Patrol Into Yesterday by J. K. McCarthy

Patrol Into Yesterday

My New Guinea Years

by J. K. McCarthy

Cheshire Publishing, 1972, ISBN 0701503270, black and white photographic plates, illustrated endpapers (maps), two-page illustrated title page, paperback

Very Good Condition, some edge and shelf wear, some rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, age toned fore edges, crease to back cover, no inscriptions (see photographs)

“Here is the story of New Guinea, as seen by a man who has been part of its history for just on forty years.  It presents a fascinating vivid unique panorama of life in the big, rugged island to the north of Australia.  It tells of the barbaric customs of its more primitive people, of their beliefs in the supernatural world of devils and spirits, and of their methods of sorcery and of waging war.  But more than that, it portrays New Guinea’s gradual transition from savagery to civilisation, and the men, black and white, who have been creating the modern New guinea through years of hardship, tragedy, a Pacific war and its aftermath.  J.K. McCarthy joined the New guinea Administration as a Patrol Officer in 1927.  He led patrol after patrol into unknown parts of the vast island, often being the first white man the inhabitants had seen.  He survived arrow attacks on many occasions as he and his men opened up new country and brought peace to violent, treacherous tribes.
As a Coast water behind the enemy lines on New Britain he led to safety several hundred Australian troops trapped by the fall of Rabaul.”