Series number
AWM89
Series title
Official History, Australia in the Korean War: records of Robert O'Neill, Official Historian
Series contents range
01 Jan 1945 – 31 Jan 1981
Extent
9m
Access conditions
Subject to the Australian Archives Act (1983)
Agency controlling
CA 616, Australian War Memorial
Custodial Agency
Australian War Memorial
Function and Provenance
This series contains the material used by Dr Robert O'Neill and his research assistants, Darryl McIntyre and Jeff Williams, in the research for, and the writing of, the official history, "Australia in the Korean War 1950-53".
O'Neill's original intention was to write the history in one volume. He subsequently concluded that the complexity of the diplomatic and strategic aspects of Australia's participation in the conflict, together with the breadth and scope of operations by the Australian force, made this impractical. The official history was therefore written and published in two volumes: Volume I "Strategy and Diplomacy" and Volume II "Combat Operations". Some items in the series were therefore initially marked during the drafting phase with chapter numbers which do not correspond to the works ultimately published.
Research for the official history began in 1970, with Volume I published in 1981. Volume II was written over the period 1973-81, and published in 1985.
The major sources for the history were the records of the Cabinet Office, the Departments of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Foreign (External) Affairs, and Defence, and the three armed services. As well as photocopies and manuscript notes from files of the various agencies, the series includes copies of, and extracts from, the works of academics, news cuttings, interview transcripts, correspondence and research cards.
Content
The series is organised into 16 sub-series annotated A to N, with A - D directly relating to the two published volumes of the history (A & B and C & D respectively), and sub-series E to N containing general material, or material related to both volumes. The sub-series are as follows:
A. VOLUME I - DRAFTS
This subseries contains the drafts of each chapter and appendix, the final versions of some chapters, and galley proofs and bound page proofs with editorial notes of Volume I. The items are numbered 1 to 52 with the final versions and galley proofs placed after the chapter drafts.
B. VOLUME I - SOURCE MATERIAL
This subseries has been divided into photocopy material and research material/working notes.
B.1. The photocopy material, arranged in chapter order as far as possible, consists of copies of records of the Departments of Foreign (External) Affairs, Defence, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Army, Navy and Air; of records held by the AWM; printed source material; journal articles; book extracts; newspaper cuttings. Items have been allotted the prefix "B.1" and an item number from 1 to 239.
B.2. The research material/working notes, arranged in chapter order as far as possible, contain manuscript notes from files of Commonwealth agencies. Also included are lists of files consulted, outlines of chapter plans and working notes. Items have been allocated the prefix "B.2" and an item number from 1 to 48.
C. VOLUME II - DRAFTS
This sub-series contains drafts of each chapter and appendix of Volume II, and includes prints of some chapters and final page proofs. There is more than one draft for several chapters. Correspondence and source material relating to Chapters 23 (by Brigadier P J Greville) and 24 (by McIntyre), and to Appendices E, H and J are also included. The items are numbered 1 to 64 and arranged in chapter order.
D. VOLUME II - SOURCE MATERIAL
This subseries has been divided into photocopy material and research material/working notes.
D.1. The photocopy material, arranged by chapter as far as possible, consists of copies of records of the Department of Defence and the Departments of Army, Navy and Air; operational records held by the AWM; maps; manuscript notes; drafts of historical accounts; correspondence of O'Neill; journal articles; and newspaper, papers and book extracts and cuttings. The most important sources for Volume II were the operational records, maintained by units, ships and squadrons - these predominate in this subseries. Further information on source material can be found in the bibliographical notes in Volume II. The material has been allocated a prefix of "D.1" and an item number from 1 to 103.
D.2. Research material/working notes, arranged in chapter order as far as possible, contain manuscript notes taken from files of the Department of Defence and the three service departments of Army, Navy and Air. Also included are lists of files consulted, Army subject index cards, extracts from AWM registry files, source information for the biographical notes in Volume II, outlines of chapter plans, working notes and journal articles. The items have been allocated the prefix "D.2" and an item number within the range 1 to 28.
E. MATERIAL RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE OFFICIAL HISTORY PROJECT
This sub-series contains material related to the writing of the official history other than source material. It includes information on the AWM, the writing of the War History in the United States and lists of those asked to comment on draft chapters.
F. CORRESPONDENCE
This sub-series contains correspondence received and sent by O'Neill. It includes comments on drafts arranged by chapter, correspondence with McIntyre, including comments by O'Neill on drafts of McIntyre's chapter; and general correspondence relating to the administration of the Official History project.
G. BIOGRAPHICAL CARDS
This sub-series consists of one box of cards containing biographical information for Appendix E, Volume II, "Biographical Notes", arranged in alphabetical order.
H. RESEARCH CARDS
This sub-series consists of five boxes containing research cards used by O'Neill. The cards in box 1 contain items of information used in the writing of various chapters, arranged by chapter. Boxes 2-5 contain cards with information arranged chronologically and by unit. Box 5 also contains biographical details on the commanders of the battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) and information on special subjects such as the Allied Council for Japan, defence expenditure and Malaya defence policy.
I. VOLUME II, CHAPTER 23 - SOURCE MATERIAL
Chapter 23 on Prisoners of War (POWs) was written by Brigadier Phillip Greville, who had been a POW in Korea between August 1952 and August 1953. The subseries contains source material used in the research and writing of the chapter, including photocopies from files of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Department of the Army, which contain correspondence concerning the treatment of POWs and interrogation of, prisoners-of-war. A narrative account by Greville is also included.
J. VOLUME II, CHAPTER 24 - SOURCE MATERIAL
Chapter 24 on Australian Army Medical Services was researched and written by Mr Darryl McIntyre. The subseries contains source material, including photocopies of articles in medical journals and correspondence between O'Neill, McIntyre and medical specialists (including Professor B H Gandevia).
K. INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS
This sub-series contains the records of interviews by McIntyre of A Kentwell, Australian Embassy, Tokyo, and Admiral G C Dyer, US Navy. Though O'Neill and McIntyre conducted numerous interviews in the preparation of the History, only these two transcripts are held by the AWM.
L. MAPS
This sub-series contains maps used by O'Neill, some with annotations.
M. PHOTOGRAPHS AND CARTOONS
This sub-series contains copies of black and white photographs and cartoons used in Volume I. They have been numbered in the order in which they appear in the published volume. It also includes some photographs not used in the published text. Photographs related to the medical services can be found, with the accompanying notes, in Subseries J.
N. PERSONAL, MISCELLANEOUS RESEARCH MATERIAL
This subseries contains personal records and research materials not associated with O'Neill's position as Official Historian but were transferred into the custody of the AWM along with the other records of the Official History project. The material relates to publications and manuscript works by O'Neill (including "Vietnam Task", "History of the Royal Australian Regiment" and "History of the Australian Army") as well as material on the Vietnam War and personal records from O'Neill's military service in Vietnam.
System of Arrangement and Control
The arrangement system was imposed by the AWM. For each sub-series there is an alphabetical prefix, followed by a single number. Arrangement within each sub-series varies, but is generally by published volume chapter number, alphabetical order or chronological order.
Using the Series
Each item in the series is recorded on the RecordSearch database which researchers can view on the internet.
Sources
O’Neill, R. Australia in the Korean War 1950-53, Vols I & 2, Preface
AWM89 Series Dossier