Line of Fire

In 1942, 11-year-old Richard Manson and his parents were tragically shot by the Japanese for suspected espionage in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. Acclaimed author Ian Townsend uncovers this little-known chapter of World War II, blending Australian history, military conflict, and the unique science of volcanology. This narrative nonfiction work explores the intertwining lives of an ordinary family against the dramatic and ultimately tragic backdrop of Rabaul, showcasing the complex interactions between Australians, Americans, and Japanese during the Pacific War.