World War Two (1939-45)

In the years following World War One, Britain, France and other European powers had acquiesced to Germany's determination to reacquire territories lost under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. However, in response to Germany's invasion of Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany on 2 September 1939. As with the First World War, Australia entered the Second World War through its ties with Britain. Italy and Japan, both countries with expansionist policies (Italy in northern Africa and Japan in the Pacific), entered the war on Germany's side - Italy in 1940 and Japan in 1941. As a result, unlike the First World War in which the hostilities were primarily in Europe, with far more countries drawn into the Second World War and the conflicts involving Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen covered much of the globe.

Approximately one million Australian men were in forces in the 1939-45 war; of these, 54,660 were South Australians. This represented 43 per cent of eligible South Australians.

Despite the greater numbers involved in the Second World War, Australian casualties were much lower than in earlier wars. In the war of 1939-45, 27,291 men and women were killed and approximately 40,000 were wounded.

One of the largest categories of casualties was the prisoners of war. Between 1942 and 1945, 22,576 Australians were taken prisoner by the Japanese and only 14,256 survived the war. In the European sphere, of the 7,829 captured, 5,576 were alive when hostilities ended.

3,363 South Australians were killed in the Second World War, representing 8.6 percent of total Australian casualties (source: RSL Virtual War Memorial).

See our Military Resources Library Guide for more resources about World War Two.

The experiences of many South Australians taken prisoners are recorded in diaries, letters, and records, which are now kept in the archival collection of the State Library. They tell stories of great courage, loyalty to comrades and the ability to retain a sense of humour even under the most extreme circumstances.

After the Japanese entered the Second World War in late 1941, and particularly after the bombing of Darwin in February 1942 when the threat to Australia seemed more imminent, much began to happen on the home front including air raid precautions (or ARP). In Adelaide, trenches were dug in public places, such as Victoria Square, and residents were encouraged to construct shelters at home. Air raid wardens were appointed in each district and trained by organisations such as the Defence Society. Natalia Davies had predicted the need for a civil defence society in 1933. On 25 February of that year Natalia convened a meeting to discuss the 'necessity of preparing for warfare on civilians by securing gas-masks and building fortifications' which led to the formation of the Defence Society. The Society also trained volunteers as 'roof watchers'. Blackouts were introduced and air raid drills were practised in suburban streets. Children rehearsed air raid response procedures at school and collected scrap metal and rubber to be recycled.

Civilians often participated in voluntary work and women went to work in traditionally male areas, such as the armed services, farming and other essential industries. In Adelaide many women worked in munitions factories at Hendon and Penfield. Women also joined women's auxiliary branches of the armed forces.
 

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