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Just finished reading a very enjoyable read, Gunther Bahnemann's "New Guinea Crocodile Poacher".

Reads like a fictional novel but is allegedly a non-fictional account.

Has anyone read it or heard of Bahnemann?

Bahnemann also wrote his first book "I deserted Rommel". I have this book somewhere as well, but got to find the bloody thing. Bahnemann was a soldier fighting in North Africa in WW2 in the Afrika Korps and deserted. Was captured and incarcerated in an Australian prisoner of war camp in Australia. After the end of WW2 he was allowed to remain in Australia.

In his book "New Guinea Crocodile Poacher" he mentions commercial crocodile hunting for hides in North Queensland and Arnhemland. He has recently purchased a converted sub-chaser, which was refurbished into a luxury motor cruiser for taking wealthy clients on crocodile hunting trips. But doesn't like that gig.

He wants to make a big score and decides on a risky venture into Dutch New Guinea, now West Papua (West Irian), into the swamps of the Digeol River. Cannibal and headhunter country! And has to avoid Dutch patrol boats and shore watchers, guarding the colony against Indonesian infiltrators and troublemakers. A tale of grand adventure!

Reading the book, at this time it was real wild man country. The savages in this area routinely killed strangers and people from other clans for their heads and to eat in cannibalistic feasts. Bahnemann, Australian Alex and his crew of a Torres Straight Islander, New Guineans, West Papuans, a Macassarman, and a Malay, went constantly armed and constantly aware for treachery. And if you ever read the book, for very good reason. A major battle with the cannibals happens before the book ends.

Bahnemann and his crew took close to one thousand crocodile hides in the Digeol River inland swamps and wetlands. A treasure hoard in those days.

Now I want to write a magazine article on Bahnemann and would like if any one has any information on him or the subject to tell me all.

I think the book would make a great audiobook too as it is definitely out of print. And make a fantastic adventure movie story. Real Indiana Jones, real WDM Bell Karamojo stuff, a real South Pacific tales of adventures, cannibals, headhunters, "pirates", poachers, a rough tough unscrupulous ruthless Germanic sea captian. All the stuff of High Adventure!

Not PC though.

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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Edited by NitroX (05/11/15 10:57 PM)

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