Twelve
thousand New Zealand Japan immediately after the Second World
War. This book by Alison Parr records memories
from those we know as ‘J Force’.
Based on revealing interviews with soldiers, airmen, nurses and
members of the New Zealand Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, The Occupiers explores
Kiwi life in the former enemy territory between 1946 and 1948.
Veterans recall the horror of witnessing the devastated city of Hiroshima
Some also reflect on shedding their intense wartime hostility and
distrust to gain a surprising new understanding of the Japanese – achieved as
they worked and lived alongside the ordinary people of the occupied land.
Unexpected, honest, touching and illustrated with archival
photographs, many previously unpublished, these stories uncover a little-known
but fascinating aspect of New
Zealand
About the author:
Alison Parr is
Senior Oral Historian at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. In her time
with the Ministry Alison has been Master of Ceremonies for the Anzac Day Dawn
Service at Gallipoli and the unveiling of the New Zealand Memorial in London New Zealand ’s
Unknown Warrior home from France ,
and with Ian Johnston provided the commentary for the live television coverage
of the event in Wellington
She is a former broadcasting journalist and worked for more than
25 years in radio and television. In that time she fronted both
current affairs and arts programmes and for more than two years hosted Sunday
Morning on National Radio. She won a World Gold Medal for interviewing at the
New York Festivals International Radio Awards. She is the author of four books
based on oral history, including Home: Civilian New Zealanders Remember the
Second World War.
RRP $44.99 | PENGUIN GROUP (NZ)
2 comments:
A big "Thank you" to Alison for writing this book. My sister's father-in-law was a young medical man in J-Force, has lost most of his comrades over the years, but has a mind full of memories about his time there. He will LOVE your book, and I will be buying it for him.
Hello Alison. My father, a 21 year old at the time, was with the New Zealand 22nd Battalion, and was stationed with the J Force in Japan in 1946. Really looking forward to reading your book.
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