‘Freedom is independence of the compulsory will of another; and in so far as it can coexist with the freedom of all according to universal law, it is the one sole original, inborn right belonging to every man in virtue of his humanity.  There is indeed, an innate equality belonging to every man which consists in his right to be independent of being bound by others to anything more than that which he may also reciprocally bind them’.

 
 

 
 

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)

 
 

 

Kant, I., 1787. ‘The Science of Right; First part – Private right’, Great Books of the Western World, No. 42, Robert Maynard Hutchins (ed), William Benton, London, p.402.

 
   
   
 Research Proposal:
Under Threat; Australia 1941 -1945		 
 


Dr Michael MacLellan Tracey BA (ANU), PhD (ANU)

 
   
 

Arguably the torrid years of the War in the Pacific saw many ‘country towns’ in Australia become cities and many villages become towns. In short the country struggled into adulthood. It remains a blight upon the heritage industry that so many extant remains of this pivotal era in Australia’s history has been and continues to be destroyed without as much as a second thought. Volumes have been written on the historical. However, minimal research has  been base upon the investigation, analysis and interpretation of the remaining physical evidence of Fortress Australia.

Defence sites, many having their origins in World War II (WWII), are scattered throughout  Australia. Many has succumbed to developers, neglect, ravages of the climate, political disinterest and of course time. While the broader scale of defences lies within the mainland it is also necessary to consider the land of our offshore allies and neighbours as events in this areas dramatically impacted on the defence of and threat to our nation. However, primary interest must lie on the ‘Boomerang’ formed by the eastern coast communities from Brisbane to Adelaide. This defence system must not been seen as individual fortifications or establishments but a interconnected and interdependent defence network formed by necessity, ordered by politicians and built by the people.

Most the defences were never used but do severe as reminder as to how close Australia came to being denied her sovereignty. Many questions remain unanswered with the defences and the defence system during these years. The questions lie in Australian, Japanese and American political intention and personal egos that manifest themselves in the physical landscape of WWII.

Elements to be examined, researched and interpreted include:

The Political, diplomatic and security systems (Japanese, Australian and American) of the era;

Financial system of the era;

The class structure of Australia prior to WWII and during the war;

The Japanese presence in Australia prior to the war e.g airstrips and mapping of coastline in Queensland and the Northern Territory;

The advent of Japanese aggression and the immediate effect upon Australia;

Defence preparations in eastern Australia;

Defence support e.g manufacturing, hospitals, goals, railways, and shipping;

The ‘Enemy Within’ – the internment of Prisoners of War on mainland Australian, the possible treat of escape and gorilla warfare e.g Cowra, Hay, Tatura etc;

The Brisbane Line;

MacArthur’s occupation e.g. buildings built, modified or occupied by American and Australian forces;

The industries established to support the expulsion of the Japanese in the near north e.g. munitions manufacture, aircraft construction, wharves, shipbuilding, building and assault landing craft, etc;

Assembly area for Naval forces, troop and munitions transport e.g. Whitsunday Islands; Townsville and Cairns;

Physical evidence of Japanese aggression and attacks on Australian e.g the bombing of Townsville, Darwin and Mackay;

Airbases supporting home defence and the Pacific campaigns e.g The Battle of the Coral Sea;

The repatriation of military forces, the soldier settlement areas, conversion of defence assets to civilian manufacture.

 










                                                                                          


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Saturday, 16 July 2011