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Australia officially declares war on Germany, along with Great Britain, France, South Africa, New Zealand and Canada
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Period: to
Australia at war
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The Battle of the Mediterranean starts.
The Battle of Mediterranean lasted from 10 June 1940 to 2 May 1945. It was mainly fought between the Italian navy, supported by other Axis naval and air forces and the British navy supported by other Allied naval forces. -
The Battle of Britain starts.
The Battle of Britain starts. About 100 Australians take part in defending Britain as members of the Royal Airforce. They succesfully resist the attacks from the German Luftwaffe. -
Battle in Greece and Crete starts.
To protect Greece from a German invasion, the 6th division of the of the AIF was sent there, along with New Zealand and British forces. After a month of intensive fighting, the Allied force had evacuated from the Greek mainland. Many soldiers were put on the island of Crete. Here they formed 'Creforce' and fought the Germans, who came on 20 May 1941. Despite vigorous opposition to the Germans, the Allied force had eventually to be withdrawn. -
The Seige of Tobruk starts
About 14000 Australains were sent to Egypt to prevent Italy from getting hold of Egypt. Even though the troops at Bardia and Benghazi were driven back, the Australian troops at Tobruk held on. These troops became to be known as the 'Rats of Tobruk' and held on to Tobruk despite the primitive conditions. Tobruk was finally captured by the Axis Powers in June 1942. -
The Syrian Campaign starts.
Between 7 June and 11 July 1941 fought as part of an Allied force in Syria and Lebanon against the Vichy French. The aim of the campaign was to occupy Syria and Lebanon to prevent the establishment of a German presence there that could threaten Britain's bases in Palestine and its broader strategic position in the eastern Mediterranean. -
The Battle of the Coral Sea starts.
The Battle of the Coral Sea involved the navies of Australia and America. In this battle, the navies prevented the Japanese from launching a sea-based assault on Port Moresby. The battle enden on the 8 May 1942 -
The Battle of Midway starts.
In this battle, the Japanese naval forces attempted to lure US aicraft carriers into a trap so as to capture the Midway Islands. As the US code breakers intercepted the Japanese communiction, the navies of Australia and the US managed to severly weaken the Japanese war machine. This battle ended on 7 June 1942. -
The El Alamien battles starts
The three major battles that occurred around El Alamein between July and November 1942 were the turning point of the war in North Africa. The Australian 9th Division, led by Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead, played a key role in two of these battles, enhancing its reputation earned defending Tobruk during 1941. -
The Kokoda Campaign starts.
After the Battle of the Coral Sea, the only way the Japanese could capture Port Moresby was trought to Kokoda Trail. The Australian militia had to defend the Kokoda Trail from the Japanese. The campaign ended in November 1942, in favour of the Australians, after months of hard fighting. -
The Battle of Wau
The Battle of Wau lasted from 29 to 31 January 1943, was a battle in the New Guinea campaign of World War II. -
The Huon Peninsula campaign starts
The Huon Peninsula campaign was a series of battles fought in north-eastern Papua New Guinea from 22 September 1943 to 1 May 1944. The campaign the part of an offensive that the Allies launched in the Pacific in late 1943 and resulted in the Japanese being pushed north from Lae to Sio on the northern coast of New Guinea. -
Germany officially surrenders to the Allies.
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Japan officially surrenders to the Allies.
