Nazi invasion of Poland. September 1, 1939 September 27, 1939 (Date of Polish surrender)

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1 Total War

2 Phases of WW2 The Second World War is usually considered to have begun with the German invasion of Poland on 3 September 1939 though one can trace the sequence of events back to the German invasion of Czechoslovakia on 15 March 1939 and the British and French pledge to support Poland on 29 March. The war spread to the Pacific with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on 7 December The war in Europe ended on 8 May 1945 (VE Day) when the Germans signed the official surrender that had been offered the previous day. The war in the Pacific ended with the decision on 14 August 1945 and the announcement by the Emperor of Japan in a broadcast to his people on 15 August 1945 (VP day) that Japan would accept the Allies ultimatum to surrender. The formal surrender to General Douglas MacArthur in Tokyo Bay followed on 2 September (VJ Day).

3 Nazi invasion of Poland September 1, 1939 September 27, 1939 (Date of Polish surrender)

4 The Phony War September 1939 to May 1940

5 The fall of France and the Battle of Britain May 1940 to October 1940

6 War on several fronts and the attack on the Soviet Union November 1940 to August 1941

7 The continuing war in the Soviet Union and increasing tension leading to War in the Pacific August to December 1941

8 The Japanese march southward and the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway December 1941 to June 1942

9 German defeats in the Soviet Union and North Africa and the turning of the tide in the Pacific July 1942 to February 1943

10 The lead up to the opening of a second front in Europe February 1943 to June 1944

11 The landing at Normandy leading to the final collapse of Nazi Germany June 1944 to May 1945

12 The dropping of the atomic bombs and the Japanese surrender - July to August 1945

13 Phases of war the soldiers experience Enlistment Different reaction in 1939 to 1914 much more realistic view of war. But many reasons for enlistment the same: Loyalty, Patriotism, Shame, Sense of Adventure. Also, change from hardships of previous 10 years unemployment & poverty. 2 nd AIF named Oct 9 th 1939

14 Phases of war the soldiers experience Middle East Defence of Suez 1940 (against Italians) Dec Mar 1941 Italians pushed back into Libya New nature of desert war fast open warfare importance of air April/May 1941 diversion of troops to hopeless Greek cause. Many troops captured German POW camps. Tobruk 1941 best qualities of Aust. troops shown El Alamein Oct/Nov 1942

15 Phases of war the soldiers experience Conscription 1943 quality of troops remains high Similarities to WW1: Many similarities Middle East, disastrous campaigns, use of shock troops, admirable qualities Foreign commanders (British orders 40-42, US 42-45) Difference to WW1: After 1942 Defence against invasion Use of conscripts New theatre of war

16 Phases of war the soldiers experience Pacific Recall of troops from Middle East Dec 1941 Feb 15 th fall of Singapore loss of Aust. 8 th Div. (15000 men horrors of Jap. POW camp (Changi & Burma railway) War in New Guinea & Pacific Islands Jungle warfare Australians adapt well Imita Ridge, Kokoda Trail & Milne Bay June Nov 1942 Driving Japanese back MacArthur s leapfrogging Australians given worst jobs to save Am. lives? Again Aust. troops under foreign command.

17 Difficulty of definition: Total War Allocation and direction of all resources: human, natural, capital to war effort. Arguable if this can ever be TOTAL, so extent of total war subject to interpretation. Amount of compulsory coercion Extent of voluntary action Impact of war on lives of people in country at war In Aust , the level of total war is best seen in 3 stages: Dec Dec 1941 May May 1944 Sept 1945

18 Total War stage Dec 1941 Menzies call: business as usual But some regulations: National Security Act 9 Sept 1940 Business as usual Work little change in employment structure Leisure films, football, cricket Retail sales bumper xmases 1939 & 1940 Recruitment slows Apathy toward air-raid precautions (ARP)

19 Regulations: Some effects Censorship Stage 1 cont. Treatment of aliens registration reserved / essential & non-reserved / non-essential occupations June 1940 Petrol rationing 1940

20 Stage 2 Dec 1941-March 1944 Response to Japanese threat of invasion Impact on people: a) Fear b) Bombings Darwin (243 killed), Broome, Port Hedland c) Shellings Brisbane, Sydney d) Submarines in Sydney Harbour e) Evacuation voluntary (call for compulsory) f) Enlistment militia, AIF, volunteer forces (VDC, WANS) g) Sacrifices voluntary, compulsory

21 Stage 2 cont. Compulsory regulations: 29 th Jan 1942 est. of Directorate of Manpower Peoples employment subject to priorities est. by directorate. People could be moved from one job to another depending on importance to war (e.g. munitions) I.D. cards compulsory at all times Rationing: Beer/spirits March 1942 Clothing May 1942 Sugar Aug 1942 Butter June 1943 Meat Jan 1944 Conscription March 1943 limited area

22 Stage Peak of regulations etc. passed Diversion of man power to areas such as housing/food production Decline in troop numbers