In 1942 there was considerable controversy in Australia over the existence of contingency plans to abandon much of the country to Japan in the event of invasion.
The Brisbane Line was an imaginary line drawn from the eponymous city to Perth (or possibly Adelaide). Everything north of this would be abandoned as indefensible and military assets concentrated to better defend the area with the highest population, most industry, etc.
Ultimately, this never occured; indeed, possibly the strategy never existed. Many Australians were furious at the idea of surrendering more than half of the country, and made their displeasure clear. Instead, Australia made its stand in Papua New Guinea, and was ultimately successful.
Assuming the Line existed, what would be the consequences of the government adopting it? Would the IJA actually attempt an overland march to reach the South-East?
Also, instead of regarding the measure as a last resort, could the Allies consciously employ it as a trap, drawing in the IJA to perish in the desert? And would this later result in a more successful counterattack?
The Brisbane Line was an imaginary line drawn from the eponymous city to Perth (or possibly Adelaide). Everything north of this would be abandoned as indefensible and military assets concentrated to better defend the area with the highest population, most industry, etc.
Ultimately, this never occured; indeed, possibly the strategy never existed. Many Australians were furious at the idea of surrendering more than half of the country, and made their displeasure clear. Instead, Australia made its stand in Papua New Guinea, and was ultimately successful.
Assuming the Line existed, what would be the consequences of the government adopting it? Would the IJA actually attempt an overland march to reach the South-East?
Also, instead of regarding the measure as a last resort, could the Allies consciously employ it as a trap, drawing in the IJA to perish in the desert? And would this later result in a more successful counterattack?