Interview with Wilfred Burchett

Interview with Wilfred Burchett. [Sound recording] [Special Collections]

Summary

Interview with Wilfred Burchett by John Clements, recorded in Paris, France.

Wilfred Burchett talks about his life, and his book, "At the Barricades".

Tape 1 - Wilfred discusses his childhood, family and education. He discusses his reputation as a detractor and talks about his time working for the Guardian Newspaper in New York.

Tape 2 - Wilfred discusses his early career, particularly concerns in the lead up to World War 2. He recalls his frustration with the Menzies Government's denial of the rapidly declining situation in Germany, especially with regard to the persecution of Jewish people.

Tape 3 - Wilfred discusses his involvement in reporting the Hiroshima bombing and the response of the various governments involved. He explores the period of time in which the government refused to issue him an Australian Passport.

Tape 4 - Missing (recording not available).

Tape 5 - Wilfred talks about his involvement with Ho Chi Minh and dealings with Henry Kissinger. He ties this back to his philosophical beliefs about the role of the journalist and discusses Bulgaria's unique position in the persecution of the Jewish people.

Tape 6 - Wilfred offers his predictions about the sociopolitical futures of Eastern Europe and the United States.

Tapes 1 to 3 were recorded on 13 February 1982. Tapes 5 and 6 were recorded on 14 February 1982.

This sound recording is part of the John Clements Oral History Collection.

Date:	13 February 1982
Item Type:	Special Collections
Collection:	John Clements Oral History Collection
Copyright:	© Estate of John Clements
Other Information:	This recording was originally made on a 5 inch (13 centimetre) reel to reel tape.
Notes:	5 digital files : 90 MB
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/54578

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