Suffering, Redemption and Triumph

Between 1946 and 1966, large numbers of displaced persons (DPs) came to Australia to escape the horrors of war-torn Europe. Peter Brune’s latest work had its genesis in more than 40 interviews he conducted with DPs in the period 2001–2022. He spoke to migrants from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, and Hungary.

Inspired by their resilience, their enterprise, and their determination to make a new life for themselves in Australia, the author has written about their harrowing war experiences—drawing largely on their own words—their reception in Australia, and their initial responses to an alien culture. Their subsequent reflections on the journeys they undertook and how they fared here are both moving and revelatory.

Peter also analyses the Chifley government’s immigration policies, which were driven by Arthur Calwell, and the selection criteria that were applied to assess applicants. Both Chifley and Calwell saw the need for a greater population for economic and security reasons; but they also felt an obligation to alleviate the deprivations suffered by millions of Europeans.

This book is an extraordinary exposition of how mass postwar immigration created the modern, multicultural society in which we now live. Peter makes the case that it is one of the most significant periods in the Australian story.

‘A compelling narrative that offers an in-depth exploration of the experiences of displaced persons (DPs) in Australia after World War II … both enlightening and thought-provoking.’ Zoe Rogers

‘Deeply touching and enlightening, Suffering, Redemption, and Triumph is more than just a historical account; it's a lesson in humanity and the enduring impact of wars. It's a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the true consequences of conflict and the power of compassion and unity in shaping a nation. Highly recommended.’ Andrew Carpenter

‘Peter Brune is an excellent historian, unravelling facts about the post-war dissemination of European immigrants by sharing individual reports, related in a conversational manner that makes the plight of the immigrants both credible and emotionally charged … moving and instructive, this is a book for all readers curious about the true aftermath of wars. Highly recommended.’ Grady