Here is the website of Sid Phillips, who features on "The Pacific" series.

http://www.marinesidphillips.com/index.htm

It does seem to me that somebody behind Sid Phillips, if not Sid himself, is generating quite a bit of money and media attention through the website.

The degree of... "commercialisation" of Sid's life and story does concern me. While many thousands of veterans lead there lives with less commemoration than they deserve, there seems to be a handful of others who are turned into superstars for their marketable stories.

The website offers a line of products and a FAQ section with questions like, "How is my print/book/photo shipped? How fast will my order arrive? Do you collect & share my personal information?". That is just over-the-top commercial when the expectation is there that you'll receive Amazon-like customer service from an 86 year old war veteran.

It makes me cringe, perhaps more due to the insensitive wording rather than the service offered, how the website offers notification via newsletter of the latest news about Sid's appearances and learn how you can book Sid & his sister Katharine.

In addition, I am not pleased by the following excerpt from the "About Sid" storyline.

"...Sid went to Melbourne, where Australian women and girls lined the docks to greet the “Yanks” who had saved their nation."

Anybody who knows me would know my passion for Australian military history, especially in regard to the Pacific actions. It cannot be stressed enough that the biggest Japanese threat to Australian territory came when Papua was invaded. And there, Australian militia and later the AIF engaged the enemy in a fighting retreat before pursuing the Japanese back through the Owen Stanley Ranges, repulsing their landing at Milne Bay and beating them at the beach heads. (There were American troops at the beach heads. However, both the 32nd Division and 41st Division were inadequately trained, lacked offensive spirit and morale, often failed markedly to exercise fire discipline and control and were thus ineffective offensive troops at all three beach heads. In all fairness and in short, this inadequacy can only be put down to their uninspired and bewildered leadership).

In conclusion, the most prominent threat to the security of the Australian mainland was beaten back by Australians before the American victory on Guadalcanal occurred anyway. Although Papua was the most prominent threat, it is debatable among historians that the Japanese ever planned to invade Australia anyway, even if they had seized all territory in Papua New Guinea.

Go with you on this Chas, Ive got the same concerns as you, take a peek at the saving Pvt Ryan /Longest day post Ive voiced my opinion on there........nuff said