Summary Part of Australia at War week on WW2TV In March 1943, in the sky and sea near New Guinea, Australian and American pilots faced some of the darkest days of the war. Bestselling author Michael Veitch joins us to tell the dramatic tale of the battle that thwarted Japan's final, desperate lunge for the South West Pacific. More importantly for Australians, the victory decisively removed any possibility that Australia might be invaded by Japanese forces. It was, for the nations one of the most significant times in their history - a week when their very future was profoundly in the balance. From Melbourne, Australian Michael Veitch is well known as an author, actor, TV comedian and radio presenter. In the 1980s he wrote and performed in acclaimed comedy shows such as The D-Generation, Fast Forward and Full Frontal. From 2006 to 2009, Veitch presented ABC Television's flagship arts magazine program, Sunday Arts. He is also a prolific and highly regarded military history and aviation author. His books include the critically acclaimed accounts of Australian airmen in WWII, 44 Days, Heroes of the Skies, Fly, Flak, Barney Greatrex and Turning Point and The Battle of the Bismarck Sea.

• War
• Documentary
• History
• Talk Show