BARRY SMITH 
BATTLE FOR THE NORTH 

 BATTLE FOR THE NORTH reunites the heroes and heroines of
For Freedom’s Cause-Dan, Charlie, Elspeth Liza and Alice, in
frustrating Japanese espionage plots and raids into northern
Australia during World War 2. The action takes place in the
Kimberley wilderness and celebrates the daring and heroism of
mounted North Australian Observer Unit patrols, nicknamed
the ‘Nackeroos’ or ‘Curtin’s Cowboys.’
Following on the bombing of Darwin and Broome, Japanese
marine commandos land on the Kimberley coast to establish
a foothold and deny the US and Australian Navies a secure refuelling
and supply base. In the absence of Australia’s regular
forces in the Middle East and Singapore, all that stands
between them and success is Dan Bevan’s and Charlie Elliott’s
part-time observer patrols, which battle a Japanese special
forces unit from Broome to their Kalumburu base and join
the fight to push the enemy back into the sea.
Whilst Dan and Charlie conduct their guerrilla campaign in
the bush, their wives and Lady Elspeth interrupt their war work in Darwin
to hunt down a murderous Spy.”
Where