Australians At War By joliette Sep 1, 1939 Ausstralia declares war on Germany Jan 1, 1940 Australian troops sail to the middle east to support the british war effort Oct 1, 1940 John Curtin becomes primeminister of Australia Dec 1, 1941 Australia also declares war on Japan Feb 1, 1942 the Japanese bomb Darwin Mar 1, 1942 japanese troops move into New Guiea May 1, 1942 The battle of the coral sea May 1, 1942 Three Japanese midget submarines enter Sydney Harbour Jul 1, 1942 Australian troups begin operations on the Kokoda Track in New Guinea Nov 1, 1942 Australian troops recapture the Kokoda Track