Showing 121 items matching "world war 1939-1945 - australia - history"
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Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Australian War Memorial, HMAS, 1942
... Australian Navy - History World War 1939-1945 - Naval operations ...The Royal Australian Navy during World War TwoIll, p.200.non-fictionThe Royal Australian Navy during World War Tworoyal australian navy - history, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Australian War Memorial, HMAS Mk II, 1942
... Australian Navy - History World War 1939-1945 - Naval operations ...The Royal Australian Navy during World War TwoIll, p.200.non-fictionThe Royal Australian Navy during World War Tworoyal australian navy - history, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Australian War Memorial, HMAS Mk III, 1942
... Australian Navy - History World War 1939-1945 - Naval operations ...The Royal Australian Navy during World War TwoIll, p.200.non-fictionThe Royal Australian Navy during World War Tworoyal australian navy - history, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Australian War Memorial, HMAS Mk IV, 1942
... Australian Navy - History World War 1939-1945 - Naval operations ...The Royal Australian Navy during World War TwoIll, p.200.non-fictionThe Royal Australian Navy during World War Tworoyal australian navy - history, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Specialty Press, The Corps of Royal Australian Engineers in the Second World War 1939-45, 1946
A history of the Royal Australian Engineers during the second world warIll, p.54.non-fictionA history of the Royal Australian Engineers during the second world war world war 1939-1945 - engineering and construction, world war 1939 - 1945 - regimental histories -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Harvey, James Young, Mercy Trains: Australian Army Ambulance Trains in World War II, 2001
A history of ambulance trains run for the Australian Army during World War 2.index, ill, maps, p.280.non-fictionA history of ambulance trains run for the Australian Army during World War 2.world war, 1939-1945 -- medical care -- australia, hospital trains -- australia -- history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Uniform - 002393, Army Collars
These detachable collars are most likely Australian Army issue from the World War Two era (1939-1945). They are made to be used with a khaki shirt. These collars have no known local provenance but are retained as examples of the detachable collars used by Australian Army personnel in the early to mid 20th century. These three men’s collars are made of cotton and are khaki in colour. They have three button holes on the straight neck edge, one at each end and one in the middle. australian army uniforms, warrnambool, history of warrnambool -
Canterbury History Group
Letter - Frognall, 22/10/1986 12:00:00 AM
Letter and research material on Frognall from the Department of Defence {Air Force Office} Royal Australian Air Force sectionl, to the Canterbury History Group with information on the Royal Australian Air Force's use of Frognall8 A 4 pagescanterbury, frognall, royal australian air force, mont albert road, world war 1939-1945 -
Canterbury History Group
Book, Royal Australian Air Force, "Frognall" 1985
Photocopy of a booklet compiled by the Royal Australian Air Force, Engineer Cadet Squadron, giving a brief history of Frognall. Includes many photograph of the interior and exterior of the housecanterbury, mont albert road, frognall, royal australian air force, laycock> burdett, world war 1939-1945 -
Lakes Entrance Historical Society
Book, Enever, Jim, Journal of Australian Mining History Vol 8, 2010
A comprehensive report of the exploration and production of oil in the Lakes Entrance, East Gippsland basin, in particular the Lakes Entrance oil shaft.oil and gas industry, world war 1939 - 1945 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - LYDIA CHANCELLOR COLLECTION: PROUD STORY ; THE OFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND
A hard covered book with sleeve containing a coloured illustration of war jeeps with driver on the front. The book is titled 'Proud Story ; The Official History Of The Australian Comforts Fund.' A Commonwealth-wide voluntary organisation accredited to the Royal Australian Navy, The Australian Military Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force and charged with the duty of caring for all fit and well members of the Australian forces during the Second World War, 1939-1945. F. H. Johnston Publishing Co. Pty. Ltd., Sydney, 1949.C.O. Bradham Jacksonaustralia, military, history, lydia chancellor collection, collection, lydia chancellor, world war two, australian comforts fund, australian history, history, w.w.ii, war, royal australian navy, royal australian air force, the australian military forces -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, CO Badham Jackson, Proud story: The official history of the Australian comforts fund, 1949
ACF, a commonwealth-wide voluntary organisation accredited to the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Military Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force and charged with the duty of caring for all fit and well members of the Australian Forces during the Second World War, 1939-1945Ill, p.361.ACF, a commonwealth-wide voluntary organisation accredited to the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Military Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force and charged with the duty of caring for all fit and well members of the Australian Forces during the Second World War, 1939-1945australian comforts fund - history, civilian war relief -
Lakes Entrance Historical Society
Book, Royle Guy, HMAS M.4, The RAN's Third, 1944
An account of the influence of the Royal Australian Navy on Allied actions in the Second World War for the twelve months prior to 30th. September 1944.naval history, world war 1939 - 1945 -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Pelorus Publications, Seagulls, cruisers and catapults : Australian naval aviation, 1913-1944, 1989
In 'Seagulls, Cruisers and Catapults' Ray Jones has written an authoritative account of the technical, operational and political aspects of Australian naval aviation from Admiral Creswell's 1913 plan for naval aviation until the last aircraft catapult was removed from an Australian cruiser in 1944.The Navy's role as catalyst in the formation of the Air Force is outlined for the first time and details of the sometimes acrimonius struggle between Navy and Air Force over naval aviation are provided. No serious work of RAN history can deal with the mid-war years without taking account of advice from London and the Admiralty's influence on RAN aviation planning is made clear. Operation of aircraft, such as the Seagull III and Seagull V amphibians, from Australian warships are described and the rationale of cruiser aircraft operations are illustrated by the number shot down or damaged performing their essential task in wartime. The vital role of aircraft operating from cruisers searching for raiders and taking part in fleet operations defending Australia in 1942 is stressed. Extensive archival research in Melbourne, Canberra and London, combined with hours of interviews with the men who flew aircraft from cruisers and carrier, has ensured a balanced and well-rounded narrative which is an essential addition to the library of any naval or aviation history enthusiast.Index, notes, Appendices, ill, p.134.In 'Seagulls, Cruisers and Catapults' Ray Jones has written an authoritative account of the technical, operational and political aspects of Australian naval aviation from Admiral Creswell's 1913 plan for naval aviation until the last aircraft catapult was removed from an Australian cruiser in 1944.The Navy's role as catalyst in the formation of the Air Force is outlined for the first time and details of the sometimes acrimonius struggle between Navy and Air Force over naval aviation are provided. No serious work of RAN history can deal with the mid-war years without taking account of advice from London and the Admiralty's influence on RAN aviation planning is made clear. Operation of aircraft, such as the Seagull III and Seagull V amphibians, from Australian warships are described and the rationale of cruiser aircraft operations are illustrated by the number shot down or damaged performing their essential task in wartime. The vital role of aircraft operating from cruisers searching for raiders and taking part in fleet operations defending Australia in 1942 is stressed. Extensive archival research in Melbourne, Canberra and London, combined with hours of interviews with the men who flew aircraft from cruisers and carrier, has ensured a balanced and well-rounded narrative which is an essential addition to the library of any naval or aviation history enthusiast.airplanes - military - australia, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia -
Lakes Entrance Historical Society
Photograph, Lakes Post Newspaper, Australian Army at Lakes Entrance Victoria, 1/03/1996 12:00:00 AM
Black and white photograph of Cpl Amir Tito Mick Allen and Giz McKechnie of Australian Army training in a Rigid Inflatable boat on Cunninghame Arm Lakes Entrance Victoria. Also a black and white photograph taken at the same time at New Works Jetty another R I B shown in distance Nine members were involved in training military history, people, r a a f, world war 1939 - 1945 -
Alfred Hospital Nurses League - Nursing Archive
Book - Illustrated book, Gay Halstead 1929, Story of the RAAF Nursing Service 1940-1990, 1994
... Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service-History World War ...Established in July 1914, the Royal Australian Airforce Nursing Service (RAAFNS) personnel expanded from 45 in December 1940 to 616 in December 1945. Miss Margaret Irene Lang was appointed Matron-in -Chief and her staff's conditions in service were similar to those of the Australian Army Nursing Service. The nurses were originally attached to RAAF bases in Australia but later served in New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. With the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Unit (MAETU), established in 1944, nurses helped with aerial evacuation of casualties and were involved with the liberation of Prisoners of War from Singapore and other areas. The service was disbanded at the end of World War Two, but in 1948 a peace-time service was formed, and the RAAF nurses have served in the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War. They continue to care for the sick and injured at RAAF hospitals. Includes honours, awards and the nominal roll of RAAFNS 1940-1952.Illustrated book with blue cover. Front cover has a coloured illustration by Vivian and Marjorie Mare of a nurse in uniform standing in front of a plane, the title is printed in blue and the author's name printed in white. Title and author's name are also printed in white on the spine. The back cover has a collage of black and white photographs of RAAF personnel including nurses. Limited edition of 1000 copies.non-fictionEstablished in July 1914, the Royal Australian Airforce Nursing Service (RAAFNS) personnel expanded from 45 in December 1940 to 616 in December 1945. Miss Margaret Irene Lang was appointed Matron-in -Chief and her staff's conditions in service were similar to those of the Australian Army Nursing Service. The nurses were originally attached to RAAF bases in Australia but later served in New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. With the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Unit (MAETU), established in 1944, nurses helped with aerial evacuation of casualties and were involved with the liberation of Prisoners of War from Singapore and other areas. The service was disbanded at the end of World War Two, but in 1948 a peace-time service was formed, and the RAAF nurses have served in the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War. They continue to care for the sick and injured at RAAF hospitals. Includes honours, awards and the nominal roll of RAAFNS 1940-1952.royal australian air force nursing service-history, world war 1939-1945-medical care-australia, military nursing-australia, nurses, nursing -
Alfred Hospital Nurses League - Nursing Archive
Book - Illustrated Book, Ian Winton Shaw, On Radji Beach, 2010
The story of Australian nurses after the fall of Singapore in World War TwoIllustrated book with red and black print on front and spine. Front cover also has a red, grey and white photograph of three nurses in uniform. Title and authors name on front and spine. Summary of book in black print on back covernon-fictionThe story of Australian nurses after the fall of Singapore in World War Twovivian bullwinkel, vyner brooke, australia army-nurses, world war 1939-1945 prisoners of war, nurses australia -
Alfred Hospital Nurses League - Nursing Archive
Magazine - Illustrated magazine, Philip J Turner & Rex Curtis-Griffiths, Wartime: Number 7 Spring 1997, 1999
The Australian experience of war: the magazine contains other war related articles, the ones referring to nursing experiences are Florence Nightingale, Fanny Hines (died of pneumonia in the Boer War), Catherine Tully (awarded the 1914 Star with clasp) other World War One Experiences, Jessie Simmons (World War Two POW) Ann Mackinnon (served with the 2/6th Australian General Hospital), RAAF medevac nurses in Vietnam, nurses in Rwanda, and a review of the film Paradise Road.Illustrated magazine. The front cover has a copy of a painting by Hilda Rix-Nicholas: Australian soldier of the Great War. The man is wearing a metal helmet and combat uniform. Title and list of contents are printed are printed in gold and red brown on front cover also. non-fictionThe Australian experience of war: the magazine contains other war related articles, the ones referring to nursing experiences are Florence Nightingale, Fanny Hines (died of pneumonia in the Boer War), Catherine Tully (awarded the 1914 Star with clasp) other World War One Experiences, Jessie Simmons (World War Two POW) Ann Mackinnon (served with the 2/6th Australian General Hospital), RAAF medevac nurses in Vietnam, nurses in Rwanda, and a review of the film Paradise Road.military nursing-australia-history, world war 1914-1918, world war 1939-1945, vietnam war, world war 1939-1945 prisoners of war, rwanda, nurses, nursing -
Bendigo Military Museum
Certificate - BOROUGH OF CASTLEMAINE, FRAMED, Post WW2
Item relates to Leslie Raymond HUGHES. He initially enlisted in the CMF No V56193. Stationed in Geraldton he then transferred to the 2nd AIF No VX88615 age 23 years on 22.7.1942. He was discharged from the Army on 22.3.1946 ad a Pte in 2/1st Aust Gaurd Regt.Coloured certificate - The Call to Arms. From Borough of Castlemaine paying tribute to Leslie Raymond HUGHES who served in the World War 1939 - 1945. Top of certificate has a photo of King George between a Union Jack & Australian flag. Regimental badges are around the border & a red seal is bottom L. Signed by the Mayor, Councillor & Town Clerk. Certificate is attached to metal backing with heavy clear plastic.documents - certificates, military history - army, civic mementoes -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Time-Life Books in association with John Ferguson, Prisoners of war, 1988
This is a profoundly courageous story of Australians struggling to survive the consequences of a war-ravaged world. It is a singularly outstanding account of men wrenched from battle, but not from the annals of their nation's history.Index, bibliography, ill, maps, p.168.non-fictionThis is a profoundly courageous story of Australians struggling to survive the consequences of a war-ravaged world. It is a singularly outstanding account of men wrenched from battle, but not from the annals of their nation's history.prisoners of war - australia, world war 1939-1945 - prisons and prisoners -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDAL SET WW2, FEMALE RELATIVE BADGE, 1) Post 1945 .2) War time .3) 1940-45 .4 &.5) 2005
The items belonged Rueben John Tyrer V150812. He enlisted on 20.1.42 aged 44 year. At discharge on 5.12.45 he was a Driver in 37 Aust Field Works Coy. .1) Medal set, court mounted, set of (4) re R.J Tyrer. 1. 1939-45 Star. 2. Pacific Star. 3. War Medal 1939-45. 4. Australian Service Medal 1939 - 15 .2) Ribbon set (2) mounted on brass strip with pin for attachment. 1. Ribbon re Pacific Star. 2. Ribbon re Australian Service Medal. .3) Badge, metal "To the Women of Australia". Circular floral wreath with crown at top, centre is a map of Australia. Under is a bar suspended by a link. The bar has one star meaning one relative serving in the Armed Forces. .4) Medal, gold colour, "60th Anniversary of the end of WW11". The front has a centre Coat of Arms, rear has a depiction of a map of Australia. .5) Black cardboard box to hold .4. The lid has an Australian Coat of Arms..1) "V150812 R.J. Tyrer". .3) "Issued by C'WLTH GOVT A221536" .4) "World War 11 Service to Australia". "World WW11 60 years 1945-2005". .5) "Australian Government Dept of Veterans Affairs. "60th Anniversary of the end of World War 11, For Service to Australia"medals, military, history -
Alfred Hospital Nurses League - Nursing Archive
Book - Illustrated book, Thomas Nelson (Australia) Ltd, Australian women at war, 1984
A history of how Australian women have responded to war, from 1900 when the first nurses sailed to the Boer War, to 1945 and its aftermath.Illustrated book with dustjacket. Book has a purple cover with the title and author's name embossed in silver on the spine. The dust jacket has the title printed in silver within a decorative border. Authors name is printed in black above this. Also on the front cover and extending across the spine and back cover is a coloured illustration of non-fictionA history of how Australian women have responded to war, from 1900 when the first nurses sailed to the Boer War, to 1945 and its aftermath.world war 1914-1918, world war 1939-1945, women and war-australia, women-australia-social conditions, women-employment-australia-history-20th centuary -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Rogers, Phillipa, Troops, Trains and Trades: the wartime role of the railways of Western Australia, 1939-1945, 1999
The story of the railway personnel and success of the railway system in WA in ensuring the effective movement of troops and supplies during World War 2.Index, ill, maps, p.160.non-fictionThe story of the railway personnel and success of the railway system in WA in ensuring the effective movement of troops and supplies during World War 2.world war, 1939-1945 -- transportation -- australia -- western australia, railroads -- australia -- western australia -- history -
Alfred Hospital Nurses League - Nursing Archive
Book - Illustrated book, Bruce Ford, The wounded warrior and rehabilitation. Including the history of No 11 army general hospital/Caulfield rehabilitation hospital, 1996
A history of Caulfield General Medical Centre, including the No 11 Army General Hospital/Caulfield Rehabilitation Hospital and the Royal Southern Memorial Hospital adapting rehabilitation to changing conditions of two World Wars, polio outbreaks to care of the elderly and accident victims.Sepia photograph of soldiers and nurses on front and back cover. Portrait of the author, Bruce Ford on back cover also, Title on front cover and spine in black print on orange background. Authors name in white print on black background on front cover. Authors name in black print on spine. Donation sticker also on front cover. Contains numerous black and white illustrations.non-fictionA history of Caulfield General Medical Centre, including the No 11 Army General Hospital/Caulfield Rehabilitation Hospital and the Royal Southern Memorial Hospital adapting rehabilitation to changing conditions of two World Wars, polio outbreaks to care of the elderly and accident victims.australia army general hospital 11th, caulfield general medical centre - history, caulfield hospital - history, royal southern memorial hospital - history, world war 1914-1918 - medical care - victoria, world war 1939 -1945 - medical care - victoria, soldiers - rehabilitation - victoria, military hospitals - victoria - history, artificial limb factory, hospitals - rehabilitation services - australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australian War Memoria, Royal Australian Navy, 1939-1942, 1957
This volume tells briefly the story of the Royal Australian Navy and of Australian naval policy between the wars, and then records the part played by the ships and men of that Navy on every ocean and particularly in the eastern Mediterranean and Indian and Pacific Oceans from 1939 until the end of the first quarter of 1942. When the volume ends most of the surviving ships are on the Australia Station again and the Japanese fleets dominate half the Pacific Ocean and the seas to the north of Australia. The [author] describes not only the actions of the Australian ships but the problems and policies of the British fleets of which they often formed a part, and discusses the strategical and administrative questions encountered by the senior leaders in AustraliaIndex, ill, maps, p.686.non-fictionThis volume tells briefly the story of the Royal Australian Navy and of Australian naval policy between the wars, and then records the part played by the ships and men of that Navy on every ocean and particularly in the eastern Mediterranean and Indian and Pacific Oceans from 1939 until the end of the first quarter of 1942. When the volume ends most of the surviving ships are on the Australia Station again and the Japanese fleets dominate half the Pacific Ocean and the seas to the north of Australia. The [author] describes not only the actions of the Australian ships but the problems and policies of the British fleets of which they often formed a part, and discusses the strategical and administrative questions encountered by the senior leaders in Australiaworld war 1939 – 1945 – naval operations - australia, royal australian navy - history -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australian war memorial, Australia in the War of 1939-1945, Series 5, Medical, vol 3 - The Island campaigns, 1962
The history of the Australian army medical corps during the period 1943-1945 in the south west pacificIndex, maps, p.400.non-fictionThe history of the Australian army medical corps during the period 1943-1945 in the south west pacificworld war 1939-1945 - campaigns - south west pacific, australian army - medical corps -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australian War Memorial, Greece, Crete and Syria, 1962
This is volume 2 of series 1 (Army) of Australia in the War, 1939-1945. The first series has seven volumes, the first three covering military campaigns in the Middle East and the last four in the Pacific.Index, ill, maps, p.587.non-fictionThis is volume 2 of series 1 (Army) of Australia in the War, 1939-1945. The first series has seven volumes, the first three covering military campaigns in the Middle East and the last four in the Pacific. world war 1939 – 1945 – campaigns – greece – syria, military history of australia in world war two -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Wesley John Olson, HMAS Sydney (II) : in peace and war, 2016
No other warship in the history of the Royal Australian Navy has inspired and fired the public imagination like HMAS Sydney (II). This is the story of the ship and the men who served in her.Index, bib, ill, maps, p.610.non-fictionNo other warship in the history of the Royal Australian Navy has inspired and fired the public imagination like HMAS Sydney (II). This is the story of the ship and the men who served in her.hmas sydney, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Kevin Smith, Borneo: Australias proud but tragic heritage, 1999
History of Australian POW's in Borneo during WWII.Index, ill, maps, p.402.non-fictionHistory of Australian POW's in Borneo during WWII. world war 1939-1945 - prisoners of war - sandakan, world war 1939 – 1945 - prisons and prisoners - japanese -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Angus and Robertson, The great betrayal : Britain, Australia and the onset of the Pacific War, 1939-42, 1988
The ignominious fall of Singapore to the Japanese in February 1942 marked the climax of the greatese crisis in Anglo-Australian relations - Britain's inexcusable betrayal of Australia in time of war. Until World War II, Australia had always rushed to the Imperial colours, confident that just as Australian blood was shed for the Mother Country, so too would British Blood be in the defence of Australia. But in 1939 Australia lay wide open to attack, her defences practically non-existent, and she was reluctant to commit her meagre forces overseas. Her objections were overcome, however, by an unequivocal British promise to protect her from a Japanese attack, so she sent troops and ships to the northern hemisphere, leaving Singapore naval base as the cornerstone of her own defence policy. Britain's promise to defend Australia was made with little concern for the possibility of its ever being implemented and, certainly, in 1939 a direct threat to Australia looked unlikely. During 1940 and 1941, however, the threat from Japan increased, while Britain's ability to counter it weakened. Yet the British government resisted calls to strengthen the Far Eastern Defence, continually reassuring Australia that the Japanese threat would not materialize and that, even if it did, Britain could still contain it. Then the inconceivable happened: in December 1941 the Japanese decimated the US fleet at Pearl Harbour and in early 1942 took Singapore, leaving Australia suddenly in immediate peril. But the oft-repeated promise to defend the Dominion came to nought. And, at the most crucial time in Australia's history, Churchill tried to prevent substantial American forces from being sent to the pacific, and even attempted to delay the repatriation of Australian troops needed for defence. Thus Britain deliberately left Australia at the mercy of Japan, using her to divert and delay the Japanese thrust westwards towards India and the Middle East...[inside front and back cover]. This compelling and controversial book reveals how in 1942 Churchill, in an attempt to delay an attack on India, left Australia at the mercy of the Japanese by trying to prevent American forces being sent to the Pacific. Drawing on a wealth of sources, including many previously unavailable to historians, David Day exposes a saga of empty promises and asks serious questions about the past and future relationship between Britain and Australia. Collapse summaryIndex, p.388.non-fictionThe ignominious fall of Singapore to the Japanese in February 1942 marked the climax of the greatese crisis in Anglo-Australian relations - Britain's inexcusable betrayal of Australia in time of war. Until World War II, Australia had always rushed to the Imperial colours, confident that just as Australian blood was shed for the Mother Country, so too would British Blood be in the defence of Australia. But in 1939 Australia lay wide open to attack, her defences practically non-existent, and she was reluctant to commit her meagre forces overseas. Her objections were overcome, however, by an unequivocal British promise to protect her from a Japanese attack, so she sent troops and ships to the northern hemisphere, leaving Singapore naval base as the cornerstone of her own defence policy. Britain's promise to defend Australia was made with little concern for the possibility of its ever being implemented and, certainly, in 1939 a direct threat to Australia looked unlikely. During 1940 and 1941, however, the threat from Japan increased, while Britain's ability to counter it weakened. Yet the British government resisted calls to strengthen the Far Eastern Defence, continually reassuring Australia that the Japanese threat would not materialize and that, even if it did, Britain could still contain it. Then the inconceivable happened: in December 1941 the Japanese decimated the US fleet at Pearl Harbour and in early 1942 took Singapore, leaving Australia suddenly in immediate peril. But the oft-repeated promise to defend the Dominion came to nought. And, at the most crucial time in Australia's history, Churchill tried to prevent substantial American forces from being sent to the pacific, and even attempted to delay the repatriation of Australian troops needed for defence. Thus Britain deliberately left Australia at the mercy of Japan, using her to divert and delay the Japanese thrust westwards towards India and the Middle East...[inside front and back cover]. This compelling and controversial book reveals how in 1942 Churchill, in an attempt to delay an attack on India, left Australia at the mercy of the Japanese by trying to prevent American forces being sent to the Pacific. Drawing on a wealth of sources, including many previously unavailable to historians, David Day exposes a saga of empty promises and asks serious questions about the past and future relationship between Britain and Australia. Collapse summary worls war 1939-1945 - diplomatic history, australia - foreign relations - britain