World War 2 Flashcards
(25 cards)
How did the role of Australian women change in WW2?
Women took up jobs in the armed forces.
What caused Australia to turn elsewhere, (not Britain) for help?
The fall of Singapore - 15th February 1942
What does WAAAF stand for?
Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force
What does WRAAF stand for?
Women’s Royal Australian Air Force
What was Australia’s experience in WW2 initially?
Very similar to WW1, we fought where Britain fought.
What does the term “total war” mean?
Everyone was apart of the war, not only servicemen but civilians too.
What does the term “auxiliary” mean?
They were additional support for the Australian troops, but not officially apart of the army.
What roles in the armed forces did woman usually fill?
Communications, signals, mechanics, cooks, mess stewardesses, nurses.
Were women paid the same wages as men?
Women were only paid about two thirds of the men’s wages.
What were some reasons for women to join the armed forces?
- a lot of other women were signing up
- wanting to serve their country
- desire to help win the war
- family influence (relatives helping in war effort)
- way to escape unemployment
- appeared glamorous (“I loved… The colour blue!”)
What were some reasons women didn’t join the armed forces?
- bad name
- low rate of pay/previous jobs
- ineffective recruitment methods
- fear of unemployment (after war)
- snobbishness
What were the causes of WW2?
- Germany’s resentment of the Treaty of Versailles (massive indemnity)
- Hitler was able to get into power largely because of the anger and desire for revenge after WW1
- War was officially declared when Germany invaded Poland (1939)
Who was the main enemy in the pacific theatre of WW2?
Japan
What caused America to enter the war?
Pearl Harbour (1941)
What happened at Pearl Harbour?
December 7th, 1941 the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour, an American naval base.
Why did the Japanese bomb pearl harbour?
It was a surprise attack that aimed to prevent the US from interfering with Japan’s military actions. Instead it caused the US to officially enter the war.
What ended WW2 in the pacific theatre?
America bombed the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 1945), shortly after this Japan surrendered.
What ended WW2 in Europe?
Effectively it was Hitler’s suicide in the Führerbunker in Berlin. (April 1945)
What influence did America have on Australian society?
- American style food
- over 12,000 Australian women became American war brides (many of whom returned to the US with their new husbands)
- shops opened on weekends
What gave Australia the advantage over Japan during the Kokoda campaign?
Better supply lines meant that unlike the Japanese, Australian troops were able to steadily receive their food and supplies, leading to a victory for them.
Why was the Kokoda trail significant?
It was the first time Japanese troops had been stopped on land, and was a great victory for Australians.
The base at Singapore was held by the ________, until it fell to the __________.
Held by the British, until it fell to the Japanese.
As the Japanese advanced through the pacific, what significant event occurred in Darwin?
The Bombing of Darwin (1942)
What occurred during The Bombing of Darwin?
It was the first ever single attack by a foreign power on Australia. Over 200 Japanese aircraft attacked ships in both Darwin’s harbour and the towns two airfields. There were a number of civilian casualties.
