foster the asking and answering of questions that should not remain unanswered. In 1942, the War raged on in Europe and spread to Africa, Australia was shocked to find the Japanese on our doorstep, Kokoda made history, rationing at home and women at work, a year of great change.
