Phil explores two stories from the final year of the war that carry great Australia interest, stories that highlight what he calls the ‘imperial muscle memory’ which makes British policy in the Pacific and SE Asia regions.
First the decision to re-impose French control of Indochina, and to use Japanese Prisoners Of War in that bloody process. Was it necessary ‘realpolitik’ or a flagrant breach of the principles for which the Allies were supposed to be fighting – first articulated in the Atlantic Charter? This little known story explains why Vietnam was set up for 30 more years of war, war that would eventually involve Australia, the USA and cause huge physical and human damage to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
Secondly the famous Australia Special Forces Operation Semut in Borneo. Phil delves into the reasoning behind this controversial mission, explains how it developed into a messy jungle war of head hunting and threatened court martial – with classic Anglo-Aussie rivalries making their presence felt as well – and also asks whether or not it sealed the fate of the Australian prisoners at Sandakan.
The Presenter: Phil Craig
Phil Craig is a best-selling author and multiple award-winning film maker.
A former RAF cadet pilot, he studied at Cambridge University, was a BBC graduate trainee and built his career working for the iconic British TV series World in Action and Panorama. Later he held senior positions at the prestigious Brook Lapping production company at the Discovery Channel and at ABC Television in Australia where he ran the entire factual output including its high-profile ANZAC centenary project. Throughout his TV and writing career, Phil spent many years researching and reinterpreting the story of Britain and its Empire during the Second World War, including his definitive and bestselling account – Finest Hour.
He hosts The Scandal Mongers Podcast.
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