Book launch: Resolute, The Australian Air War in Burma

Journey into a little-known chapter of Australia’s wartime history as the courage and sacrifice of Royal Australian Air Force aircrew in the Burma Campaign are brought to life for the first time.

More than 1,700 RAAF airmen served in the Burma Campaign during the Second World War, flying missions across some of the most challenging environments of the war. They undertook perilous sorties over ‘the Hump’ into China, dropped agents into Burma, Thailand, Malaya, and Indo-China, battled Japanese bombers and fighters and conducted anti-submarine patrols, long range reconnaissance, bombing raids and ground attacks on targets throughout Southeast Asia.

Resolute, the first detailed history of Australia’s air war in Burma, brings these stories vividly to life. Drawing on years of research, authors Dr Andrew Kilsby and Dr Daryl Moran—both sons of RAAF veterans—reveal the triumphs, tragedies, and human endurance of this forgotten campaign.

Join Andrew and Daryl in conversation with Peter Meehan OAM as they uncover this overlooked history. After the talk, share in a light afternoon tea before gathering on the Shrine Forecourt for a moving Last Post Service(opens in a new window) marking 80 years since the first draft of RAAF men returned from Burma aboard the SS Sontay.

Book now(opens in a new window)

About the authors

Andrew Kilsby is a professional historian with a focus on military, business and biographical history. A graduate of RMC Duntroon, he holds a PhD in history from UNSW. Among a number of histories, his military titles include: The Forgotten Cruiser: HMAS Melbourne I 1913-1928 with Greg Swinden (2013), The Riflemen: A History of the NRAA 1888-1988 (2013), The Case of Eichengruen-Edwards and Continental Tyres (2019), The Reservists: A History of the DRA 1970-2020 (2023) and as editor with Daryl Moran, of In the Fight: Australians and the War in Burma 1942-1945 (2025). Both also contributed chapters to that publication, published by Big Sky Publishing in November 2024.

Daryl Moran is a writer and historian with over 40 years of experience in the field of education in Melbourne and India. He holds a PhD from Melbourne University. Daryl has had a long interest in military and especially aviation war history, convening conferences concerned with Australian air power in both world wars for Military History & Heritage Victoria Inc. His first military title, Empire's Noble Son (2019), is a biography of an Australian WWI pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. Daryl’s next project is First to Serve, a history of Caulfield and Malvern Grammarians who served in the Boer War, based on their many letters home.