Australia's Involvement in WWII By Spadgey Crodulas Waffleton Sep 3, 1939 Australia declares war on Germany Sep 3, 1939 Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Germany Period: Sep 3, 1939 to Sep 2, 1945 WWII Jul 19, 1940 HMAS Sydney sinks the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni off Crete Oct 31, 1940 Australian fighter pilots participate in the Battle of Britain Jan 5, 1941 Australian troops capture Bardia, Libya, from the Italians Dec 8, 1941 Australia declares war on Japan Feb 15, 1942 Singapore surrenders. Over 15000 Australians become prisoners of war Feb 18, 1942 Australian and British POWs in Borneo sent on notorious Sandakan Death Marches Feb 19, 1942 Japanese aircraft bomb Darwin Mar 31, 1942 Japanese midget submarines attack Sydney Harbour Jul 1, 1942 Battle of El Alamein Jul 21, 1942 Australia began the Kokoda Campaign Jul 29, 1942 Australia withdraws due to loss at a confusing night battle Sep 7, 1942 Australians defeat Japanese landings at Milne Bay Nov 4, 1942 Australians recapture Kokoda Nov 11, 1942 The second battle of El Alamein Nov 11, 1942 Tobruk captured by the Allies Feb 15, 1944 9th Division returns to Australia Apr 28, 1944 Australians capture Madang Jun 16, 1945 Australians capture Brunei Aug 14, 1945 Japanese surrender signed - Australians and other Allied troops occupy Japan