{"title":"Bob Breen","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our collection featuring the fascinating works of Bob Breen, a celebrated author renowned for his captivating exploration of history and military themes. With a distinct ability to weave compelling narratives from factual events, Breen invites readers to embark on extraordinary journeys through time, offering both educational insights and thrilling adventures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe collection prominently includes \u003cem\u003eChasing Bandits in the Badlands\u003c\/em\u003e, a gripping tale that exemplifies Breen's knack for bringing historical events to life with vivid detail and scholarly precision. His books are a treasure trove for enthusiasts of history and military genres, providing deep dives into pivotal moments and the extraordinary people who lived them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a seasoned history buff or a curious newcomer, Bob Breen's books promise to enrich your understanding while delivering a truly immersive reading experience. Dive into the pages of his work and discover the intriguing blend of fact and storytelling that sets Bob Breen apart in the world of historical literature.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"chasing-bandits-in-the-badlands-by-bob-breen-9781922896209","title":"Chasing Bandits in the Badlands","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn January 1993, the Australian government sent just under one thousand young men and women to serve under American command in a violent, impoverished, starving society. Most males over the age of twelve either carried or had access to a gun, and most Somali men had been fighting a vicious civil war for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian soldiers and their teams had to gain control of the streets of Baidoa and surrounding towns. This contest was not 'find, fight and kill' warfare. There was no decisive victory or defeat. The aim was to detect 'the bad boys' and deter and de-escalate their violence rather than escalate hostilities to success through 'body count'. This mode of operation was not community policing by soldiers either. It involved adjusting attitudes forcefully and assuring uncomfortable consequences for bad behaviour and ultimately lethal responses to armed challenges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe world looked over their shoulders. Corporals and diggers had to make split-second decisions to open or hold fire. Holding fire when provoked by punks constituted disciplined professional performance. Opening fire before understanding the situation, especially against unarmed provocateurs, constituted unprofessional conduct and possible condemnation, even criminal charges. These young Australians carried the international reputation of Australia and its army on their shoulders. Their actions would either enhance that reputation or create controversy, negative publicity and, potentially, international embarrassment and condemnation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter asserting a presence through rigorous patrolling and search-and-clear urban and rural operations, the Australians deterred a range of marauders from interfering with UN and NGO humanitarian activities, keeping expatriate staff safe and killing and wounding several Somali shooters in surprise clashes. After adjusting their own attitudes to balance aggression and compassion, fight leaders and their diggers forcefully adjusted Somali attitudes, secured a stalemate, and then took control for the time they were in Somalia. Australian soldiers individually and collectively helped a traumatised society needing a 'fair go' and gave ordinary Somali men, women and children trying to survive a little bit of hope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eChasing Bandits in the Badlands\u003c\/em\u003e by Bob Breen provides a gripping account of these challenging and significant efforts by Australian forces in Somalia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46653919297772,"sku":"9781922896209","price":32.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/17373213482872.jpg?v=1752458932"},{"product_id":"from-the-apple-orchard-to-kapyong-by-bob-breen-9781761452956","title":"From the Apple Orchard to Kapyong","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA compelling story of courage, resilience, and legacy: this is the story of how young Australians held the line in Korea and helped shape the modern Australian Army\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eFrom the Apple Orchard to Kapyong: 3 RAR in Korea, September 1950 – April 1951 \u003c\/i\u003eis a gripping and deeply researched account of one of the most important battles in Australian military history. Focusing on the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), this book explores the battalion’s actions during the Korean War, culminating in the pivotal \u003cb\u003eBattle of Kapyong\u003c\/b\u003e in April 1951.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthoritative and reflective, this book traces 3 RAR’s journey from occupation duties in postwar Japan to fierce combat in Korea, including the chaotic \u003cb\u003eBattle of Pakchon\u003c\/b\u003e, the hard-fought triumph at Kapyong, and the broader implications of the \u003cb\u003eImjin River\u003c\/b\u003e campaign. Drawing from veteran interviews, official records, and personal correspondence, it examines the challenges of coalition warfare, command decisions under pressure, and the enduring influence of these actions on the Australian Army's leadership, ethos and training through later conflicts such as the Vietnam War.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFar more than a battle history, \u003ci\u003eFrom the Apple Orchard to Kapyong\u003c\/i\u003e provides vital insights into Australia’s Cold War military commitments, the origins of the\u003cb\u003e ANZUS Treaty\u003c\/b\u003e, and the human dimensions of warfare. It is essential reading for military professionals, historians, and anyone interested in Australia’s role on the world stage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47073301168364,"sku":"9781761452956","price":40.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/873aaede23737bada948ae29b760ef2c_8770e995-5840-4fa5-a1d4-d97740deb6de.jpg?v=1765178517"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/bob-breen.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}