✓ Newcastle HeraldCulture & Curiosity

Japanese sailors photographed Newcastle's military defences in the late 1930s

In the late 1930s, Japanese sailors caught attention in Newcastle. They bought maps and photographed military sites, including Fort Scratchley.

Why it mattersDeclassified records suggest Japan spied on Australian military sites before World War II, raising questions about invasion plans.

AustraliaAustralia's vulnerability in World War II was partly shaped by undetected Japanese reconnaissance carried out years before the fighting began.

✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago