The last quarter of 1942 was a turning point in the Second World War. At the start of October, Rommel threatened the Suez Canal; it seemed that the Germans might take Stalingrad, and closer to home, the outcome of the Kokoda campaign was uncertain. By December, the German position in Africa was threatened from East and West, the German Sixth Army was encircled and starving at Stalingrad, and the Japanese were in defence on the north coast of Papua. Earlier, defeat seemed possible, but now the war could be won. Lieutenant McLean watched the last of the unpainted houses flicker…