Australia 1942: In the Shadow of War

✍ Scribed by Peter Dean; Kim Beazley

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2012
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 276
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

In 1942, the shadow of modern war reached Australia's shores for the first time. In this compelling volume, leading historians explore why 1942 was such a pivotal year in Australia's history, and explain how the nation confronted some of its greatest challenges. This broad ranging study covers key issues from political, economic and home front reform to the establishment of a new partnership with the United States; the role of the Air Force and the Navy; the bombing of Darwin; as well as the battles of Kokoda, Milne Bay, the Beachheads and Guadalcanal. Australia 1942 provides a unique and in-depth exploration of the controversy surrounding the potential for invasion. Japanese and Australian historians offer perspectives on Japanese military intentions and strategies towards Australia and the south Pacific. Generously illustrated, it is essential reading for anyone interested in one of Australia's most decisive and critical years.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
AUSTRALIA 1942 IN THE SHADOW OF WAR
Title
Copyright
Dedication
FOREWORD: The Hon Kim Beazley, AC, Ambassador to the United States of America
CONTENTS
PHOTOS
MAPS
CHARTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CONTRIBUTORS
ABBREVIATIONS
INTRODUCTION
PART I: AUSTRALIA IN 1942
CHAPTER 1 AUSTRALIA IN 1942: A PIVOTAL YEAR
HOW WAS IT THAT AUSTRALIA WAS SO EXPOSED TO INVASION IN 1942?
WHAT WAS THE EFFECT OF THE EVENTS BETWEEN DECEMBER 1941 AND MARCH 1942?
DID JAPAN PLAN TO INVADE AUSTRALIA AND HOW DID AUSTRALIA RESPOND TO THIS THREAT?
WHAT WERE THE PIVOTAL BATTLES OF 1942?
WHAT WAS THE IMPACT OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICANS?
WHAT WAS THE ROLE OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT?
Notes
FURTHER READING
PART 2: RELATIONS, POLITICS AND THE HOME FRONT
CHAPTER 2 WORLD WARS AND THE ANTICIPATION OF CONFLICT: THE IMPACT ON LONG-ESTABLISHED AUSTRALIAN–JAPANESE RELATIONS, 1905–43
THE ACTUAL RELATIONSHIP
THE NATURE OF THE FRIENDSHIP WITHIN AUSTRALIA
FRIENDSHIP AND JAPANESE ‘IMPERIALISM’
BETRAYAL OF FRIENDSHIP
THE RE-INTERPRETATION AND JAPAN’S INTENTIONS
Notes
FURTHER READING
CHAPTER 3 THE OVERLOOKED MISSION: AUSTRALIA AND HOME DEFENCE
AUSTRALIAN UNPREPAREDNESS FOR NATIONAL DEFENCE
RECALIBRATING NATIONAL DEFENCE
GALVANISING AUSTRALIAN STRENGTH
CONCLUSION
Notes
FURTHER READING
CHAPTER 4 THE HOME FRONT AND THE AMERICAN PRESENCE IN 1942
THE ALL-IN WAR EFFORT
THE ARRIVAL OF THE US FORCES
SEXUALITY, RACE AND TURMOIL ON THE HOME FRONT
CONCLUSION
Notes
FURTHER READING
CHAPTER 5 ‘DANGERS AND PROBLEMS UNPRECEDENTED AND UNPREDICTABLE’: THE CURTIN GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO THE THREAT
THE BACK STORY
RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS OF 1941–2
AUSTERITY AND DEDICATION
CONSCRIPTION
CONCLUSION
Notes
FURTHER READING
PART 3: AUSTRALIA UNDER THREAT
CHAPTER 6 THE JAPANESE ARMY’S ‘UNPLANNED’ SOUTH PACIFIC CAMPAIGN
THE JAPANESE ARMY’S PERCEPTION OF THE PACIFIC WAR
THE JAPANESE ARMY’S COMMITMENT OF MAJOR FORCES TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC
THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY THE ARMY IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC
CONCLUSION
Notes
FURTHER READING
CHAPTER 7 JAPANESE STRATEGY AND INTENTIONS TOWARDS AUSTRALIA
VIEWS ON AUSTRALIA
JAPAN MOVES SOUTH
JAPANESE STRATEGIC POLICY MAKING
AUSTRALIA IN PRE-WAR PLANNING
IMPERIAL HEADQUARTERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS AUSTRALIA IN SECOND-STAGE OPERATIONS
COMBINED FLEET ATTITUDES TO AUSTRALIA
THE DEBATE INTENSIFIES
A COMPROMISE SOLUTION
CONCLUSION
Notes
FURTHER READING
CHAPTER 8 THE AIR RAIDS ON DARWIN, 19 FEBRUARY 1942: IMAGE AND REALITY
Notes
FURTHER READING
PART 4: THE WAR ON AUSTRALIA’S DOORSTEP
CHAPTER 9 VANQUISHED BUT DEFIANT, VICTORIOUS BUT DIVIDED: THE RAAF IN THE PACIFIC, 1942
‘NO SHOW AT ALL’
NEW GUINEA
DARWIN
Notes
FURTHER READING
CHAPTER 10 A NOVEL EXPERIENCE: THE RAN IN 1942, DEFENDING AUSTRALIAN WATERS
AUSTRALIAN NAVAL ORDER OF BATTLE IN MARCH 1942
RAN ORGANISATION IN MARCH 1942
RAN OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MARCH 1942
DEFENDING AUSTRALIA
THE BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA, MAY 1942
DEFENDING THE EAST-COAST CONVOYS
MILNE BAY AND THE BATTLE FOR BUNA AND GONA
ASSAULT ON THE SOLOMONS
PREPARING FOR THE ADVANCE, 1942
CONCLUSION
Notes
FURTHER READING
CHAPTER 11 ON AUSTRALIA’S DOORSTEP: KOKODA AND MILNE BAY
Notes
FURTHER READING
CHAPTER 12 ANZACS AND YANKS: US AND AUSTRALIAN OPERATIONS AT THE BEACHHEAD BATTLES
AN EASY VICTORY?
FROM OPTIMISM TO DEFEAT – PHASE I
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
AGAINST ALL ODDS
THE OFFENSIVE CONTINUES
DECISION AT BUNA AND SANANANDA
THE RECKONING
Notes
FURTHER READING
CONCLUSION: 1942 IN REFLECTION
Notes
INDEX