They Passed This Way

By Barry Ralph

Barry Ralph tells the story of the American "invasion" of Australia during World War II through the recollections of American veterans and Australian civilians, and sheds new light on this dramatic and often overlooked chapter of the war. They Passed This Way explores both the acceptance and welcome offered to American soldiers, in such events as the Japanese raid on Darwin in 1942, as well as the rivalry and resentment that culminated in the notorious "Battle of Brisbane". This is the story of ordinary Americans and Australians in an extraordinary time.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074321286X
• ISBN13: 9780743212861
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Interesting book

Bought this book as a Father's Day gift for a WWII veteran who was stationed in Brisbane, Australia during the war. The book appears to be well written and contains many historic photos.

Americans in Australia during World War II

This was a very interesting book, written by an Australian, giving us an idea of what it felt like when the Americans came to Australia. It's an unvarnished account, taking General Douglas MacArthur to task for being a prima donna -- leaving his men to fight to the death or be captured and face the Bataan Death March. In an interesting touch, the author uses popular song titles of the era for his chapter headings. The one for MacArthur is very appropriate: "Too Marvelous for Words." The cultural differences between the Australians and the Americans is, at first, something that both sides can learn from. After a time,it becomes apparent that the Americans are better paid and more popular with the Australian women, and skirmishes begin to break out. Then, a full-scale riot happens (The Battle of Brisbane). It takes some time before things calm down, but Australia was changed forever by the presence of the Americans. There are accounts of the different services, and how they performed in battle. I was glad to see the U.S. submarine force received an entire chapter, and even more surprised to find that one of the boats that my father served on in the Korean War was active in the fleet off Australia (I knew they had been in the Pacific, but had not known it had been that far south!). In all, a good read, and the only book that I've ever found on this subject.