It’s funny to think American military servicemen were given a guide to Aussies. The Instructions for American Servicemen in Australia 1942 is a 64 page booklet with gems such as:

“You’ll find the Australians an outdoors kind of people, breezy and very democratic. They haven’t much respect for stuffed shirts, their own or anyone else’s. They’re a generation closer to their pioneer ancestors than we are to ours, so it’s natural that they should have a lively sense of independance and “rugged individualism”. But they have too, a sense of cooperation. The worst thing an Australian can say about anyone is: “He let his mates down”. A man can be a “dag” (a cutup) or “rough as bags” (a tough guy), but if he sticks with the mob, he’s all right.”

Of course, the best thing any Australian can say about you is that you’re a “bloody fine barstud”.

You’ll find that the Digger is a rapid, sharp and unsparing kidder, able to hold his own with Americans or anyone else. He doesn’t miss a chance to spar back and forth and he enjoys it all the more if the competition is tough.

Another thing, the Digger is instantaneously sociable. Riding on the same train with American troops, a mob of Aussies are likely to descend on the Yanks, investigate their equipment, ask every kind of personal question, find out if there’s any liquor to be had, and within five minutes be showing pictures of their girls and families.

Being simple, direct and tough, especially if he comes from the “Outback”, the Digger is often confused and non-plussed by the “manners” of Americans in mixed company or even in camp. To him those many “bloody thank you’s” and “pleases” Americans use are a bit sissified. But, on the other side of the fence, if you ask an Australian for an address in a city you happen to be, he won’t just tell you. He’ll walk eight blocks or more to show you.

There’s one thing you’ll run into - Australian’s know as little about our country as we do about theirs. To them, all American soldiers are “Yanks” - and always will be.