The title of this book is misleading. While it looks at Parker ‘Joe’ Hodge’s action in the Dutch East Indies in late 1941-42, it is also a family history. So, there is a tension between deeper analysis or broader context (e.g., military strategy, geopolitical frameworks) and personal story. Readers seeking strict military history might find some sections more ‘human interest’ than ‘operations’.
What the book does well is examine the RAAF’s establishment post-World War I, the creation of its flying schools, and in this case how underprepared and poorly armed it was against the Japanese. It also highlights the Australian campaign in the Dutch East Indies, often overlooked beside Malaya and Singapore.
What holds it together is the discovery of Parker ‘Joe’ Hodge’s life and that of his family, from Beechworth to Essendon, their post-World War I years, survival through the Depression, and World War II’s impact. Told through anecdotes and photos, the book tracks Joe from childhood to service and deployment. Some early sections (childhood, training) can feel slow, especially for readers more interested in combat. The campaign parts are stronger in pace and intensity.
Fly Boy is a well-written, heartfelt biography that offers both a tribute to an individual life and a broader window into lesser-known aspects of Australia’s World War II aviation history. It succeeds best when focusing on Joe’s personal journey – his aspirations, setbacks, courage.
The book is more impactful in human, emotional storytelling than in strategic or operational insights. But that is certainly not a flaw.
Reviewed by Anthony Llewellyn-Evans
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter Hodge is an experienced teacher and freelance writer with a passion for exploring global issues. Having taught for three years as an Australian Volunteer Abroad at a rural Zimbabwean mission school, Peter’s diverse travel experiences and broad interests inform much of his work.
The author of Volunteer Work Overseas for Australians and New Zealanders (two editions), Peter has contributed numerous articles to respected publications such as The Age, The Australian, The Guardian, and Eureka Street, often focusing on social justice and international development. More recently, his writing has delved into family history, as seen in the compelling narrative of Fly Boy, which seeks to understand personal legacy while uncovering forgotten aspects of the past.
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