Spyforce
Encyclopedia
Spyforce was an Australian TV series produced from 1971 to 1973, based upon the adventures of Australian Military Intelligence operatives in the South West Pacific
during World War II
. It was produced by the Nine Network
in conjunction with Paramount Pictures
.
The series centres on the action and adventures of lead actor Jack Thompson
's character Erskine, and his main support character, Peter Sumner
's Gunthar Haber. It was the first lead role for Jack Thompson. The two are part of an elite unit of special operatives, the Special Intelligence Unit, and their adventures are loosely based upon those of the real Services Reconnaissance Department
who often operated behind Japanese-held lines during the war. Unlike most previous war film
s, Spyforce deliberately steered away from the notion that the United States
was solely responsible for Japan's defeat, and highlights the important role Australian forces played in the defeat of the Imperial Japanese Army
. Producer Roger Mirams
was also careful to avoid stereotypes of the genre, and tired formulas for the battle scenes.
The idea appealed to American producers Paramount Pictures
, who backed creator Roger Mirams
to begin production without having seen a script. He made the pilot episode, "Spy Catcher", which impressed Paramount, and the Nine Network
immediately bought the local rights.
The first episode aired in Sydney
on 8 August 1971, and the rest of Australia
on 26 August 1971. It was originally intended to produce 26 episodes, but following the success of the first series, Mirams held talks with both Nine Network and Paramount Pictures, who backed him for a second series. In all 42 episodes were produced. The series was last aired on Australian television in Adelaide
on 21 September 1976, but has been re-run several times since.
Actor Russell Crowe
appeared briefly in one episode as a child actor at the age of seven.
to be a wartime espionage action adventure in the format of a weekly, hour-long television mini-film. It was very much intended to highlight the important role played by Australian forces in achieving victory in World War II
, but also remain exciting and compelling. Despite being based upon a war setting, character development played a key role in Spyforce. The way the main characters interact and change over time was carefully scripted by Mirams.
Unlike many previous war films, particularly American ones, Spyforce does not portray the protagonists as invincible, who always win an easy victory. Indeed their human failings are made clear, and their plans do not always come to fruition. It does not dwell on torture by Japanese soldiers, or portray Australians as perfect.
The protagonists are members of a secretive special elite unit known as the Special Intelligence Unit, headed by Colonel Cato, who is only responsible directly to the Prime Minister of Australia
. Cato's unit is responsible for sabotage and covert operations, often behind enemy lines, against Japanese forces in the South West Pacific
during World War II.
Colonel Cato recruits both Erskine and Gunther Haber into the Special Intelligence Unit as civilian operatives due to their intimate knowledge of the South West Pacific and New Guinea
. Both are reluctant at first, so Cato fabricates false evidence against them to coerce them into co-operating.
Although some episodes were filmed on location in New Guinea, Thailand
, Hong Kong
, Macau
and also in Changi Prison
in Singapore
, most of the filming was done in the Australian bushland surrounding Sydney
. Several ideal Sydney locations, such as Middle Head Fortifications
were also used.
's character, Erskine is the hero and main protagonist of Spyforce. Erskine was an Australian planter in the Australian Territory of New Guinea
when the Imperial Japanese Army
invaded in 1942. Erskine is a heavy drinking, swearing, womanising and sometimes cold hearted man who has little time for rank or etiquette. He was forced off his plantation
by advancing Japanese troops, and resents the Australian Army
for not having properly protected his property.
Despite this, Erskine is an excellent soldier, although often prone to disobeying, or bending orders. He is quick to the trigger, and not afraid of tackling the Japanese head on if necessary. He also has a ruthless streak, but can be cold and calculating at times.
He despises Gunther Haber initially, and resents being forced to work with him. But as the two men get to know each other, both realise they have a similar dishonest roguish character, and begin to bond.
. He is a German planter with a plantation on New Britain
, and he too was forced to flee the advancing Japanese. Because of his German heritage, he is initially interned in a Prison Camp in Australia, but later is recruited by the Special Intelligence Unit for his linguistic skills and intimate knowledge of New Guinea.
Haber is a cultured German, who is the complete foil for Erskine's rough and ready character.
They are also love rivals, and initially the bitterness is strong between the two. However, as they begin to succeed together in their missions, a grudging mutual respect develops.
At the beginning Erskine calls Haber 'Adolf' as a slight, but after the men begin to bond, he continues to use the nickname in a more friendly affectionate way.
, is the Commanding Officer of the Special Intelligence Unit, and is only directly responsible to the Prime Minister of Australia
. He is astutely intelligent, a clever strategist, very cunning and calculating, and is willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve his goals. Cato is not beyond bending the rules, and manipulates both Erskine and Haber into co-operating with the Special Intelligence Unit.
, and holds the rank of Lieutenant
. French has a crush on Erskine, and he an attracted admiration for her, but their relationship always remains platonic.
was a primarily support role. He was an Australian Army
captain who appeared in the first 11 episodes, primarily when the Special Intelligence Unit had to interact directly with the Australian Army.
's main officer in later episodes of Spyforce.
was a psychopathic criminal that Colonel Cato used to use to brutally interrogate prisoners, due to his aggressive personality. Barrow only appears in the first and fourth episodes.
undercover operative who is a master of disguise. She was born in Burma and has contacts throughout the South West Pacific and particularly in New Guinea
. Stewart is a master linguist, fluent in five languages, and is also a firearms expert.
South West Pacific theatre of World War II
The South West Pacific Theatre, technically the South West Pacific Area, between 1942 and 1945, was one of two designated area commands and war theatres enumerated by the Combined Chiefs of Staff of World War II in the Pacific region....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was produced by the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
in conjunction with Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
.
The series centres on the action and adventures of lead actor Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson (actor)
Jack Thompson, AM is an Australian actor and one of the major figures of Australian cinema. He was educated at University of Queensland, before embarking on his acting career. In 2002, he was made an honorary member of the Australian Cinematographers Society...
's character Erskine, and his main support character, Peter Sumner
Peter Sumner
Peter Sumner is an Australian actor, director, and writer. He was born Peter Sumner-Potts in Sydney, Australia.His credits include parts in such films as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and Ned Kelly, as well as a starring role in television series Spyforce...
's Gunthar Haber. It was the first lead role for Jack Thompson. The two are part of an elite unit of special operatives, the Special Intelligence Unit, and their adventures are loosely based upon those of the real Services Reconnaissance Department
Services Reconnaissance Department
The Services Reconnaissance Department , also known as Inter-Allied Services Department , Special Operations Australia and Section A, Allied Intelligence Bureau was an Australian military intelligence and special reconnaissance unit, during World War II.Authorised by General Thomas Blamey in March...
who often operated behind Japanese-held lines during the war. Unlike most previous war film
War film
War films are a film genre concerned with warfare, usually about naval, air or land battles, sometimes focusing instead on prisoners of war, covert operations, military training or other related subjects. At times war films focus on daily military or civilian life in wartime without depicting battles...
s, Spyforce deliberately steered away from the notion that the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
was solely responsible for Japan's defeat, and highlights the important role Australian forces played in the defeat of the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
. Producer Roger Mirams
Roger Mirams
Roger Eastgate Holden Mirams was a New Zealand film director, well known for the children's television series he produced throughout his career which extended over 70 years...
was also careful to avoid stereotypes of the genre, and tired formulas for the battle scenes.
The idea appealed to American producers Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
, who backed creator Roger Mirams
Roger Mirams
Roger Eastgate Holden Mirams was a New Zealand film director, well known for the children's television series he produced throughout his career which extended over 70 years...
to begin production without having seen a script. He made the pilot episode, "Spy Catcher", which impressed Paramount, and the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
immediately bought the local rights.
The first episode aired in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
on 8 August 1971, and the rest of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
on 26 August 1971. It was originally intended to produce 26 episodes, but following the success of the first series, Mirams held talks with both Nine Network and Paramount Pictures, who backed him for a second series. In all 42 episodes were produced. The series was last aired on Australian television in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
on 21 September 1976, but has been re-run several times since.
Actor Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe is a New Zealander Australian actor , film producer and musician. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, a...
appeared briefly in one episode as a child actor at the age of seven.
Synopsis
Spyforce was designed by Roger MiramsRoger Mirams
Roger Eastgate Holden Mirams was a New Zealand film director, well known for the children's television series he produced throughout his career which extended over 70 years...
to be a wartime espionage action adventure in the format of a weekly, hour-long television mini-film. It was very much intended to highlight the important role played by Australian forces in achieving victory in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but also remain exciting and compelling. Despite being based upon a war setting, character development played a key role in Spyforce. The way the main characters interact and change over time was carefully scripted by Mirams.
Unlike many previous war films, particularly American ones, Spyforce does not portray the protagonists as invincible, who always win an easy victory. Indeed their human failings are made clear, and their plans do not always come to fruition. It does not dwell on torture by Japanese soldiers, or portray Australians as perfect.
The protagonists are members of a secretive special elite unit known as the Special Intelligence Unit, headed by Colonel Cato, who is only responsible directly to the Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
. Cato's unit is responsible for sabotage and covert operations, often behind enemy lines, against Japanese forces in the South West Pacific
South West Pacific theatre of World War II
The South West Pacific Theatre, technically the South West Pacific Area, between 1942 and 1945, was one of two designated area commands and war theatres enumerated by the Combined Chiefs of Staff of World War II in the Pacific region....
during World War II.
Colonel Cato recruits both Erskine and Gunther Haber into the Special Intelligence Unit as civilian operatives due to their intimate knowledge of the South West Pacific and New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
. Both are reluctant at first, so Cato fabricates false evidence against them to coerce them into co-operating.
Although some episodes were filmed on location in New Guinea, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
and also in Changi Prison
Changi Prison
Changi Prison is a prison located in Changi in the eastern part of Singapore.-First prison and POW camp:...
in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, most of the filming was done in the Australian bushland surrounding Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. Several ideal Sydney locations, such as Middle Head Fortifications
Middle Head Fortifications
The Middle Head Fortification is located at the end of Old Fort Road, Middle Head, Mosman, New South Wales. The fortifications at Middle Head formed part of Sydney Harbour's defences.-History:The fortifications were built between 1870 and 1911....
were also used.
Erskine
Lead actor Jack ThompsonJack Thompson (actor)
Jack Thompson, AM is an Australian actor and one of the major figures of Australian cinema. He was educated at University of Queensland, before embarking on his acting career. In 2002, he was made an honorary member of the Australian Cinematographers Society...
's character, Erskine is the hero and main protagonist of Spyforce. Erskine was an Australian planter in the Australian Territory of New Guinea
Territory of New Guinea
The Territory of New Guinea was the Australia-controlled, League of Nations-mandated territory in the north eastern part of the island of New Guinea, and surrounding islands, between 1920 and 1949...
when the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
invaded in 1942. Erskine is a heavy drinking, swearing, womanising and sometimes cold hearted man who has little time for rank or etiquette. He was forced off his plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
by advancing Japanese troops, and resents the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
for not having properly protected his property.
Despite this, Erskine is an excellent soldier, although often prone to disobeying, or bending orders. He is quick to the trigger, and not afraid of tackling the Japanese head on if necessary. He also has a ruthless streak, but can be cold and calculating at times.
He despises Gunther Haber initially, and resents being forced to work with him. But as the two men get to know each other, both realise they have a similar dishonest roguish character, and begin to bond.
Gunther Haber
Erskine's main sidekick is Gunther Haber played by Peter SumnerPeter Sumner
Peter Sumner is an Australian actor, director, and writer. He was born Peter Sumner-Potts in Sydney, Australia.His credits include parts in such films as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and Ned Kelly, as well as a starring role in television series Spyforce...
. He is a German planter with a plantation on New Britain
New Britain
New Britain, or Niu Briten, is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. It is separated from the island of New Guinea by the Dampier and Vitiaz Straits and from New Ireland by St. George's Channel...
, and he too was forced to flee the advancing Japanese. Because of his German heritage, he is initially interned in a Prison Camp in Australia, but later is recruited by the Special Intelligence Unit for his linguistic skills and intimate knowledge of New Guinea.
Haber is a cultured German, who is the complete foil for Erskine's rough and ready character.
They are also love rivals, and initially the bitterness is strong between the two. However, as they begin to succeed together in their missions, a grudging mutual respect develops.
At the beginning Erskine calls Haber 'Adolf' as a slight, but after the men begin to bond, he continues to use the nickname in a more friendly affectionate way.
Colonel Cato
Colonel Cato played by Redmond PhillipsRedmond Phillips
Redmond Bernard Phillips was a New Zealand born actor and writer.Phillips was born in Reefton, New Zealand and began acting in the theatre while a student at Victoria University of Wellington...
, is the Commanding Officer of the Special Intelligence Unit, and is only directly responsible to the Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
. He is astutely intelligent, a clever strategist, very cunning and calculating, and is willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve his goals. Cato is not beyond bending the rules, and manipulates both Erskine and Haber into co-operating with the Special Intelligence Unit.
Lieutenant French
Lieutenant French, played by the petite actress Katy Wild is Colonel Cato's secretary, and despite her cute good looks, she has her finger on the pulse of the operations. Although primarily limited to administrative duties in the Units headquarters office, French does occasionally operate in the field. Unlike Erskine and Haber, French is a member of the Australian ArmyAustralian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
, and holds the rank of Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
. French has a crush on Erskine, and he an attracted admiration for her, but their relationship always remains platonic.
Captain Pollock
Captain Pollock, played by Bill HunterBill Hunter (actor)
William John "Bill" Hunter was an Australian actor of film, stage and television. He appeared in more than 60 films and won two Australian Film Institute Awards.-Early life:Hunter was a son of William and Francie Hunter...
was a primarily support role. He was an Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
captain who appeared in the first 11 episodes, primarily when the Special Intelligence Unit had to interact directly with the Australian Army.
Captain Bergen
Captain Bergen, played by Stuart Finch replaced Captain Pollock as the Australian ArmyAustralian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
's main officer in later episodes of Spyforce.
Barrow
Barrow played by Max CullenMax Cullen
Max Cullen is an Australian stage and screen actor. Max has appeared in many Australian films and television series but is best known for his role in the film Spider and Rose and the television series The Flying Doctors and Love My Way.Cullen was born in Wellington, New South Wales...
was a psychopathic criminal that Colonel Cato used to use to brutally interrogate prisoners, due to his aggressive personality. Barrow only appears in the first and fourth episodes.
Jill Stewart
Arna-Maria Winchester's Jill Stewart is an ASIOAustralian Security Intelligence Organisation
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is Australia's national security service, which is responsible for the protection of the country and its citizens from espionage, sabotage, acts of foreign interference, politically-motivated violence, attacks on the Australian defence system, and...
undercover operative who is a master of disguise. She was born in Burma and has contacts throughout the South West Pacific and particularly in New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
. Stewart is a master linguist, fluent in five languages, and is also a firearms expert.
Episodes
- Pilot. Spy Catcher
- 1. The General - Colonel Cato, the Commanding Officer of the Special Intelligence Unit, sends Erskine and his partner Gunther Haber to New IrelandNew Ireland (island)New Ireland is a large island in Papua New Guinea, approximately 7,404 km² in area. It is the largest island of the New Ireland Province, lying northeast of the island of New Britain. Both islands are part of the Bismarck Archipelago, named after Otto von Bismarck, and they are separated by...
to try and kidnap a German Officer who is working there with their Japanese Allies. It is vital the snatch goes according to plan, as Cato believes that the General is in possession of a list that contains the names of all German agents working in Australia. Erskine, who already has a strong dislike for his reluctant partner Haber, starts to distrust him even more when Haber, who is a German national, seemingly defects to the enemy. - 2. Death Railway - Colonel Cato has received intelligence reports that the Imperial Japanese ArmyImperial Japanese Army-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
are using allied Prisoners of War as slave labour to build the Burma Railway. Plans are drawn up to prevent the railway from connecting Siam to Burma by blowing up part of the route ahead of the construction. Colonel Cato sends Erskine and Haber to gather information, but ensures they are captured by the Japanese in the hope they will be able to gather blueprints of the railway. Whilst they are Prisoners of War, they are shocked to discover that there is an Australian engineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
assisting the Japanese with the construction of the railway. - 3. Portuguese Man Of War - German GestapoGestapoThe Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
secret agents have been sent to SydneySydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
where they are sabotaging important installations, and Colonel Cato devises a plan to thwart them. Suspicion of compliance once again falls upon German national Gunther Haber who is then interned in a Prisoner of WarPrisoner of warA prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
camp with captured German agents, leaving Erskine to combat the remaining agents alone. He tracks them down to an expatriate PortuguesePortugalPortugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
fishing community, whilst Haber and the interred German agents manage to escape from the camp. Having infiltrated their group, Haber learns of their plans to attempt to blow up the Queen MaryQueen Mary (ship)The following ships are named Queen Mary:* HMS Queen Mary, a battlecruiser of the Royal Navy launched in 1912 and sunk at the Battle of Jutland in 1916...
which is carrying thousands of Australian troopsSecond Australian Imperial ForceThe Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
back from the Middle East to reinforce New GuineaNew GuineaNew Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
against the Japanese. With Erskine's help, Haber manages to thwart to sabotague attempt, and save the ship. - 4. The Prisoner - Colonel Cato creates false evidence linking Gunther Haber and Erskine to a massacre on a small Pacific island in order to demonstrate the lengths he will go to in order to force them to work alongside each other, and to force them to carry out the orders he commands. Having manipulated them into continuing service with his department, he sends the pair to SingaporeSingaporeSingapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in order to break into Changi PrisonChangi PrisonChangi Prison is a prison located in Changi in the eastern part of Singapore.-First prison and POW camp:...
and rescue a renowned British bacteriologist who is being kept prisoner there. Colonel Cato fears that the Japanese will force him to create bacteriological weapons if he is not rescued. - 5. The Bridge - Gunther Haber and Erskine discover a plot to destroy the Sydney Harbour BridgeSydney Harbour BridgeThe Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic...
as a massive AlliedAllies of World War IIThe Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
shipping convey passes beneath. The pair, resentful of being forced to work for Colonel Cato's Special Intelligence Unit, try to use the information to bargain their way out of the organisation. - 6. The Trader - Erskine and Gunther Haber are back in New GuineaNew GuineaNew Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
where they are called upon to help rescue a party of locals from the advancing Imperial Japanese ArmyImperial Japanese Army-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
. The Japanese discover their presence and cut them off from their path to the coast. With the Japanese Army closing in, the party take refuge in a small trading postTrading postA trading post was a place or establishment in historic Northern America where the trading of goods took place. The preferred travel route to a trading post or between trading posts, was known as a trade route....
, but the pair soon become suspicious that one of their party is assisting the Japanese in their pursuit. In one scene. Winchester appears naked in a shower, and the scene was originally going to be cut for fear of offending the conservative censors of the period, however after much debate MacLean and Rubie decided the scene was "much too good to be cut".
- 7. The Escape - Erskine and Gunther Haber are back in New GuineaNew GuineaNew Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
where they are caught by the Japanese trying to blow up a petrol depot.The Australian Prime Minister hears about their capture and instructs Colonel Cato to use whatever means at his disposal to rescue them. A ruthless ex SAS member Major Brett Hinch is sent to New Guinea to assist in their escape.Major Hinch infiltrates the prison using a clever disguise and kills the guards one by one until he gets to the cell. Using all his cunning skills Major Hinch breaks down the door of the cell only to be met by 10 Japanese guards who he kills single-handedly. Erskine and Gunther Haber are rescued and taken by Major Hinch back to Australia. After risking his life Major Hinch is knighted by the Australian Prime Miinister for his bravery. - 8. 27 Hours Erskine and Gunther Haber are sent behind enemy lines to locate an Australian Medic, Corporal Michael Markidis, who is being held captive by the Japanese. After their own medic is killed they force Markidis to attend to their wounded and sick. A chronic case of diarrhoea breaks out amongst the Japanese Soldiers and it is discovered that Markidis has been dispensing laxatives instead of headache pills. Soon deaths occur and further information comes to light that Markidis has also poisoned the water supply. Markidis breaks out of the camp and is hunted by the Japanese. While on the run he meets up with *Erskine and Gunther Haber During the following 27 hours they resist countless attacks from the Japanese before eventually making it back to a waiting submarine that takes them back to Australia.
- 9. The Volunteers - Part One
- 10. The Volunteers - Part Two
- 11. The Countess
- 12. The Cripple
- 13. The Assassin
- 14. The Tunku
- 15. The Gunner
- 16. The Saviour - Part One
- 17. The Saviour - Part Two
- 18. The Samurai
- 19. The Bunker
- 20. Reilley's Army
- 21. The Courier
- 22. The Doctor
- 23. The Major
- 24. The Lovers
- 25. The Chase
- 26. The Diplomat
- 27. The District Commissioner
- 28. The Troupers
- 29. The Encounter
- 30. The Breakout
- 31. The Interrogator
- 32. The Raiders
- 33. The Forger
- 34. The Correspondent
- 35. The Double Agent
- 36. The Misfits
- 37. The Mission
- 38. The Journey
- 39. The Decoy
- 40. The Murder
- 41. The Trail
- 42. The Rolls That Went To War