Significant events and the experiences of Australians at war (WORLD WAR 2 ONLY HERE)- Flashcards
what are prisoners of war ?
Australian forces that were captured and made POW at two main theaters of war
where were they captured ?
Greece and Crete in 1941 and the fall of Singapore in 1942
conditions of Greece and Crete in 1941
More than 3 000 Australian troops were made POW to the Germans
The Germans treated their POW in compliance with the Geneva Convention They could receive mail Healthy amounts of food Medical attention Access by the International Red Cross
conditions of the fall of Singapore in 1942
The entirety of the 8th Australian Infantry Division (1/4 of the AIF) was captured and made POW to the Japanese
The Japanese treated their POW terribly, not in compliance with the Geneva Convention
They were starved
No medical attention
Often executed and/or tortured
Forced to work as salve labor in Japan, Singapore and on the Thai-Burma railway
No outside communication
The International Red Cross was not notified of their POW status
what were the two most significant battles of The New Guinea campaign 1942
Milne Bay as it was the first time the Japanese were defeated by Allied forces on land
Kokoda Trail as it protected Port Moresby and thus Australia from the Japanese
why were they so significant and hard battles to fight in the New Guinea campaign
Extreme terrain, Difficult weather conditions, Tropical diseases, Limited access to supplies, Constant fear of the enemy,
what were the roles of women
integral in the nursing and caring for injured soldiers throughout all theatres of war,
Women often ran comfort stations to boost confidence,
Women back at home created care packages to be sent to the soldiers,
Assisted in propaganda and encouraged men to enlist,
Worked in many roles throughout different areas of the military in auxiliary services,
women worked in armament factories, producing military goods,
Women joined the Australian Land Army,
Entertainment,
explain the Participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were allowed to enlist to fight in the war however they still faced restrictions due to discrimination,
Indigenous people really only had the option to fight in infantry positions,
Many Torres Strait Islanders, especially, were keen to fight and defend their home territory with the increasing threat of the Japanese
Between 1942 and 1945 nearly 1 000 Torres Strait Islanders joined the Australian military forces
They eventually became their own battalion known as the Torres Strait Light Infantry
