Frank is 19 and not supposed to be part of 3 Platoon heading towards a beach as Japanese fighter planes roar overhead. They survive the flyover and land on the beach, quickly digging foxholes in case they need them. Their mission is to help clear the Solomon Islands of any Japanese still patrolling the area.

After having TB when he was younger, Frank is officially unfit for active duty. He is an excellent radio operator however and is happy to be part of the real action, instead of part of a unit that follows troops when an area is deemed safe.

Now in the thick of it, he’s keen to remember everything so he can have exciting stories to tell his mum and a girl called Betty at home. When it’s decided that he is to be one of three to become Coastwatchers, he isn’t happy. He doesn’t want to be left on an island watching for any enemy planes, patrols or movements. He wants to be doing his bit as part of the push to rid the Solomon Islands of the Japanese.

Teamed up with another kiwi called Wally, and an Aussie called Les, they are left with a month’s worth of supplies and the radio in order to report to HQ on the ships sitting waiting out from the islands.

Wally is Maori, friendly, helpful and very quick to learn how to use the radio and the language of morse code from Frank. Les is abrasive, condescending and unhappy at being their soldier companion. Frank and Wally wonder how difficult their time will be spending it with this Australian, but he soon proves his worth to them with his excellent eye sight, skilled observation point locating and security training.

Even with Les constantly on alert, an islander appears as if out of nowhere only feet away. Wally is the first to accept this young man called A’atu as a non-threat, taking his word that he and his village have been treated badly by the Japanese and he wants them gone too. Frank is not sure whether to believe him or not, and Les is surly, untrusting and sure that A’atu could easily be a spy for the enemy.

Les is soon eating his words as the islanders not only save their lives, but help provide what the Allies need to finally sweep the Solomon islands clean of the invading Japanese forces.

If I was asked to sum Coastwatcher up in one word, I would say Tension. The characters are under constant stress, from even before they reach the beach they are to launch their reconnaissance from. Frank is worried someone will realise he’s not even supposed to be there.

There’s Japanese Zero fighter planes above, who knows how many Japanese soldiers in the bush in front of them, not to mention that everything else alive on the islands seemed to have teeth, claws, spikes or thorns, and wants to eat you alive – from tiny ants, to snakes and crocodiles.

Frank often thinks of home and the stories he can tell his loved ones, including a girl he met in hospital. This, along with his courage and determination to keep up with his platoon members, (even as his damaged lungs heave for air) make him an authentic 19 year old man of the time, and someone to care about.

The age-old rivalry between NZ & Aust is present but actions from both nationals bring mutual respect. Racism between Maori and Pakeha, then Pakeha and Islander is touched upon, as in other David Hill novels, reminding the reader of its presence in many walks of NZ Historical life.

A constant alert to the many dangers takes its toll, just as tension rises rapidly, choices are made and bullets are flying. Nail biting stuff and a gasp or three from me as Frank is faced with one life-threatening moment after another.

Just like David Hill’s Award Winning, My Brother’s War, and Enemy Camp; Coastwatcher puts the reader smack bang in the action. The heat, flies, buzzing noises, and constant threat will have your heart pumping.  

Author – David Hill

Age – 10+

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(2021, Penguin NZ, Action, Conflict, Courage, Friendship, Historical, War, Solomon Islands, Bravery, Enemy, Japanese, Empathy, Alert, Nail biting, Award Winning Author, NZ, New Zealand, Morse Code, Sanatorium, Tuberculosis, History, Invading forces)