Helen Chapman, Deadly Waters (Australia’s Second World War), Scholastic Australia, May 2023, 208 pp., RRP $17.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781743835104
Deadly Waters is a historical fiction set during the period before and during World War II in Australia and the Pacific arena. It is the fourth novel in Scholastic’s Australian Second World War series. It is told through the voice of Helen Chapman’s father, Clifford ‘Digger’ Hopping. Her father’s stories, the recollections of his family and friends, the drama of war and imagination, bring insight to Australia’s human and courageous involvement in the Pacific War.
Clifford joins the Royal Australian Naval Reserves and trains for war. He takes on an important role of signalman learning flag semaphore and providing the vital information of the location of mines. When he is transferred to HMAS Australia targeted as the most effective destroyer of the enemy targets, he truly faces the hardest fighting of the War in the Pacific. There are also suicide attacks by kamikaze pilots. The battles are fierce.
There is romantic relief with Marie who waits at home, desperate for Clifford to return.
Deadly Waters is a rare insight into how Australia was targeted. It gives authentic story of the mines, submarine strikes, bombings and kamikaze pilots and the amazing Navy boys who participated in battle and many gave their lives.
Helen Chapman’s sharp yet descriptive prose reveals the importance of mateship under fire. The details in the book from the semaphore alphabet signalling system, minesweeping diagrams, the onboard Xmas Day Menu to the map of Australia with The Coral Sea, will see battle enthusiasts researching books and the Seaman’s Union of Australia and other resources.
Australian vernacular as part of the narrative, such as ‘dolly pegs’ and ‘the coathanger bridge’ is part of the humour. It recognises the Australian character, even in the darkest of times.
Helen Chapman has taken the stories of her father’s life to bring an insightful and heartfelt narrative to Deadly Waters.
Highly Recommended, especially for those interested in Australian and world history.
Reviewed by Susanne Gervay
