Mhaze, I offer evidence for Menzies 'Brisbane Line'defence strategy. US General Douglas MacArthur referred to the Brisbane Line during a press conference in March 1943. The UAP/CP proposal as championed by Menzies and Fadden was highlighted by Labor member Eddie Ward. Knowledgeable people at the time believed the relevant records were removed from the Cabinet transcripts, allowing for a Royal Commission to find no evidence, and therefore save Menzies hide.

Paul,

Just regurgitating the myth isn't evidence.

"the relevant records were removed from the Cabinet transcripts"

Well the Royal Commission looked into that specific claim and found that it was a false claim. The cabinet documents weren't removed because they didn't exist.

We should also note that Eddie Ward was effectively demoted by Curtin when the truth became clear.

Look, it made perfect sense that, in the event of the Japanese landing an army in Australia, we would try to protect the most important industrial and population areas, ie the east coast from Brisbane to Melbourne, with particular emphasis on Sydney and Newcastle.
The strategic assessment also included defending Darwin as a forward base. It was this that MacArthur referred to.

But this idea didn't come from Menzies or any other politician. It was the natural and correct strategic analysis from the army command. And it all happened AFTER the UAP was out of government.

The ALP is well-practised at creating these myths that its loyal followers end up believing. Pig Iron Bob. Brisbane Line. Menzies advanced knowledge of the Petrov Affair. Kerr and the CIA. etc etc

All rubbish and all fervently accepted by the ALP's flying monkeys

mhaze,

An article given in The Australian, 18th May 2017,
by Mark Day tells us that -

"A treasure trove of documents detailing how Australia
was to be subjected to a scorched earth policy if
Japan had invaded 75 years ago has been uncovered in an
amazing chance discovery."

The files shed light on the controversial Brisbane Line
and has been published in a book, "Scorched Earth" by
Heritage Consultant Sue Rosen.

Might be worth consulting.

Foxy,

I haven't got a subscription to the Australia so perhaps you can send me through some pertinent paragraphs since you've obviously read it.

As to the book, I've read, or at least skimmed, it.

Its about what I'd expect from people who aren't really military historians. Being amazed that the Australian leadership had plans for a scorched earth policy in the event of a Japanese invasion, is like being amazed that the sun rose in the east this morning.

Of course we had such a policy. Of course we were going to concentrate on protecting the major industrial and population centres. Of course we were going to destroy everything of use to the enemy as it advanced. These are standard military tactics which have been employed since Sargon the Great was a boy.

I'd venture that every nation on earth has plans as to what to do in the event of invasion. Just as they have plans as to what to do in the event of problems with neighbours. I'd be willing to bet my wife's virginity that we have invasion plans for New Zealand. Just because we do doesn't mean we intend to do so.

But all this utterly misses the point about the Brisbane Line myth as per Paul's fantasies. He's claiming that the line was an invention of Menzies and that they later sought to cover it up be removing documents from the official record. Both of those propositions were checked by a Royal Commission and found to be utterly groundless. The book has nothing new to say on that.

The strategic decision to basically withdraw behind a line between Adelaide and Brisbane was a military decision, not a political one although even then the politicians over-ruled it.

They had that luxury because the invasion never happened. Indeed the Japanese never had the slightest intentions of invading.

mhaze,

The book - "Scorched Earth: Australia's Secret Plan for
total war" is a 2017 history book. It covers Australian
planning in response to a feared Japanese invasion of
Australia during World War II. The Brisbane Line is
covered in it. And If you managed to get a hold of it
then you should know what it was about.

The article in the Australian lifts the lid on the
documents found that resulted in the book.

You can access The Australian article yourself. It does
not have a pay wall attached.

mhaze,

Here's the information for you:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/inquirer/the-citizens-guide-to-war-when-japan-threatened-australia/news-story/Oe542f479492d1O4564dOOd963e4c2fb