Lyla Lindsey
Australia's involvement in wars has been influenced by its historical ties to the British Empire and its strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region. During World War I, Australia entered the conflict alongside the British Empire when Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914. In World War II, Australia initially followed Britain's lead again, declaring war on Germany in 1939 and committing forces to support Britain. However, the threat posed by Japan in the Pacific became a significant concern for Australia, leading to its declaration of war on Japan in 1941 after Japanese attacks on US and British territories across the region. This marked a shift towards a more independent defence posture for Australia and a closer relationship with the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 8 December 1941 |
| Country/Entity Australia declared war on | Japan |
| Reason | Unprovoked attacks by Japanese naval and air forces on British and US territories in the Asia-Pacific region |
| Other countries at war with Japan | United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Netherlands East Indies |
| Australian Prime Minister | John Curtin |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's support for Britain in World War I and World War II
Australia's support for Britain during World War I and World War II was significant and wide-ranging. In both conflicts, Australia's membership of the British Empire ensured strong public support for Britain, although this was not universal.
World War I
In World War I, Australia's Prime Minister, Andrew Fisher, immediately promised support for Britain, stating that Australia would be committed 'to the last man and the last shilling'. This was met with enthusiasm by a pro-war faction in Australia, with a crowd of 3,000 young men rioting in support of Britain following the announcement of Australia's official involvement. Australia's first action of the war was the capture of German New Guinea, where they dismantled German communication systems.
World War II
Australia's support for Britain continued into World War II. On 3 September 1939, Britain declared war on Germany, and Australia, by default, followed suit. Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies asked the British government to notify Germany that Australia was an associate of the United Kingdom. Australia raised a volunteer force, the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF), and sent the 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions overseas to support Britain. Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen fought alongside Britain in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, and Crete.
Despite long-held fears that Japan would enter the war on Germany's side, the Australian government also sent Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircrews and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships to fight for Britain. Australia's support for Britain in World War II was, however, more ambivalent than in World War I. There was little enthusiasm for the war, and Australia's foreign policy shifted from Britain towards the United States.
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The Australian government's fear of a Japanese invasion
However, the Imperial Japanese Army rejected the proposal, arguing that invading Australia would require a force of at least ten divisions, or between 150,000 and 250,000 men. They believed that any invasion of Australia would have to involve an attempt to conquer the entire continent, which was beyond Japan's capabilities. Prime Minister Hideki Tojo consistently opposed invading Australia, stating that they did not have the armed strength or supply facilities to mount such an operation. Instead, Tojo favoured isolating Australia by cutting its lines of communication with the United States.
Despite the opposition within the Japanese military and government, the Australian government, military, and people were deeply alarmed by the possibility of a Japanese invasion, especially after the fall of Singapore in February 1942. This fear led to an expansion of Australia's military and war economy, as well as closer links with the United States. The Australian government also launched propaganda campaigns to warn of the imminent threat, which may have been exaggerated for political gain.
In his address to the nation on 8 December 1941, Australian Prime Minister John Curtin declared war on Japan, citing the threat posed by Japan to Australian interests and the need to protect the rights of free people in the Pacific. While military historians argue that Japan did not intend to invade Australia, the fear of invasion was a recurring theme in Australian history during World War II.
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Australia's declaration of war on Japan
On December 7, 1941, Japanese bombers struck Hawaii, and the following day, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. This led the United States and Great Britain to declare war on Japan.
On December 9, 1941, one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Australia's Prime Minister John Curtin declared war on Japan. This was the first time Australia had ever independently declared war on another country. In his announcement, Prime Minister Curtin stated:
> The Australian Government and its representatives abroad have struggled hard to prevent a breakdown of this kind. We did not want war in the Pacific. The Australian Government has repeatedly made it clear, as have the Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the Netherlands East Indies, that if war came to the Pacific it would be of Japan's making. Japan has now made war.
Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, democracies had been working to maintain peace in the Pacific. The democracies involved included the United States, the United Kingdom, and the British and Dominions Governments. However, when the President of the United States attempted to communicate directly with the Japanese Emperor to appeal for peace, Japan's war government, bent on aggression, shattered the century-old friendship between the two countries.
Following the outbreak of war in the Pacific, elements of the Australian I Corps, including the 6th and 7th Divisions, returned to Australia in early 1942 to counter the perceived Japanese threat. The Australian military was relatively small, with the Australian Army comprising a cadre of 3,000 men and 80,000 part-time militiamen, the Royal Australian Navy equipped with a modest number of ships, and the Royal Australian Air Force, the weakest of the services, possessing 246 aircraft. Despite this, Australian units participated in several battles against the Japanese, including in Malaya, Ceylon, and the Territory of Papua.
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Australia's independent defence attitude
Australia's declaration of war on Japan in 1941 marked a shift towards a more independent defence attitude. This new attitude was in contrast to Australia's previous entry into the war against Germany in 1939, when Prime Minister Menzies announced that because Britain was at war, Australia was too.
In his address to the nation, Prime Minister John Curtin outlined the government's reasons for going to war with Japan, including the threat posed by Japan to Australian interests and the diplomatic efforts by the United States and its allies to secure peace. The declaration of war on Japan signalled Australia's willingness to take a more independent stance on defence matters, even if it went against the wishes of Britain. This shift in attitude also marked the beginning of a closer relationship with the United States.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia and its national interests. It consists of three branches: the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). During World War II, Australian naval, ground, and air units frequently served as part of single commands, highlighting the importance of joint warfare. Despite this, the Australian government rejected proposals for the appointment of a commander-in-chief of the three services, and the independent chains of command remained in place.
Following World War II and the Vietnam War, there was a growing recognition of the need for an integrated command structure to improve coordination between the services. In 1973, the Secretary of the Department of Defence, Arthur Tange, recommended the unification of the separate departments supporting each service under a single Department of Defence. This led to the establishment of the ADF in 1976, bringing the three services under a single headquarters while maintaining their independent chains of command.
The ADF has continued to evolve, with the inclusion of women in the military during World War II and the gradual integration of women into all roles. The ADF is also subject to government legislation and public opinion, which influence its policies and operations. Overall, Australia's declaration of war on Japan and the subsequent shift in defence attitude demonstrated the country's willingness to make independent decisions regarding its national security and forge its own path in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Australia's contribution to the war effort
On the domestic front, the war galvanised the Australian economy, leading to full employment and the establishment of new industries. The Curtin Government launched an 'Austerity' campaign in 1942, and propaganda promoted the concept of "equality of sacrifice", with people on the home front expected to make economic and social sacrifices. Women were also given new opportunities to contribute to the war effort, although during the early years of the war, they were generally unable to make an official impact.
During World War I, Australia's military efforts were also notable. Despite initial tactical mistakes and avoidable casualties due to inexperience, the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) gained a reputation as a well-trained and highly effective fighting force. They endured over two years of intense fighting on the Western Front, playing a significant role in the final Allied victory in 1918, as part of the wider British Empire war effort.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia entered World War I in support of Britain, which had declared war on Germany in August 1914. As a dominion of the British Empire, Australia was automatically also at war.
Australia entered World War II in support of Britain, which had declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939. Australia raised a volunteer force, the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF), and sent the 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions of the AIF overseas to fight the Germans, Italians and Vichy French.
Australia declared war on Japan in response to coordinated attacks by the Japanese on United States and British territories across the Asia-Pacific region. This included the bombing of the United States naval base at Pearl Harbour, as well as attacks on Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines and British Malaya.
Australia's declaration of war on Japan marked a shift towards a more independent attitude towards its own defence. This was in contrast to earlier instances, such as the entry into World War I and World War II, when Australia followed Britain's lead.
