Research Catalog

Title

Invading Australia : Japan and the battle for Australia, 1942 / Peter Stanley.

Author

Stanley, Peter, 1956-

Publication

Camberwell, Vic. : Viking, 2008.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

x, 307 p., [24] p. of plates : ill. (some col.), facsims., maps; 23 cm.

Summary

"1942 was a key year in Australia's history. For the first time, it seemed that young White Australia, an outpost of empire clinging to the edge of the world, was about to be invaded by the Japanese. In that one year, Darwin was bombed, submarines torpedoed ships in Sydney Harbour and brave militiamen died on the Kokoda Trail. Each year, more and more Australians celebrate Anzac Day and honour the lives of those who fought. There is even a push to create a new public holiday, in remembrance and celebration of the battle for Australia. But was there ever really such a battle, and how close did Australia actually come to being invaded? Invading Australia provides a comprehensive, thorough and well-argued answer to these and other questions. Peter Stanley examines the history of Australian attitudes to Japan before, during and after World War II, and uses archival sources to show that Japan scrapped any invasion plans early in 1942, although the propaganda war on both sides perpetuated the belief that invasion was still likely. He also shows that there never was any particular battle for Australia, but rather a worldwide fight for freedom and democracy that has allowed the West to enjoy great prosperity in the decades since 1945."--Provided by publisher.

Subjects

• Military history
• 1939-1945
• World War > (1939-1945)
• Australia > History, Military > 1939-1945
• Imaginery wars and battles
• World War, 1939-1945 > Japan
• World War, 1939-1945 > Campaigns > Pacific Ocean

Genre/Form

Military history

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Should foreign foes e'er sight our coasts : the idea of a Japanese invation before 1942 -- Nearness of our peril : Australia and the threat of invation, 1942 -- Historical fact which never existed : Invasion in history and memory after 1942.

ISBN

• 9780670029259 (hbk.)
• 0670029254 (hbk.)

OCLC

• 233824576
• SCSB-11683830

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library