Showing 137 items
matching surrender 1945
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Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australia in the War of 1939-1945 CIVIL Volume 2 Author Paul Hasluck The Government and the People of 1942-1945, First published 1970
This book is a follow one from the first volume written by Paul Hasluck. Maps, illustrations and photographsThe development and significant events of Australian politics during 1942-1945Australia in the War of 1939-1945 - The Government and the People 1942-45Australian War Memorialfall of singapore, south west pacific command, bombs on australian soil, macarthur, macarthur takes command, industrial - coal, austerity, manpower difficulties, 1943 elections, san francisco conference, the end of hitler's war, john curtin is dead, the surrender of japan -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australia in the War of 1939-1945 - Air War Against Japan 1943-1945 AIR Author George Odgers, First Published in 1957
The history of the Royal Australian Air Force in WWII beginning with the first offensive against Japan and ends with the return of the RAAF to Australia after the surrender of the Japanese Forces.Australia in the War of 1939-1945 - Air War Against Japan 1943-1945 AIR Maps, Illustrations, Photographs, Australian War Memorialraaf, 1943-1945, japan, pacific war, phillipines, burma, minelaying, mindoro, catalinas, anti-submarine, tarakan, labuan, rabaul, new guinea -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, Stand Easy - After the Defeat of Japan 1945 Published for The Australian Military Forces by Australian War Memorial, 1945
A collection of personal stories which extended from the collection of Khaki and Green. The service numbers have been used to identify those who have contributed to the content.Personal recounts and reminiscing of service by Army service personnel, after the Japanese surrender. The title 'Stand Easy' meaning that whilst there was a surrender the Army's task still continued. Contributors to this publication can be identified by their service number.Green hardcover with light green text and picture of soldier. The spine also has light green text of title. The inside front and back covers have green art geometric patterns. Illustrations, photographs, cartoons, blamey, nerve war, medical evacuation, 2nd australian corps, surrender of japan, bougainville, borneo, 5th australian division, 6th australian division, 7th australian division, 9th australian division, tarakan -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPHS WW2, Possibly 1945
Photos labelled Jack are John Alfred TAYLOR NX102933 21st Guard Battalion. .28) This is Roy TAYLOR NX 94268 21st Field Regiment. Roy is on the left of photos. These men were brothers.Collection of photos, black / white & sepia. Some in Australia re Light Horse pre war. Most are presumably taken in New Britain up to & at wars end in 1945. One photo is in New Guinea. Many have been written on the back in pen. Photos are various sizes. Average noted. .16) Men & Bren gun carriers .17) Men & bulldozer .18) 7 men with machine gun .19) Native boats .20) Soldier & natives with canoe .21) Soldier & natives with canoe .22) 2 soldiers with POW .23) Soldier with plane wreckage .24) 3 soldiers with natives .25) 8 soldiers in group .26) Soldier sitting in plane wreck .27) Soldier in native canoe .28) Artillery unit in position firing, 4 men Handwritten on the back in pen: .1) “Jack Taylor” .2) “Jap Prisoners” .3) “After surrender, jap prisoners on New Britain” .4) “Camp on New Britain” .5) “Jap prisoners of war” .6) Jacks collection of photos New Britain .7) Jack New Britain 1945 .8) Jap Working Party New Britain .9) Camp probably New Britain .10) Wrecked jap planes on New Britain .11) Jack & mates with Jap Sword (Jack centre) .12) More japs .13) Jack & group, probably some of 21st Guard Battalion .14) 21st Light Horse Regt in Camp Wagga? .15) Two Light Horsemen, Jacks matesphotographs, japs, new britain, native -
Bendigo Military Museum
Literary work - NEWSPAPER WW2, 15.8.1945
The Herald Newspaper, 4 pages, yellowed, dated Wednesday August 15 1945 with headlines Peace - World Hails Jap Surrender.documents - newspapers, military history, herald -
Bendigo Military Museum
Newspaper - NEWSPAPERS WW11, 1) The Herald Sun & Myer, 1) 15.8.95
.1) Newspaper, reprint of The Herald, Wed August 15th 1945. Headlines: Peace - World Hails Jap Surrender, 16 pages in total, souvenir edition. .2) - .3) Newspaper reprints from the Adelaide Advertiser, August 12th 1914, pages 9-12, photograph details, maps of the Wars beginning.documents - newspapers, herald, advertiser -
Bendigo Military Museum
Certificate - CERTIFICATE OF SURRENDER MOUNTED, 6/9/1945
... and Adjacent islands 6th Sept 1945 Certificate CERTIFICATE OF SURRENDER ...Copy of Instrument of Surrender of Japanese forces in New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville and Adjacent islands 6th Sept 1945Signed by Vernon Sturdee, LT General First Australian Army and Commander in Chief Japanese Imperial Southeastern Army (signed in Japanese characters).documents-certificates, japan, military history, surrender -
Greensborough Historical Society
Newspaper (facsimile), The Herald, The Herald: August 15 1945. Victory edition souvenir (facsimile copy), 15/08/1945
A souvenir edition of The [Melbourne] Herald to celebrate the end of World War II. Front page headline reads " PEACE - WORLD HAILS JAP SURRENDER". This is a facsimile copy of the paper, each page printed on A3 paper in two halves.Facsimile copy of Newspaper, 8 pages, printed on A3 paper. Text and black and white images.world war 2 -
Greensborough Historical Society
Newspaper, The Herald, The Herald: August 15 1945. Victory edition souvenir, 15/08/1945
A souvenir edition of The [Melbourne] Herald to celebrate the end of World War II. Front page headline reads " PEACE - WORLD HAILS JAP SURRENDER".Newspaper, 8 pages. Text and black and white images. -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
News Sheet, The Sun News-Pictorial 1945, 1945
This Melbourne Sun newspaper of May 8, 1945 contains details of the surrender of Germany in World War Two. The first surrender document was signed at Rheims, France by representatives of Germany, Britain, Russia, France and the United States of America. This paper has no local significance but the event it describes (the end of the war in Europe in May 1945) is of signal importance in world history and affected all in Australia at the time and still does today. The newspaper will be of interest to researchers and useful for display. This is a Melbourne newspaper (The Sun News-Pictorial 1945). It has 16 pages and is printed in black print on a white (now creamy-coloured) background. It has the news of the end of the war in Europe with the surrender of Germany. The newspaper includes black and white photographs, advertisements, cartoons, comic strips and a crossword puzzle. world war two, v.e. day, warrnambool, history -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, A history of the 2nd Independent Company and 2/2nd Commando Squadron
The history of the No. 2 Independent Commando Company and 2/2 Commando Squadron during World War II – scarce as a 1st edition dated 1986. Having completed its training at Foster, on Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, the 2nd Independent Company was raised and travelled north to Katherine, in the Northern Territory. However, following Japan’s entry into the war, as with the other independent companies that were sent to the islands off Australia, the 2nd was sent to Timor, where it joined the 2/40th Battalion and the rest of Sparrow Force. Sparrow Force divided itself between west Timor, part of the Netherlands East Indies, and east Timor, which belonged to Portugal. The 2/40th Battalion defended the capital of west Timor, Koepang, and the airfield at Penfui. Most of the independent company moved to the airfield at Dili, in east Timor, and the nearby mountains. Portugal was opposed to the stationing of a Dutch or Australian garrison in case this provoked the Japanese, but despite this opposition, on 17 December 1941, elements of the 2nd Independent Company and Dutch troops landed near Dili. On 20 February 1942 the Japanese invaded the island, attacking east and west Timor simultaneously. The 2/40th Battalion held out for three days, but were overrun and were killed or captured. Similarly, the 2nd could not hold the airfield and were also driven back. But they were not captured and instead retreated to the mountains where they conducted a very successful and pursued a guerrilla war against the Japanese which lasted for over a year. Following the capture of Timor, the 2nd occupation the company was listed as “missing”, the company’s signallers were able to build a wireless transmitter, nicknamed ‘Winnie the War Winner’, and on 18/19 April were able to contact Darwin. At the end of May RAN vessels began landing supplies for the Australians on the south coast of east Timor. These supply runs were very dangerous but they allowed the Australians on Timor to continue fighting. In September the guerillas were reinforced with the 2/4th Independent Company. However, this could not go on indefinitely. In August the Japanese lunched a major offensive against the guerrillas and Japanese reprisals against the civilian population of east Timor reduced their support for the Australians. The 2nd (now named the 2/2nd Independent Company) and 2/4th were withdrawn in December and January 1943 respectively. Although the 2/2nd Independent Company is best known for its time on Timor, it also saw extensive service in New Guinea and New Britain. The independent company reformed at the army’s training centre at Canungra, Queensland, where it was reinforced and reequipped. The company then moved to the Atherton Tableland, where it briefly became part of the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. Due to this reorganisation, in October, the 2/2nd Independent Company was renamed the 2/2nd Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. When this happened though, the 2/2nd was back in action. In June 1943 the 2/2nd sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby and was subsequently flown to Bena Bena, in the Bismark Range in New Guinea’s highlands. Here they supported the 2/7th Independent Company in patrolling the Ramu River area. In the second week of July the 2/2nd moved into position, with its headquarters at Bena Bena and with its platoons’ occupying neighbouring positions. By the end of the month their patrols were skirmishing with the Japanese. The 2/2nd remained in New Guinea until October 1944. After 90 days leave, the squadron reformed at Strathpine in Queensland before sailing to New Britain in April 1945. The 2/2nd landed at Jacquinot Bay on 17 April. The squadron then moved to Wide Bay, in order to support the 13th Brigade of the 5th Division, and was based at Lamarien. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or transferred to other units. For those who were left, they returned to Australia and in early 1946 the 2/2nd Commando Squadron was disbanded. Includes Nominal Roll Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 270 pages -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book, My War: An Australian Commando in New Guinea and Borneo 1943 to 1945
Brian Walpole, the author, was a Australian Commando and special operations operative behind enemy lines in New Guinea and Borneo during WW2. Brian was a commando with the Australian 2/3 Independent Company. He went to New Guinea in January 1943 and remained until the fall of the Japanese base at Salamaua in September. He fought on the Bobdubi Ridge. His commanding officer was the well-regarded George Warfe, whose portrait was sketched by war artist Ivor Hele. Brian blazed a trail through the New Guinea jungle which appears on some maps as Walpole’s Track, discovering and naming the ambush site Goodview Junction. Soon afterwards (July 1943) Goodview Junction was the scene of a key campaign victory which contributed to George Warfe being awarded the Military Cross.Brian’s Special Operations training mostly took place at Careening Bay (Western Australia) and Fraser Island (Queensland). He arrived in Borneo at the time of the 9th Division’s landing at Labuan Island, and took part in two SRD operations – Colt and Semut 3. After the surrender, Walpole's work continued as many of the Japanese did not recognise the surrender and continued to fight on. Brian relates how on the 14th of September 1945 while still an operative in SRD he was able to save POWs from certain death and after a firefight arrested 10 Japanese soldiers at Simanggang Borneo. He was alone and had been assisted in the battle by 20 headhunters from the jungles along the Rejang River. One of the people saved was a young nurse in her 20s, Lena Ricketts. ww2, australian special operations, australian commando, new guinea, borneo, world war ii -
Federation University Historical Collection
Newspaper - Newspaper clippings, End of World War 2, 1945
World War Two Six separate articles - end of World War 2 1. The Sun - 02/05/1945 2. The Sun - 06/05/1945 3. The Sun - 07/05/1945 4. The Sun - 06/06/1945 5. The Sun - 07/08/1945 6. Sunady Telegraph 19/08/19451. Hitler is dead and Grand Admiral Donitz succeeds him as Fuhrer 2. Fighting ends for British - all British and Canadian armies cease fighting 3. Peace may come today - surrender in Norway 4. End of Germany as a nation - grim surrender terms 5. Single bomb wipes out Jap city - atom harnessed to war 6. Japs await allied splitworld war two, surrender, germany, japan, hitler, admiral donitz, eisenhower, churchill, adolf hitler, world war 2 -
Federation University Historical Collection
Newspaper, The Sun, 27 July 1945, 27/07/1945
Victory on the Pacific Day was 15 August 1945.12 page, broadsheetThe Sun, yellowing pages Number 11,081world war 2, britain, japanese surrender, attlee, churchill, australia, singapore, world war two, newspaper, end of the war -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Certificate, Instrument of Surrender, post 1945
... surrender document japanese 6th september 1945 Instrument ...Copy of a very important document of an event on the 6th September 1945, that changed the course of the second World War. A copy of the Japanese Surrender Document, in a brown wooden frame, with ornate font in heading.Instrument of Surrender / of /Japanese Forces in New Guinea, New Britain,/ New Ireland, Bougainville / and adjacent Islands./ I, the commander in Chief of the Japanese Imperial/ Southeastern Army, hereby surrender to the General Officer/ Commanding First Australian Army all Japanese Imperial Armed Forces/ under my command in accordance with the instrument of/ Surrender issued by the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters and Government and// General Order No1 Military and Naval issued by the Japanese Imperial Headquarters./ I will henceforth and until otherwise/ directed by you or your successor carrry out the orders/ issued by you or your staff on your behalf to the best/ of my ability and I will take action to ensure that my/ subordinate commanders carry out the orders issued by/ your representatives./ (Japanese signature) General, Imperial jap... (indecipherable)/ Japanese Characters / Japanese Characters / Commander in Chief/ Japanese Imperial Southern Army/ Received on board H.M.S. Glory of Rabaul at/ 1130 hours sixth day of September 1945./ Signature Lieutenant General/ General Officer Commanding / First Australia Army. Caption on front of Document says "Copy of Surrender Document/ Donated by Mr. Clive Morgan/ of Mildura (formerly of Red Cliffs)ww2, surrender document, japanese, 6th september 1945 -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Letter
Letter written from (unknown) POW imprisioned by the Japanese on Morotai Island from 1942 - 1945 to (unknown) friend. Descriptive of life and treatment in POW camp. The island was captured by the Japanese in early 1942. Morotai's southern plain was taken by American forces in September 1944 during the Battle of Morotai, and used as a staging point for the Allied invasion of the Philippines in early 1945, and of Borneo in May and June of that year. Japanese soldier Teruo Nakamura was discovered in the Morotai jungle in 1974, as one of the WWII Japanese soldiers who held out subsequent to the Japanese military's surrender.Photocopy of letter, 4 pages, originally written in ink on (unofficial) Australian Red Cross form.Added to head of letter at a later date is inscription ' First letter written home for 3 1/2 years'.Top left hand- FOR SAFETY/ IN YOUR LETTERS DO NOT REFER TO:-/ The name of your ship or other ships in the convoy, or its escorts./The date of sailing, ports of call, or probable destination./ The description of troops, their loca-/tion or any other information/ which, if intercepted, would be of/ value to the enemy. In your Top right hand- Australian Red Cross Society/ (UNOFFICIAL)/ 25-8-45/ (added at later date 'Morotri Island')/ Alex, Have witten this especially/ as i don't wish our women folk to know the tougher side of life./Well Alex for the first/ 2 1/2 years as POWs we lived reasonably/ well, but the last 15 months was like /hell. Heres the worst lot of b-s/ you could find on earth, they worked /us from 7AM till 6 PM, & fed/ us on muck you wouldn't feed to/ Pigs. I'm nothing at all they would 2, pow, morotri island, morotai island, world war, prisoner of war, australian red cross society -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Framed Photograph, Surrender of Japanese at Balikpapan, 1945
Japanese Commanders crossing a pontoon bridge under guard by Australian soldier on the way to the official surrender of Japanese forces in Balikpapan in (Dutch East Indies) Indonesia 1945. This was a major event in the ending of World War 2. Following the japanese surrender the Local population began it push for independance. Framed photograph (copy) of Japanese Commanders surrendering at Balikpapan. Black frame and glass covered. The Japanese Command staff with a Japanese general and aid-d-camp (Captian)carring his breif case along with other staff members. In the background here are 2 American PT boats with American naval personal .Note American flag flying in the top left corner. There are several American landing craft next to a Japanese landing barge. The Japanese landing bardge has the required surrender markings which is a green square with a white cross on top right of photo. The Australian soldier following the Japanese soldiers is wearing slouch hat and gungle green uniform. Along the docks are native workers.Paper discription on lower photograph with details of item description, where photo obtained from and donated by.ww2, japanese, surrender, balikpapan, generals, americans, pt boats, japanese landing bardge, american landing craft, dutch east indies -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Japanese Sword, circa 1940's
Noted with Sword. This Japanese sword was received by 2/8th Australian Field Regiment at the surrender at Miri, Borneo in 1945. The Regiment served in the Middle East (1940-43) as part of the 9th Australian Division. It's final action was in Boreo, once again with 9th Division. A Japanese Officer's sword. Hasornate inlay of shell covered with flat braided cord. Flat braided strap with tassles -brown and blue- Top end of hilt is leather with gold guilt scrolling. Brass very ornate with lotus. Scabbard is steel with ornate decorations. Steel blade. -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Japanese Sword, circa 1940's
Notes with sword. This Japanese sword was received by 2/8th Australian Field Regiment at the surrender at Miri, Borneo, in 1945. The Regiment served in the Middle East (1940-43) as part of the 9th Australian Division. It's final action was in Borneo, once again with 9th Division.Japanese NCO Army sword has ornate cast alloy and brass hilt which has 3 small Lotus flowers. Steel blade and metal sheathNumber on Blade 136088 -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Badge - 1945 Australian Victory Medal, c 1945
The medal was distributed to Australian school children to coincide with the 10 June 1945 celebrations for the end of the war in Europe. The medalets were actually handed out on 6 June. Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day or VE Day) was on May 8, 1945, the date when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. The act of military surrender was signed on May 7 in Reims, France, and May 8 in Berlin, Germany.This medal was given to Australian school children in 1945One side of the medalet depicts a knight with a sword in front of an outline of Australia with the date 1945 at the bottom. The reverse shows a map of the southern hemisphere showing Australia, Antarctica, New Zealand, South America and Southern Africa. At the top are the words ‘VICTORY MEDAL’.Victory Medal - 1945school children, victory day, wwii, city of moorabbin, education, bentleigh, cheltenham, moorabbin -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Newspaper
... Newspaper The Sun 15/08/1945 Photo Copy Japanese Surrender... Newspapers WW2 Army Newspaper The Sun 15/08/1945 Photo Copy Japanese ...Newspaper The Sun 15/08/1945 Photo Copy Japanese Surrendernewspapers, ww2, army -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Chatham et al, The naval war in the Mediterranean 1940-1943, 1998
A complete account of the war in the Mediterranean both above and below the waves until the Italian surrender in September 1943Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.352.non-fictionA complete account of the war in the Mediterranean both above and below the waves until the Italian surrender in September 1943world war 1939 – 1945 –naval operations, world war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – mediterranean -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Time-Life Books, Japan at war, 1980
The story of Japan's preparation for war and its role in World War Ii until its surrender.Index, bib, ill, p.201.non-fictionThe story of Japan's preparation for war and its role in World War Ii until its surrender.world war 1939-1945 - japan - history, world war 1939-1945 - japan -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Fremantle Arts Centre Press, The Cocos Islands mutiny, 2001
A significant World War Two mutiny took place on the night of 8 May 1942 in a lonely atoll in the Indian Ocean in a setting of intrigue, rebellion and the blood and tears of war. Japanese naval forces were at the peak of their southward thrust." "While the battle of the Coral Sea raged, gunners of the Ceylon Garrison Artillery on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands off Australia's north-west coast attempted to arrest their British commanding officer and compel him to surrender to the Japanese. One soldier was killed and another wounded, but the mutiny failed and seven men were condemned to death. Ultimately three soldiers were hung, becoming the only Commonwealth troops to be executed for mutiny in World War TwoBib, ill, maps, p.248.non-fictionA significant World War Two mutiny took place on the night of 8 May 1942 in a lonely atoll in the Indian Ocean in a setting of intrigue, rebellion and the blood and tears of war. Japanese naval forces were at the peak of their southward thrust." "While the battle of the Coral Sea raged, gunners of the Ceylon Garrison Artillery on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands off Australia's north-west coast attempted to arrest their British commanding officer and compel him to surrender to the Japanese. One soldier was killed and another wounded, but the mutiny failed and seven men were condemned to death. Ultimately three soldiers were hung, becoming the only Commonwealth troops to be executed for mutiny in World War Twomutiny, world war 1939-1945 - sri lanka -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - INSTRUMENT OF SURRENDER OF JAPANESE FORCES, 1945
... of September 1945. Document INSTRUMENT OF SURRENDER OF JAPANESE FORCES ...Three photocopies of the Instrument of Surrender of Japanese Forces in New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville and adjacent islands. Signed by the Commander in Chief of the Japanese Imperial Southeastern Army and the Lieutenant General, General Officer Commanding First Australian army. Received on board H.M.S. Glory off Rabaul at 1130 hours, sixth day of September 1945.document, certificate, instrument of surrender -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, George Allen & Unwin, Twilight liberation : Australian prisoners of war between Hiroshima and home, 1985
Australian prisoners of war in Japan in the aftermath of The Japanese surrenderIll, p.165non-fictionAustralian prisoners of war in Japan in the aftermath of The Japanese surrenderworld war 1939 – 1945 - prisons and prisoners – japanese, world war 1939-1945 - personal narratives - australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, P.O.W. : prisoners of war, 1985
Within three months of the Japanese entering World War II on December 8, 1941 over 22 000 Australians had become prisoners-of-war. They went into camps in Timor, Ambon, New Britain, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Singapore and Malaya, and a few were scattered to other points in what was briefly part of the Japanese empire. Later most of the prisoners were to be shifted further north into South-east Asia, Formosa, Korea, Manchuria and Japan itself. They were captives within lands and cultures and to experiences alien to those known to all other Australians. At the end of the war in August 1945, 14315 servicemen and thirty service women were alive to put on new, loose-fitting uniforms and go home. One in three of the prisoners had died. That is, nearly half of the deaths suffered by Australians in the war in the Pacific were among men and women who had surrendered. Another 8174 Australians had been captured in the fighting in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: but of these men only 265 died as a result of wounds, disease or execution.By any quantitative measure the imprisonment of so many Australians is a major event in Australian history. For many soldiers it was living --and dying --in captivity which made World War II different from that of World War I. But the prisoners have received no permanent place in Australian history. Their story is not immediately recalled on celebratory occasions. In a general history of the nation in which a chapter is given to the war the prisoners might be mentioned in a sentence, or part of a sentence. Where the horror, stoicism and gallantry of Gallipoli have become part of a common tradition shared by all Australians, the ex-prisoners are granted just the horror. The public may be sympathetic; but the horror is for the prisoners alone. To make another comparison: in five months of fighting on the Kokoda Trail in 1942 the Australians lost 625 dead, less than the number who died on Ambon. Yet the events on Ambon are unknown to most Australians. There were no reporters or cameramen on Ambon and, for the 309 who defended Ambon's Laha airfield, no survivors. How many of them died in battle or died as prisoners will never be known. But there are more than just practical reasons why the record of the prisoners of war is so slight and uneven in the general knowledge of Australians. They have not tried to find out. No historian has written a book to cover the range of camps and experiences, and only in specialist medical publications has anyone investigated the impact of prison life on subsequent physical and mental health. The complexity of the experience and its impact on particular lives have not been expressed in a way to give them significance for other Australians.Index, bib, ill, maps, p.224.Within three months of the Japanese entering World War II on December 8, 1941 over 22 000 Australians had become prisoners-of-war. They went into camps in Timor, Ambon, New Britain, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Singapore and Malaya, and a few were scattered to other points in what was briefly part of the Japanese empire. Later most of the prisoners were to be shifted further north into South-east Asia, Formosa, Korea, Manchuria and Japan itself. They were captives within lands and cultures and to experiences alien to those known to all other Australians. At the end of the war in August 1945, 14315 servicemen and thirty service women were alive to put on new, loose-fitting uniforms and go home. One in three of the prisoners had died. That is, nearly half of the deaths suffered by Australians in the war in the Pacific were among men and women who had surrendered. Another 8174 Australians had been captured in the fighting in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: but of these men only 265 died as a result of wounds, disease or execution.By any quantitative measure the imprisonment of so many Australians is a major event in Australian history. For many soldiers it was living --and dying --in captivity which made World War II different from that of World War I. But the prisoners have received no permanent place in Australian history. Their story is not immediately recalled on celebratory occasions. In a general history of the nation in which a chapter is given to the war the prisoners might be mentioned in a sentence, or part of a sentence. Where the horror, stoicism and gallantry of Gallipoli have become part of a common tradition shared by all Australians, the ex-prisoners are granted just the horror. The public may be sympathetic; but the horror is for the prisoners alone. To make another comparison: in five months of fighting on the Kokoda Trail in 1942 the Australians lost 625 dead, less than the number who died on Ambon. Yet the events on Ambon are unknown to most Australians. There were no reporters or cameramen on Ambon and, for the 309 who defended Ambon's Laha airfield, no survivors. How many of them died in battle or died as prisoners will never be known. But there are more than just practical reasons why the record of the prisoners of war is so slight and uneven in the general knowledge of Australians. They have not tried to find out. No historian has written a book to cover the range of camps and experiences, and only in specialist medical publications has anyone investigated the impact of prison life on subsequent physical and mental health. The complexity of the experience and its impact on particular lives have not been expressed in a way to give them significance for other Australians.world war 1939 – 1945 - prisons and prisoners – japanese, world war 1939-1945 - personal narrativies - australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, The Text Publishing Company, The Pacific, 2010
Historian Hugh Ambrose deepens the experience of the HBO miniseries The Pacific, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks and broadcast on the Seven Network. These are the true stories of the men who put their lives on the line for their country, who were dispatched to the other side of the world to fight an enemy who preferred suicide to surrender; men who suffered hardship and humiliation in POW camps; men who witnessed casualties among soldier and civilian alike; and men whose medals came at a shocking price. Covering nearly four years of combat, with unprecedented access to military records, letters, journals, memoirs, photographs and interviews, this volume offers a unique historical perspective on the war against Japan-and ultimately the triumphant yet uneasy return home.Ill, map, p.449.non-fictionHistorian Hugh Ambrose deepens the experience of the HBO miniseries The Pacific, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks and broadcast on the Seven Network. These are the true stories of the men who put their lives on the line for their country, who were dispatched to the other side of the world to fight an enemy who preferred suicide to surrender; men who suffered hardship and humiliation in POW camps; men who witnessed casualties among soldier and civilian alike; and men whose medals came at a shocking price. Covering nearly four years of combat, with unprecedented access to military records, letters, journals, memoirs, photographs and interviews, this volume offers a unique historical perspective on the war against Japan-and ultimately the triumphant yet uneasy return home. world war 1939-1945 - campaigns - pacific area, world war 1939 – 1945 – personal narratives – united states -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Picador, Eight days at Yalta : how Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin shaped the post-war world, 2019
In the last winter of the Second World War, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin arrived in the Crimean resort of Yalta. Over eight days of bargaining, bombast and intermittent bonhomie they decided on the conduct of the final stages of the war against Germany, on how a defeated and occupied Germany should be governed, on the constitution of the nascent United Nations and on spheres of influence in Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Greece. Only three months later, less than a week after the German surrender, Roosevelt was dead and Churchill was writing to the new President, Harry S. Truman, of 'an iron curtain' that was now 'drawn down upon [the Soviets'] front'. Diana Preston chronicles eight days that created the post-war world, revealing Roosevelt's determination to bring about the dissolution of the British Empire and Churchill’s conviction that he and the dying President would run rings round the Soviet premier. But Stalin monitored everything they said and made only paper concessions, while his territorial ambitions would soon result in the imposition of Communism throughout Eastern Europe.Index, bib, ill, maps, p.398.non-fictionIn the last winter of the Second World War, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin arrived in the Crimean resort of Yalta. Over eight days of bargaining, bombast and intermittent bonhomie they decided on the conduct of the final stages of the war against Germany, on how a defeated and occupied Germany should be governed, on the constitution of the nascent United Nations and on spheres of influence in Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Greece. Only three months later, less than a week after the German surrender, Roosevelt was dead and Churchill was writing to the new President, Harry S. Truman, of 'an iron curtain' that was now 'drawn down upon [the Soviets'] front'. Diana Preston chronicles eight days that created the post-war world, revealing Roosevelt's determination to bring about the dissolution of the British Empire and Churchill’s conviction that he and the dying President would run rings round the Soviet premier. But Stalin monitored everything they said and made only paper concessions, while his territorial ambitions would soon result in the imposition of Communism throughout Eastern Europe.world war 1939-1945 - diplomatic history, yalta conference - crimea- 1945 -
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc
Photograph of Japanese Surrender on Morotai, 1945
Witnessing the Japanese surrender and signing of Peace Document on Morotai 1945.During WWII Vern Roberts was an LAC Fitter 2A (airframe) in RAAF 24 Squadron. He was stationed on Morotai at the time of the Japanese surrender. All personnel on Morotai at the time were required to attend the parade to witness the signing of the Peace Document. Vern had with him the camera his mother had given him when he left Australia to serve in the RAAF. He carried that camera and used it throughout his war service in the Northern Territory and on Morotai. Vern took the pictures of the ceremony, now on display with his camera. General Sir Thomas Blamey signed the Surrender Document on behalf of the Allied Forces.a17.1