Directorate of Research and Civil Affairs

The Directorate of Research and Civil Affairs (DORCA) was a mysterious and difficult to categorise think tank and possibly intelligence organisation within the Australian Army during World War II.[1]

Set up and headed by the charismatic Alf Conlon, the Directorate's alumni had a huge influence over Australia and the Pacific region post-WWII, especially through the Australian School of Pacific Administration (ASOPA).[2]

DORCA has been described as mysterious, odd ball, bohemian. It is difficult if not impossible to categorise, having clearly involved at least in some sense in intelligence work. That it morphed into ASOPA after the war gives no real insight into its wartime activities.

When formed in February 1943, the Directorate was made part of Military Intelligence, with Conlon reporting directly to General Blamey, commander-in-chief of the Australian Military Forces.[2][3] Some of the work achieved during its short, wartime life included: making good the shortfall of no adequate military maps for the Northern Territory; finding substitute sources for quinine when Australia’s quinine suppliers came under Japanese control; preparing reports on Army health and nutrition, battlefield terrain, dietary standards for Papuan carriers and trends in international relations.[2], but its most important role was in developing policy advice on the post-war governance of Pacific territories after the anticipated allied victory.[2][4] Conlon gave himself a broad policy canvas, which included anticipating and providing for PNG’s independence.[4][2][3] "Work of enduring value was performed."[2] However, DORCA's planning for post-war Borneo was duplicated and in conflict with other Australian War cabinet plans.[5] The wartime involvement of DORCA in training people to be administrators in Papua New Guinea led directly to the advocacy for, and creation of, the Australian School of Pacific Administration (ASOPA) with John Kerr (Conlon's 2IC at DORCA) becoming its principal.[2]

"Alumni"

• Commander Alf Conlon
• 2IC John Kerr (later, 18th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia)
• James McAuley
• Harold Stewart
• James Plimsoll (later, a Governor of Tasmania)
• Peter Ryan
• Bill Stanner (anthropologist) commander North Australia Observer Unit[5]
• Camilla Wedgwood (anthropologist)
• Ida Leeson (Mitchell Librarian)
• Colonel J. K. Murray (Professor of Agriculture, University of Queensland 1927-1945, Administrator of Papua and New Guinea 1945-52)
• Professor Julius Stone, chair of international law and jurisprudence at Sydney[5]
• Ian Hogbin (anthropologist[5])

References

1. Charlton, Peter. "Shadowy organisation had undue influence". The Peace Generation. The Courier Mail. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
2. Jackson, K. The ASOPA Archives (Australian School of Pacific Administration)
3. Pybus, Cassandra 2012. Conlon’s Remarkable Circus, in Gray, G.; Munro, D.; Winter, C. (2012). Scholars at War. ANU e-press. pp. 55–72. doi:10.26530/OAPEN_459517. ISBN 9781921862502.
4. Sligo, Graeme. 2012. The Backroom Boys: Conlon and Army's Directorate of Research and Civil Affairs, 1942–46, Big Sky Publishing.
5. Long, G.M. (1963) Chapter 16. Planning for Borneo - April to June 1945. In 'Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 1 – Army.' Vol. VII pp. 388-405. (Australian War Memorial, Canberra)

• Campbell, I.C. (June 2000). "The ASOPA Controversy: a pivot of Australian policy for Papua and New Guinea, 1945–49". Journal of Pacific History. 35 (11): 83–99. doi:10.1080/713682830. Archived from the original on August 19, 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
• Long, Gavin (1963). The Final Campaigns. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 1 – Army. Volume VII. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 1297619.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)