ABC - When the War Came to Australia (1991)

This four part series, as seen on ABC TV, tells the story from the point of view of ordinary Australians on the Home Front during World War II. Personal recollections, rare archival footage and the music of the time combine to create an evocative and haunting picture of this unique picture in Australian history.
This social history of the impact of World War II on Australia focuses on how the war was greeted on the homefront; the reaction to the arrival of the Americans; the fears generated by the bombing of Darwin and Japanese submarines in Sydney Harbour; the PoW experience; and the roles and challenges the war presented to women. Although more Australians were killed in the World War I than in World War II, many more Australians were directly affected by the World War II. It continued two years longer, it was closer to home, the enemy actually attacked Australian soil and greater demands were made upon the economy.
This ABC television series contains the recollections of hundreds of people interviewed about their feelings and experiences of war in Australia. "When the War Came to Australia" presents the shared experiences of millions of Australians who did not serve overseas, but contributed in their own ways to the war effort.

Directed by Peter Butt ; Look Television Productions Ltd with Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Part 1: Our Melancholy Duty: A Nation Goes to War
In this first episode, Britain's war with Germany rallies the Empire to her side. On September 4th 1939, Britain declared war on Nazi Germany, following the 'blitzkrieg' on Poland. And, just as in 1914, the British Empire was also at war. Consequently, in the spirit of ANZAC thousands of young–and not so young– Australian men volunteered to serve in the 2nd AIF, as their fathers and uncles had enlisted in the 1st Australian Imperial Forces a quarter of a century earlier. Mothers and wives take up traditional supporting roles and the Women's Services are formed. Soon the casualty lists begin to appear in daily newspapers as Aussie troops face their first defeats. The heartbreak and dread begin; how much worse can it get? Was this a preview of things to come?

Part 2: Our Darkest Hour: The War Hits Home
Little did Australians realise that the War would soon come to our shores, following the Japanese attack on the US Pacific Fleet berthed at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii on December 7th 1941. The true horror of war hits home. For the first time Australia was bombed by an enemy as bombs fell on Darwin, Broome and other northern Australian towns. Sydney was shelled from offshore. The same Japanese aircraft and pilots that bombed Pearl Harbour now attack the north of Australia and Darwin is devastated. Britain's failure to defend Singapore betrays Australia's long held belief that the Mother Country will always come to her defence. Our nation was forced to turn to the United States, as Malaya and 'fortress' Singapore were captured by the rapidly advancing Japanese. Prime Minister John Curtin rallied the Nation behind the war effort and the men serving overseas. This is Australia's darkest hour.

Part 3: Saviours, Heroes, Lovers: Our New Allies
The Yanks are here! "Over paid! Over sexed! And Over here!" The Yanks arrived in their tens of thousands, initially receiving a warm welcome "Down Under". Australians breathe a sigh of relief and welcome them into their homes and their lives. Australian women are charmed by their uniforms and gifts of nylon stockings, but the Australian men resent them and their success. Conflict was inevitable in the streets of Sydney and Brisbane. General McArthur takes over the Pacific war, becoming the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Pacific and inspires the country. Normal life is put on hold as the men are away fighting in the Pacific and North Africa and the women work longer hours. Life in Australia became grim as rationing of essential items began to restrict everyday activities. Life is very hard with little leisure. Surely it was meant to be better than this?

Part 4: The Long War: Counting the Cost
The war is ending, and Australians must face the consequences of over six years of war - a toll of shattered lives and limbs and unrealised dreams. After Victory in the Pacific, it is a weary nation that welcomes its soldiers home. Australia was changed forever by the War. Australians moved away from 'Home'- Britain and the Empire and moved as closer and more permanent links were forged across the Pacific. The beginnings of closer relations with the nations of Asia, which were soon to become independent, began to emerge. The war years have changed forever the way Australians see themselves and their future relationship to America. What did the six years of war mean to the average Aussie, and how did it affect their lives?