The Battle of Sydney Harbour

Author: Peter Grose
Illustrations by Gary Jackson
This book is poised to make a very special contribution to our understanding of the battle of Sydney Harbour. It was the moment World War II became very real to Sydneysiders. It occurred in the context of rising fear about a Japanese invasion. As always happens in war, propaganda stereotypes the enemy as the face of evil. Simplistic racial profiling helps create that enemy, and those suspicions can linger long after a conflict has finished.

You will immediately notice that this book is printed in both Japanese and English. In a world where Japan and Australia now embrace each other in friendship and political coalition, this approach is long overdue. By incorporating both the Japanese and allied perspectives in exploring the battle of Sydney Harbour, the book greatly enhances our understanding of the event. More importantly, it gives us a long delayed opportunity to hear the voices of those to whom we were so implacably opposed.

Read carefully the testimony of Susumu Ito, who flew one of the spy planes over Sydney prior to the Battle. Part of his recollection is reproduced on the back cover and perfectly captures the enormous contribution to our understanding this book is poised to make. He remembers the Japanese reaction to the military funeral given to the Japanese sailors whose bodies were recovered from two of the mini-submarines. In 1942 Australia it caused great controversy, with many opposed to the recognition of the enemy’s losses. Ito’s memory reveals a very different and significant perspective.

This is genuine history, giving all readers the opportunity to not only time travel back to a very different time and place, but also reflect on the journey. It is a very important book, poised to make a major contribution to historical and cross-cultural understanding. As two former enemies complete their journey to become close allies with the Quad alliance linking Australia, Japan, the United States and India in a strategic security alliance, this book will enable you to understand the beginning of that journey in the Australian Navy’s decision to honour the Japanese mini-submariners for their bravery.