ABC - When the War Came to Australia (1991) Part 3 Saviours, Heroes, Lovers Our New Allies

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.

Part 3 Saviours, Heroes, Lovers Our New Allies

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?

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