returning to Kupang. Matsu Kikan did not see any signs of recent human activity, and little of military significance was learnt from the mission. An officer involved with the mission reportedly returned to Japan shortly afterward, where he suggested landing 200 Japanese convicts in Australia, to launch a guerrilla campaign. This suggestion was not, however, adopted. According to historian Peter Stanley, "No historian of standing believes the Japanese had a plan to invade Australia, there is not a skerrick of evidence." Australian myth of Japanese proposed invasion Former Head of the Centre for Historical Research at the National Museum of Australia Dr Peter Stanley has been critical of the oft-repeated, widespread myth that Japan intended to invade Australia, commenting "the invasion myth helps justify the parochial view Australians took of their war effort." However, without the efforts and sacrifice of the ANZAC and United States forces, an invasion might well have been forthcoming. In fiction The 1984 alternate history novel The Bush Soldiers by John Hooker depicts a successful Japanese invasion of Australia and the last-ditch resistance effort made by a handful of Australian and British troops. In John Birmingham's 2004 alternative history novel Designated Targets, Imperial Japan launches an invasion of northern Australia. The 2001 alternate history essay collection Rising Sun Victorious edited by Peter G. Tsouras has a chapter Samurai Down Under by John H. Gill that posits a briefly-successful Japanese invasion of the Queensland coast at Cape York, Cairns and Townsville. See also Axis victory in World War II Battle for Australia Brisbane Line Battle of Christmas Island Cocos Islands during World War II Kantokuen Operation Mo Notes References Further reading Military history of Japan during World War II Cancelled invasions Cancelled military operations of World War II Military attacks against Australia 1942 in international relations Australia–Japan military relations South West Pacific theatre of World War II 1942 in Australia