COLLECTION INSIGHTS

An organisational unit formed in March 1942 with the renewed hope of stemming the Japanese tide, the South-West Pacific Area (SWPA) was a significant theatre of war close to home. With United States General Douglas MacArthur as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, major campaigns were fought in the Netherlands East Indies, New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Timor and Borneo.

EMILY HYLES, ASSISTANT CURATOR, MILITARY HERALDRY & TECHNOLOGY

Paillard Bolex spring-wound movie camera used by Corporal Douglas Hardy of the 9th Military History Field Team. With this camera, Hardy covered seminal events in the SWPA, including Australian landings at Tarakan and Labuan. REL24322.001

Senninbari are garments bearing one thousand stitches and given by families to soldiers for luck in wartime. This one was removed from a crashed Japanese aircraft at Madang by an Australian soldier. REL/03613

Engraved Dutch mess tin associated with Australian Sergeant Frederick Bates and Sergeant Johannes van Ark of the Netherlands East Indies Army. Both men were captured and held in a prisoner of war camp on Ambon. Both survived. It seems likely they swapped dixies while prisoners. AWM2017.1363.3

An inveterate pipe smoker, General Douglas MacArthur was often seen with his trademark corn cob pipe. This is another of his collection. REL/17067

An army chaplain in post-war Rabaul, Reverend Gordon Young was responsible for the welfare of condemned Japanese war criminals. This linen traycloth was given as a Christmas gift to thank Young and his wife for their support and kindness. REL/18687

IN 1914, MORE THAN 41,000 AUSTRALIANS AND NEW ZEALANDERS DEPARTED ALBANY, BOUND FOR THE FIRST WORLD WAR.

THIS IS THEIR STORY.

The National Anzac Centre is Australia’s foremost museum dedicated to honouring the ANZACs of the First World War.

Follow the real life experience of one of 32 ANZAC characters using multimedia, unique artefacts, rare images and film, and audio commentary.