Documentary ·History ·War · Australia · 1994 · 56m

The Forgotten Force

Director

Cast

Crew

Rod Jong — Director of Photography Peter De Vries — Director of Photography Doug Howard — Editor Jan Preston — Original Music Composer Julian Leatherdale — Writer Raymond Quint — Writer

Tagline

Tells the story of Australia's role as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in the occupation of Japan

Synopsis

After the atomic obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, over 36,000 Australian men and women, part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF), marched onto Japanese soil. They were assigned the toughest and most dangerous area of Japan: Hiroshima Prefecture, which included the atom-bombed city. The Forgotten Force tells for the first time the story of Australia's role in Japan. Rare archival and private footage, photographs and eyewitness accounts from both sides vividly recreate the atmosphere of post-war Japan - the horror of Hiroshima and its aftermath; the struggle to build a new "democratic" society while under the heel of military rule; the growth from suspicion and fear to friendship and trust between foes.

Trailer