A Very Long War: The Families who WaitedA Very Long War is about the experiences of the families of men missing in the New Guinea islands during World War 2, many of whom never returned. When Japan entered the Pacific war, the Australian Government evacuated all Australian women and children from the Territory of New Guinea. The women found themselves suddenly alone and solely responsible for the welfare of their families. Back in Australia, they were cut off from letters and reliable news for three and a half years. Rumours abounded, adding to their trauma and anxiety. Like the families of POWs, they lived in a limbo of waiting. For many of them, the effects of the mystery and the trauma have continued to the present day. A Very Long War is a calm, respectful narrative, beautifully told, never over-written. Its poignant, sometimes shocking stories are treated with insight and restraint. Through the voices of those who provided oral testimony, it echoes the common condition of all people struggling to deal with trauma and loss. |
Contents
The Scattering of a Community | 1 |
Coping Alone 19421945 | 24 |
Hoping Against Hope AugustNovember 1945 | 45 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
able Army arrived attempt August Australian become believed Britain camp church civilians continued daughter dead death Department described died documents early escape evacuation evidence executed experience families fate father feared feeling felt former Frank friends Guinea happened heard hope husband interview Ireland islands January Japan Japanese Kavieng knew known Lark Force later leave letters lived loss lost Major March Melbourne memories Methodist military missing mission missionary Montevideo Maru mother names never Nottage October officers Pacific Papua parents plantation prisoners questions Rabaul recalls received records relatives remains remember reported returned seen sent September 1945 ship soldiers story survivors Sydney taken Territories things thought told travelled visited waiting weeks widows wives woman women writing wrote young
References to this book
Australia's Forgotten Prisoners: Civilians Interned by the Japanese in World ... Christina Twomey No preview available - 2007 |