Yes, Tony, the commercial aspects ... 'business as usual' ... seemed to prevail and the Australian government were very conscious about maintaining exports and a balance of trade.
I'm not sure many people appreciate (as you do) just how much of the merchant fleets used/chartered by the Allies during the war were essentially foreign: much of the military hardware transported to and from Australia went on Dutch, Greek, Danish, Norwegian, and other, 'non-Dominion' shipping. Many were equipped with defensive armament (eg deck guns and paravanes) in Australian ports and in some instances manned by Australian service personnel.
Mike C
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17-04-13, 17:52
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