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Australia and the other Dominions declared war to support Britain (September 1939). Few felt actually endangered. Thus Australia was one of the few countries that was involved in the War from the onset. At the time, the War in Europe seemed very far away. Many Australians remembered very well what had happened in World War I and the terrible losses and like the British entered the War reluctantly. It did not at first have a great impact unless they had family members deployed overseas. The Australian Army was sent to the Middle East which helped the hard-pressed British facing the Germans on the Western Front. For many the major impact was rising prices. The fall of France changed the strategic balance (June 1940). And although Britain survived because of the Channel and Royal Air Force, bad news kept coming. The failure of the Greek campaign hit Australia hard as their men were involved (April 1941). The casualties in the Western Desert continued. Then the Japanese menace grew with the seizure of Indo-China. Australians began feeling vulnerable in a way they had not in World War I. The primary feeling had been disgust over the casualties during World War I. Now many began to fear a Japanese invasion. The Australian Government conscripted both men and women into industries essential to the war effort. The Government converted factories to war productions. Many civilians signed up for voluntary work. Political changes occurred. Prime Minister Robert Menzies resigned in favor of Arthur Fadden, the leader of the Country Party (August 1941). The Labour Party leader, John Curtin, became the new Prime Minister (October 1941). He would lead the country through the war. Soon after Japan launched the Pacific War by striking the American naval base at Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941). Japanese forces launched an offensive that would bring them to the borders of Australia. The fall of Singapore (February 1942) removed the bastion that most Australians saw as vital to their defense. Australians suddenly saw the war very differently. The Government and military chiefs braced for a Japanese invasion. The Government began conscripting engineers and laborers into the Civil Construction Corps. They performed a range of tasks, including building landing strips, and roads. This was especially important after Pearl Harbor to connect Darwin where a Japanese invasion was foreseen to the rest of Australia by land. Before the war sea transport had been the major connection. Women began working in the war industries. Many began factory work for the first time. The government using the British example formed the Women�s Land Army. This allowed farmers to replace the men joining the services so agricultural production could be maintained. Food production was an important part of the war effort. After the fall of Singapore, preparations to fight off a Japanese invasion began. The government introduced blackout restrictions (February 1942). Air raid warning instructions were developed and issued. The military began stringing barbed wire across many east coast beaches as the Japanese occupied the Dutch East Indies. The government urged all Australians, men, women and children, to put their backs into the war effort and mobilized the adult civilian population. The government encouraged everyone to go 'all in' to support the war effort. Women enlisted to serve as nurses. Others enlisted in all the services (Air Force, Army and Navy) to serve in support roles, primarily at bases in Australia. Thousands of young women joined the women's auxiliary services - the WAAAF (Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force), the AWAS (Australian Women's Army Service) and the WRANS (Women's Royal Australian Naval Service). Others joined voluntary organizations such as the Red Cross. Others assisted the military to erect and patrol coastal defenses. Civilians also helped spot aircraft and shipping. Children pitched in as well, collecting bottles, newspapers, old tires (rubber with the fall of Malaya was in short supply), and metal, especially aluminum need for aircraft construction. Demand increased exponentially for food and other agricultural products like cotton. Australia not only had to produce, but also finance the war effort. He government issued 'Austerity' war loans. Australia had to supply not only the men serving in the Middle East, but the American troops sent to defend the country. They began arriving in large numbers. Well welcomed, the Americans were accustomed to a life style and diet that Australia struggled to provide. The government introduced rationing (June 1942). Ration books were issued to civilians for food and clothing.
Australia and the other Dominions declared war to support Britain (September 1939). Thus Australia was one of the few countries that was involved in the War from the onset. At the time, the War in Europe was very far away. Many Australians remembered very well what had happened in World War I and the terrible losses and like the British entered the War reluctantly. The War did not at first have a great impact unless they had family members deployed overseas.
The Australian Army was sent to the Middle East which helped the hard-pressed British facing the Germans on the Western Front.
For many the major impact was rising prices.
The fall of France changed the strategic balance (June 1940). And although Britain survived because of the Channel and Royal Air Force, bad news kept coming. Italy entered the War abd invaded Egyot from Libya (Septenber 1940). This meant the australians were in a shooting war and badky iut =numbered. The failure of the Greek campaign hit Australia hard as their men were involved (April 1941). The casualties in the Western Desert continued.
Japan until the outbreak of World War I confined its aggressive actiins to China. This began to change after the Outbreak of World War II, especilly the fall of France (June 1940). The Australian strategic posituin dereriorated when Japan moved into northern Indi-China and began mking demands on Britain and he Dutch. Japan formlly joined the Axis (September 1940). The Japanese menace grew with the seizure of southern Indo-China (September 1941).followed by serious american economic sanctions. Australians began feeling vulnerable in a way they had not in World War I. The primary feeling had been disgust over the casualties during World War I. Now many began to fear Japanese military action in the Pacific. Most felt, however, that the British bastion in Singapore was a barrier to the Japanese. And while the Royal Navy had withdrawn to the Atlantic, there was still the American Pacific Fleet.
The Australian Government conscripted both men and women into industries essential to the war effort. Because of the casualyies in World war I, concription had been a hot-button isue. The Japnese threat changed the thinking of many Australins. Most Australians had rallied to aid Britain during World War I. There was wide spread support for forming a voluntary army to fight in Europe. Conscription was, however, highly controversial. Australian law permitted conscription, but not outside of Australia. There were bitter debates in Parliament as well as street demonstrations. Australian voters in a national vote rejected compulsory military service twice (1916 and 1917). World War II was a very different conflict. The Australian Army was deployed in the Western Dessert when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and moved south toward Australia. For a time only a few American carriers stood between Australia and the Japanese. With the Japanese threat Australia confronted the issue of conscription again. This time the Japanese were moving toward Australia itself and actually invaded New Guinea, an Australian protectorate. Australian conscripts were used there and played a key role in preventing the Japanese from seizing Port Moresby, from where they would have threatened northern Australia. The Cabinet proposed major changes in the conscription law. The Defense (Citizen Military Forces) Act 1943 included provisions allowing the use of in the South West Pacific Area during the War. A provision of the Act provided for the rescinding of this authority 6 months after the end of the War. As the fighting moved away from Australia in 1943, the issue arose of using conscripts in the new theaters further north. As American conscripts were fighting in these areas, still much closer to Australia than America, limitations on conscription seemed to represent a lack of commitment on Australia's part. The Government had the votes in Parliament, but the issue had been so contentious during World War I, Prime Minister Curtin from the Labour Party was reluctant to act. Curtin had been a vocal opponent of conscription in World War I. Instead he staged a debate within the Labour Party. Opposition proved so limited that the Government proceeded to amend the conscription law. The area was expanded, but there was still significant limitations. There proved to be no substantial objection to conscription during the War--in sharp contrast to World War I.
The Government converted factories to war productions. Many civilians signed up for voluntary work.
Political changes occurred. Prime Minister Robert Menzies resigned in favor of Arthur Fadden, the leader of the Country Party (August 1941). The Labour Party leader, John Curtin, became the new Prime Minister (October 1941). He would lead the country through the war. Soon after Japan launched the Pacific War by striking the American naval base at Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941).
The Japanee beginning at Pearl Harbor launched an offensive that would bring them to the borders of Australia. Neitger America or australia were prepared for the offensive unleashedby thge Japanese. The badly underestimate the Japnesese military capability. Guam, Wake, Jong Kong fell in short order. The Japanese defeated the Ausytalian, merican, and Dutch baval firces organized to defend the Dutch East Indiea. The fall of Singapore (February 1942) removed the bastion that most Australians saw as vital to their defense. Australians suddenly saw the war very differently. Only the americans on Batan held out for a few months.
The Australian Government and military chiefs braced for a Japanese invasion. With the fall of Singaporte, the Duch Eat Indues, and New Guinea, Australians suddenly found themselves on the frint line of thecWar.
The Government began conscripting engineers and laborers into the Civil Construction Corps. They performed a range of tasks, including building landing strips, and roads. This was especially important after Pearl Harbor to connect Darwin where a Japanese invasion was foreseen to the rest of Australia by land. Before the war sea transport had been the major connection. And now eith the strngh of the Imperal Fkeet revealed, sea trnsport was no longer reliable. The government introduced blackout restrictions (February 1942). Air raid warning instructions were developed and issued. The military began stringing barbed wire across many east coast beaches as the Japanese occupied the Dutch East Indies. The government urged all Australians, men, women and children, to put their backs into the war effort and mobilized the adult civilian population. The government encouraged everyone to go 'all in' to support the war effort. After the fall of Singapore, preparations to fight off a Japanese invasion began. Civilians also helped spot aircraft and shipping. Most young Australians have no idea about the dangers their country faced at the time. The World War II generation have no doubts about it. Prime Minister Curtin in a radio boroadcast told his country men that even after a Japanese invasion " ... there will still be Australians fighting on Australian soil until the turning point be reached, and we will advance over blackened ruins, through blasted and fire-swept cities, across scorched plains, until we drive the enemy into the sea." (March 14, 1942)
As the first step, the Japanese prepared to seized Port Moresby in southeastern New Guinea which would provide airbases for expanded ir attacks on ustralia. A month after Curin spoke, Americans carriers miraculously (thanks to Magic) appeared in the Coral Sea to repel a Japanese invasion force.
Women began working in the war industries. Many began factory work for the first time. The government using the British example formed the Women�s Land Army. This allowed farmers to replace the men joining the services so agricultural production could be maintained. Women enlisted to serve as nurses. Others enlisted in all the services (Air Force, Army and Navy) to serve in support roles, primarily at bases in Australia. Thousands of young women joined the women's auxiliary services - the WAAAF (Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force), the AWAS (Australian Women's Army Service) and the WRANS (Women's Royal Australian Naval Service). Others joined voluntary organizations such as the Red Cross. Others assisted the military to erect and patrol coastal defenses.
Food production was an important part of the war effort. Demand increased exponentially for food and other agricultural products like cotton. A major problem for Australia was food. Australia was an important food producer. Aftr Pearl Harbor, a major effort was launched by the Americans to save Australia. A stead stream of transportsleft West Coast American ports carry men and material to Australia. Australia as its part of the War effort agreed to feed the
American soldiers. Australia thus had to supply not only the men serving in the Middle East and the new conscripts at home, but the American troops sent to defend the country. The Americans began arriving in large numbers. Well welcomed, the Americans were accustomed to a life style and diet that Australia struggled to provide. Conscription reduced the frm work force. The government had to do introduce rationing (June 1942). Ration books were issued to civilians for both food and clothing. This was important because if america had to ship food for its men, fewer ships would be available for transporting men and equipment. The rations allocated to American units, however, were higher thn fir Austrakian or British units. As American strength in Australia grew, the pressure in the Australian processe food industry grew.
Children pitched in as well, collecting bottles, newspapers, old tires (rubber with the fall of Malaya was in short supply), and metal, especially aluminum need for aircraft construction.
Australia not only had to produce, but also finance the war effort. Australiaat the time of Federation (1901) had almost no public debt. Australia was arare county in which revenues exceeded expendutures. The first subtantial public debt was incurred to build a railway (1911). South Australia helped finance a railway in the Northern Territories, a rail line from Port Augusta to Oodnadatta. The debt was assumed by the Australian National Governent, the ustralian Office of Financial Management (AOFM). World War I brought the need for massive public financing for the first time. This led to the first public bond issue (1915). War bonds reffered to as War Savings Certificates were sold to individuals. As a result, Australia found itself with a debt of about 50 percent of GDP. A sustantial portion of this was raised in London finanxial markts. The Government began paying down until the Depression hit (1929). In the inter-War era, the Australian Government turned to foreign borrowing. Australia was paying down the World War I and Depression debt to about 40 percent of GDP when World war II broke out (1939). This time the war needswere much and were largely met by domestic borrowing. Again War Savings Cerifucates were old. The Givernmnt also issued Austerity war loans. By the end of the War, the Gross Australian Government debt increased some 120 per cent of GDP (1945). [Dimarco, Et. al..]
Di Marco, Katrina, Mitchell Pirie, and Wilson Au-Yeung. "A history of public debt in Australia" (Budget Policy Division, the Australian Treasury). The authors work for the Australian Tresury, but the documnt is a private undertaking and not an official ustralin Treasury publication.
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