Discussion Points

Read the eyewitness accounts, and discuss:

  1. Why were the Australians generally liked?
  2. How did the Australians treat the Timorese? Why?
  3. How did the Japanese treat the Timorese? Why?
  4. What sort of support did the Timorese provide the Australian troops?
  5. What was the nature of the warfare on the island?
  6. What were the impacts on the Timorese people?
  7. Do you think it could be said that Australia owed a moral debt to the East Timorese people at the end of the war?