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About Ellen Savage and the Heroes of AHS Centaur (Unabridged)

An extraordinary true story of survival and courage during one of the deadliest wartime attacks ever on Australia, by bestselling author Grantlee Kieza.

The sinking of the hospital ship Centaur stands as one of Australia's most devastating wartime tragedies, claiming 268 lives on a mission of mercy. But in its wake rose extraordinary heroism that united a nation that was under siege by Japanese forces and had already endured submarine attacks on Sydney and Newcastle, and aerial bombing raids on Darwin, Townsville, Broome and other Australian targets.

On 14 May 1943, the Centaur, lit brightly and marked with red crosses under the Hague Convention, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine off Brisbane's coast. The ship sank in just three minutes. Many perished instantly, but among the survivors was nurse Ellen Savage, the only woman to emerge alive from the carnage. Despite horrific injuries, she survived 34 agonising hours in shark-infested waters, tending to the wounded until rescuers arrived.

The barbarous attack became a powerful rallying cry for Australian forces. Ellen Savage's courage earned her the George Medal, and decades later the discovery of the Centaur's wreckage brought closure to a story of resilience and sacrifice. This extraordinary tale of survival, courage and heroism remains one of the most inspiring chapters in Australia's history.