Shelter from the Storm? Refugees to Australia during 1942

In the early months of 1942, many ships and planes fled Southeast Asian countries before the invading Japanese, seeking refuge in Northern Australia. In this course, we study the events leading up to these evacuations, and key events such as the Japanese raids on Darwin and Broome, together with stories of survival.

DELIVERY MODE

• Hybrid (F2F & Online simultaneously)

SUGGESTED READING

• Dutch refugees, Broome Historical Society & Museum - https://broomemuseum.org.au/broome-during-world-war-ii/dutch-refugees/
• The Naval Evacuation of Singapore - February 1942, Naval Historical Society of Australia

COURSE OUTLINE

• War in the Pacific in 1941/2 - a summary of Pearl Harbour, Australia’s involvement, and the rapid Japanese conquests of Malaya, the Philippines, Singapore and the Dutch East Indies.
• The colonial settlements - attitudes to the Japanese and native populations – Japan’s concept of a ‘Greater East Asia Prosperity Sphere’
• The flight from danger - some key statistics and events
• The arrival in Australia
• Japanese raids on Broome and Darwin
• Macarthur’s departure from the Philippines and arrival in Australia
• Later settlements in Australia (post War)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Recognise the rapidly changing situation in the Pacific in 1941/2 and how Australia came under threat from the Japanese
2. Increase/gain an understanding of the importance of ports in Northern Australia for those able to flee invaded countries