The Battle of Brisbane

In Australia, reports were suppressed of hostilities between Australian servicemen/civilians and United States military personnel. Queensland is the territory located on the north-east coast of Australia nearest to the Philippine Islands. Serious brawling occurred in Brisbane, Queensland’s capital city, on the 26^th/27^th November 1942.

The Battle of Brisbane, as it became known, began on the 26^th November 1942 following a number of fatal events. There is some uncertainty about what happened but it would appear that intoxicated American Private James R. Stein left a hotel at 6.50pm where he had been drinking when it closed. Along the way he stopped to talk with three Australians and was approached by Private Anthony E. O’Sullivan, U.S. Military Police (MP) asking Stein for his leave pass.  Becoming impatient the MP arrested Stein. The Australians remonstrated with the MP and when the MP raised his baton as if to strike one of the Australians, they attacked him. Several nearby American MPs and Australian servicemen rushed to help their fellow countrymen. Outnumbered, the American MPs, including O’Sullivan and Stein retreated to the U.S. Post Exchange (PX). A crowd of up to 100 Australian servicemen and civilians began to besiege the PX. As the crowd continued to grow, they also besieged the American Red Cross Club across the street from the PX. The local Police were unable to control the crowd and the Fire Brigade was reluctant to turn on water hoses. In the meantime the MPs inside the PX were armed with shotguns to protect the building. This demonstration of force was not viewed very kindly by the Australians and in one scuffle a shotgun was discharged. Australian Gunner Edward S. Webster was shot dead and seven other Australians received injuries during the scuffle. By 10.00 pm the crowd had dispersed leaving the ground floor of the PX destroyed.

On the second night, the 27^th November 1942 a crowd of approximately 500 Australian servicemen gathered outside the Red Cross building. The building had heavily armed American MPs located on the first floor as protection. These heavily armed MPs also provided the protection for the PX. In an attempt to defuse the gathering, Australian NCOs went through the crowd and confiscated several hand grenades. In a separate incident a group of Australian soldiers, armed with MP batons, confronted 20 American MPs who immediately formed a line and drew their weapons. An Australian officer intervened and persuaded the American commander of the MPs to move away from the area. The crowd moved on to General MacArthur’s headquarters and began shouting abuse at the building. Things finally settled down and eventually the crowd dispersed.

Although the two nations were fighting the Japanese as a common enemy, problems developed owing to the different circumstances of the two nations involved. Australia entered the Second World War in September 1939, following the governments’ acceptance of the United Kingdom’s declaration of war on Nazi Germany. America, on the other hand, did not enter the war until December 1941 when the Japanese invaded Pearl Harbour. Although not physically involved in 1939 it is doubtful if the Allies could have continued had it not been for the supplies from America.

During the Pacific War approximately one million U.S. military personnel were stationed at various locations in Eastern Australia from 1942 until 1945. Brisbane was the location for the headquarters of American General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander, South-west Pacific Area. United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt had ordered MacArthur to relocate from the Philippines to Australia in March 1942. Many American personnel were stationed in and around Brisbane to allow combat troops to either prepare for battle, to rest or to convalesce.

Prior to America’s entry into the Pacific War, Brisbane’s population was approximately 330,000. Increasing the population with approximately 80,000 American forces, Brisbane was finding it difficult to cope.  For the Australian civilian population rationing caused problems for the lack of amenities in the city, and the shortage of food was responsible for a poor diet. The Americans, on the other hand, were paid considerably more than the Australian military, coupled with the U.S. Army rations they could afford to be generous. Tensions began to appear when shops and hotels regularly gave preferential treatment to the Americans.

Military thinking was different also. Australians tended to look down on the fighting qualities of the Americans as being inferior but full of “gung-ho” and brashness. Although the Australians were bearing the brunt of land war in New Guinea the Americans would report back to the U.S. about “American victories”. But Australian victories were reported as “American and Allied victories”. The American view was that Australia lacked a “get up and go” attitude which also helped to sour relationships.

In conclusion, following the Battle of Brisbane every unit involved in the riot was located away from Brisbane. American MPs were increased to ensure further riots were avoided. The PX was relocated and Australian canteens were closed down. American Private Norbert Grant was court-marshalled for the manslaughter of Webster as he was carrier of the discharged shotgun. He was acquitted on the on the grounds of self-defence. Brisbane’s Chief Censor ordered that reports of the riot were not to be published. However, similar riots did follow; Melbourne in December 1942, Bondi in February 1943, Perth in January 1944 and Freemantle in April 1944.

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