The story of a desert harasser
Testimonials—letters sent to Gus Officer's sons
Gordon Stooke, Melbourne VIC, whose father was with 460 Squadron RAAF:
As you know I was privileged to meet your dad a number of times but after reading a memoir like that I have got to know him. What a marvellous character.
The story was so engaging—beginning with the family and the Warrnambool area, his training and postings experience and then merging with my father's journey at Stalag IVB. All through it I was flying with him, drinking with him, getting annoyed at the Pommy officers and then feeling the cold and the lice. How is it that against the awful, dehumanising, hellish background of war some individuals can shine so bright? Again, well done! I will now pass it on to be read around my family.
John Collins, Melbourne VIC:
...I enjoyed reading [it] immensely. I congratulate you on a quality product—presentation, fine photographs, captions, footnotes and appendices. Well done!
Your father's remarkable experiences were well worth recording. His recollection of so many colleagues, many of whom were killed in action or made prisoners of war, made poignant reading. The Luftwaffe pilot's (Geisshardt) C.V. and photograph, the eulogy by David and yourself regarding your father, together with the other appendices I found interesting and entertaining—I chuckled over the story of the master bedroom during the visit by the Ritchie couple from Ballan!
Christine Liddy, Cammeray NSW:
It is an amazing story, and thanks to you, it will live on. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I laughed, I cried and throughout the whole book I really started to understand just how hard it was for those who went to war to return home and try to get on with their lives. I am amazed at Gus's ability to recount with such detail. Truly unbelievable! To sense his high moral standing and sense of humour through such difficult times really reflects the person he was.