A Very Short War

A VERY SHORT WAR is a deeply personal story – one that resonates with every single name found chiselled into the memorial monuments scattered throughout the world’s cities and country towns. It revolves around the short life of Jack Clifford (Cliff) Carpenter, a pioneer Australian aviator – a man who designed and built his first aeroplane as a teenager... More »

A VERY SHORT WAR is a deeply personal story – one that resonates with every single name found chiselled into the memorial monuments scattered throughout the world’s cities and country towns.

It revolves around the short life of Jack Clifford (Cliff) Carpenter, a pioneer Australian aviator – a man who designed and built his first aeroplane as a teenager and sadly lost his life at the age of 28 in the darkening skies over Norway on the day of the German invasion. He left behind a grieving mother and father, a brother, two sisters and an enduring family legacy.

Through his letters home we are exposed to a fascinating and intriguing insight into the spirit of the times as World War 2 beckoned. A Very Short War is not the story of a hero, yet it is truly heroic. It is a heartening story of great loss as it follows the quest by the nephew Cliff never knew to unravel the truth behind the ultimate sacrifice made in a lonely place far from home.


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