At Anzac Day, remembering Coastwatchers on World War II

Fmr commando sergeant Jim Burrowes with the Morse code key he used in the jungles of New Guinea. Source: Stefan Armbruster SBS

One of the last survivors of a top-secret Second World War unit says he fears its efforts will be forgotten, and he is posting his story online before it is too late. Credited with "saving the Pacific," the Australian Coastwatchers operated behind enemy lines with Pacific island soldiers to spy on the Japanese Imperial forces. Dozens of Coastwatchers were captured and killed, but they had many successes, including saving the life of a future president of the United States.

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Credited with "saving the Pacific," the Australian Coastwatchers operated behind enemy lines with Pacific island soldiers to spy on the Japanese Imperial forces. Dozens of Coastwatchers were captured and killed, but they had many successes, including saving the life of a future president of the United States.