Alone on Guadalcanal: A Coastwatcher's Story

by Estate of Alexandra C. Clemens

This remarkable memoir tells the compelling story of the near-mythic British district officer who helped shape the first great Allied counteroffensive. Scottish-born and Cambridge-educated, Martin Clemens managed to survive months behind Japanese lines in one of the most unfriendly climates and terrains in the world. After countless partisan and spy missions, in 1942 he emerged from the jungle and integrated his Melanesian commando force into the heart of the 1st Marine Division's operations, earning the unfettered admiration of such legendary Marine officers as Vandegrift, Thomas, Twining, Edson, and Pate.
This book is based on a journal Clemens kept during the war and might well be the last critical source of analysis of the Solomon's campaign. His eyewitness accounts of harrowing long-distance patrols and life on the run from shadowy Japanese intelligence operatives and treacherous islanders are unmatched in the literature of the Pacific war. First published in 1998, the story, with an introduction by Allan R. Millett, is essential and enjoyable reading.

Genres: World War II, History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction

Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

Reviews

[Michael Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating and well done memoir. I’ve read a LOT of books about the air, land and sea battles of Guadalcanal but I learned a lot from this book. For example, I didn’t know that in 1942 the Solomon Islands Protectorate was a part of the British Empire. This was the reason that Clemons, a Scot, was the District Officer for Guadalcanal when the Japanese and later the U.S Marines arrived on the Island. Clemons played an important and critical role, often at the risk of his own life, in the Allied defeat of the Japanese. Great book. Highly recommended.

[Jeremy Kriewaldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written autobiographical memoir of the experience of the District Officer on Guadalcanal during 1942.
The author recounts with pride and becoming modesty how he managed the affairs of the Protectorate Government despite Japanese invasion and coordinated & carried out the coast watching and intelligence gathering that assisted the US recapture of the island.
The straight- forward and human telling of this story allows the loyalty and effectiveness of all involved, especially the local community, to shine through.

[Maryann · Rating 1 out of 5]

TMI and boring

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about an astounding chapter in history from an exceptional viewpoint.