The Apple Core Wars

THE APPLE CORE WARS

Join Charlie and Jacky in this heartfelt yarn, based on a true story of the enormous sacrifice made by the Parkin family of Roleystone, Western Australia.
As children, Jacky Bellamy is Charlie Parkin's sworn enemy. Their rivalry develops over the attentions of the beautiful, enigmatic Stella Cerini. Life throws them together at apple core fights, social events and a cricket match where Don Bradman appears. Their dislike for each other magnifies.
World War 2 arrives and they find themselves in the same unit until they are captured in Java. As POWs they face adversity and privation. The ship they are travelling on is torpedoed by an American submarine; most of the shipwrecked POWs do not survive. Charlie and Jacky are rescued by the Japanese and are taken to Nagasaki where they are forced to work under diabolical conditions. On 9th August 1945 they are amongst 24 Australian POWs in Nagasaki when the Atomic Bomb is dropped, annihilating much of the city and hastening the end of the war.
The Apple Core Wars contrasts the boys' early lives, when petty rivalries seem so important, against the inhumane atrocities inflicted on them as POWs - where life could be spared or taken at any time. Over their horrendous ordeal a mateship arises - Jackie and Charlie find they have more in common than divides them. In times of real adversity it is only friendship which gets you through.