Today we are going to have a look at Newcastle, New South Wales in 1939 when World War 11 started.
It was considered by some that the part Newcastle was to play in
the national war effort was inevitably this was due to the city’s heavy
industries represented the vital heart of the country’s ability to fight fire
with fire.
It wasn’t long before BHP, its subsidiaries and a surprising
wide array of smaller industrial plants were flat out making shells, gun
barrels, bombs and parts for everything from tanks to aircraft.
As the war progressed the NSW government pressed Newcastle back
into shipbuilding and repair business.
BHP chief Essington Lewis had anticipated Japan’s entry into the
war and the cities industries were ready to accelerate production after the
attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941.
War activity reached hectic levels in 1942 when Japanese submarines
prowled of the east coast sinking ships and attacking Newcastle and Sydney.
It was during this time that the RAAF established a base at
Williamstown in order to defend the oh so important industries in Newcastle. A seaplane
base was also established at Rathmines which is part of Lake Macquarie and the
US-built Catalina aircraft did long-range patrols and anti-submarine work.
During the war years military and civil defence infrastructure
appeared all over the Hunter, also air raid shelters popped up in streets and
tank traps were established on beaches and slit trenches were dung in schools
and parks.
Blackouts were enforced and many households dug their own
shelters.
Of course, many men signed up to serve their country, going overseas
to fight, while U S troops arrived in the city.
Women also went off to war with many joining the Land Army as
well as other military forces, operating searchlights and working in radar and communications
installations. While others filled the caps left by the men gone off to fight,
this was radical change that continued well into the postwar years.
Males were conscripted and had no choice. But the women who volunteered must have been very brave.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, Jo-Anne.
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