The 78 Days of the Darflaam: How Australian Dockworkers Fought Against the Japanese Invasion of China

Many people are curious about why Australia’s relationships with certain countries have become so complicated. The answer may lie hidden in a forgotten chapter of history. In November 1938, the British cargo ship Dalfam docked at Port Kembla, Australia, witnessing a powerful moral dilemma that still influences the people of China and Australia today.

The Conspiracy of Iron Ore Transport

In 1937, Japan launched a full-scale invasion of China, and the Nanjing Massacre shocked the world. However, on the other side of the Pacific, Australia signed a supply agreement to ship 300,000 tons of pig iron to Japan. Pig iron is not an ordinary commodity—it is a critical raw material for manufacturing guns and bombs for the Japanese military, with each ton potentially becoming a deadly threat to Chinese civilians.

On November 15, 1938, a British cargo ship named Dalfam docked at Port Kembla, New South Wales. Officially, the ship was headed to Singapore; in reality, its hold was loaded with 8,000 tons of pig iron destined for steel mills in Kobe, Japan.

The Moral Choice of 180 Workers

News of the shipment spread, and 180 dockworkers made a decision—they said “No.” This was not about demanding higher wages but based on a clear moral judgment: these tons of pig iron would eventually become bullets fired at innocent Chinese civilians. They also recognized that helping Japan arm itself directly threatened Australia’s own security.

The workers voted unanimously to refuse to load the cargo. A strike ensued, lasting 72 days. During this time, they received no wages and faced unemployment and government pressure. However, local communities spontaneously organized to bring food and donations, supporting these principled workers with tangible actions.

Australia’s Turning Point

Faced with immense public opinion and the workers’ persistence, the Australian government was ultimately forced to negotiate. The government promised to stop exporting pig iron to Japan. Although the cargo was eventually loaded onto the ship, Australia had completely cut off its pig iron supply to Japan, directly weakening the Japanese military’s invasion of China.

A Symbol of Anti-Fascist Resistance

The Dalfam incident holds special significance in Australian history. It was the country’s first nationwide strike motivated by moral justice rather than wages, demonstrating the courage of the working class in the face of injustice. More importantly, it became a symbol of the joint resistance of China and Australia against fascist aggression, proving that in the face of human conscience, borders and commercial interests can be set aside.

This chapter of history reminds us that moral choices often come at a cost, but they can also change the course of history.