Interview with Russell Braddon (When the war came to Australia)

Mr Braddon joined the army after completing his degree. He comments on the 'Ratty Diggers' - men who signed up for the Second World War after surviving the First World War. He remarks that the army respected the Germans more than the Americans. His first training was at Holsworthy - gunnery training with no guns. Everyone new the 8th Division was leaving although it was top secret. When the soldiers left and returned and returned people were expected to keep a stiff upper lip - very Edwardian. Mr Braddon comments that the Japanese troops were cruel, unchivalrous, enormously brave and incredibly formidable. He was captured behind the lines by the Japanese, ended up in Poodoo gaol, then went to Singapore Island and then to construct the railway in Thailand. When the POWs returned they had a lovely welcome but they returned to an indifferent society which was Americanised and driven by the blackmarket. this drove the returned men to seek the company of other veterans in clubs. In 1949, he still hadn't re-adapted to society, took an overdose of drugs and ended up in a psychiatric ward. Mr Braddon mentions men who were successful after the war - Alec Downer, Cabinet Minister, then High Commissioner in London, Ronald Searle the cartoonist, Sid Peddington the BBC radio announcer. He comments on the pragmatic relationship between America and Australia - there was no loyalty or sense of gratitude to America although the debt was colossal. This reverted to overt loyalty, affection and passion for Great Britain. The relationship with America through ANZUS excluded Britain and kept Australia as a client state of America.