Khaki Town
Khaki Town by Judy Nunn, published by Random House Australia in October 2019, is a historical fiction novel set during World War II. This 400-page book explores the transformation of Townsville, Queensland, as it becomes a crucial transport hub for American and Australian soldiers. The narrative follows Val Callahan, the publican of The Brown’s Bar, who finds herself at the center of this bustling wartime environment, where soldiers converge amidst the backdrop of impending conflict.
Readers will discover a vivid portrayal of life in Townsville during a pivotal moment in history, as the city grapples with the arrival of thousands of troops and the complexities that arise from their presence. The story delves into themes of racial tension and camaraderie among the soldiers, highlighting the challenges faced by both American and Australian forces. As Val navigates her changing world, the book presents a rich tapestry of wartime experiences, capturing the spirit of a community on the brink of change.
Official synopsis Publisher
Khaki Town, Judy Nunn’s latest no.1 bestseller, is inspired by a true wartime story that has remained a well-kept secret for over seventy years.
It seems to have happened overnight, Val thought . How extraordinary. We’ve become a khaki town.
It’s March 1942. Singapore has fallen. Darwin has been bombed. Australia is on the brink of being invaded by the Imperial Japanese Forces. And Val Callahan, publican of The Brown’s Bar in Townsville, could not be happier as she contemplates the fortune she’s making from lonely, thirsty soldiers.
Overnight the small Queensland city is transformed into the transport hub for 70,000 American and Australian soldiers destined for combat in the South Pacific. Barbed wire and gun emplacements cover the beaches. Historic buildings are commandeered. And the dance halls are in full swing with jazz, jitterbug and jive.
The Australian troops begrudge the confident, well-fed ‘Yanks’ who have taken over their town and their women. There’s growing conflict, too, within the American ranks, because black GIs are enjoying the absence of segregation. And the white GIs don’t like it.
As racial violence explodes through the ranks of the military, a young United States Congressman, Lyndon Baines Johnson, is sent to Townsville by his president to investigate. ‘Keep a goddamned lid on it, Lyndon,’ he is told, ‘lest it explode in our faces …’
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