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Britan declares war upon Germany
Britain going to war in turn means Australia goes to war as a part of the British Empire. Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies announced this on every Australian national and commercial radio station. -
HMAS Sydney on Cape Spada
In the early morning, the HMAS Sydney had been notified of a small group of battleships in a nearly position, upon Captain Collins' initiative, they proceeded in the specified direction, spotting two Italian 6-inch gun cruisers, the Bartolomeo Colleoni and the Giovanni Delle Bande Nere. The HMAS Sydney engaged in combat, succeeding in their venture for victory. The Captain and crew were awarded medals, raising a lot of hope on the home front, encouraging many to enlist. -
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Siege of Tobruk
Around 14,000 Australian Troops, four regiments of British Troops and some Indian Troops who were stationed at the small town and garrison of Tobruk commanded by Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead was besieged by a German-Italian force lead by General Erwin Rommel. The last (Australian) battalion at the garrison was present as the siege was lifted on the 10th of December 1941 after Australian statistics of 559 killed, 2450 wounded, and 941 prisoners of war taken. -
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Japan enters the war
Japan quickly claimed victories, seizing a vast amount of land south-east Asia and the Pacific by the end of March 1942. Singapore was occupied in February, resulting in the loss of a whole Australian division, with the Darwin bombing occurring in the same month. -
Attacks on Sydney Harbour
Japanese noticed their prime target the USS Chicago at port in Sydney Harbour, with three submarines launching three midget submarines into the harbour, then moving to another position off the harbour until the third of June. One of the midget submarines got caught in submarine nets, firing only to explode it's own craft. Another of the midget submarines attacked the HMAS Kuttabul resulting in two British and nineteen Australian deaths. The third was destroyed before entering the harbour.
