SOURCE 5

• Japan attacked Pearl Harbour and Singapore, the War in the Pacific begins


  7 December 1941
• Japan bombed and attacked the American colony of the Philippines and Japan attacked Malaysia

  8 December 1941
• Churchill's sympathy for Australia reflects his concern for Australia’s security after withdrawal of British and American sea power from Australia
• Churchill emphasises the importance of supporting Australia, collaborative efforts from United States to increase the security of Australia and New Zealand by providing reinforcements, arms and equipment through the most efficient routes to support their defence efforts in the Pacific
• Churchill acknowledges the vulnerability Australia faces with the potential threat of hostile bombers reaching their shores
• Reflects challenges and adjustments made by the Allies to assist Australia in Pacific War
• John Curtin, prime minister of Australia in WWII put United States General Douglas MacArthur in charge of the Australia's defence forces in the Pacific
• John Curtin rejected Britain's strategy for deploying Australian troops in Burma, enabling the successful defence of New Guinea