Claim must be challenged
I wasn't going to respond to Bill Whitlam's letter (The Border Mail, September 29) thinking, as you do, that every primary school child in Australia would know about the essential and enduring role played by camels and their Afghan handlers in the exploration and settlement of this country's arid desert regions.
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However, the claim that “it was the Americans who stopped Japan ever reaching Australia in the Battle of the Coral Sea” has to be challenged.
Referring to that battle and Australia's part in it, Navy historian and author Ian Pfennigwerth wrote: “The traffic analysts of (Commander) Newman's Signals Intelligence unit had a field day … the allies had a clear picture of a massive operation directed principally against Port Moresby...a joint US Navy and RAN task force was positioned to intercept the assault and the ensuing clash has since been known as the Battle of the Coral Sea”.
Most accounts of the struggle to devine the intentions of the Japanese and of the battle have been written by Americans about Americans.
It was Rear Admiral John Crase's cruiser force that absorbed much of the land-based bombing effort which might have been directed against the American carriers and his presence in the heavy cruiser “Australia” decided the Japanese invasion convoy commander to retire rather than force his way into the Coral Sea.
At the time all this was happening I was a member of Commander Jack Newman's Signals Intelligence unit, based in Melbourne at Monterey, a block of flats in Queens Road (In 2010 I received the Blechley Park Award for the “vital service” I performed).
By the time I was allowed to talk about it not many people were interested but I still think it's important as Bill Whitlam suggests, to get the facts right.
The Americans with the massive support and intelligence of the RAN in a joint operation, halted the Japanese planned invasion.
I feel that my claim that some of us stopped some real boats was not “rubbish”, as Bill Whitlam seems to think.
Joan Fairbridge, Albury
‘Even’ education a must
Further to a letter I read in The Age by Jennifer Hopper “You choose, you Pay”, I agree with her sentiments regarding funding of private schools. I also consider all federal funding should be channelled into the public sector.
I appreciate that I attended a private school for most of my school life.
This was the choice of my parents and they were willing to sacrifice things like holidays etc., to allow us the privilege.
I realise the funding would need to be reduced gradually, and that initially there maybe an influx of students from the private sector.
When I attend reunions I’m amazed at the additional facilities now available to the current students.
I doubt I would now be attending this school as the extra-curricular activities would now be outside the fiscal capabilities of a bank employee.
My parents made this choice of a private school for two reasons. They had both attended a private school and post-war public schools were basic.
Mont Albert Central was my second public school after a short stint at East Ivanhoe State. In 1945 grades 1 and 2 were conducted in former Army huts, freezing in winter and stifling in summer.
Class sizes were large, 60 is one recollection. Strangely enough, we all learnt to read so from that you could conclude that teaching and not buildings are crucial for education.
I have been more than happy with the education my children received at their respective government schools, however, some school require more financial assistance to even the education received by all Australians.