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Australia Declared War with Germany
Prime Minister Robert Gorden Menzies announced that Australia was at war with Germany, along side with Great Britain, France, South Arica, New Zealand and Canada. -
Period: to
Australia at War
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Battle of Great Britain
In the summer and autumn of 1940 the Royal Air Force (RAF) fought a prolonged battle in defence of Britain against an experienced and numerically superior German Luftwaffe. An estimated 100 Australians took part as members of the Royal Air force. The Battle of Britain was from 10th of July to 7th of September. -
Siege of Tobruk
About 14000 Australian’s were sent to Egypt to prevent Italy from getting hold of Egypt. The Australian, British and Polish divisions under siege in Tobruk were twice attacked by Rommel's forces, and both times retained control of the Libyan port. -
Australia Declares War with Japan
On 7 December 1941, the Japanese launched its Pacific offensive with Thailand, Malaya, the Philippines and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, all suffering attacks. On 9 December 1941, Australia's governor-general, Alexander Hore-Ruthven, declared that Australia was at war with Japan. This was the first time Australia had declared war on another country as an independent nation. -
Japanese Aircraft Bomb Darwin
Japanese fighters and bombers attacked the port and shipping in the harbour twice during the day, killing 252 Allied service personnel and civilians. -
Battle of Coral Sea
The battle was between the imperial Japanese Navy and navel and air force of United States and Australia. The Japanese were seeking to control the Coral Sea with an invasion of Port Moresby in southeast New Guinea, but their plans were intercepted by Allied forces. Although both sides suffered damages to their carriers, the battle left the Japanese without enough planes to cover the ground attack of Port Moresby, resulting in a strategic Allied victory. -
Japanese Submarines Attack Sydney Harbour
Three Japanese midget submarines attacked Sydney Harbour overnight. -
Battle of El Alamein
The Battle of El Alamein marked the culmination of the World War II North African campaign between the British Empire and the German-Italian army. After Hitler blocked an initial retreat in early November, Rommel managed to escape annihilation by withdrawing his men to Tunisia. The battle was from the
1st to the 27th of July. -
Australians Defeat Japanese Landings at Milne Bay
The Japanese landed on the beaches of Milne Bay on 26 August 1942 to seize the Allied airfield. The Japanese was defeated by Australian’s who thus became the first victory over the Japanese since the Pacific War began. -
Australians Recapture Kokoda
Australian and American troops followed the retreating Japanese along the track, and fought them when they reached their coastal base at Buna-Gona. They defeated the Japanese, but Allied casualties were extremely high. Overall, more than 600 Australian troops died in fighting throughout the Kokoda operation, and more than 1600 were wounded. Over 4,000 soldiers suffered from tropical diseases. Estimates of the Japanese dead are uncertain. -
Australians Capture Madang
In September 1943, Australian forces launched a campaign to retake the Finisterre Range and Madang. The town was captured on April 24, 1944. During the occupation and fighting the town was virtually destroyed and had to be rebuilt afterwards. -
Japan Officially Surrendered
By the summer of 1945, the defeat of Japan was a foregone conclusion. The Japanese navy and air force were destroyed. The Allied naval blockade of Japan and intensive bombing of Japanese cities had left the country and its economy devastated. -
9th Divsion Returneed to Australia
9th Division returned to Australia. The 9th Division served in Tobruk (1941) Tel el Eisa (1942), El Alemain (1942), New Guinea (1943) and Tarakan (1945). During the Tobruk siege the 9th Division was called the ‘The Rats of Tobruk’ by William Joyce.