Japanese

[Marauder]

Is there any truth in what I've been told that if the Japanese had invaded Australia via Queensland the Australian government had planned to withdraw to the NSW border leaving Queensland to the Japanese & that's one of the reasons for so much bad blood in the state of origins ?

[DlEHARD]

It's true. It was called the Brisbane line.

It definitely forms a lot of the early rivalry. But not sure how many Queenslanders actually are aware of it.

As a Queenslander, at first it sounds offensive, but following on from what we learnt on the Kokoda Track and the first land defend of the Japanese Imperial Army, it was probably a smart strategy that would have played to Australia's natural defences.

[Graham]

I don't think the Japanese thought invading Australia was feasible, but I'm told there was a real fear in Australia that the Japanese would invade.

As I understand it NSW/QLD rivalry goes back way before WW2

[Marauder]

11 hours ago, DlEHARD said:

It's true. It was called the Brisbane line.

It definitely forms a lot of the early rivalry. But not sure how many Queenslanders actually are aware of it.

As a Queenslander, at first it sounds offensive, but following on from what we learnt on the Kokoda Track and the first land defend of the Japanese Imperial Army, it was probably a smart strategy that would have played to Australia's natural defences.

When you look at the lack of troops left in Australia to defend its shores the Brisbane line would be a good point to defend, from, looks like the battle of Midway was a deciding factor in Australia  becoming safe.

[DlEHARD]

On 01/04/2020 at 02:21, Marauder said:

When you look at the lack of troops left in Australia to defend its shores the Brisbane line would be a good point to defend, from, looks like the battle of Midway was a deciding factor in Australia  becoming safe.

Yea and the Battle of the Coral Sea. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Coral_Sea