14 August 2008
Australia and the war in the Pacific
|
Was there ever a comprehensive plan for Japan to invade Australia during World War Two? No doubt if you were standing at the edge of Darwin Harbour on February 19th 1942 when a fleet of 188 Japanese plans attacked you would have thought so...but even 65 years on, the narrative of the Pacific War and Australia's place in it remains contentious.
In a comprehensive new volume, author Peter Thompson places the Australian experience at the heart of his narrative of the Pacific theatre during World War Two. The book refocuses accounts of the war to the period when Australia was under direct attack. Thompson sets out to redress what he sees as historical inaccuracies regarding Australia's role; perpetuated by accounts strongly weighted towards the British and American viewpoints.
How should we view the Pacific War and Australia's role in it?
Guests
Peter Thompson - author, Pacific Fury
Peter Stanley - National Museum of Australia
Jack Mulholland - A/A Gunner, 14th Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery, Darwin 1942
Further Information
Perspective by our guest Peter Thompson
A paper on the prospects of Japanese invasion, by Peter Stanley
A link to General Wavell's report on the Fall of Singapore
Comments from Sir Max Hastings on Australian Troops
Jack Mulholland's account of the Darwin bombing
Information on the Macarthur museum
Presenter
Paul Barclay
Story Researcher and Producer
Matthew Leonard
Radio National often provides links to external websites to complement program information. While producers have taken care with all selections, we can neither endorse nor take final responsibility for the content of those sites.
