The Last Battle by Aaron Patrick

The SAS, THE COMMANDOS AND THE MAKING OF A VICTORIA CROSS

‘The corporal made a decision that turned him into the most famous Australian soldier alive. It might have killed him. Instead, it ruined his life.’

Over five days in June 2010, in southern Afghanistan, 150 Australian commandos and SAS soldiers fought and won the Battle of Shah Wali Kot, our largest engagement since Vietnam.

Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, for his part in the battle, received our nation’s highest military honour – the Victoria Cross. While he became an instant household name, the bravery and heroism of the 2nd Commando Regiment remained in shadow.

After underestimating the size and skill of their enemy, the commandos found themselves in a fight for their lives. Within the SAS, disputes over recognition and what really happened split the unit apart, eventually leading to fellow senior soldiers to allege Roberts-Smith was a war criminal.

The Last Battle is the thrilling true tale of that fateful fight in Shah Wali Kot. It renders in compelling detail the personal stories of the commandos and SAS members involved, the conflict between our two special forces regiments, and the aftermath that both forged and destroyed our country’s once most lauded hero.

About the Author: Aaron Patrick is a highly experienced journalist and chief writer at The Nightly, a Seven West Media publication. He was senior correspondent and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review. He has written for the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal. He is the author of four previous books on Australian politics. The Last Battle reflects his lifelong interest in military history and the personal experience of warfare. He lives in Sydney.

28 Oct 2025
 

The Last Battle: Australian SAS, Commandos and our Greatest Victory in our Longest War by ISBN 9781761773105