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

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

LIEUTENANT GENERAL (LT GEN) FUSATARO TESHIMA, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, JAPANESE SECOND ARMY, SURRENDERED TO GENERAL SIR THOMAS A. BLAMEY, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, ALLIED LAND FORCE, SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA. A SURRENDER CEREMONY WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 9 1945 AT 1 CORPS SPORTS GROUND ON MOROTAI. LT GEN TESHIMA WAS ACCOMPANIED BY CAPTAIN TOYIMA, WHO SIGNED FOR THE JAPANESE NAVY. The surrender of Imperial Japan was announced on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close. There were a number of surrender ceremonies including Morotai on September 9 1945,Black plastic frame containing cream coloured paper documents x 3 on black background.Donated by Jean Hughes of Wangaratta on behalf of her husband ROWLAND J HUGHES VX 51510morotai, japanese surrender, ww2

Photograph of Private later Corporal Sperry Bodsworth born 27/8/1909. In 1940 aged 30 years he enlisted in the Army and assigned to the 2/21 Battalion. On 13/12/1941 the Battalion was deployed from Darwin to Ambon in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, to form part of "Gull Force". The Battle of Ambon occurred between 30 January to 3 February, 1942. In April 1942 Bodsworth was listed as missing and on 1/6/1942 was reported as a Prisoner of War. Bodsworth was awarded a Mention in Despatches.The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber frame containing black and white photograph of WW2 Soldier wearing slouch hatww2, gull force, ambon, sperry bodsworth, pow

On the night of 30-31 January 1942 this small force of 1131 Australian soldiers were stationed at Ambon, an island which formed part of the Netherland East Indies (now Indonesia). An invasion of approximately 20,000 Japanese overwhelmed Gull Force and the majority of the Australian soldiers were taken prisoner. The execution of 229 at Laha, starvation, over work, disease and the absence of medical supplies led to horrific loss. At the cessation of hostilities only 352 of the original 1131 had made it back to Australia. 779 members of Gull Force made the supreme sacrifice and now lie in foreign fields. The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber frame with gold coloured inner edge containing badge and tribute on grey backgroundGull Force 2/21 Battalion Ambon Laha In memory of and tribute to the Officers and Men of "Gull Force" comprising of 2/21 Battalion and attached Units.gull force, 2/21 battalion, ambon, ww2

Plaque present to Corporal Sperry BODSWORTH MID who served with the 2/21st Battalion and involved with the Battle of Ambon. On the night of 30-31 January 1942 this small force of 1131 Australian soldiers were stationed at Ambon, an island which formed part of the Netherland East Indies (now Indonesia). An invasion of approximately 20,000 Japanese overwhelmed Gull Force and the majority of the Australian soldiers were taken prisoner. The execution of 229 at Laha, starvation, over work, disease and the absence of medical supplies led to horrific loss. At the cessation of hostilities only 352 of the original 1131 had made it back to Australia. 779 members of Gull Force made the supreme sacrifice and now lie in foreign fields. The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber in the shape of a shield mounted with a metal a coat of arms depicting white seagull above black and orange diamond within pale blue oval shape.Gull Force 2/21 Battalion Ambon Laha Plaque - Cpl Sperry Bodsworth VX23435 MIDgull force, 2/21 battalion, ambon, ww2

The Philippine Liberation Medal is intended to recognize military service during the last eleven months of World War II when the military of Japan was driven from the Philippines before their surrender in September 1945. Robert Hamilton Hutchieson PM 4802 served on HMAS Westralia as a landing craft coxswain in the Southwest Pacific Campaign 1942 to 1945. The Australian Army played virtually no part in the Philippines. However, units from the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy, were involved.The ships that delivered American troops included three Australian landing ships, HMA Ships Kanimbla, Manoora and Westralia. In 1995, fifty years after the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation, the Republic of the Philippines announced the awarding of a Philippines Liberation Medal to Allied veterans who served in the country or its territorial waters during 1944-45. More than 3000 Australians have received this medalGold with white enamel irregular shaped medal attached to orange ribbon with central thin blue and white stripe. Liberty (front) For The Liberation of The Philippines (back)philippine liberation medal, ww2, robert hutchieson

Taken from a Japanese heavy machine gun after surrender at Lawas, British North Borneo. September, 1945Black Metal machine gunsight with spirit level and 2 X focusing wheels and sight and monocular. Metal base plate has 5 holes to secure to a benchLetters in metal: 27994 4 x 10 degrees To ? Jes 4? 154 on reverse No. 38458gunsight, gun, japan, dickinson, b, tatura, borneo, arms, firearms

In red print "THE BEARER HAS CEASED REASISTANCE TREAT HIM WELL IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW. TAKE HIM TO THE NEAREST COMMANDING OFFICER. c in c allied forces."

Japanese Good Luck Flag was given to a soldier and was signed by dignitaries,family and friends often with short messages wishing the soldier victory,safety and good luck. We understand that it was deliberately dyed blue as they had lost the war and surrendered. This flag may have belonged to -Mr Sueji KOMAGI or KOMAKI Silk Dark blue flag with Red sun in middle. Appears to have faded and may have been dyed blue at later stage. Has faded. Many Japanese markings, inscriptions on the front of the flag. See 'notes' regarding translation.Many Japanese hand written inscriptions on face of the flag.Red sun in middle of flag 45cm in diameter. Believe message from people (relatives/community ) To Mr Sueji Komagi or Komaki. world war two, second world war, ww2, japan, japanese flag, japanese good luck flag

WWII Historical SignificanceFramed Australian Newspaper document printed by HMAS ShropShire during WWII.The first Australian newspaper to be printed in Japan, Vol 5, No 365 Dated Sunday 2nd September 1945,Stating Surrender document signed.

WW11.Copy of Historical Document including message in Japanese and English. Certificate of Surrender.Contains wording PEACE HAS COME. JAPAN SURRENDERED. CEASE FIGHTING. PEACE HAS COME. Corner of "Certificate" has Allied Colours. Red, White and Blue.

photo/pictures, ballarat rsl, ballarat

newspaper laminated, for example, has news printed stories and photographs about the end of the war with a small tear on one side on four pages with single centrefold.Headline: IT'S ALL OVER/ Japan Accepts Allied Termsnewspapers, military press, 1945, japanese surrender, wwii, second world war, world war two

Framed B & W photograph titled: "CAPE WOM, NEW GUINEA, 13 SEPTEMBER 1945". Grey card window mount with title and text below the image. Image features the commander of the Japanese Army in New Guinea handing over his sword during a formal surrender ceremony held at Cape Wom Airstrip.

Paper article

A copy of an announcement issued by Lieu-General S G Savige on 8 September 1945 at the end of World War Two. It advised the troops that Japan has surrendered. It says it was his privilege to Command 2 Aust Corp during the successful operations in Bouganville. It discusses the need for patience until demobilisation. One paragraph says: "Leadership and planning, important though they be, obtain success only by the good fighting qualities of the Troops to whom a commander owes everything ; as his own reputation depends so utterly and entirely not the behaviour of his Troops. I very gratefully acknowledge your courage, devotion to duty, and the uniformly high standards you established in the performance of every task it was my duty to call upon you to perform. You fought magnificently under exceedingly difficult conditions against a skilful foe whom you defeated. You endured sufferings and hardships attributable to dense jungle, vile swamps, heat, rain and mud, without losing your cheery smiles and determination to stick it out." Donated by Legacy Widow Mrs McIntyre in May 1988. This historic document belonged to her husband and is well worn and inexpertly repaired - better examples exist in other archives, such as Adelaide and Auckland. However it is an important part of founder Stanley Savige's life story, recording his communication to the AIF on 8 September 1945 as Commander 2 Aust Corps that Japan had surrendered. He acknowledged the efforts of the troops throughout the war and praised their tenacity and bravery before confirming his intention to ensure the best possible start in civilian life upon demobilisation for them.A document that illustrates the care Savige took of his troops.1 x printed sheetMathematical jottings on the back in blue/black ink, unrelated to the document.savige, legatee, world war two