The Battle of Brisbane: When Allies Fought Each-Other

The booklet given to US troops being sent to Australia proclaimed "We like them, and they like us." But that was not necessarily always the case. The History Guy remembers a riot between United States military personnel and Australian servicemen that has been largely forgotten.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As images of actual events are sometimes not available, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
This episode deals with violent historical events. All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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Script by THG
#wwii #thehistoryguy #australia

[@alexjjgreen]

Aussies started a fight because someone insulted the guy they were insulting... Can you get more Australian than that?

[@MrHarumakiSensei]

@RexXflash ...because they spoke up for the American.

[@Jesse-B]

@RexXflash Uh, no, the MP had no jurisdiction over the Australians, he was trying to arrest the American. Listen again.

[@hi-to6sk]

@@IC3XR Huh well the war with emus was real.

[@IC3XR]

dark light if you had any brain cells you would know otherwise

[@archboyd]

@@hi-to6sk and the emus won

[@duckman12569]

"in the US the display of batons and firearms in the hands of police is an effective way of quelling a riot, while in Australia, it's an effective way of starting one." ...HA!

[@kryten4k]

Oh how times have changed, now the display of batons and firearms in America is seen as fascist.

[@georgeford6056]

It was effective, back when the police were actually allowed to use them to quell a riot. Now the rioters know the politicians will order the police to let them riot because they are afraid of bad media coverage.

[@duckman12569]

@@georgeford6056 I dunno, the French cops seem to be getting some use out of their toys recently. For like... The past 4 months.

[@tostie3110]

@@duckman12569 They're pretty damn good at it

[@pittsburghpirate58]

kryten4k it is

[@Sovietwombat]

That is the most aussie thing ive heard the day before fighting and nearly killing each other the next "wasnt that a good fight we had yesterday, let me buy ya a beer", and people say aussies have no culture.

[@erockstoenescu6171]

Who the hell said aussies don’t have culture? If Australia doesn’t have culture nobody does

[@TombstoneHeart]

There is a wonderful story that Rugby League legend Tommy Raudonikis tells that pretty much sums up the Australian male psyche in situations like this. Tommy was picked as the halfback in the national team. The incumbent halfback, Billy Smith was not impressed at all. The very next weekend, Tommy's team played Billy's team. At one stage of the game, a scrum was set and when the ball came out of the scrum, it was rolling all over the ground, so to avoid knocking it on, Tommy fell on it and smothered it. Just as he did that, Billy Smith ran around the blind side of the scrum ( the opposite side to where the referee was as well ) and kicked Tommy in the head! Tommy said that after the game he was having a beer with Billy and said to him, "Billy, why did you kick me in the head?" To which Billy Smith slyly replied, "Just to let you know that I'm still around, son!" When I tell that story to other people, most of them come out with the same old same old about how Rugby League players are all thugs blah, blah, blah. They completely miss the most telling point of the whole story - "I was having a beer with him after the game" - which translate into "What happens out on the playing field, stays out there." And so it probably was with the Australian and American troops. War is a much more serious business than a game of Rugby League or a punch up in a pub, so you had better get on with it or you could end up dead.

[@jaydensteventon4920]

australia has more culture than america does

[@samprastherabbit]

Somebody had to remind the yanks of manners :-P

[@billthomas635]

@Gomer Gilligan Actually we are cultured. The failure of Starbucks here proves it: We had a big influx of Europeans, mainly from the Mediterranean, after the war who brought their cafe society with them. Crap American coffee was never going to cut it. We also have a wine culture, our best wines are second to none.

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

Honestly sounds like a typical Saturday night out here in Brissy.

[@beardedbjorn5520]

I was about to it sounds like a usual Friday night in The Valley

[@ausgaze]

haha Russell why you copying Wallaby Jack?

[@jerichothirteen1134]

Thats Aussies for ya, we cant be mates till we have insulted each other and gotten into a fist fight. But you got a friend forever after that.

[@blackhairedgoon8218]

Is Australia, if you're called 'cunt' you know you're in good company. But if you're called 'mate', it's time to leave.

[@largesoda1729]

I could vouch for that. Same thing happened between me and a kangaroo. Put up a fight at first, now we the best o' pals

[@frankroberts9320]

@Rabid Gearboy I'd be surprised if you could even find Australia on a globe.

[@grondhero]

The unity part is that both Australian and American troops don't like those pesky MPs!

[@danielziemba8045]

My grandfather served just after the war (garrisoned in Japan) and told of the legendary drinking of the Aussies there. They'd tank up, head outside to hurl, then come back for more. That was night after night after night until Japan was reformed, haha.

[@Melways007]

I cross the intersection of Creek and Adelaide Street every day on the way to work and I guess I will now remember this story every time I cross. Thanks History Guy, as it's history worth remembering!

[@davidharris6581]

That is really interesting.

[@alexanderstrickland9036]

Yes we all walk in the footsteps of great or terrible men and women daily. People worth remembering. That’s why I love history so much

[@somebloke3869]

That's a long way to walk from Darwin.

[@lachlanwelsh5880]

yep, great part of the second best city in Australia!

[@Captaincinquo]

I used to work in a building on that corner. I thought about it a lot when I learned about the Battle of Brisbane!

[@knutdergroe9757]

My Dad(at the time a Corporal U.S.M.C. with 1st MARINE Division), Was in Australia after Guadalcanal. His best memories of the war. He always LOVED Australia felt a debt to Australia...... This MARINE will never forget that. Thank You Australia, And SEMPER FI !

[@MarkGoding]

No worries mate.

[@MrTallpoppy58]

You're welcome mate

[@StuSaville]

After Guadalcanal the 1st Marine Division was sent to Melbourne for R&R. The locals upon seeing the terrible state of the young Marines took them into their homes and treated them like their own. Afterwards the 1st Marine Division added the Southern Cross from the Australian flag to their patch and made Waltzing Matilda their marching tune.

[@MrTallpoppy58]

@@StuSaville Serious ?? Australia would have been honored by this. Its no small gesture. That is a story (history) worth remembering.

[@jojomama4787]

Ha, served in Vietnam with quite a few Aussies,great folks!Took my R&R there,went back and spent 15yrs in Queensland.The only thing in my life I might have regret about is leaving that place.Loved my time there and especially the people!

[@anti-loganpaul7827]

Thank you for your service mate 👍

[@beardedbjorn5520]

Mate as a Queenslander, there just nowhere else like it in the world. When this coved crap is over, get yourself back here.

[@kingmany1]

Come back mate!!

[@adamlangford1823]

Where is Qld did you live ?

[@TheTacfour]

I spent about a week in Brisbane on the way home from Vietnam in 1969 where newly made friends brought me to Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast.. I loved that city, it's people, the whole country really. This past summer I got to help out some Brisbane tourists make their way to SeaTac (Seattle) on their way home. It took 50 years but I finally got to pay back that wonderful hospitality.

[@thefacelessmen2101]

In 1969 the battle of the Coral Sea was still part of our living memory, it was one of the pivotal battles that saved Australia from possible invasion and defeat in WW2. To this day anyone who knows their history is grateful for the sacrifices made by US sailors and airmen during those times. There are any number of us who appreciate the fact the our generation has never had to go to war let alone fire a shot in an anger and for that I am forever grateful.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Thanks for sharing!

[@reaality3860]

Brothers always fight each other, now and again.

[@hagamapama]

We are the rebellious older son who moved out and went his own way, Canada, New Zealand and Australia are the younger brothers still living at home. We disagree about a lot of things but if someone hurts one of you, they can expect a visit from big brother.

[@matthewbanta3240]

Quick, we're only open for two hours so drink as much as you can. What could possibly go wrong?

[@kittymervine6115]

it's like 10 cent beer night at a baseball game. "Everyone will love it!"

[@mrhaz8939]

@@kittymervine6115 None of us Aussies get that, sorry mate, cricket over here

[@TheDamowalshe]

As someone who gnew up in Brisbane, this is folklore. Thank you for a most informative explanation of this event. There are many buildings built by the U.S. force still in use today, in Brisbane.

[@eileendover3938]

My grandfather worked for MacArthur. I grew up knowing about this. Bloody great little snippet.

[@kellyknott4201]

Congratulations on getting the pronunciation of Brisbane pretty much spot on.

[@enpakeksi765]

Heh, I had to check the comments section right off the bat to get a fair heads up on whether our good man on history was or was not pronouncing it as "Brisb'n."

[@AceBaseKingOfSpace]

Didn't do too well with Papua but also got Melbourne right.

[@The_Gallowglass]

Frisbayne

[@brianjonker510]

Devlin Karthi LoL That was a great quote. "In general in America a display of batons and firearms in the hands of police is an effective way of quelling a riot. In Australia it is an effective way to START a Riot." My one year in Australia shows that to be true.

[@Hebdomad7]

(from an Australian perspective) I think that sums up a big difference between Australian and American culture and how we treat authority. (I'm talking pre-trump era here) Americans would not speak badly about their President but still vote against them, but an Australian would call their Prime-minster a flaming dickhead to their face and then vote for the bastard anyway. Australians don't respect authority like Americans do, we value their service when we need it but are still highly suspicious of it. We especially don't go about thanking veterans for their service either. We find it awkwardly offensive to do so. We don't put people on pedestals far from it, we revel in cutting them down to size, this attitude is known as 'Tall poppy syndrome'. It's not to say we don't value members of our community, we highly value our volunteers such as firefighters and lifesavers as our local heros. We will publicly cheer and even help out our police when they do good. But at the end of the day, they are one of us. They are not more important than anyone of us. The ideal of equality or 'a fair go' is ingrained into Australian culture. Nobody is more important than anyone. We don't really don't like hollow gestures like thanking them for their service, nor do our service people like having attention drawn to themselves because at the end of the day it was a team effort not an individual one.

[@bigwoody4704]

@@Hebdomad7 you don't exactly speak for Yanks.We can't stand the Corporate Authority and it appears more and more the Government seems to be in their pocket

[@JH-ji6cj]

@Rabid Gearboy ...which Aussie stole your GF? That's some wide net of animosity you're casting out

[@brianjonker510]

@Rabid Gearboy You are a terrible human being

[@brianjonker510]

@@bigwoody4704 Also your one voice doesnt speak for the Yanks either.

[@16B9]

Interesting history. I spent my 1968 R & R from Vietnam in Sydney Australia. I had one of the best times of my life with a wonderful Australian woman named Margret Whiting. I found it strange the Australian men would rather drink beer and play snooker with their mates, than wine and dine their beautiful woman. Thank you Margret where ever you are. 51 years later I still remember you. :)

[@atomsmasher9411]

Ain't it funny how a woman can get into your soul like that. Once she's in, she's in forever; you never forget them. Cool story.

[@Emophiliac2]

Daddy!

[@juanelorriaga2840]

I married a Aussie woman they are truly beautiful she has Polynesian mix as well.Aussies are just great people and the most curious country I ever visited I just wish it wasn’t so far that 26hr flight from New York City is brutal

[@Zorglub1966]

@@Emophiliac2 Pinocchio! My son!

[@snarkymatt585]

A gentleman never kisses and tells, perhaps you should have kept Margret's name private Yank!

[@omanmacca6270]

“Carrying a gun or a Baton in America stops a fight in Australia it’s a good way to start one”

[@everythingcool101]

thats how we fkn roll down here

[@thefacelessmen2101]

I come from a land down under Where beer does flow and men chunder Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder? You better run, you better take cover, yeah

[@thebuilder2018]

shut up donkeys yous fled the scene and ran to the police during the cronulla riots LOL

[@VHMMP]

Another Brisbanite who enjoyed your piece of history. My parents were young adults in Brisbane during the war and unfortunately told me so little about that time. So good to have this presented. Thank you.

[@SteveMack]

Omg there are heaps of us here! 👍👍👍

[@mcdazz2011]

@@SteveMack - + another one. :-)

[@SteveMack]

@@mcdazz2011 Cool. I wonder how many KZbin creators there are in Brisbane aside from myself?

[@09EvoX]

Peter.. Have a look at 'Black soldier blues' if you're interested. Shows the experiences of black soldiers stationed in Brisbane during WW2. It's available on KZbin in 6 parts.

[@SteveMack]

@@09EvoX cool! 👍

[@cme2cau]

Well done for pronouncing "Brisbane" correctly and for the use of the term "Donnybrook". Love your work!

[@stephenbritton9297]

He did an episode on the origin of “Donnybrook” and has used it extensively since!

[@bigskytheroy7016]

And the use of the word "Pub" for public house or hotel. Do "septic tanks" ( yanks ) have Pubs in the USA?

[@Immoralsalvage]

@@bigskytheroy7016 Pubs do exist in the US, but they more or less came in with the Irish. So outside of areas with Large Irish population I am not sure if they do exist. I will have to ask my southern friends about that one as I am in a very Irish region.

[@bigskytheroy7016]

@@Immoralsalvage Cheers for that. So the Irish brought the concept with them to Oz, cool. It's an institution here, the Pub. Lets have a punch up and then be best friends at the pub. They were quite revolutionary ( the Irish ) here in Oz when they came. The first war in Australia, bar the Anglo/Aboriginal war, was between the free Irish and the New South Welsh colonial forces. Guess who won. I too carry Irish genes. I got DNA testing, Germanic, Irish, Cornish, central Asian, etc... my mothers name was "Sabine" ( see the "rape of the Sabine's" from the time of Rome) The English were the cross breeding champs of the world. I guess America is now the new world champ of gene mixing. You know our countries have a lot in common, like Canada or South Africa, a new world mixing pot. Good luck my friend...

[@steveperez178]

@Gomer Gilligan You literally sound like a moron.

[@dukeofearl6256]

Got in a fight in 81 in Brisbane, CO was REALLY mad at me. Guy I fought came by the ship to take me out for a beer the next night but I was restricted to the ship.....

[@MrBanjooo]

"Brothers and sisters are natural enemies, like Aussies and Kiwis, or Aussies and Seppos, or Aussie's and other Aussies" "You Australians sure are contentious people" *gets decked* "You've just made a mate for life!"

[@warlord8954]

ROFL! Ya gotta love the Aussies standing up for a GI they were just giving crap too.

[@thefuck7175]

that's what we do

[@warlord8954]

@MrCowboyJesus Indeed.

[@lVladness]

Luke Warm don’t worry trump will be in prison soon 🤣🤷🏽‍♂️

[@warlord8954]

@@lVladness HA HA. I bet not.

[@durg122]

In Australia, if we're giving you shit, that means we like you.

[@manhuawang11]

Not altogether unpredictable what happens when you suddenly import a million people from a different culture, even though they are from similar cultures with similar goals. History worth being remembered.

[@richardc7721]

Imagine the difference between dissimilar type backgrounds. Say Central America vs North America or even Mid East vs West.

[@oceanhome2023]

Richard C Same response Hide it Delete it because it would be used in “Propaganda “

[@vernonbear]

Oh you guys with your passive aggressive comments. Imagine if Australia or indeed the U.S. weren’t made up of a mixture of British, Italian, Irish, African, Indian and a hundred other nationalities. Firstly you’d have a weak DNA pool and secondly the native tribes of the nations wouldn’t have been all but wiped out. When you are a nation of immigrants it’s a bit daft to start throwing your weight around like that y’know? If you want history worth remembering then look back to when your nations were nought but wide open spaces with man living alongside nature and not destroying it, that is worth remembering. As an aside the strength of the Allied forces in WWII was its diversity and tenacity, it’s will to win and aiming for a common goal that benefited many too weak to win the war alone. No one nation could’ve won the war without the support of many others.

[@johntabler349]

Booze woman and young men makes this predictable without the cultural differences they just made it worse

[@manhuawang11]

I don't think anyone's saying immigration is bad. The issue comes with proportionally high numbers arriving in a short time. The arrivals being fighting aged males with access to booze and women certainly doesn't help. As for the peace and harmony of pre-contact Americas and Australia, fighting and war were certainly common, and yearly burns and over hunting probably didn't help megafauna. The noble savage stereotype is just as inaccurate as any other sweeping generalization of a culture.

[@bradgenetta]

Let’s remember for a minute that Australians and Americans were still brothers in arms! My American grandfather got a tattoo in Australia before fighting the Japanese in New Guinea. Both of my grandfathers fought the Japanese with the Australians in New Guinea. My one grandfather’s PT Boat rescued an Australian pilot who had been shot down. I’m happy America and Australia defended each other, we have a lot in common.

[@markp6621]

This old documentary about Australian Beaufighters has at least one anecdote about a PT boat rescue - it might be of interest. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2STiH1jjK9pbNk

[@epicdudesproduction]

Australia has fought with us in every single major war since WW1 and people have the nerve to say Israel is our greatest ally

[@Jo_Wardy]

Aussies weren't even recognised at times. They made it seem more like US Victories in the Pacific. In media kinda forgetting how Aussies helped.

[@martiniv8924]

Collateral damage ? , the rivalry must have been rife, Yanks, Tommies, Anzacs , Canadians etc. But one things for sure, all brave men and women, they deserve to be remembered, god bless them all .

[@mudduck754]

If your mates with an Aussie and you ain't gotten into a fight while drinking then you really ain't mates.

[@spacecatboy2962]

speaking of austrailians, my grandpa told me that he was in a valley in korea on a truck when a crazy austrailian fighter pilot came buzzing down through the valley right at him. Said he could see the pilot laughing his ass off making them dive for cover.

[@TheShadowwalker007]

I’m from Brisbane and I have heard the story a couple different ways from local media. I think you did a great job. The story is very Aussy in parts, the Aussy soldiers giving the yank a hard time but then coming to his aid when the cop (MP) shows up-I laughed, very Aussy. Let me buy you a beer 🍻 lol

[@johnnyliminal8032]

Your comment backs up my assessment of the average Australian. Good on yous.

[@johntabler349]

My dad Pacific Theater sailor loved Bull Halsey admired Chester Nimitz and usually referred to Mcarthur as that cocky Son of a B..... so the Aussies were not alone in that regard

[@johntabler349]

@00 00 you are overstepping when you imply that my dad was a Chinese agent for thinking that Mcarthur was arrogant? Are you goofy or are you just suffering PTSD from all the revisionist history? If so I might cut you some slack, to a 17 year old sailor on the Saratoga from 1943 until Bikini Atoll in 1946 Douglass Mcarthur was thought of as an arrogant SOB Dad actually used much stronger language ,MacArthur's abilities were not meant to be impugned though if Dad were living he would happily impugn them for you and disagree if you want, a teenager who stood on the burning deck of a stricken carrier firing an AA gun before helping fight fires and sort the charred remains of his buddies from the ashes earned the right to dislike any officer he pleased

[@grrgrievances]

Thanks for covering this History Guy. My home town, I named my band's 3rd album 'Battle of Brisbane'.

[@shelbybrown8312]

Interesting

[@grrgrievances]

@Richard Peck Punk rock!

[@redram5150]

Extremely well-researched and thorough, History Guy. Very well done

[@Music-lx1tf]

Had the honor of turning 21 in Sydney a long time ago. Had tons of fun and will always remember Australia fondly.

[@atomsmasher9411]

@TheSlot1942 Lol, nice.

[@chairde]

When I was in Quan Loi Vietnam the MPs tried to arrest a group of our men who had just gotten off patrol. We were armed to the teeth. The party got out of hand and the MPs were called. The leader of the MPs pulled out a 45. A big mistake. Nobody was killed but our m60 team locked and loaded on top of a table. The MPs then got scared and left. Nobody was ever charged or disciplined for the incident.

[@mountainguyed67]

The Pig!

[@geoffbell166]

The MPs should known better to than pull that stunt on jungle fighters,might get away with it on the Pogos!

[@armyfazer1410]

200 7.62 beats 7 .45 every time!

[@nedludd7622]

Why were you, or any other Australians, in the criminal US war against Vietnam?

[@gw5989]

Retired USN here, partied with Aussies, more fun than the Brits. When stationed in Los Angeles on board a new frigate our sister ship was an Australian frigate the Adelaide I believe. She was berthed on the same pier. We would sneak over during lunch and have a beer on their ship, US Navy ships were dry. The Aussie sailors got the girls with their accents , but we didn't care cause we got to drink on theirs, fair trade to us.

[@cooldewd35]

You are a great sport mate. I lived in LA in 1989 as a young guy. Loved it. Everybody was friendly to me.

[@TombstoneHeart]

That was the mutual attraction between the crews of the Australian and US navies just prior to the Battle of the Coral Sea. There was some brisk traffic between the ships because the Americans had movies and ice cream and the Aussies had beer! A match made in heaven!

[@kryten4k]

Awesome! Thanks for your input.

[@cm-pr2ys]

When was the Navy ever stationed in LA?

[@suesutherland9782]

1st American mgtow, awesome history guy.

[@johnhaller7017]

One of the enduring monuments to the U.S.A's occupation of Brisbane during WWII is the remnants (still in use)of reinforced concrete roadways built to withstand vast military convoys on the main north south Bruce Highway at Wacol / Gailes in the south and Bald Hills in the north. Constructed by US military engineers to last. Another monument to our allegiance is the purpose built cenotaph overlooking the confluence of Brisbane's Breakfast Creek and the Brisbane river. I always get a lump in my throat when I visit there. I'm glad we were on the same side.

[@Mercmad]

In the Southern suburbs, Moorooka, Salisbury,Rocklea ,Acacia Ridge and Archerfeild there are lots of buildings and remnants on the American presence. The local Caterpillar dealers use several huge hangers in Archerfield built for the Americans aircraft. There are still lots of former officers houses ,industrial buildings and those concrete roads around Salisbury .Even around Eagle farm where a lot of Aircraft servicing and even captured Japanese air craft were dismantled and examined ,the buildings still stand,many in very good condition.

[@wbnc66]

Be happy it was engineers, not the Municipal contractors we get nowadays... It would be the "War Memorial Pothole" :)

[@hagamapama]

@@wbnc66 The Aussies have always made us great allies. The US and Australia have a lot in common, we were both founded by the kind of people Britain didn't want in their country and it shows.

[@wbnc66]

The US and Australia are the rowdy brothers...Canada is the one that gets called up to come bail us out after we bust up a bar .....I have Nothing but respect, and occasional confusion, for the Australians. Everytime I deal with one I am not sure what to expect. But generally they are likable, a little laid back, and ready to get on with whatever job/assignment/project we have to finish...and then go have some fun and relaxation afterward.

[@pepelemoko01]

Let's not dwell on the tons of unexploded tons of munitions, trucks and jeeps dumped into Moreton bay as it was too much paperwork to take back to the US.

[@bunning63]

There was a punch up in Wellington New Zealand between the Americans and Kiwis as well. I was told by somone it involved woman as well, as per normal.

[@HiHi-gn2dw]

bunning63 I think it wasn’t over a woman. It was because Americans didn’t want to drink in the same bar as people of colour. American troops didn’t want to drink in a bar with Maori soldiers because of all the segregation that was going on in the US. This then sparked up a fist fight between the New Zealand troops and the Americans. I know what you’re talking about and I forgot how the fight started I think the one I’m telling may be the right one. It’s called the battle of manners street if anyone wants to search it up cba to do it myself.

[@HiHi-gn2dw]

Zac Amness 50 now sadly

[@bunning63]

Hi Hi I got told of an incident at Paekakariki rail station where a US Army Sargeant made a 'racist' comment and a local Maori lady who was at the station ripped into him and gave him the mother of all tuneups in front of everyone, which I believe the locals thought was funny especially as the recipient was speechless. This was told to me by a local to Paekakariki when I lived there for a short while. The big army base at McKays crossing was just up the road.

[@petedudson6671]

American servicemen from the south tried to stop Maori servicemen entering the services club and it all kicked off. My Dad witnessed it as a young teenager. A shopkeeper gave him shelter in his shop.

[@kennethbillings614]

@@HiHi-gn2dw Yes, look up Battle of Manners Street 1943

[@guyfawkes5291]

Being Australian and ex service, thank you for the content. It’s great. Please keep it coming.

[@ozzmanzz]

Are you trying to tell me that Australian soldiers got drunk? I’m shocked!

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

I don't think he mentioned any drunk Australian troops. It started out with a drunk American trooper that as a result was slow in taking out his permission slip. So the US MP got tired of waiting, and most likely thought the guy didn't have one. The Australians stood up for him. And somehow it escalated in to Australians VS the US

[@steveguild871]

@@neurofiedyamato8763 Watch again. Plenty of references to drunk Aussies.

[@darkapothecary4116]

Most armies get wasted that's common sense, not really a good thing but it happens. Very few stay away from the stuff.

[@davidmcdonald3314]

Bahahaha. You'd be more shocked if I told you they eventually sobered up!

[@-jeff-]

Reminds me of the old saw; "We have met the enemy and they are us."

[@HemlockRidge]

Direct quote from the POGO comic strip.

[@-jeff-]

Exactly. ;)

[@Mercmad]

Australian troops were not badly disciplined,they had a different culture and even the British found them hard to contain .

[@Mulberry2000]

total rubbish, most Aussies come from British stock and the Australian army was and is very professional

[@mashek331]

It was more the British officer class that had trouble with Australian troops but only because many of the officers came off as being very snobbish and probably earned their position because of family title (an age old tradition) over hard work. The Australians and British troops themselves often got along fine and shared in a great many common things.

[@Mulberry2000]

@Evilstorm11 bah jingoism who cares, not all Australian troops were not like this. Most were professional and very good.

[@Jimits123]

Because basically they are convicts....no class...

[@jacksonconstable8331]

Jimits123 fuck off convicts were also sent to America

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Oh, MP's starting trouble when they are trying to quell trouble...NEVER heard of that before.......Haha takes me back....

[@jeffpurcell7035]

Another bone of contention between the US and Australian troops was how the US news service claimed it was US troops who with some help of Australian troops stopped the Japanese at Milne Bay. This caused more riots.

[@stubs1227]

Didn't know CNN covered the war 😎😎

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

That was largely MacArthur, who controlled the communiques.

[@bigwoody4704]

Perhaps,but Japan did have designs on Australia and the UK unfortunately could not help.Allied reinforcements did arrive unfortunately it had to be Mac but the rest of the guys were alright for the most part

[@cgaccount3669]

I'm sure most Americans now days don't even know Australians were in the war. Or other allies were fighting the Japanese.

[@bigwoody4704]

@@cgaccount3669 people in general do have an idea about history.The USA was really a good place back then.A lot less so today but the ability to go anywhere BACK THEN and enforce was a game changer

[@Ken-sc3gx]

Having been to Australia, my memories of the trip are all very positive. Never before, anywhere I have ever visited, did I feel as welcome as in Australia. I was surprised at how many Aussies I met who had previously visited my own home area in the States. Every conversation was friendly and enjoyable, laughing and sharing personal stories. If ever there is a "second home" feeling, for me, it was in Australia. I feel truly blessed to have experienced the journey and will always have a special feeling for, and a place in my heart for Australia.

[@pshehan1]

Ken. See my reply to amity dual sport Utah below for my experiences of American hospitality.

[@p51mustang24]

America and Australia are brother nations. Both are frontier nations derived from British culture.

[@franks2634]

I am Australian and I remember my father telling me stories of conflict between Aussie and US troops although he wasn't involved himself.

[@Geoduck.]

I have nothing but deep respect for Australian troops. Up until 1942 they had been through some tough tough battles and fought bravely.

[@beardedbjorn5520]

Cheers mate. You’d be surprised just how hated General McArthur is still, here in Australia. He tried to Americanise the waY the AIF conducted their battles at one point, leading to thousands of Aussie deaths. My mum does a lot of nursing with returned veterans and her WW2 vets still talk shit about him hahaha

[@Geoduck.]

He's not well respected here in the States any more. Americans now know the truth.

[@berzerker1100]

@00 00 General Mac was nick- named "Dug out Doug" by his own troops 🤣😂😅 True story! Just research it

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Speak for yourself you ignorant twat.

[@petefluffy7420]

And in 1942, nothing of significance? Milne Bay, the first defeat of Japanese land army, Kakoda Track?

[@tarnishedknight730]

If the Allied High Command wishes that the battle of Brisbane would be forgotten history... then it REALLY is history that deserves to be remembered .

[@robotslug]

Another great episode! Thanks for teaching me.

[@brendanquinlan5936]

Kudos for the use of the word "Donnybrook" , haven't heard it for years.

[@brooksanderson2599]

Only place in the world where an airport taxi driver was insulted, in no uncertain terms, that I offered a tip and a mechanic fixed a noisy muffler on my car free, refused to replace it, and said it would last for years, I miss em.

[@Dave_Sisson]

Tipping is often seen as condescending in Australia. A small tip such as rounding up a taxi or restaurant bill by a small amount is okay *IF* the service was unusally good, but offerring too much is seen as putting the person down, treating them like a poor servant. However the minimum wage in Australia is more than double the minimum in the USA and anyone with even minor skills gets paid a lot more than that.

[@torasin13]

I live about 30 mins north of Brisbane and have tried doing some research on the battle as not many people know anything about it. This is by far the most well put together single source of information I've yet found. Thank you for covering this.

[@Mrsupersparkyd]

There ia a book produced by the ABC written by Peter A Thompson and Robert Macklin. ISBN 0-7333-0896-1

[@davidrixon3549]

I have been told that z force commando s were involved and planned attacks on American drinking holes with precision get in belt the living hell out if them and get out quickly to the next one. My uncle ian' was in military intelligence and told me this. He hated churchill and mcarthur very much. He learned how to speak and read japanese in 6 months and interviewed a few of the captured soldiers in Borneo.

[@090djc]

This was one of your best....and they are all outstanding.

[@charris939]

As an Australian, I'd never heard this part of our history before. Thanks once again.

[@trinescape]

As an Aussie i thankyou for that presentation i never knew about that incident, my Grandfather served in WW2 in the Australian air force and he had nothing but admiration for the U.S. forces cheers

[@stephenhicks826]

Fantastic work history guy. My father was a soldier in the second AIF (i.e. a digger) and I think your description really captures the tension that existed really well. - but deep down Australians were very glad the USA came to help.

[@brucesmith54]

How times have changed...Australian standard of living is now higher than Americans in most categories.

[@sarjim4381]

@@brucesmith54 Depends on how you measure it. Most rankings are based on imprecise measurement of things like "diversity and inclusion". Based on measurable outcomes like GDP per person, the US is #11 at $57,804, while Australia is #15 at $52,487. Conversely, the cost of living in Australia is #11 compared to the US at #16. Australia has a more expensive cost of living on less income. Hard to maintain a better standard of living on that.

[@brucesmith54]

@@sarjim4381 Of course...only money can be measured. And nothing affects the average person's life, like the gross domestic product of the country. I'm always bragging to friends about how high the GDP is. I mean sure both American males and females are killing themselves at a higher rate, but it's probably because they can't decide what to do with all that extra GDP.

[@sarjim4381]

@@brucesmith54 No, 'only money" isn't the only determinant of what affects a person's life, but it's a pretty huge part. Not having enough disposable income to have some freedom to make your own decisions in life can suck pretty bad. However, if you feel that money isn't all that important, feel free to follow the AOC path of sharing your money with those who'd rather not work. I don't know what you mean by "American males and females are killing themselves at a higher rate" but if you mean compared to Australians, the standardised rates per 100,000 compared to the US are nearly identical and fluctuate from year to year. There are also significant differences in how suicide is recorded in Australia compared to the US. The ABS tends to underreport suicide because it only classifies it as suicide when the the cause is incontrovertible compared to US more often classifying it as suicide when the evidence is such any other means of death is unlikely. Nevertheless, rates are close enough that they don't tell us much about either country. Suicide rates are higher in Finland, Japan, and Belgium than the US, so does that mean people there are even more unhappy than the US? Hardly any statisticians are willing to use suicide rates as a sign of anything since the reporting rates vary so widely around the world, and a rate of even a couple people per 100,000 higher or lower is just noise. But sure, go ahead and make up statistics as if they are real and telling us anything.

[@brucesmith54]

@@sarjim4381 You're absolutely right Jim, that was very misleading, and I apologize. I didnt take into account that most Americans have a gun within arms reach at all times. This clearly gives the Yanks an unfair advantage as to ease and success of suicide. It also makes determining cause of death much too straightforward for authorities. I dare say if Americans had to go down to the store and buy a rope...why they wouldn't be putting up near those inflated numbers. But it's a small price to pay for the right to take your military style automatic rifle to church in case a fire fight breaks out in the pews.

[@Jayhawk226]

My grandfather was stationed in Australia during the war. Mechanic for the bombers ended up moving forward as the offensive moved closer to Japan. Finally ended up in the Philippines. Cane home married my grandmother and started a family. She still lives in the house he built. She was a welder during the war.

[@historystorieswithreggie2865]

Best wishes from Philippines

[@rebelliousnature4795]

5:30 hell, there’s your problem.. prime minister of Australia was having some trouble seeing eye to eye with the Americans....

[@FranklinBurns42]

I noticed that too! Which eye? Lol

[@laurencetilley9194]

Rebellious Nature. The Prime Minister of Australia wasn't having problems with America, He was having problems with cowardly Generals MacArthur and Blamey. These two blokes had the fastest retreats of WW2, after calling the Kokoda Track veterans cowards, that ran like rabbits. MacArthur controlled Australian Media afraid that information would leak out about his abandonment of his troops in the Philippines. WE MAY BE FEW BUT WE FIGHT LIKE MANY.

[@FranklinBurns42]

@@laurencetilley9194 I wouldn’t say MacArthur was cowardly, he just blundered in the Philippines at the beginning of the war. His biggest problem was he was an egomaniac. Every achievement or victory reported to the press was by him instead of us or we

[@ajgoetsch]

What a tale! And - with respect to the topic - so wonderfully told.Thanks - I really do enjoy your work. Or is it fun ? You make it hard to tell which :) No doubt a lot of effort goes into researching your stories, and into presenting them with such polish. Respect!

[@KplusU]

Goodmorning, thank you, History Guy and Gal.

[@stoneyll]

That was an excellent and fascinating bit of history.. thank you so much.~!

[@Bull-cat741]

Once again "History Guy" hits the bullseye!!! Thank You Sir...heart.

[@a.s.3267]

Thank-you!!! I couldn't believe you had a video about Brisbane!

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

Good to hear a properly researched version. There is a lot of folklore about this incident including a story that Aussies and Yanks opened fire on each other in a railway station.

[@johne7100]

That's the one I've read of too - see my comment above.

[@nicholassmith479]

There was a movie starring James Colburn that had that railway shooting scene in it. I guess you cannot trust Hollywood and the facts, eh? 😂

[@c3aloha]

From the movie “Death of a Soldier” which was also based on Pvt Eddie Leonski a Yank serial killer who murdered 3 Australian women in Melbourne.

[@c3aloha]

Nicholas Smith it was an Australian made movie.

[@nicholassmith479]

c3aloha Yes, I vaguely remember the plot. I recall that train station incident scene very well. I always wanted to know. Did that really happen? Thanks for the info btw. 👍🏻

[@Swaggerlot]

Great story telling once again!

[@mashek331]

Excellently narrated and one of those intriguing notes in history that deserves to be remembered. As an Australian, I remember reading about this years ago in what I think was Peter Fitzsimon's "Kokoda" but it's one of those events that very few know about. I take my hat off to you for bringing life to it once more!

[@misterdumbad]

I love that your channel covers important yet downplayed events throughout history that we otherwise would NEVER hear of in school. Interesting subject, great video as always.

[@InspiredJJ]

I really like your series. You are doing a great job.

[@bigskytheroy7016]

Well said and thanks for the balanced report on a touchy subject.

[@antykomunist1918]

Great channel, very interesting subjects, wonderful narration

[@garysheppard4028]

My dad told me about this once. He was around at the time but only gave a brief description of it. Thanks for fleshing out the details. Love your work!

[@ContentedSoul]

"Oversexed, overpaid and over here" was what the Brits used to whinge about.

[@badlaamaurukehu]

Ice cream, chocolate and stockings... female priorities.

[@rockefellerrepublican3104]

The Yanks said the Tommies and Diggers were "underpaid, undersexed and under Eisenhower" .

[@pax4370]

N foul mouthed

[@mariogiresi6792]

ContentedSoul And apparently the Diggers whinged about it too.

[@williamkinkade2538]

Yes,about 5 times more overpaid!!

[@normangerring4645]

A very interesting story I never heard before. Thanks, well done.

[@durdre]

Thank you for sharing this piece of history about Brisbane in Qld

[@americanpatriot2422]

Outstanding video and presentation

[@danvid1935]

I'm living in Brisbane and have even visited the museum here in Macarthur's old HQ dedicated to the 2nd world war and yet had not heard of this. Thanks heaps Mr History Guy. You are easily my favourite KZbin channel and I find your content and delivery superb. Keep up the fantastic work. You are not too bad for a yank. Hahah. :)

[@Duncan_Campbell]

as he said, this is history that both sides want forgotten.

[@trunkage]

Two stories that included Queensland in two days. Your spoiling us

[@jayray7230]

what's the other qld one?

[@trunkage]

@@jayray7230 QUT and UQ toga party record from the previous day

[@jayray7230]

@@trunkage cheers :)

[@AceBaseKingOfSpace]

@David Hendry I always look out for the apostrophe police....keepin' it real!

[@antiglobaljoel532]

trunkage Love my week in Queensland. Fun times.

[@timdavid3574]

Great job; informative and interesting as always.

[@kwameuva6136]

What a amazing story! It’s crazy that I’ve never before today heard about these events. Love your channel !

[@timcarter1164]

I make a point while watching KZbin to try to learn something everyday. I find myself repeatedly coming to this channel. This is a small part of history that I was completely unaware of, and yet it's fascinating. The fact that allies were on the verge of killing each other. It's amazing what humans are capable of fighting one another over. Thank you again for an entertaining, educational, quarter hour.

[@dannieanonymous8083]

www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2019-02-12/your-brain-nationalism? Not humans,. chimps as well / They - we display he same patterns of behaviour (and not only) when we see red Read on

[@catjudo1]

My grandparents traveled to Australia in the 1960s, rented a car and drove around the southeast for several weeks. Grandad told me they met a couple while stopping for lunch who, when they learned that he flew bombers in the war, insisted that my grandparents follow them home and stay with them for a couple of nights. The next day the couple showed them some local sights and introduced them to local friends, just generally giving them a great travel experience. When my grandparents asked why they were being so generous with their time and money, the husband replied that while there were some cultural differences and friction, when the Japanese bombed Darwin the 'Yanks' were there to defend the country. He believed that because American troops were there an invasion of northern Australia was prevented. They wanted to thank an American serviceman if they ever met one in their little town. It really made an impact, especially considering that American soldiers were being spit on back home. I would never have believed that this could have happened if Granny and Granddad hadn't told me and showed me pictures, souvenirs and the letters back and forth they had kept.

[@Cochise6666]

You rock History Guy!!! I play your videos while I drive (listening only). I've learned and retain so much more than I did from school.

[@joelhouse7779]

Great stuff as usual!

[@LemmingFNSR]

History Guy! You pronounce Brisbane correctly!! Well done. Well researched and interesting as always. Hi from Oz

[@zigwald]

having met quite a few Aussies form my days in racing. they are some great guys! they're out there but good fun...

[@aw8079]

Another great remembrance! Thank you for the detailed background!

[@historybuff9276]

I've never seen your post before and I watch documentaries on WW1 & WW2 frequently. I'm glad this post came up in my feed. New subscriber.

[@MrPants-zu6dm]

this is the most truthful channel on KZbin. good stuff.

[@narrator69]

"Drink as fast and as much as they could when the opportunity presented itself" that explains a lot about Aussies and their legendary drinking abilities.

[@Duncan_Campbell]

before the war, you had things like the Six o'clock swill, you got off work at 5pm, and you had till 6pm to drink as the hotels and pubs closed at 6pm. So drink fast was already happening before the war.

[@MrSlitskirts]

Great subject, one that's not often brought up, great work! Kind regards.

[@johnkelley9877]

Great story! Thanks for sharing this.

[@stefanschleps8758]

Excellent work. Good job. Our commonalities are greater than our differences. It is my hope it always stays that way. Peace.

[@stendall]

Thank you pronouncing my citys name correctly. It's a small thing I admit, but something about hearing the name bris-bain just grates on my ears so very much.

[@ozatwar]

Well researched. Well done.

[@derekschmidt2703]

Love this. It's History Meant to be Forgotten. Thanks for bringing it to light!

[@PhilipLeitch]

As a resident of Brisbane I walked passed McArthur House twice today.

[@neilforbes416]

Oh shit... They didn't name a house after that over-rated Yank twat, did they?......Let's rename it in honour of John Curtin, Australia's GREATEST Prime Minister.... He had the guts to stand up to that tin-pot tyrant Churchill and bring our troops home to defend Australia when we needed them here.

[@bigwoody4704]

@@neilforbes416 good point,you would get stretched thin defending their Empire.

[@neilforbes416]

@Big Woody: Curtin wasn't going to be intimidated by that bulbous boofhead Churchill, He realised the threat from Japan and saw to it that Australian troops were "on the ground" ready to defend Australia when that threat became all too real. As for MacArthur's American troops, they were nowhere to be seen when the going got tough, but the Aussies and New Zealanders stayed the course and won those vital victories that kept the South Pacific free of Japanese tyranny.

[@bigwoody4704]

@@neilforbes416 um no do you really want to spend the time digging up the numbers.MacArther was an arrogant twat but don't even start minimizing the GI's efforts in the Pacific.The Australian Navy was attached to the 7th Fleet.They had 2 boats with 8" guns and one of them got sunk.Anzac brought 4 ships practically right off your shore to the biggest Naval battle in History - Leyte Gulf.The 3rd & 7th US Fleets came 9,200 miles,that's going somewhere. Commanded by Vice Admiral Kinkaid, USN, the US Seventh Fleet and assigned elements of the US Third Fleet together formed Task Force 77 and the Central Philippines Attack Force, and comprised 157 combat ships (including 6 battleships, 11 cruisers and 18 escort carriers), 420 amphibious ships and 84 patrol, minesweeping and hydrographic vessels. Another 17 aircraft carriers, 6 battleships, 16 cruisers and 56 destroyers of the Third Fleet, under Admiral Halsey, USN, were tasked with covering the invasion. The Royal Australian Navy’s contribution to Kinkaid’s force, under the command of Commodore Collins, consisted of the heavy cruisers Australia and Shropshire; the destroyers Arunta and Warramunga;The rest were support ships.I don't feel like fetching the numbers for Iwo Jima,Okinawa,Guadalcanal,Midway,Coral Sea,etc;but the numbers were similar.ANZAC forces were certainly valiant and effective however the results would have been different with out the GI's

[@PhilipLeitch]

@@bigwoody4704 I can't believe we're having a history flame war on this thread. I haven't seen that before. Search through the history guys videos there is one that describes this exact encounter you are describing.

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

I'm might gladly we worked that one out! And greetings from Melbourne, Florida!

[@Irishguy-hb8jb]

I really enjoyed this one.thank you

[@robinmccullars4971]

Love your channel. Slow down a bit, I'll watch for hours. LOVE!

[@DanHageeStuff]

"MP's are largely seen as the enemies of all Troops"......How bout it.....timeless LOVED it.........

[@gpwgpw555]

This is the kind of story I think is important to know. Keep up the good work. Do you ever go to a physical (real) library to do your research? in the 1960s and 70s I read all the books I could find and talked to all the WWII vets who wanted to talk about there experiences.

[@nicklester6114]

Well done, my Nan told me about this, Da was fighting in New Guinea at the time, you are right that it isn't that well know about even now. The war history in Australia has been woefully neglected, lots of interesting stories that will just die if not put in to a format like this. Again great job from Brissy(Wynnum, beautiful Bayside suburb).

[@RareBird101]

A very enlightening and informative episode. I really enjoyed this one. 👍