To the Empire Bank - the Kangaroo contributes a "New Guinea"
Date1914 - 1918
Object numberANMS1109[014]
NamePostcard
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 137 x 86 x 1 mm
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA postcard from World War 1commemorates the take over of German New Guinea by Australian forces in World War 1 in 1914. This very early and successful war victory, despite the loss of the submarine AE1, was a source of great pride for the Australian navy and certainly encouraged the war effort at home.HistoryFrom the outset of war and indeed prior to the declaration of war by Britain, the Australian government and military showed no reluctance or hesitation to commit to the Allied war effort. In July, as rumours of unrest in Europe filtered through to Australia the Federal Treasurer, Sir John Forrest emotionally stated "If Britain goes to her Armageddon we will go with her. Our fate and hers, for good or ill, are as woven threads". (Across the Sea to War", Ploughman, P. Rosenberg Publishing, 2003).
Once war was declared, the Naval Board and Naval services and ships of Australia and New Zealand were placed under the command of the Admiralty and their first task was to capture or destroy the German wireless outpost in the Pacific. This directive was successfully achieved by mid September 1914 and with the loss of only seven Australian lives at the battle of Bita Paka was considered a strong start to Australia at war.SignificanceAlthough becoming a federation in 1901, Australia still very much saw herself as a loyal subject to the "mother country" when war broke out in 1914. There was no hesitation in Australia joining the war effort and certainly Australians saw it as a chance to prove herself a stong and willing partner to Britain and at the same time establish a national idenity for herself.
