{"product_id":"the-witness-by-tom-gilling-9781760879273","title":"The Witness","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e'That bastard's still alive? I'm going to kill him with my bare hands.'\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePOW Bill Moxham\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the Australian war crimes trials that followed World War II, one prosecution witness stood out: Warrant Officer Bill Sticpewich.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDuring his three years in the infamous Sandakan POW camp, Sticpewich had seen hundreds of fellow prisoners die of starvation, sickness, and overwork. Others were shot or bayoneted to death by Japanese guards on forced marches through the Borneo jungle. Of more than 2400 Allied prisoners at Sandakan at the start of 1945, only six survived. It was Sticpewich's meticulous evidence that sent Sandakan's commandant and his murderous henchmen to the gallows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut to his fellow prisoners, Sticpewich was not a war hero; he was a collaborator who avoided heavy labour and obtained extra rations by ingratiating himself with the Japanese.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWas Sticpewich a traitor or a man who did what he needed to stay alive? Drawing on wartime records, original interviews, and the recollections of other survivors, \u003ci\u003eThe Witness\u003c\/i\u003e reveals the compelling story of Australia's most notorious POW.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e'. . . a dramatic tale of war and survival.'\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e- \u003ci\u003eSydney Morning Herald\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Witness\u003c\/i\u003e stands alone as the most comprehensive account to date of the Sandakan survivor Bill Sticpewich. Gilling has produced a sharp and compelling account of events through the eyes of key witnesses. In writing this book, Tom Gilling has helped keep the memories of the lost souls of Sandakan alive, and for that, he has done Australia a great service. \u003cstrong\u003e- \u003ci\u003eThe Australian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'A compelling story indeed.' \u003cstrong\u003e- \u003ci\u003eAustralian Defence Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'. . . a new stark tale stopping you dead in your tracks . . . A dark, disturbing, and revealing yarn, Tom Gilling's book deserved to be read.' \u003cstrong\u003e- \u003ci\u003eNewcastle Herald\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'A fascinating story' \u003cstrong\u003e- Deborah Knight, 2GB\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47363224535276,"sku":"9781760879273","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/26179673482814.jpg?v=1772918752","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/the-witness-by-tom-gilling-9781760879273","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}