Guide to the Papers of Wilfred Burchett
MS Acc10.031, MS Acc14.136
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Online Items
Class MS Acc10.031. Consignment received 2010, 1953-1998 (bulk 1967-1983)
MS Acc10.031 comprises papers documenting Wilfred Burchett's professional life as a journalist and non-fiction writer, including his legal battles to be re-issued with a passport after his British one was cancelled and during his Australian defamation case, as well as aspects of his personal life. The collection comprises correspondence, notes, draft articles and book manuscripts, press cuttings, research material, film and television proposals and scripts, financial papers, publications and photographs. The correspondence includes copies of Burchett's own letters; many of those addressed to his wife and family describe his activities in the field.
Sihanouk, c.1967-1977 (File) - Box 1
Draft article by Burchett, 'A great non-event in Malaysia'. Includes cuttings of articles.
Grasshoppers and elephants, 1975-1976 (File) - Box 1
Correspondence with publishers, including draft excerpts
New Vietnam notes - The China-Cambodia-Vietnam triangle - final chapters, 1978-1980 (File) - Box 1
Correspondence, cuttings, drafts
Vietnam (Binder title: Notes Divers), c.1971 (File) - Box 1
Diverse notes. Includes cuttings and correspondence
Draft articles, 1979 (File) - Box 1
Draft articles titled 'Beginning of an end or end of a beginning', 'End of beginning or beginning of end', 'The Better Heritage of Four Years of Khmers Rouges', 'The Bitter Heritage of Four, 'Behind the Khmers Rouges Madness' and ' Four Years of Khmers Rouges Madness'.
'Imp' [Imperialist?] Vietnam interviews, 1967-1968, 1966-1979 (File) - Box 3
Roneoed material and drafts
My war with the CIA - correspondence, 1972-1983 (File) - Box 4
Correspondence with publishers. Includes a contract
De Gaulle speech 1965; Vietnam notes 1978; Commentary for film, 'We are 20 years old', 1965-1978 (File) - Box 5
In envelope
Kissinger and other 'Imp.' [Imperialist?] Conversations, 1968-1974 (File) - Box 5
Includes correspondence, drafts and interview transcripts
Miscellaneous, 1975-1980 (File) - Box 6
Includes copies of correspondence and other papers relating to Cambodia and Kampuchea
Pfeiffer, Westing and clippings, 1969-1983 (File) - Box 7
Letters from EW (Bert) Pfeiffer and a report by Arthur H. Westing (scientists) on damage in Cambodia as a result of US military use of agent orange
'Pilger and Munro', 1982-1983 (File) - Box 7
Private correspondence and correspondence with Central Independent Television personnel
Future TV etc projects - Roger Pic-'Bur' [Burchett?] footage, 1981-1982 (File) - Box 7
Largely correspondence
'Vietnam-Kampuchea, August 1979', 1974-1993 (File) - Box 8
Largely cuttings of articles about Burchett, plus a draft article and correspondence
Vanguard Books and Antonov book, 1981-1983 (File) - Box 8
Correspondence with publisher re The China-Cambodia-Vietnam triangle
'SVN photos' (File) - Box 9
Folder contains a draft article by Burchett, 'Behind the anti-Bulgarian campaign'
London Guardian and Feen, 1966-1980 (File) - Box 9
Cuttings, draft article and telex to the Guardian
'Hurricane Mozambique … Angola and after' [Southern Africa stands up] - corrections, 1972-1978 (File) - Box 10
Correspondence with publishers
Namibia - Sam Nujoma, President of SWAPO, 1975-1976 (File) - Box 11
Notes, draft articles and research material
'Hurricane Mozambique … Angola and after' [Southern Africa stands up] - notes, c.1976 (File) - Box 11
Notes and draft articles
Kathy Rethlake [University of Southern California masters student], c.1970-1981 (File) - Box 11
Includes an essay by Bill Anderson on 'the campaign mounted against Burchett' 1981. Correspondence between Rethlake and Burchett regarding Rethlake's thesis on Burchett.
'USA - Vietnam - political strategy' (File) - Box 12
Folder contains draft articles on many subjects including Angola
Mercenaries - miscellaneous press cuttings (2), 1974-1978 (File) - Box 13
Includes draft foreword for Swedish edition of 'Southern Africa stands up' and of chapter 9
Independent Publishing Fund of the Americas + Ethiopia and Kampuchea, 1978-1980 (File) - Box 13
Correspondence
At the barricades - correspondence - Harrison Salisbury and New York Times Books, 1980-1982 (File) - Box 13
Envelope
Bulgarian TV series, 1972-1973 (File) - Box 14
'List of subjects for a series of 26-minute TV documentaries…'
Korean tragedy - miscellaneous, 1950 (File) - Box 15
Draft chapters and copy of 1950 journal article
Korean anthology, 1968-1977 (File) - Box 15
Correspondence, publisher's contract, draft chapters and copy of draft manuscript
'New Korean notes NSC 68', 1978-1981 (File) - Box 15
Includes correspondence, cuttings, research material and draft articles
Germ war - updated, 1977-1981 (File) - Box 16
Research material, correspondence and papers relating to Agent Orange victims organisation
Hiroshima today, c.1982-1983 (File) - Box 17
Includes draft articles, correspondence, financial papers and a draft 'Author's warning' for At the barricades
Correspondence - China: the quality of life, 1972-1977 (File) - Box 18
Correspondence with publishers
Hua's China, 1979-1980 (File) - Box 18
Includes copies of personal letters sent by Burchett whilst in China
Yellow plastic file containing press cuttings, a telex and a draft manuscript excerpt, c.1979 (File) - Box 18
Chemical warfare in Asia - Orsay conference - A.W. Pfeiffer-Arthur H. Westing articles, 1970 (File) - Box 19
Papers inside a cardboard box
30-odd titles - Dulles, MacArthur, Truman etc on background and prosecution of Korean War - chapter and page references, 1961-1971 (File) - Box 19
Research material and notes inside a cardboard box
Press cuttings and publications, 1968-1983 (File) - Box 20
Originally loose in box, rehoused in an archival folder by Library
Triangle book with footnotes, c.1979 (File) - Box 20
Includes letter from Burchett to Saul Landau of Institute for Policy Studies National Offices
'Signed last page. Intro to China-Cambodia-Vietnam Triangle', 1972-1983 (File) - Box 20
Envelope containing correspondence and financial papers
Afghanistan, 1979-1980 (File) - Box 21
Envelope containing photographs (including a visa and ID photograph of Burchett), press cuttings and copies of articles by Burchett
Shadows of Hiroshima (File) - Box 21
Envelope containing draft chapters (envelope is entitled 'Hiroshima')...
Atomic plague, 1945 (File) - Box 21
Envelope containing copy of Chapter 2 of Shadows of Hiroshima and copies of a 1945 news article entitled 'Atomic plague'
Shadows of Hiroshima (File) - Box 21
Envelope containing draft chapters (envelope is entitled 'Hiroshima')
Hansard on Select Committee and 1970 return, 1968-1975 (File) - Box 22
Hansard material, correspondence and notes
Fans and detractors - Hyland etc cases, 1951-1977 (File) - Box 22
Correspondence, press cuttings and photographs
Miscellaneous correspondence - passport case, legal aspects of treason etc (File) - Box 22
Empty paper packet
Press Australian trip and passport etc, 1967-1978 (File) - Box 22
Press cuttings, a draft article and letters to and from politicians, including replies from Arthur Calwell and Gough Whitlam
US trip - Birchers - Murdoch press - State Dept and CIA bribe attempt - important kangaroo justice material, 1976-1983 (File) - Box 23
Envelope containing correspondence and cuttings
Passport stuff - Krotkov, 1969-1975 (File) - Box 23
Envelope containing correspondence, notes and research material
Australia trip - press comments, c.1977 (File) - Box 23
File containing cuttings and draft articles. File is entitled 'Etudes enfants'.
Correspondence on Kane case with lawyers, 1965-1969 (File) - Box 24
Correspondence and copies of articles
Spares - Burchett controversy, 1968-1973 (File) - Box 24
Press cuttings and a letter of thanks to Burchett
File containing miscellaneous papers including a draft proposal for documentary film on Burchett, a copy of an article on Burchett by John Pilger, with covering letter and correspondence, 1979-1984 (File) - Box 25
File is entitles 'Polices et quittances d'assurances'
Yellow plastic file containing cuttings of reviews of Grasshoppers and elephants, c.1977 (File) - Box 26
Blue plastic file containing press cuttings of reviews of Catapult to freedom, c.1978 (File) - Box 26
Refugees - clippings, 1979 (File) - Box 27
Includes Burchett's notes and draft articles, and English and French copies of Those who leave published by Vietnam Courier 1979
'CBW [chemical and bacteriological warfare] in Korea and Asia' by Committee for Solidarity with the Korean People, 1971 (File) - Box 27
Miscellaneous correspondence, 1982, 1980-1982 (File) - Box 27
Professional and personal correspondence
Plastic sleeve containing notes from an interview [?] of 'Deputy-Minister of Foreign Trade, Spas Georgiev', 1981 (File) - Box 28
Mercenaries, c.1977 (File) - Box 28
Envelope containing draft chapters. Inside file entitled both 'correspondence' and 'Miscellaneous articles…'
1968 Paris conference, 1967-1968 (File) - Box 28
Envelope containing research material. Inside file entitled both 'correspondence' and 'Miscellaneous articles…'
V-C-K [Vietnam - Cambodia - Korea] articles (File) - Box 28
Envelope containing draft articles. Inside file entitled both 'correspondence' and 'Miscellaneous articles…'
1978 Vietnam / Cambodian articles, 1976 - 1980 (File) - Box 28
Envelope containing cuttings, research material and draft articles. Inside file entitled both 'correspondence' and 'Miscellaneous articles…'
Miscellaneous Vietnam and other documents, 1945 - 1981 (File) - Box 29
Envelope containing journal issues and other research material
European articles - Portugal etc (File) - Box 29
Envelope containing draft articles. Includes article on Korea
Loose press cuttings, 1978 - 1979 (File) - Box 29
Inside file entitled both 'State laws and documents' and 'Tribune and Guardian articles…'
Untitled envelope containing draft articles[?] Inside file entitled both 'State laws and documents' and 'Tribune and Guardian articles…' (File) - Box 29
Various loose publications. Inside file entitled both 'State laws and documents' and 'Tribune and Guardian articles…', 1955 - 1980 (File) - Box 29
Hearings of the Committee on Armed Services United States Senate 89th Congress, Worldwide Military Commitments, 1966 (Item) - Box 29
Hearing before the Committee on Foreign Relations United States Senate 90th Congress, Present Situation in Vietnam, 20 March 1968 (Item) - Box 29
With General David M. Shoup, Former Commandant, United States Marine Corps
Hearings before the Committee on Foreign Relations United States Senate 91st Congress, Briefing on Vietnam, 18 November 1969 - 19 November 1969 (Item) - Box 29
With Secretary of State William P. Rogers and Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird
Hearings of the Committee on Foreign Affairs House of Representatives 92nd Congress, American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia, 23 March 1971 - 20 April 1971 (Item) - Box 29
Hearings before the Subcommittee on National Security Policy and Scientific Developments of the Committee on Foreign Affairs House of Representatives
Report to the Committee on Foreign Relations United States Senate, Stalemate in Vietnam, 1968 (Item) - Box 29
By Senator Joseph S. Clark on a Study Mission to South Vietnam
Findings and Recommendations of the Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate, Civilian Casualty and Refugee Problems in South Vietnam, 9 May 1968 (Item) - Box 29
Findings and Recommendations of the Subcommittee to Investigate Problems Connected with Refugees and Escapees of the Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate
Photocopy of North of the seventeenth parallel by Burchett. Now inside plastic bag., c.1956 (File) - Box 30
'My war with the CIA' by Prince Norodom Sihanouk, as related to Wilfred Burchett (File) - Box 31
Copy of manuscript
Green plastic file containing a copy of 'Escalating in a quagmire' by Daniel Ellsberg, c.1970 (File) - Box 32
Miscellaneous publications, 1965 - 1982 (File) - Box 33
Australian Institute of International Affairs, Dyason House Papers (1981) 8(2), December 1981 (Items) - Box 33
CovertAction Publications, CovertAction Information Bulletin No.12 (1981), April 1981 (Items) - Box 33
Miscellaneous on Indochina, c.1961 (File) - Box 33
Plastic sleeve containing article in French by Philippe Devillers
Bulletin of concerned Asian scholars, Vol 12, no. 4, 1980 (File) - Box 34
Originally loose in Box 33, rehoused into plastic bag
Annals of American Academy of Political and Social Science. 'How wars end', 1970 (File) - Box 34
Envelope containing photocopy
'Vietnam Vietnam' by David Holman (from an original idea by John Pilger). Script, revised fifth draft, 1998 (File) - Box 34
Photocopy of manuscript [Bulgaria book?] (File) - Box 34
Originally loose in Box 33, rehoused into folder
Euro-Communism, 1975 - 1977 (File) - Box 35
Correspondence, draft of article by Burchett and press cuttings
UN [United Nations] information project, 1979 - 1980 (File) - Box 35
Correspondence, 'Draft proposals on information and communications' and research material
Orange plastic folder containing correspondence and financial and legal papers, 1968 - 1986 (File) - Box 35
The whores of war: mercenaries today - correspondence, 1975 - 1978 (File) - Box 35
Includes press cuttings
Miscellaneous projects - Castro book, 1980-1981 (File) - Box 35
Correspondence, including a copy of a letter from Burchett addressed to Fidel Castro
Orange folder containing another folder entitled 'Documents - relative appeal'. Includes correspondence, largely copies, supporting papers and notes, 1969 - 1993 (File) - Box 36
Robert Manne, 1985 (File) - Box 36
Envelope containing correspondence and copies of an article and book by Manne about Burchett
Orange file entitled 'Press on Trinh interview and Warner', but containing photocopies of a press cutting and a letter from Gough Whitlam, 1974, 1977 (File) - Box 36
Octagon Films, 1983 (File) - Box 37
Correspondence and synopsis for 'The Bulgarian connection' by Burchett
Red folder containing correspondence and copies of articles on Hiroshima, 1945 - 1982 (File) - Box 37
Burchett and anti-nuclear movement, 1964 - 1998 (File) - Box 37
Correspondence, draft articles, photographs and research material
[Claire] Sterling case, 1981 - 1982 (File) - Box 37
Cuttings and draft articles - attempted assassination of Pope
File with illegible title containing press cuttings and copy of article by Burchett, 'Setting the record straight', 1966 - 1980 (File) - Box 38
Malcolm Caldwell, c.1975 (File) - Box 38
Envelope containing copy of 'Response to Malcolm Caldwell', a press cutting and draft articles
PVD interview. 'Various to sort out '83 etc', 1969 - 1985 (File) - Box 38
Envelope containing correspondence, draft articles and notes
WB vs DW, 1956 - 1975 (File) - Box 38
Envelope containing correspondence, cuttings, draft article and copy of appeal court summary of Burchett v. Kane case
1983. Envelope containing correspondence, press cuttings and notes, 1981-1996 (File) - Box 39
Includes thermal faxes
Miscellaneous articles / Guardian resignation, 1979-1982 (File) - Box 39
Correspondence and press cuttings
Rewi's corrections, 1972 - 1976 (File) - Box 39
Envelope inside green folder containing correspondence - 'Rewi's letters'
US visit, 1972 - 1981 (File) - Box 40
Correspondence and articles by writers other than Burchett, including one by T.D. Allman about Burchett
Burchett v. Kane, 1967-1975 (File) - Box 40
Correspondence, press cuttings and a copy of 'Background to the Burchett v. Kane libel action'
Personal - Sofia, 1970 - 1983 (File) - Box 40
Correspondence, financial papers and transcript of an oral history interview of Burchett
Miscellaneous papers including telegrams, 1963 - 1964 (File) - Box 40
File is entitled 'miscellaneous press cuttings'
Second visit NLF 1967, c.1965-1967 (File) - Box 40
Envelope containing copies of articles, publications and photographs of the Vietnam War
Red plastic file inside orange file is entitled 'spare photocopies of letters, passport case', 1956 - 1978 (File) - Box 40
File is entitled 'Purchase and repairs Meudon'
Small envelope entitled 'Lloyds …' containing bank statement and correspondence, 1982 - 1984 (File) - Box 40
Small envelope entitled 'Letters …' containing correspondence, including many to 'Vessa' [Vesselina Ossikovska, Burchett's second wife] and his children, and some photographs, 1964 - 1976 (File) - Box 40
Diary, notebooks and address book, 1978 - 1981 (File) - Box 41
Originally loose in Box 41, now inside plastic bag
Jungle letters, 1954-1965, 1954-1965 (File) - Box 41
Envelope containing correspondence, most from Burchett to his wife and children
AP [Associated Press] and POW [Prisoner of War] pictures, 1952 - 1982 (File) - Box 41
Correspondence and press cuttings
Correspondence PV Dong … Whitlam etc. Sihanouk, 1966-1985 (File) - Box 41
Envelopes inside blue file, containing original letters addressed to Burchett and copies of Burchett's letters. Titles of envelopes: Miscellaneous VIP - Dudman, Bradbury etc; Whitlam, Ross Terrill; Sihanouk etc; [Arthur] Miller, [Jane] Fonda. The last env
Copied and original draft chapter 'The Nito Alves Coup attempt' (File) - Box 42
Originally loose in Box 42, now in plastic bag
Catapult to freedom (1) (File) - Box 43
Green plastic file containing copy of draft. File also entitled 'Communications - men…'
Catapult to freedom (File) - Box 43
Envelope containing chapters 12-16 (original) and loose pile of papers including copies of chapter 5 and chapters 16-17, 20, 26-34 of Barricades. Originally contained inside a cardboard covering, now in two plastic bags.
Galleys of Southern Africa Stands Up. Also a copy of a film/TV script 'Public enemy number one' (File) - Box 44
Originally loose in Box 44, now in plastic bags
Southern Africa stands up - copy of draft, 1976 - 1978 (File) - Box 47
Originally loose in Box 47, now in plastic bag
Orange plastic file containing copies of Angolan legal papers relating to the case of Andrew Gordon McKenzie, and Burchett's notes, c.1976 (File) - Box 47
Orange plastic file containing copies of Angolan legal papers relating to the case of Cecil Martin Fortuin, and Burchett's notes, c.1976 (File) - Box 47
Orange plastic file containing copies of Angolan legal papers relating to the case of Daniel Francis Gearhart, and Burchett's notes, c.1976 (File) - Box 47
Yellow plastic file containing copies of Angolan legal papers relating to the case of Ako Joseph Nai, and Burchett's notes, c.1976 (File) - Box 47
Book by Burchett in Japanese:Wilfred Burchett, Mekon no Hokan, tr Genzo Oku (Shin-Jinbutsuoraisha, 1970)W.G.バーチェット (著), メコンの砲艦―ラオス・カンボジア報告, 奥 源造 (訳), 新人物往来社 1970年, 1970 (Item) - Box 51
Gunboats Up The MekongOriginal'The Second Indochina War-Cambodia and Laos'by Wilfred G. BurchettCopyright ((c)1970) by Wilfred G. Burchett
Book by Burchett in Japanese:Wilfred Burchett, Hiroshima-Hanmonten-Hanoi Burchett Jiden, tr Tetsuo Shinjo & Kinji Ishizaka (Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 1972)ウィルフレッド・バーチェット (著), 広島・板門店・ハノイ―バーチェット自伝, 新庄 哲夫 ・ 石坂 欣二 (共訳), 河出書房新社 1972年, 1972 (Item) - Box 51
Original'Passport-An Antobiography' by Wilfred G. BurchettCopyright (c) 1970 by Wilfred G. Burchett
Book by Burchett in Japanese:Wilfred Burchett, Porutogaru no Kakumei, tr Masao Tajima (Jiji Tsushin Sha, 1976).W・バーチェット(著), ポルトガルの革命, 田島昌夫(訳), 時事通信社 1976年, 1976 (Item) - Box 51
Original'Portugal after the Captains' Coup' by Wilfred G. BurchettCopyright (c)1975 by Wilfred G. Burchett
Book by Burchett in Japanese:Wilfred Burchett, Tachiagaru Nambu Afurika 2: Mozanbiku no Arashi, tr Yuichi Yoshikawa (Saimaru, 1978).ウィルフレッド・バーチェット(著) , 立ち上がる南部アフリカ 2:モザンビークの嵐, 吉川勇一 (訳), サイマル出版会 1978年, 1978 (Item) - Box 51
Original'Southern Africa Stands Up' by Wilfred BurchettCopyright (c) 1978 by Wilfred Burchett
Japanese book:Toshihiro Kanai, Kakukenryoku: Hiroshima no Kokuhatsu, (Sansei-do, 1970).金井 利博 (著), 核権力―ヒロシマの告発, 三省堂, 1970年, 1970 (Item) - Box 51
Book by Sihanouk in Japanese (2 copies):Sihanouk, America tono Tatakai, tr Masaomi Omae (Yomiuri Shimbun Sha, 1973).シアヌーク (著), アメリカとの闘い, 大前正臣 (訳), 読売新聞社 1973年, 1973 (Item) - Box 51
Original'My War with CIA' by Prince Norodom Sihanouk (c)1973 as related to Wilfred Burchett
Editor's version - Zimbabwe, South Africa section of Southern Africa stands up (File) - Box 49
Envelope
Book by Burchett in Spanish:Wilfred G. Burchett, Otra Vez Corea, tr Felipe Sarabia (Ancho Mundo, 1968), 1968 (Item) - Box 51
Original'Again Korea' by Wilfred G. Burchett
Book by Burchett in Spanish:Wilfred Burchett & Derek Roebuck, Los Mercenarios en Angola , tr Roberto Gomez Ciriza (Era, 1977), 1977 (Item) - Box 51
Book by Burchett in Spanish:Wilfred G. Burchett, Portugal: Año Uno de la Revolución , tr Ana Maria Palos (Era, 1976), 1976 (Item) - Box 51
Book by Burchett in Italian (3 copies):Wilfred G. Burchett, Ancora la Corea, tr Silvana Catalano (Jaca Book, 1969), 1969 (Item) - Box 51
The whores of war: mercenaries today - incomplete, c.1976-1977 (File) - Box 50
Envelope containing draft
Orange plastic file containing Burchett's notes from the trial of John Lawlor in Angola, c.1976 (File) - Box 50
Green plastic file containing original draft of 'Chapter 4. Mercenaries (British export model)' (File) - Box 50
Yellow plastic file containing copies of Angolan legal papers relating to the case of David Bufkin, 1976 (File) - Box 50
Orange plastic file containing copies of Angolan legal papers relating to the case of John Lawlor, 1976 (File) - Box 50
Red plastic file containing copies of Angolan legal papers - medical reports (mental) for the defendants, and Burchett's notes, c.1976 (File) - Box 50
Copies of Angolan legal papers relating to the case of Angolan mercenaries, and Burchett's notes, c.1976 (File) - Box 50
Class MS Acc14.136. Consignment received 2014, 1962-1972
MS Acc14.136 comprises Wilfred Burchett's Laissez-passer Tenant-Lieu de Passeport - Republique Democratique du Vietnam. This travel document enabled Wilfrid Burchett to travel after his Australian passport went missing in 1955, after which the Australian government refused to issue another, until Whitlam came to power in 1972. Burchett used the 'laissez-passez' for travel until he was issued with a Cuban passport. It contains the evidence of Burchett's wide-ranging travels for his work and his ambiguous nationality status. It is filled with visas and passport stamps from locations that few Australian had travelled during the period.