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Hellfire Jack: The John Curtin Story (1985)

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clip ‘We are at war’

This clip chosen to be PG

Clip description

On 8 December 1941 John Curtin announces Australia is at war with Japan. He declares Australia must look to the United States rather than the United Kingdom for security.

Curator’s notes

by Richard Kuipers

The politics of war are analysed. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Curtin is concerned with the defence of Australia. In the most public of announcements he declares the United States and not traditional ally the United Kingdom as vital to Australia’s protection. It is extraordinary to think that the Australian prime minister did not have direct access to the US President in 1941.

Curtin’s direct statement concerning Australia’s security strategy created conflict with British prime minister Winston Churchill. Interviewed at the end of this section, Sir Harold White, Parliamentary Librarian of Australia 1947–60 and National Librarian 1960–70, describes Churchill and Curtin as men whose lives seemed destined to experience their finest hours as wartime leaders. Rare colour footage of first-aid drills is a highlight of the archival material in this clip.

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All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions.

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  • The National Film and Sound Archive’s permission must be sought to amend any information in the materials, unless otherwise stated in notices throughout the Site.

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