The Warramunga’s War by Greg Kater
The Warramunga’s War is a sweeping narrative of the friendship that forms between a young Australian army officer, Jamie Munro, and an educated half-caste Warramunga aboriginal NCO, Jack ‘Jacko’ O’Brien, during the Syrian campaign against the Vichy French in World War II. Jacko rescues a wounded Jamie after which they are conscripted in Cairo by MI6. Here, Jamie and Jacko learn about the seamy side of war in counterespionage as they track down German spies. The principal fictional characters interact with actual historical figures and events throughout the story.
As the desert war escalates to the west of Cairo, the MI6 team confuses the enemy with misleading radio messages using German codes and using local entertainers as undercover agents. On one of his day leaves, Jacko meets a beautiful young Syrian-French girl and a strong romantic bond forms between the two during his time in Cairo.
Following the end of the desert war, Jamie and Jacko are assigned to wartime intelligence work in Southeast Asia. After the end of the Pacific war, they initiate the Darwin operations of the CIS, the Commonwealth Investigation Service. On the trail of two suspected wartime German agents, they discover the agents have formed a dangerous criminal gang with an individual they had known during their time in Cairo. The tracking skills of the Warramunga are needed to finally catch up with the murderous gang in Western Australia’s Kimberley region
Review:
The Warramungas War is a stupendous epic story with an exceptional storyline which is full of twists and turns. It recounts the friendship between two friends, Jamie and Jacko, which are soldiers fighting in the Middle East and Egypt during World War II. They become friends when Jacko heroically saves Jamie’s life. Following their adventures, readers find that they are assigned and complete several charges and undertakings in various fields of action. Jamie is Lieutenant James Monro, he is an officer in the Australian Army. With Jacko, Sergeant Jack O’Brien, as an educated Australian who is half-white and half Warramunga -an Australian aboriginal tribe soldier. Their friendship and commitment to one another is the main theme of the book.
There is a lot going on in this story, and it is written with expertise and skill. It is an amazing original multi-genre story which includes: history, war, espionage and much mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed the espionage and mystery aspects of the narrative. Not only does the perplexities fit together tightly, but author Greg Kater brings in a collection of intense characters that add taste and attention to the dilemma.
The Warramungas War is filled with interesting characters that are colorful, with personalities that draw the reader in. They are well developed and fleshed out which makes for a great story and exceptional read.
The plot is full and flows like water. It is intense and compelling. The writing is augmented as the main action goes from Egypt to Australia, which is the home for the main characters. The first part of the book is set in Egypt during World War II, while the second part is in Australia. The marvelous illustrative writing not only intensifies the characters but fully highlights the descriptions of the countries and settings. I fully enjoyed the way Greg Kater described Central Australia, the individuals, the cultures and the bountiful country.
I completely and thoroughly enjoyed The Warramungas War. It is the best historical, war and espionage books I have ever read. I was entirely engaged, unable to put it down, It is an enjoyable and delightfully entertaining book to read. It is filled with anticipation, peril, unpredictability and bravery. I look forward to reading more by Greg Kater. Artisan Book Reviews highly recommends The Warramungas War to all avid discerning readers.
