THIS is a re-issue, up-dated and much more fully illustrated, of the book
first published in 1944 that released the hitherto top secret story of
what is surely the most dramatic and inspiring shipwreck and rescue drama
of all time.The story is true in every particular, incredulous as many a reader is likely to find the amazing series of events related. There were some who labelled it "the wildest fiction" when first they read it. But it has stood the test of time. The incident that led to the participation in the drama of the Merchant Marines of several countries, the British and South African Navies, the South African Air Force, the South African Army, the South African Police and the South African Railways and Harbours Administration,demanding from each of the men their utmost resources of courage, endurance, persistence, ingenuity, compassion and humanity, as well as intelligence and muscle, took place midway through World War 2 off the coast of South West Africa that is scheduled soon to become the independent country of Namibia.
That particular part of the S.W.A./Namibia coast has been for centuries for all who knew it the most frightening piece of the Earth.
The story of the wrecking of the big British passenger liner Dunedin Star and the eventual rescue of her more than 100 passengers and crew, at the cost of other lives, another ship, a big aircraft, a number of army trucks, etc., has become known to millions since the book was first published, and is generally accepted to be the peer of true adventure stories so far to come out of Africa. Edition after edition of the original book came from the presses in English and in translations in Africa, England, the Continent of Europe and America, over a period of nearly a quarter of a century. However, the last edition was sold out more than a decade ago, so this up-dated and expanded and generously illustrated re-issue is certain to be eagerly received.
Naval and military censorship ruled when the earlier editions of Skeleton Coast were published, and only a handfull of approved photos were obtainable to illustrate the book. But for this expanded re-issue a remarkable collection of nearly 100 pictures, many of them history-making and of dramatic action, and most of them now published for the first time, has been assembled.
(Taken from the front cover of the November 1978 edition)