Setting the Scene: Australia and Japan (13)

Australia at 2.97 million square miles, is about the area of the United States minus the state of Alaska.  It is considered the world's smallest and driest continent.  Most of the interior is flat and desert or semi-arid.  Brisbane is located in the middle of the east coast, and at the southern edge of Queensland, a state that is about the same size as Alaska.  The temperature is moderate, and the average annual rainfall is about 42 inches which falls mainly in the summer months of November through March.  The population of Brisbane in 1942 was about 750,000

According to A Pocket Guide to Australia published by the War and Navy Departments in 1943 (which I mentioned in yesterday's blog), annual per capita consumption of wheat and flour in the U.S. was 160 lbs, while in Australia it was 203 lbs.  In the U.S., 1/2 lb of tea and 13 lbs of coffee were consumed; in Australia, 7 lbs of tea and 1/2 lb of coffee.  Meat consumption was as follows: beef (U.S.) 63 lbs, (Australia) 112 lbs; lamb or mutton (U.S.) 7 lbs, (Australia) 81 lbs; pork (U.S.) 55 lbs, (Australia) 19 lbs.  Americans made up the calories by eating lots more fruit and leafy vegetables. Both countries probably had a similar sweet tooth.

In January 1942 the American British Dutch Australian Command (ABDACOM) was formed to oversee the Southwest Pacific Area and was placed under British control.  At the time the goal was purely defensive since "Europe First" had been decided upon by the British and Americans.  President Roosevelt felt that even though the U.S. had been attacked by Japan, American commitment should be first against Germany.  He had concerns about the ability of Russia to hold up against Germany and he wanted to keep Great Britain free. He also thought Germany would continue the war with or without Japan.

In early 1942 Japan seized various small islands in the south Pacific, as well as Borneo, Singapore, and ports of New Guinea (including Finschhafen on March 11, 1942, which will be important to the 92nd Evac later).  The ABDACOM was dissolved only a few months after it was formed when most of the area to be overseen was conquered by the Japanese.  At this point the Australian politicians discussed establishing a defensive line at Brisbane,  thus effectively  conceding half of the continent to Japan if they were attacked.  They were in a difficult position because most of their ground troops had been committed by Great Britain to fighting in the Middle East.

General Douglas MacArthur was evacuated from Corregidor Island in the Philippines in March, and the Philippines were surrendered to Japan in May 1942.  After arriving in Australia, MacArthur was not willing to participate in passive defense.  His strategy was to take control of the area, starting with New Guinea, and eventually to take back the Philippines.

Gene describes sailing up the estuary to Brisbane,  and finding their spot in Camp Ascot in his diary:

July 13, 1943 (Tuesday)
     We came part way up the estuary, inside the submarine nets and anchored last night.  I was up by 6 (the men made so much noise) and we were moving up the channel then, and it is a narrow channel between low islands, but quiet as a mill pond.  In fact, as soon as we came inside the bay it was quiet.  It was quite a ways up the river to the docks - 10 miles or so.  We were all excited to see land.  Last night everyone rushed to one side and darn near capsized the boat.  They warned everyone to stay on his own side.  I was relly alarmed, because it took a terrific list when they had to make sharp turns.  We tied up to the dock about 7.
     I had to get the detail for the baggage and unloaded it last, so I didn't get off the boat until 11.  We had a right-handed truck and our education to Australia began.  We drove to section H, Camp Ascot, about 1 1/2 miles from the dock.  The rest of the men and officers had to walk, so I had a ride for my trouble [according to nurse Edith Anderson, the nurses rode by government bus to Camp Columbia] We drove all over camp looking for our outfit and finally [after] about 3/4 of an hour located us.  We went to eat at once.

The area outside the turf track at Eagle Farm Race Track,
the interior of which was called Camp Ascot in WWII

     This camp is in a race track which is quite elaborate and new.  It was finished just before the war in '39.  We have only the inside area.  The beautiful turf tracks are left undisturbed.  Of course it is all dead-looking now, it being winter.  On the way up we passed some perfectly huge poinsettias in bloom - actually trees with big trunks!  The large grandstands house officers.  The mess is not too hot!  We pay a ration plus 1 bob (1/) (shilling, = 16¢) extra a day.
     We had an orientation lecture from 1:30 to 4:15 which was a series, and very instructive.  "I'm knocked up.  Go jazz my sister." means "I'm tired out.  Go dance with my sister."  The lady who says she gets a good screw each week means she has a good wage each week!
     We signed in and I had a $10 bill converted - £3, 1/ and 11d.
     I sent Beth a canned cablegram for 44¢.  I couldn't tell in it where we were (that can only be put in letters), and mailed letters.

In a cable to Mary X sent on 16 July 1943 (Friday), Beth writes: CARD FROM MERCY INDICATES SHE RECEIVED ALL WELL CABLE FROM DICK WEDNESDAY.  NO DETAILS JUDGE IT WAS FROM AUSTRALIA.  AT LEAST BOAT IS SAFE AND IM SURE GENE IS TOO.  CANT UNDERSTAND WHY NO CABLE FOR ME.  AM WIRING MOM.  THANKS FOR KANSASCITY CARD LOVE TO ALL= ELIZABETH.

We have tents, wooden floors and some have cots.  Open air cold showers and wash stands (we can use the officers' showers at times with hot water - Christie and I did.  Was it nice!)  There was a movie last night but I was too tired.