Australia and Australia and WWIIWWII

Fighting and the Conscription Fighting and the Conscription IssueIssue

3 September 19393 September 1939

An hour after Britain declares war on Germany, An hour after Britain declares war on Germany, PM Menzies announces that as a result, PM Menzies announces that as a result, Australia is also at warAustralia is also at war

Menzies was convinced that Australia’s security Menzies was convinced that Australia’s security interests were best when tied to Britaininterests were best when tied to Britain

Britain placed great strategic importance of the Britain placed great strategic importance of the naval base at Singapore – this protected naval base at Singapore – this protected Australian interestsAustralian interests

Numbers: Aus. has small permanent army of Numbers: Aus. has small permanent army of 1572 and 80000 personnel in the part-time 1572 and 80000 personnel in the part-time militiamilitia

Volunteers or conscripts?Volunteers or conscripts?

15 September 1939: Menzies announces that 15 September 1939: Menzies announces that ‘special force of volunteers would be ‘special force of volunteers would be created; the militia is also divided into twocreated; the militia is also divided into two

In the first few months of war, Britain, the In the first few months of war, Britain, the Country Party & sections of the Aus. press Country Party & sections of the Aus. press call for the volunteer group to serve call for the volunteer group to serve overseasoverseas

Menzies is not keen as he is worried Japan Menzies is not keen as he is worried Japan would not remain neutral – 28 November would not remain neutral – 28 November 1939 he agrees to send a force to serve in 1939 he agrees to send a force to serve in Europe/ Middle EastEurope/ Middle East

The Second AIFThe Second AIF The 6The 6thth division of the 2 division of the 2ndnd AIF would be AIF would be

deployed overseasdeployed overseas Only 20000 enlist in first 3 months of war: Only 20000 enlist in first 3 months of war:

militia reluctant to transfermilitia reluctant to transfer March 1940: 1/6 men of military age men March 1940: 1/6 men of military age men

have volunteeredhave volunteered After the fall of France (June/Aug. 1940) After the fall of France (June/Aug. 1940)

102000 men volunteer102000 men volunteer Sept. 1940: 7Sept. 1940: 7thth, 8, 8thth, 9, 9thth divisions have been divisions have been

created: all but the 8created: all but the 8thth committed to committed to Middle EastMiddle East

Enlistments 1939 - 1945Enlistments 1939 - 1945

DateDate RANRAN AMFAMF RAAFRAAF TotalTotal

Sept Sept 19391939

7 9827 982 3 4323 432 3 4893 489 14 90314 903

Nov Nov 19411941

19 36719 367 288 288 100100

61 19261 192 368 659368 659

Aug Aug 19421942

22 77522 775 525 525 678678

107 643107 643 656 096656 096

Aug Aug 19431943

32 98232 982 542 542 570570

156 448156 448 732 000732 000

Aug Aug 19441944

35 11235 112 480 480 077077

181 877181 877 697 066697 066

June June 19451945

40 41340 413 427 427 076076

176 516176 516 644 005644 005

General Military ActionGeneral Military Action July 1940: HMAS Sydney sinks Italian cruiser July 1940: HMAS Sydney sinks Italian cruiser

Bartolomeo ColleoniBartolomeo Colleoni Aug/Sept 1940: Italians invade Somaliland and Aug/Sept 1940: Italians invade Somaliland and

attack Egypt – Aus. gets first taste of real warattack Egypt – Aus. gets first taste of real war 66thth division fight along 800km of African coast division fight along 800km of African coast May 1943: frustrating campaign ends in Allied May 1943: frustrating campaign ends in Allied

victory against Italiansvictory against Italians British and Australian losses: 500 dead, 1372 British and Australian losses: 500 dead, 1372

wounded, 56 missingwounded, 56 missing Entire Italian army of 10 divisions destroyed!! Entire Italian army of 10 divisions destroyed!!

130000 POW + 22 generals130000 POW + 22 generals Identity: Identity: this victory helps to strengthen the this victory helps to strengthen the

memories of WWI such as the Gallipoli legend…memories of WWI such as the Gallipoli legend…

Greece and CreteGreece and Crete

28 October 1940: Italians invade Greece28 October 1940: Italians invade Greece Poorly executed; Italians have to be Poorly executed; Italians have to be

rescued by Germany on 6 April 1941rescued by Germany on 6 April 1941 Aus/NZ troops sent to aid Greece: Aus/NZ troops sent to aid Greece:

Germany superior and 2065 Australian Germany superior and 2065 Australian troops are capturedtroops are captured

5000 Allied troops make their way to 5000 Allied troops make their way to Crete, only to be attacked by Germany, Crete, only to be attacked by Germany, resulting in the capture of Crete and resulting in the capture of Crete and 3109 Australians3109 Australians

TobrukTobruk 31 March 1941: Germany intervenes in 31 March 1941: Germany intervenes in

North Africa with onslaught on Afrika North Africa with onslaught on Afrika KorpsKorps

British forces draw back to Egypt, leaving British forces draw back to Egypt, leaving 10000 Allied troops in Tobruk, incl. 4 10000 Allied troops in Tobruk, incl. 4 brigades from 7brigades from 7thth & 9 & 9thth divisions of the AIF divisions of the AIF

Seige of Tobruk lasts April to DecemberSeige of Tobruk lasts April to December Evacuation begins in August as result of Evacuation begins in August as result of

pressure from AIF commander Lt. General pressure from AIF commander Lt. General Sir Thomas Blamey and Aus. GovtSir Thomas Blamey and Aus. Govt

In the 3 years of Middle East/ North In the 3 years of Middle East/ North African fighting, 3500 Australians diedAfrican fighting, 3500 Australians died

““Rats of Tobruk” becomes important part Rats of Tobruk” becomes important part of Aus. military history and mythologyof Aus. military history and mythology

Pearl HarbourPearl Harbour

Japan attacks Pearl Harbour on 7 Japan attacks Pearl Harbour on 7 December 1941December 1941

This attack makes the long held fears of This attack makes the long held fears of Japanese invasion in Australia real…Japanese invasion in Australia real…

As a result, the 6As a result, the 6thth and 7 and 7thth divisions of divisions of the AIF and some units of the RAN were the AIF and some units of the RAN were withdrawn from the Middle East in withdrawn from the Middle East in January 1942January 1942

The 9The 9thth division remained in North Africa division remained in North Africa

A change in A change in government…government…

22 August 1941: the shaky Menzies govt 22 August 1941: the shaky Menzies govt offers the Labor Party Opposition the offers the Labor Party Opposition the chance to form a national govt – rejectedchance to form a national govt – rejected

Menzies resigns a week later and is Menzies resigns a week later and is replaced by Country Party’s Arthur replaced by Country Party’s Arthur Fadden – lasts only a month; resigns Fadden – lasts only a month; resigns when govt is defeated in HoRwhen govt is defeated in HoR

3 Oct: Labor takes office; John Curtin as 3 Oct: Labor takes office; John Curtin as PMPM

New govt inexperience, depended on New govt inexperience, depended on support from the two independentssupport from the two independents

The Fall of SingaporeThe Fall of Singapore 8 Dec. 1941: Japanese forces begin the 8 Dec. 1941: Japanese forces begin the

invasion of the Malay Peninsula and is taken invasion of the Malay Peninsula and is taken on 15 Feb. 1942on 15 Feb. 1942

In 68 days, the Japanese had conquered In 68 days, the Japanese had conquered Malaya and Singapore, & had captured Malaya and Singapore, & had captured 130000 British/Allied troops – 1789 130000 British/Allied troops – 1789 Australians killed, 1306 woundedAustralians killed, 1306 wounded

““The fall of Singapore opens the Battle for The fall of Singapore opens the Battle for Australia” Australia” – John Curtin, 16 Jan. 1942– John Curtin, 16 Jan. 1942

Resistance collapses as the 8Resistance collapses as the 8thth division is division is destroyed and 22000 Australians are captureddestroyed and 22000 Australians are captured

The Japanese continue through Indonesia and The Japanese continue through Indonesia and New GuineaNew Guinea

The FearThe Fear 19 Feb. 1942: Darwin is bombed, 243 die: 19 Feb. 1942: Darwin is bombed, 243 die:

the seriousness of the bombing suppressed the seriousness of the bombing suppressed in order to prevent wide-spread panicin order to prevent wide-spread panic

Japan’s intentionsJapan’s intentions Ease and rapidity of advance surprised Ease and rapidity of advance surprised

Japan; Japanese army and navy debate Japan; Japanese army and navy debate whether invasion should continue until whether invasion should continue until Australia’s captureAustralia’s capture

Not a firm aim: more interested in isolating Not a firm aim: more interested in isolating Australia and denying the US access to Australia and denying the US access to bases and resources in the regionbases and resources in the region

An inexcusable betrayalAn inexcusable betrayal The Curtin govt had declared war on Japan, The Curtin govt had declared war on Japan,

rather than waiting for a British declaration of rather than waiting for a British declaration of warwar

““Australia looks to America, free of any pangs Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional ties of kinship with the as to our traditional ties of kinship with the United Kingdom.”United Kingdom.” – Curtin, Dec. 1941 – Curtin, Dec. 1941

Aus. viewed the fall of Singapore as the Aus. viewed the fall of Singapore as the preliminary of the invasion of Australiapreliminary of the invasion of Australia

Relations between Aus. and Britain soured; Relations between Aus. and Britain soured; Curtin sends a telegram to Churchill stating Curtin sends a telegram to Churchill stating that the invasion of Singapore that the invasion of Singapore “would be seen “would be seen as an inevitable betrayal”as an inevitable betrayal”

Betrayal?Betrayal? Britain’s first priority was the war against Hitler, but Britain’s first priority was the war against Hitler, but

underestimated the power, capability and ambition of underestimated the power, capability and ambition of the Japanesethe Japanese

Although Churchill had told Menzies in 1940 that at the Although Churchill had told Menzies in 1940 that at the threat of invasion, Britain would provide help to threat of invasion, Britain would provide help to Australia, he had said this believing Singapore, and Australia, he had said this believing Singapore, and thus, British superiority in the region was impenetrablethus, British superiority in the region was impenetrable

However, Aus. governments were uncritical of British However, Aus. governments were uncritical of British policies…policies…

BUT, Britain had acknowledged that they were unable BUT, Britain had acknowledged that they were unable to provide adequate naval protection in Singapore and to provide adequate naval protection in Singapore and had recommended that Aus. divert the 7had recommended that Aus. divert the 7thth division to division to MalayaMalaya

Aus. continues its support for the Middle East, and Aus. continues its support for the Middle East, and relations that had been strained through 1942, eased in relations that had been strained through 1942, eased in 1943/441943/44

The Brisbane LineThe Brisbane Line

Sir Iven Mackay Sir Iven Mackay proposes that in the proposes that in the case of invasion, WA, case of invasion, WA, Tasmania and the Tasmania and the north of Brisbane north of Brisbane should not be should not be defendeddefended

The line from The line from Adelaide to Brisbane, Adelaide to Brisbane, the ‘Brisbane Line’ the ‘Brisbane Line’ would be defendedwould be defended

PapuaPapua 1942: Intercepted Japanese intelligence 1942: Intercepted Japanese intelligence

makes it clear that Australia will not be makes it clear that Australia will not be invadedinvaded

4-8 May: 4-8 May: Battle of the Coral Sea Battle of the Coral Sea to prevent to prevent Japanese invasion force landing at Port Japanese invasion force landing at Port Moresby – Japan prevented from establishing Moresby – Japan prevented from establishing control over the south-east coast of Papuacontrol over the south-east coast of Papua

A month later, A month later, Battle of MidwayBattle of Midway is fought & is fought & the Japanese suffer strategic deafeat – lose 4 the Japanese suffer strategic deafeat – lose 4 aircraft carriers, aircraft and a heavy cruiseraircraft carriers, aircraft and a heavy cruiser

The Japanese decide to take Port Moresby by The Japanese decide to take Port Moresby by landland

KokodaKokoda 21 July 1942, Japanese land on Northern Papuan 21 July 1942, Japanese land on Northern Papuan

coats between Buna and Gona: their aim is to cross coats between Buna and Gona: their aim is to cross the Owen Stanley Ranges and attack Port Morseby the Owen Stanley Ranges and attack Port Morseby from the northfrom the north

Within a week, they have occupied Kokoda, forcing Within a week, they have occupied Kokoda, forcing Australian defenders to retreatAustralian defenders to retreat

The Kokoda track ran from Kokoda, 50 kms from The Kokoda track ran from Kokoda, 50 kms from Buna, within 30 kms of Port MoresbyBuna, within 30 kms of Port Moresby

400 Australians facing 5000 Japanese400 Australians facing 5000 Japanese General MacArthur, desperate to avoid possible General MacArthur, desperate to avoid possible

replacement comments, replacement comments, “The Australians have “The Australians have proven themselves unable to match the enemy in proven themselves unable to match the enemy in jungle fighting.”jungle fighting.”

When asked for further air support in Kokoda, When asked for further air support in Kokoda, MacArthur refusesMacArthur refuses

The Australians are pushed back to Imita Ridge The Australians are pushed back to Imita Ridge (50 kms from Port Moresby) before their luck (50 kms from Port Moresby) before their luck changeschanges

MacArthur has low opinion of the Aus. troops as MacArthur has low opinion of the Aus. troops as well as inaccurate ideas about the size of the well as inaccurate ideas about the size of the Japanese forces, as well as the fighting terrain. Japanese forces, as well as the fighting terrain. Under pressure from MacArthur, Curtin sends Under pressure from MacArthur, Curtin sends Blamey to Port Moresby to deal with situationBlamey to Port Moresby to deal with situation

26 September 1942: Australian forces go on 26 September 1942: Australian forces go on offensive and push the Japanese back along the offensive and push the Japanese back along the Kokoda trackKokoda track

Gona fell on 9 December, while Buna fell on 2 Gona fell on 9 December, while Buna fell on 2 January 1943January 1943

Losses: Losses: 2165 Australian dead & 3533 wounded; 2165 Australian dead & 3533 wounded; 930 US lives as well as 12 000 Japanese losses930 US lives as well as 12 000 Japanese losses

On the offensive…On the offensive…

Japanese abandon Papua in January 1943Japanese abandon Papua in January 1943 When the Americans win at Guadalcanal in When the Americans win at Guadalcanal in

the Solomon Islands, Japan is forced to go on the Solomon Islands, Japan is forced to go on the defensivethe defensive

Australian forces remain in New Guinea, the Australian forces remain in New Guinea, the fighting particularly difficult in the north east fighting particularly difficult in the north east of NGof NG

Australian forces on the offensive in South Australian forces on the offensive in South Eats Asia generally become marginalised; Eats Asia generally become marginalised; MacArthur was not willing to share US glory MacArthur was not willing to share US glory with the Australianswith the Australians

Conscription again…Conscription again… Tension between the AIF and the militia: the Tension between the AIF and the militia: the

militia ‘koalas’militia ‘koalas’ Curtin gives his support to the formation of Curtin gives his support to the formation of one one

overseas force and therefore the removal of overseas force and therefore the removal of restrictions on overseas servicerestrictions on overseas service

Within the ALP, comes an outcry against Within the ALP, comes an outcry against conscriptionconscription

Curtin prevails: 19 February 1943, the militia Curtin prevails: 19 February 1943, the militia allowed to serve in the whole region excluding the allowed to serve in the whole region excluding the Philippines, western Java and northern BorneoPhilippines, western Java and northern Borneo

Despite this, 200 000 men had transferred to the Despite this, 200 000 men had transferred to the AIFAIF

Although Curtin had been a passionate anti-Although Curtin had been a passionate anti-conscriptionist during WWI, it is likely that conscriptionist during WWI, it is likely that pressure from MacArthur forced him to change his pressure from MacArthur forced him to change his viewview