In Borneo, a little known Australian special forces campaign with a secret colonial agenda goes horribly wrong amid scenes reminiscent of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.  Australia's tribal allies pay a bloody price, and it possibly seals the fate of thousands of Australian and British POWS at the nearby Sandakan prison camp.

In Indochina and the East Indies British Generals free and arm Japanese prisoners of war and use them in savage campaigns that aim to put colonial rulers back into their palaces.  Decisions made in London and Paris set the scene for 30 years of carnage in Vietnam, which will drag in thousands of Australian troops in the years to come.

Phil will take a challenging and surprising look back at both the uncomfortable and the inspiring events of 1945 - and discuss what victory in the Second World War truly meant.   The power of Britain, her dominions like Australia and her empire was critical in defeating great evil during the Second World War. Of that I am certain. But until we understand the full story - warts and all - we cannot arrive at a full reckoning, nor understand why the rest of the world - especially in SE Asia - doesn’t always see our role in the 1940s as ‘heroic underdog’. 

Location

State Library of Western Australia
25 Francis Street, Perth WA 6000

Contact Details

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