Aceh

Aceh
Compiled by Guillaume Louys
New Holland
232 pages. $49.95

This book sets a new standard in recording the ADF’s operational history. Beautifully presented, Aceh contains a moving assortment of images taken by RAN photographers during the ADF’s Tsunami and Nias Island relief missions.

While the photographers were Navy, and the book itself is a Navy initiative, it also gives ample coverage of the contributions of Army and Air Force. Many photos are of individuals, and capture the human face of the operation. Other photos relive the horror of Banda Aceh and Nias, as well as the mournful repatriation of those who died in the Sea King tragedy.

As someone who saw firsthand the work of some of these photographers, I feel the book is a fitting tribute to their craft and dedication in an environment that pushed everyone to their physical and mental limits. Aceh is also a supreme example of how we can simply yet superbly commemorate those who serve their nation on operations. Personally, I think everybody who deployed on Operation Sumatra Assist will want a copy of this book.

For some it will help explain their experiences to their families, while for others it may help them to come to come to terms with what they saw in the hell that was the aftermath of the Indian Ocean disaster.

– Cpl Cameron Jamieson

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