Fire Carriers
Our Lady of the Assumption Primary School
Indigenous people serving in WW2
By Xavier M 5/6MG
Not a lot of people talk about the indigenous peoples in WW2. But they did have a few significant roles.
Enlisted Personnel
An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 indigenous Australians enlisted in WW2, with some working in average battalions while others worked for special units such as the Torres Strait light infantry battalion.
Labor and Support
Many indigenous Australians did crucial labor in the Northern Territory, working on construction sites, military farms and as truck drivers delivering cargo to RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force).
Motivation
Indigenous Peoples enlisted in the hope that they would get better treated than by non indigenous Australians, or travel and earn more money.
Sacrifice
The sacrifice of indigenous Australians and their communities are often overlooked. At least 83 indigenous Australians were killed, 123 wounded and 17 became prisoners of war.
I think we should pay better respect to the First Nations soldiers who served in WW2.