Memorabilia relating to the wartime experiences of Ben Mac Greer
Date1943 - 1945
Object numberANMS0331
NameArchive series
MediumPaper
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Ben Greer
DescriptionThis collection relates to the experiences of Ben Mac Greer, an American Naval Officer stationed in Australia during World War II.
This series consists of 12 items including one badge, two booklets, four cards, one cartoon, one lettergram, one magazine, one photograph and one program.HistoryDuring World War II thousands of American troops came to Australia. After their arrival, many were housed in make-shift camps in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. In a show of hospitality, many Australian families shared their rationed food by inviting US servicemen into their homes for meals.
On 19 February, 1942 the war came to Australia's doorstep. Darwin was bombed by the Japanese twice that day with the loss of 250 civilian lives and over 300 casualties. The US Navy, in port at the time, lost eight ships and another 15 were damaged.
The following month General Douglas MacArthur arrived in Brisbane and set up his headquarters. Both the local public and national politicians welcomed this American presence in Australia.
