NAME : ___________________________

AUSTRALIA and WORLD WAR II

WORKBOOK

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Europe’s Path to WarDuring the 1930s two major problems faced the world:

the economic crisis that swept the world after the Wall Street Crash the attempts by Germany, Italy and Japan (which became known as the Axis powers) to expand

their territory.

Rise of fascism

After World War I (1914–18), Germany had to accept the blame for starting the war. Some parts of Germany were given to other countries, and Germany had to pay Britain and France reparations according to the Treaty of Versailles signed by Germany in 1918. The amount of money Germany was required to pay caused economic difficulties. During the 1920s in Germany, prices rose at a very fast rate (known as hyperinflation) and the Germans’ standard of living fell. Money became worthless. An item that cost 70 German marks to buy in 1921 required 4200 million marks to buy in 1923 and people's savings were quickly used up buying basic items of food.

Source 1- Some of the ways hyperinflation affected ordinary Germans

In Italy from 1919, a political movement known as fascism grew under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. It subsequently spread to Germany, Portugal and Spain. Fascism was characterised by:

control by one man who was supported by most people the use of force to overcome any opposition a belief in the superiority of one's own nation opposition to communism a desire to expand territory.

In the early 1920s, Adolf Hitler made his first attempt to gain power in Germany. When he was unsuccessful, he turned to fascist methods to encourage people to support him.

Between 1930 and 1932 unemployment in Germany rose from 3 million to more than 6 million and those who had jobs worked for low wages. Hitler promised a better, stronger and more prosperous Germany. Most Germans remembered what had happened in the 1920s and Hitler gave people a sense of hope and pride in their country.

Hitler came to power in January 1933 it was soon clear that he intended to defy the Treaty of Versailles. Like most Germans he was unhappy with the reparations and argued that Germany had been unfairly treated in 1919. Most Germans also blamed their dire economic position on the reparations. Hitler intended getting back those territories that had been taken from Germany in 1919 and he demanded that Germany’s armed forces be strengthened. However, his ambitions went much further than undoing past wrongs. He had a vision of creating a German empire out of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. He referred to this as lebestraam, or ‘living space’

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Hitler became popular because he:

said he would create more jobs and make people better off financially said he would restore Germany's greatness promised to reunite all German-speaking people into one country blamed the Jews and communists for all Germany's problems was a skilful public speaker organised large rallies to promote his ideas used violence against those who opposed him.

In 1933, Hitler became Germany's leader and his Nazi party (National Socialist) took over control of Germany.

Source 2 A modern artist's impression of the groups who showed their support for Hitler at Nazi Party rallies

1. Hitler saw himself as a symbol of Germany. He tried at all times to appear casual yet powerful — both as a statesman and a leader.

2. Propaganda posters contained the ‘simple imagery’ that Hitler craved. He understood the power of simple images and ideas.

3. Hitler blamed Jews for many of the problems facing Germany after the war, and incited violence against them.

4. By the mid 1930s, six out of every ten young German people had joined Hitler Youth. They were deluged with Nazi Party ideology, particularly anti-Semitism (anti-Jewish views).

5. Hitler promised to take care of the workers and farmers, and to return the middle class to good fortune and peace. It seemed to them that Hitler, more than any other politician, had the ability to erase the damage done by the war and its aftermath. The crowds saluted him as a sign of respect.

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Exercise 1

Did you get it?

1. Identify the effects of hyperinflation that are described in source 1.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. If you were living in Berlin during this time, would it be better to be paid daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly? Explain your answer.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Suggest ways in which people living in Germany in 1923 might have been able to obtain basic everyday food items.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is fascism and what are its characteristics?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Why was Germany unhappy with the 1919 Treaty of Versailles?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What were Hitler’s intentions when he came to power?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Why did Hitler become popular?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Explain the meaning of the term Lebensraum.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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GLOSSARY – AUSTRALIA AND WORLD WAR II…………. Second Australian Imperial Force, a voluntary Australian army recruited for overseas service during World War II……………… Nations that were on the same side in World War II. Australia was an ally of Britain and the United States in World War II.…………………….. hatred of Jews………………………The name given to the foreign policy followed by the British and French governments in the 1930s towards the European dictators. Appeasement was based on the belief that Hitler in particular had limited demands and that by giving in to his demands another war could be avoided.…………………… The idea that people had to live simply, avoid wastage or excess and go without luxury items for the sake of the war effort.……….. alliance of two or more nations to coordinate foreign and military policies and action; for example: Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II…………………….. means ‘lightning war’ and refers to the use of aircraft and tanks to remove opposition before the German soldiers’ advance…………………… a word which means ‘prime minister’.……………………. the suppression or attempted suppression of something regarded as objectionable …………………… extreme right wing ideology that developed in many countries following World War I. A fascist system is one in which power is strongly centralised and the government controls all the affairs of the nation. Fascism promotes aggressive nationalism and opposes socialism, communism and parliamentary democracy……………………..an affectionate term used by the Australian troops for the indigenous inhabitants of New Guinea who provided help to the allied soldiers in the war against the Japanese.…………………………….. an international agreement on the conduct of war, especially on the role of the Red Cross and the treatment of prisoner of war……………………….. the deliberate destruction of a race of people………………………….Nazi secret state police……………….……. the systematic attempt by the Nazis to destroy the Jewish race during World War II……………..….……... means ‘divine wind’ and refers to Japanese suicide pilots…………………………… a world organisation set up after World War I aiming to preserve world peace.……………………………. German term for living space ……………………………German air force…………… the name of the political party led by Adolf Hitler which ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945.…………… prisoner of war…………... Royal Australian Air Force…………... Royal Australian Navy………………….. a system devised to ensure the fair distribution of essential commodities in wartime.………….………. payments Germany was required to make after World War I for the cost of the war.……………………………………. the peace treaty that ended World War I and forced Germany to accept the blame for starting the war…………….. Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service

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anti-Semitism censorship Nazi blitzkrieg Geneva Convention RAAF Holocaust rationing AIF appeasement kamikaze Chancellor Luftwaffe

Gestapo axis fascism genocide POW reparations League of Nations allies WRANS Fuzzy Wuzzy austerity RAN Treaty of Versailles lebensraum 

APPEASEMENT

Read pages 164 to 166 in your text books and answer:

1. What was France and Britain’s policy of appeasement towards Hitler?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. Why did they do this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. Why did some feel Hitler should be trusted and supported?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4. What was the result in the appeasement policy? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5. What was Hitler’s goal as part of his claim for lebenstraum? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________6. What did Great Britain grant Poland at the Munich Conference in Czechovslakia? Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________7. What event happened on 1st September 1939? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________8. What was the result of this event?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Key Terms WordSearch

AIF allies anti-Semitism appeasement austerity axis blitzkrieg censorship Chancellor Convention

fascism Fuzzy Wuzzy Geneva genocide Gestapo Holocaust kamikaze lebensraumLuftwaffe Nazi

POW RAAF RAN rationing reparations TreatyVersailles WRANS

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SOURCE QUESTIONS

1. Identify the country each figure in Source 3 above represents ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. In your own words, explain the point the cartoonist is making ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. How reliable are cartoons as evidence of what people thought was happening and what was really happening? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Source 3: The Awful Warning’, a cartoonist's view of Britain and France's response to Italy's invasion of Abyssinia in 1935 (from Punch, 1935)

CONQUESTS OF THE 1930S

Study the map of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East in the 1930s on page 166 of your textbook and answer:

a. Which countries did Germany conquer in 1938 and 1939? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b. Which countries did Italy conquer in 1939 (hint: also see the text at the bottom of p. 164) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

c. Into which country did the Soviet Union advance in 1939? _________________________________________________________________________

AUSTRALIA BECOMES INVOLVED Read pages 166 to pages 167 of your text and answer:

1. When did Britain declare war on Germany? __________________________________ 2. Who was the Australian Prime Minister who declared Australia was at war the next day?

______________________________________________________________________3. How did he announce this to the Australian public?

______________________________________________________________________4. Who did he neglect to ask first?

_____________________________________________5. What did some Australians believe at the time? Why?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What did Menzies and others believe? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Source 4: Part of Prime Minister Menzies’ announcement of Australia’s entry into World War II

Source 4 Questions (See page 9 of this booklet)

1. Identify the three most important reasons Menzies gives for Australia's entry into the war against Germany. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What does source 4 reveal about Australia's relations with Britain in 1939? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Source 5: An Australian newspaper account of the start of war in Europe

The Start of War in Europe 1939

Examine Source 5 on page 10 and answer:1. Which country is blamed for starting World War II in source 5?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Who is the person shown on the front page of the newspaper and which country did he rule? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. How does this source support the view that Australia had a close relationship with Britain when the war started? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

1. Using the textbook (pages 166-167), identify the European countries that had fascist governments in 1939. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Outline how Hitler became Germany's leader. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Explain why Britain and France followed a policy of appeasement towards Germany. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Identify reasons that the Spanish Civil War was important for the fascists. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Explain why Germany's invasion of Poland started World War II. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________6. Identify reasons for Australia's involvement in the war. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Australians were less enthusiastic for World War II

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Two Phases of Australia’s involvement in World War II

● The first phase was from 1939 to the end of 1941. During this time the war was

with Germany and its allies, including Italy.

● The second phase of the war for Australia began dramatically in December

1941 when a restless and aggressive Japan attacked the United States and

began to advance south into South-East Asia. For the first time in its history,

Australia itself was now threatened

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Japan the New Enemy _______ – Japan supports _______________ in WWI _______ – Japan invades Manchuria in _______________ _______ – Japan capture Chines city of Nanking and massacre over

42000 Chinese ________________ _______ – U.S. and allies provided limited ____________ support

for the Chinese _______ – Europe and the United States impose ______________

sanctions on Japan 7 December ________ – Japanese Bomb ____________________

(Hawaii) without warning or ____________________

Why did the Japanese Bomb Pearl Harbor?

• The economic sanctions included banning of _____________ of iron, steel and _________ to Japan 1940

• The U.S. military support to ___________ in opposing Japan’s conquests 1938

• Japan wanted to expand its conquests into the _____________

• The U.S. naval base at ________________ stood in the way of their conquest ambitions

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Where did Australians fight in World War II?

1. Name some of the locations in Northern Africa where Australian AIF troops fought with the British Army from 1940-1942. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. Who were they fighting against? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. Who were the Allied Troops? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4. Who were the Axis Powers? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5. Who called who the rats of Tobruk? _________________________________________________________________________

6. How long were the Australian troops besieged at Tobruk? _________________________________________________________________________

7. In 1942, in which battle in Egypt did Australian troops play a significant role?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________8. In 1941 where were Australians and British troops sent to counter a German attack? _________________________________________________________________________

9. Which island did they retreat to after the fall of Greece? _______________________

10. In which country did 1500 Australian die fighting pro-German French troops ? ________________________________________________________________________

11. In 1940, Australian airmen fought alongside the British in which major campaign? ________________________________________________________________________

12. Name some of the locations Australians fought in the Pacific War. _________________________________________________________________________

13. Where is the Kokoda Track? ______________________________________________

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The fall of SingaporeThe Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 was quickly followed by attacks on Burma, Borneo, the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), Malaya and other parts of South-East Asia.

At the start of 1942 the island of Singapore was strategically important for the British and Allied forces in South-East Asia and was the location of a British naval base. Australian troops of the 8th Division were posted there in support of the British effort. Singapore appeared to be a stronghold whose coastlines could always be defended from invasion. So long as Britain maintained its presence there, and continued to defend the island and the seas around it, Australia felt protected

On 10 December 1941, Japanese bombers sank two British warships, the Repulse and the Prince of Wales, off the coast of Malaya. This was a serious blow for Britain and its naval strength. Singapore's defences were severely weakened and there was increasing concern in Australia.

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Source 6. A map showing South-East Asia and the Pacific and the area which fell under Japanese control by 1942

The British expected an attack on Singapore to come from the sea. There were no permanent defences on the landward side, and Singapore's big guns pointed towards the ocean and couldn't be turned around. However the Japanese advanced by land and the troops moved quickly down the Malay Peninsula, many on bicycles.

Allied troops, including the soldiers of the Australian 8th Division, tried valiantly to hold back the Japanese advance, but were forced down the Malay Peninsula and across to the island of Singapore. Japanese air attacks devastated the island's defences, and Allied resistance was ineffective against the Japanese troops who crossed over the strait from Malaya by boat.

On 15 February 1942, Singapore surrendered and the Japanese captured around 85 000 Allied troops, including 15 000 Australians of the 8th Division. Most became prisoners of war and many died of starvation and illtreatment in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps (see Experiences of prisoners of war).

For Australians, the fall of Singapore was a serious development in the war and most people realised Australia was in danger of being attacked. For the first time, Australia was alone and defenceless. The Prime Minister, John Curtin, called on all Australians to focus their efforts on the war that was now on their doorstep and he made every effort to bring our troops back to Australia to defend the country, despite the opposition of the British Government.

Can you answer?1. What other attacks quickly followed Pearl Harbour? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Who controlled Singapore before 1942? _________________________________________

3. Where did Britain expect an attack to come from? _________________________________

4. How did the Japanese attack Singapore? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What was the fate of the captured Allied troops? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What was the significance of Singapore’s fall for Australia?

THE KOKODA CAMPAIGN July 1942 – January 1943

Following the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in February 1942 and the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, the Japanese planned to occupy Port Moresby in what was then the Australian territory of Papua New Guinea. Some saw this as a step in preparation for invading Australia but for the Japanese it was probably a defensive measure. They could use it as a base to defend the southernmost parts of their empire and as a port to service their ships. Occupying Port Moresby would also prevent it being used by the United States and Australian forces.

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The British expected an attack on Singapore to come from the sea. There were no permanent defences on the landward side, and Singapore's big guns pointed towards the ocean and couldn't be turned around. However the Japanese advanced by land and the troops moved quickly down the Malay Peninsula, many on bicycles.

Allied troops, including the soldiers of the Australian 8th Division, tried valiantly to hold back the Japanese advance, but were forced down the Malay Peninsula and across to the island of Singapore. Japanese air attacks devastated the island's defences, and Allied resistance was ineffective against the Japanese troops who crossed over the strait from Malaya by boat.

On 15 February 1942, Singapore surrendered and the Japanese captured around 85 000 Allied troops, including 15 000 Australians of the 8th Division. Most became prisoners of war and many died of starvation and illtreatment in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps (see Experiences of prisoners of war).

For Australians, the fall of Singapore was a serious development in the war and most people realised Australia was in danger of being attacked. For the first time, Australia was alone and defenceless. The Prime Minister, John Curtin, called on all Australians to focus their efforts on the war that was now on their doorstep and he made every effort to bring our troops back to Australia to defend the country, despite the opposition of the British Government.

Can you answer?1. What other attacks quickly followed Pearl Harbour? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Who controlled Singapore before 1942? _________________________________________

3. Where did Britain expect an attack to come from? _________________________________

4. How did the Japanese attack Singapore? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What was the fate of the captured Allied troops? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What was the significance of Singapore’s fall for Australia?

Source 7 - A map of northern Australia, New Guinea and Papua showing areas under Japanese control and the three Japanese attempts to seize Port Moresby

The fighting that took place in New Guinea in 1942 was the most important that Australian soldiers have ever been involved in. For the only time in our history, Australians were defending their own country and fighting off a direct threat against their homes and loved ones. This time they were not fighting somebody else's war in a distant land. The fighting that took place in New Guinea, an Australian territory since 1920, along what became known as the Kokoda Track, was some of the toughest Australian soldiers have ever experienced.

Success on the Kokoda Track in 1942 saved Australia from a possible invasion and greatly assisted the Allied effort to push the Japanese back. The Kokoda campaign marked the moment when the war had clearly turned against the Japanese in favour of the Allies.

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Source 8 - A map showing some significant places on the Kokoda Trail, and a cross-section showing the mountainous terrain

The Japanese first attempted to seize Port Moresby by a sea and air attack but were defeated in the Battle of the Coral Sea in early May 1942 and the Battle of Midway in early June. However, they did not give up their goal and decided instead to launch a land attack, invading New Guinea in the north and planning to march south to Port Moresby.

Kokoda was just a small village about half-way across New Guinea (see source 7) but it eventually gave its name to the whole campaign. Kokoda was of strategic importance for two reasons:

It was an area of relatively flat land, where an airstrip could be built. Being near the northern edge of the mountain range it was thought

that this could be defended. If the Australians were forced back, the Japanese would have to attack them from below.

However, as sources 8 and 9 demonstrate, this part of Papua New Guinea provided some of the toughest terrain in the world in which to fight.

The trail consisted of a variety of peaks — some up to 2000 metres high — and valleys to cross.

You had to fight your way through dense rainforest. There were hot, humid conditions in the valleys and freezing nights

on the mountain tops. Malaria, dysentery and other tropical diseases flourished in these

conditions.

Defending 19

Source 9 –

A photograph of the Golden Stairs. This was the initial climb from Owers’ Corner up to Imita Ridge. Army engineers had cut out 3000 steps.

New GuineaAustralia was ill-equipped to defend Papua New Guinea. Its trained soldiers had either been fighting for over two years in Africa or the Middle East or were prisoners of war following the fall of Singapore. The military leaders instead had to form a new military force by gathering a group of conscripts and volunteers from within Australia. These young men were poorly equipped and poorly trained. There were no preparations for tropical warfare, and even their khaki uniforms were completely unsuited to tropical conditions, not providing any camouflage in the tropical rainforests. On top of this, they were thrown against a highly trained and determined enemy who for years had known only victory.

June 1942About 400 members of the 39th Division of the Australian militia were sent just north of the Owen Stanley Ranges to secure the airfield at Kokoda. The militia were not professional soldiers. But part of a reserve used for home defence work. Their average age was eighteen and a half. They were dismissively referred to as 'chocos' or 'chocolate soldiers' because it was believed they would melt in the heat of battle when faced with any real enemy.

July

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Source 10 - An Australian soldier describes conditions on the Kokoda Trail

Japanese forces of about 6000 landed at Gona on the coast (see map, source 8) on 21 July and advanced towards Kokoda. They intended advancing across the Owen Stanleys and taking Port Moresby in about two weeks. This was a distance of about 200 km, but the terrain was extremely tough - high mountains and thick jungle.

Over the next few weeks, the Australian militia was pitted against what was arguably the toughest and best trained army in the world

Inexperienced, poorly-supplied, disease-ridden and hungry, these young Australian militia men were all that stood between the Japanese and Port Moresby.

The first battle at Kokoda took place on 29 July. The Australians, who numbered around 1800, withdrew with only a few casualties, but on 8 August they launched a new attack on Kokoda and recaptured it. However, after two days of bitter fighting, the Japanese again forced the Australians back, this time to Isurava (see source 8).

AugustThe Japanese were able to push the Australians aback along the track. The airfield was captured on 11 August. They attacked at Isurava (See below) and Alola (See map Source 8). By now the men of the militia were in a terrible state

It was now that they were replaced by AIF men from the 9th Division who had returned from the Middle East

The Australians were forced back to Menari (See map Source 8) as 7000 Japanese pressed forward.

The Australian forces then moved back to Ioribalwa and established a new defensive position. They then move further back to Imita Ridge

While this was happening other Australian units were fighting the Japanese in the east of the island at Milne Bay

Milne BayDuring 1942 Australian and American forces had set up a new outpost at Milne Bay. The site was a narrow, swampy coastal strip of land on the eastern edge of Papua New Guinea. American engineers constructed three airstrips and on 25 August two RAAF Kittyhawk squadrons arrived.

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Early the next morning the Japanese invaded under the cover of darkness and, despite fierce opposition by Allied forces, they were able to land and bring in heavy equipment such as tanks. Australian and United States forces continued attacking the Japanese and just a week later, on 3 September, the Japanese began to withdraw. This was Japan's first land defeat of World War II.

IsuravaAt the same time that the Japanese forces were landing at Milne Bay, the Japanese forces which had occupied Kokoda now moved south to attack Isurava (see source 8).

The Japanese attacked on 26 August 1942. This attack was launched on the same day that the Australian soldiers at Isurava had been reinforced by soldiers from the AIF 21st Brigade. These new soldiers were seasoned troops who had fought in the Middle East, returned to Australia, and were now redeployed in the Kokoda campaign.

The battle at Isurava lasted four days. About 1800 Australians were confronted by 6000 Japanese. On the last day of fighting a 24-year-old

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Source 11 – A photograph of conditions for Australian soldiers in Milne Bay in 1942. Milne Bay was best known for its mud and mosquitos.

soldier, Bruce Kingsbury, was awarded the Victoria Cross for leading a counterattack against a break in the Australian line. It was the first Victorian Cross awarded on Australian soil. (Papua was at this time Australian territory.) Again, however, the Australians were eventually forced back.

SeptemberDespite strong opposition from the Australian forces, the Japanese kept advancing towards Port Moresby and, three weeks later, on 16 September, they had reached Ioribaiwa (see source 5.21). From here the Japanese could see the lights of Port Moresby. Being close to Port Moresby, they were able to get reinforcements and artillery guns.

However, the fighting had been at great cost to them. Of the 6000 troops in the initial invasion, over 1000 had been killed. Another 3000 were wounded or were too ill to fight. The Japanese were also now suffering from long supplies lines, lack of food and disease.

On the Australian side, reinforcements were beginning to arrive and thing began to move in favour of the Australians. Gradually, they slowly pushed the Japanese back along the track in some of the toughest fighting in the war in horrendous conditionsThe Japanese were ordered by their superiors to withdraw, but even in their withdrawal they continued to fight valiantly.

November On 2 November, the Australians were back in Kokoda. On 16 November Australian and American forces were attacking the Japanese at Buna and Gona (See map Source 8).

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Source 12 - Extract from the translation of a Japanese soldier's diary, believed to be that of Lieutenant Noda Hidetaka, probably of the 3rd Battalion, 144th Japanese Infantry

December & January – Victory for the AustraliansDuring December 1942 and January 1943, the Japanese were defeated at Buna, Gona, and Sanananda by the Australians who had fought them on the Kokoda Track. The Australian Papuan campaign ended on 22 January 1943. The Japanese who had not fought to the death surrendered.

The Papuan campaign ended the threat to Australia. It helped turn the tide of the war against Japan

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CasualtiesIn the Papuan campaign, 2165 Australians were killed. 607 were killed on the Trail, 3533 were wounded, and 29 000 Australian soldiers suffered from tropical disease.

ConditionsNeither the Japanese nor the Australians had a full understanding of the epic journey that faced them over the Owen Stanley Ranges - steep mountain passes, muddy footpaths, raging rivers, malaria-filled swamps. The Trail was nothing more than a track, often only one metre wide. There was almost constant rain (250cm annual rainfall), the humidity was oppressive. Combined with the stifling heat, the environment allowed disease to run rampant. 

 As the soldiers climbed the high peaks, they endured cold temperatures. The ridges and terrain were extreme - the trail would descend 400 metres steeply and then ascend 600 metres almost vertically. The area was also covered with thick jungle vegetation. It could rain for weeks on end so the soldiers were also constantly wet and cold. The rain also turned the track to mud making the soldier’s life even harder.

A range of tropical diseases were contracted by both Australian and Japanese troops. Dysentery, malaria, typhus, pneumonia and diarrhoea were some of the most common ailments plaguing the troops. Doctors were unable to treat the sick and injured. All they could do was administer morphine to help numb the pain. Soldiers also had to contend with flies, mosquitos, leeches and other pest.

Soldiers also suffered from malnutrition and, particularly for Japanese soldiers nearing the end of the campaign, starvation. Australians ate bully beef (a preserved meat) and dry biscuits.

Our soldiers were also ill-equipped. Their light coloured khaki uniforms made it easy for the Japanese to pick Australians out against the dark green jungle. Footwear too, was unsuitable to the terrain. Clothing and footwear did not

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CasualtiesIn the Papuan campaign, 2165 Australians were killed. 607 were killed on the Trail, 3533 were wounded, and 29 000 Australian soldiers suffered from tropical disease.

ConditionsNeither the Japanese nor the Australians had a full understanding of the epic journey that faced them over the Owen Stanley Ranges - steep mountain passes, muddy footpaths, raging rivers, malaria-filled swamps. The Trail was nothing more than a track, often only one metre wide. There was almost constant rain (250cm annual rainfall), the humidity was oppressive. Combined with the stifling heat, the environment allowed disease to run rampant. 

 As the soldiers climbed the high peaks, they endured cold temperatures. The ridges and terrain were extreme - the trail would descend 400 metres steeply and then ascend 600 metres almost vertically. The area was also covered with thick jungle vegetation. It could rain for weeks on end so the soldiers were also constantly wet and cold. The rain also turned the track to mud making the soldier’s life even harder.

A range of tropical diseases were contracted by both Australian and Japanese troops. Dysentery, malaria, typhus, pneumonia and diarrhoea were some of the most common ailments plaguing the troops. Doctors were unable to treat the sick and injured. All they could do was administer morphine to help numb the pain. Soldiers also had to contend with flies, mosquitos, leeches and other pest.

Soldiers also suffered from malnutrition and, particularly for Japanese soldiers nearing the end of the campaign, starvation. Australians ate bully beef (a preserved meat) and dry biscuits.

Our soldiers were also ill-equipped. Their light coloured khaki uniforms made it easy for the Japanese to pick Australians out against the dark green jungle. Footwear too, was unsuitable to the terrain. Clothing and footwear did not

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Significance of Kokoda for Australian Society

 The Kokoda campaign represents the first time in the nation's history that its security was directly threatened. Although it has since become accepted that an invasion of Australia was not possible, or even planned by the Japanese, there was a very real perception at the time in Australia that this threat was real and imminent. As such the Kokoda campaign has come to be viewed by some—albeit perhaps erroneously—as the battle that "saved Australia".

As a result, within the collective Australian psyche, the campaign and particularly the role of the 39th Battalion, has become a key part of modern notions of the Anzac legend. They were seen to embody the same characteristics as the Anzacs in the First World War such as: Bravery, Mateship, Resilience and Resourcefulness in tough conditions. The Battle of Isurava has

The 'Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels' Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels is name given to the caring native carriers of Papua New Guinea. Six hundred Australian lives were lost during the campaign but without the help of the "Fuzzy Wuzzies" the loss would have been much greater.

Not only did they carry the wounded out but they also carried the ammunition, food and other supplies in. With the average load weighing over 40 kgs and often under heavy fire from the Japanese, the Fuzzy Wuzzies battled the terrain and the enemy as they painstakingly carried the wounded over the tough terrain.

The great majority of the 18,000 New Guineans who participated in the campaign did so as carriers of supplies for the Allies, though 800 men from the Papuan Infantry Battalion and the Royal Papuan Constabulary fought against the Japanese in 1942.

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Can You Answer?

1. When did the Kokoda Campaign take place? _____________________________

2. How long did the campaign last? _____________________________________

3. From Source 7 and the text, describe the three attempts the Japanese made to seize Port Moresby, and give the dates of each attempt. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Using Source 8 and the text, explain why control of Kokoda was so important to the war effort. -________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Identify two reasons for the shortage of experienced troops at the start of the New Guinea campaign.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What initial difficulties were faced by the Australians in the campaign? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. What initial advantages did the Japanese have?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Why did the Japanese eventually feel it was necessary to withdraw?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Using the Sources and the text, create a mind map on the following page outlining the conditions of the Kokoda Campaign.

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CON

DITI

ON

S O

F TH

E KO

KODA

CA

MPA

IGN

10. Outline the Significance of the Kokoda Campaign for Australia ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. From the text find the date for each of the following key events in the Papua New Guinea campaign: create a timeline, on the following page, from May to November 1942. Include these events on the timeline:

Battle of the Coral Sea First Australian force arrives to defend Kokoda Initial Japanese attack on Kokoda Japanese attack Milne Bay Japanese begin withdrawal from Milne Bay Japanese advance to Isurava Japanese had reached Isurava Japanese begin withdrawal from Isurava Kokoda recaptured by Australians

(Create your timeline on the following page)

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TIM

ELIN

E O

F EV

ENTS

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Notes

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Cloze activity

Australia entered World War II in September _____________ to loyally support

____________________. Throughout 1941–42, Australian troops fought in North

________________, _______________ and the island of ____________. They were

involved in the lengthy siege of the port city of ___________ and fought alongside British

troops at the Battle of ____________________ in October 1942. In December __________,

the Japanese bombed the US base of ___________ ____________ and then swept through

South East Asia. On _____________________________, 1942 the Japanese captured the

British naval base of ____________________. On ____________________, Japanese

planes attacked Australia for the first time when they bombed _______________. Three

months later, Japanese submarines attacked ______________. Britain Prime Minister,

______________________ and Australian Prime Minister ____________________

disagreed about where AIF troops should fight. They eventually returned to Australia and

then took over from the _________________ who were fighting against the Japanese along

the __________________ Track in New Guinea. Many Australian soldiers spent the war in

POW camps such as ________________ or having to do forced labour, such as on the

_______________ Railway. The Japanese totally ignored the rules of the

_______________ Convention and mistreated their prisoners. The war eventually came to

an end in ___________________ and US General _____________________ took the

formal surrender of the Japanese on 2 September.

15 February Singapore Britain Geneva 19411939 Tobruk Macarthur Burma Crete19 February Kokoda Africa Changi militia1945 Curtin Churchill Darwin SydneyGreece El Alamein Pearl Harbour

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