Paving the Way to a "Good Understanding": Recreation and Australian-American Army Cooperation in the South West Pacific Area, 1941-1945

This article examines recreation as an aspect of Australian-American army cooperation during the Second World War. Despite the vast literature grappling with the military and social aspects of the Australian- American wartime alliance, none have realised that these armies often pooled their resources to entertain troops in the field. This article argues that the relationship between the recreation branches of the Australian and American armies( the Amenities Service and Special Services) was amiable and productive. Together, American morale officers and Australian amenities officers created recreational activities that attracted allied troops in their thousands. Although recreation provided ample opportunities for Australian and American troops to interact, discover cultural similarities, and bond, careful policies which ensured that alcohol and women were largely unavailable to troops played a greater role in reducing inter-allied tension in the operational areas. Finally, allied recreation was subject to inconsistent policies of racial segregation.