Mothers Darlings of the South Pacific

Explore the profound narrative of *Mothers Darlings of the South Pacific*, a compelling exploration of personal histories amid the backdrop of World War II. This insightful book delves into the poignant relationships formed between American servicemen and Indigenous women throughout the South Pacific, resulting in a unique legacy of children often referred to as 'GI babies.' This meticulously researched account reveals the struggles faced by these women and their children, who sought connection and understanding in a world shaped by the complexities of war, race, and identity. With firsthand oral histories and archival research, Judith A. Bennett paints a vivid picture of a time when love flourished despite racial barriers and legal constraints. Discover the stories of longing and resilience as you navigate the journeys of the children raised without the presence of their American fathers, providing a rare glimpse into lives affected by global conflict. Perfect for readers interested in Pacific history, Indigenous narratives, and the social impact of war. *Mothers Darlings of the South Pacific* is an essential addition to your literary collection, shedding light on forgotten voices and the enduring legacy of wartime experiences.

Author: Judith A Bennett Ed. Publisher: Otago University Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 152 x 228 mm
Pages: 424
Publication Date: 13-06-2016

Like a human tsunami, World War II brought two million American servicemen to the South Pacific where they left a human legacy of some thousands of children. Mothers’ Darlings of the South Pacific traces the intimate relationships that existed in the wartime Pacific between US servicemen and Indigenous women, and considers the fate of the resulting children. The American military command carefully managed such intimate relationships, applying US immigration law based on race to prevent marriage ‘across the colour line’. For Indigenous women and their American servicemen sweethearts, legal marriage was impossible, giving rise to a generation of children known as ‘GI babies’. Among these Pacific war children, one thing common to almost all is the longing to know more about their American father. Mothers’ Darlings of the South Pacific traces these children’s stories of loss, emotion, longing and identity, and of lives lived in the shadow of global war. It considers the way these relationships developed in the major US bases of the South Pacific Command from Bora Bora in the east across to Solomon Islands in the west, and from the Gilbert Islands in the north to New Zealand. The writers interviewed many of the children of the Americans and some of the few surviving mothers, as well as others who recalled the wartime presence in their islands. Oral histories reveal what the records of colonial governments and the military largely have ignored, providing a perspective on the effects of the US occupation that until now has been disregarded by historians of the Pacific war.