The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Mackay, Qld. C. 1943. A member of the Air Force Victorettes (AFVs) tags an American serviceman as he slides to a base during a game of softball. American servicemen on leave with the American Red Cross introduced the game to Australia. In the absence of local men, the women acted as opponents to the Americans at the showgrounds every Sunday afternoon. The AFVs were said to have picked up the game quickly, though the Americans played left-handed to compensate for their greater experience. The AFVs were an organisation of from four to five hundred women in Mackay who served on a roster system to entertain American servicemen on leave. (Original print held in AWM Archive Store at Department of Information N673D)
Mackay, Qld. C. 1943. A member of the Air Force Victorettes (AFVs) prepares to hit the ball during a game of softball against visiting American servicemen. Servicemen on leave with the American Red Cr
Mackay, Qld. C. 1943-03. In the kitchen of the rest centre for US Army Air Force personnel on leave, servicemen help with the washing up after dinner. Each day transport aircraft flew in between 75 an
Mackay, Qld. C. 1943-03. American servicemen splash in the sea at Eineo Beach with Air Force Victorettes, a voluntary organisation of local women who entertained troops on a roster basis. The town was
Australian and American personnel viewing a softball game at a United States hospital in the Port Moresby area. Softball is popular with both Americans and Australians and competitions are played bet
An American serviceman, Corporal Sol Sklar, of New York City (at left) and an Australian soldier VX5005 Craftsman Henry Robert Lindsay, 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion, viewing a softball game at a Unite
Mackay, Qld. C. 1943-03. American servicemen on leave deep sea fishing along the Great Barrier Reef. The American Red Cross chartered the motor launch, and provided reels, bait, and lunch for the fish
