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The Japanese Attack Pearl Harbour
The Japanese launched a suprise attack by air on the US Naval base at Pearl Herbour, Hawaii. -
Australia's 39th Battalion arrived in PNG
On the 3rd of January 1942, Australia’s 39th Battalion arrived in Papua New Guinea. Upon their arrival in New Guinea they defended the airfield at Seven Mile Aerodrome (which was later renamed Jackson’s Strip) and carried out various other tasks such as building defences and unloading stores at the wharf. -
The Japanese Invaded Rabaul
On the 23rd of January, 1942 the Japanese invaded the Australian base on the island of New Britain, the largest island of the Bismarck Archipelago. The Battle was fought at Vulcan beach, where the Australians were largely outnumbered. Within hours, John Scanlan, the Australian Commander ordered “Every man for himself” and the Australian soldiers left in small groups into the jungle. After the capture of the port of Rabaul, it was turned into a major military base by the Japanese, and remaining A -
Singapore Fell to the Japanese
On the 15th of February 1942, The Japanese defeated the forces in Singapore, and took 14000 Australian soldiers captive, that had been defending the western sector of the island. -
General Douglas MacArthur Appointed Supreme Commander In-Chief of Allied Millitary Forces in the Southwest Pacific
On the 18th of April, 1942, General Douglas MacArthur was appointed supreme Commander-In Chief of the Allied Military Forces in the Southwest Pacific. General MacArthur received the Medal of Honour for his work in the Philippines Campaign. -
Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought from the 5th til the 8th of May, 1942, and was a majour naval battle in the pacific theatre of World War II. It was the first battle to have aircraft carriers engage with each other, and neither side fired directly upon the other. This battle was due to Japan’s attempt to claim Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea in an attempt to strengthen their defensive position for their South-pacific Empire. The U.S. learned beforehand of Japan’s plans though signals int -
Japanese Forces Landed on the Northern Beaches
On the 21st of July 1942 the Japanese forces land on the northern beaches, Buna, Gona and Sanananda. They then head inland along the track. -
First Contact Between Australian and Japanese troops at Awala
On the 22nd of July 1942 the Australians met the Japanese at Awala, which was 40km north of Kokoda, and the Australians were forced back to Kokoda. -
39th Battalion Was Pushed Back to Ovi
On the 15-26th of July, 1942, Lieutenant Colonel Own and Captain Templeton took a stand 800 yards east of Gorari, with gunmen along the track and in the bush. The forces retreated to Oivi, where they were ordered to hold at all costs, unless the force was surrounded. -
Japanese took Kokoda. Australians Fell Back to Deniki
On the 28-29th July, 1942, The Kokoda airstrip was captured by the Japanese, after an intense machine fire attack was launched on the Australians. After the battle, the Japanese did not pursue the Australians as both sides had sustained considerable damage. -
Allied Troops Landed at Guadalcanal
On the 7th of August, the American Allied troops arrived at Guadalcanal to assist the struggling Australian forces. -
Australians Attempted to Take Back Kokoda
On 8 August the 39th, 1942, the Australian troops launched a counter-attack at Kokoda but were outnumbered and out of ammunition, and were unsuccessful. -
Japanese Re-Took Kokoda
On the 14th of August, 1942, the Japanese forces re-take Kokoda, and the Australians are pushed back to Isurva, where they make a stand. -
The Battle of Isurava
On the 16th-29th of August, 1942, the Battle of Isurava was fought, and the poorly equipped Australians were defeated by the Japanese. Luckily for the Australians, the Japanese did not press their advantage, and left time for the 21st brigade to reinforce the 29th and 53rd battalions. -
The Battle of Milne bay
From the 26th of August to the 26th of September, 1942, the Battle of Milne Bay was fought. The Japanese, due to poor intelligence information, were severely undermanned after underestimating the size of the force at the Milne Bay Airfields, whereas the Allied troops were forewarned, and had placed extra defences on the airfield. The Japanese were defeated. -
The Australians Begin a Tactical Fighting Withdrawl
On the 31st of August, the Australians began a fighting withdrawal, holding out against the Japanese and attempting to hinder or destroy their supply lines at every opportunity. -
The Battle of Brigade Hill
On the 6-8th of September 1942, Japanese forces overran Australian positions with disastrous results, hence, its name change to Butchers Hill. The Australians launched an airstrike which did little to hinder the Japanese, but raised Australian morale considerably. -
The Battle of Ioribaiwa
On the 11-16th September, 1942, The Battle of Ioribaiwa was fought within sight of Port Moresby, and was the last great defensive battle fought by the Australian troops at Kokoda. After much damage to both sides, the Japanese Emperor commanded the Japanese forces to withdraw. -
The Japanese Stand at Templeton's Crossing
On the 11t-18th October, 1942, The Japanese attempted to make a stand at Templeton’s Crossing, but were pushed back to Eora Creek by fresh Australian troops. -
The Battle of Eora Creek
On the 16-29th of October 1942, The Australians fought the Japanese troops to clear the Eora Creek and Templeton’s Crossing area. -
Australian Troops Re-took Kokoda
The Australian troops were unopposed as they took back Kokoda, on the 3rd of November 1942. -
The Battle of Oivi and Gorari
On the 5-12th of November 1942, in the Battle of Oivi and Gorari, over 1000 Japanese troops were killed as the Australians finally managed to circle and destroy the Japanese forces. -
The Battle of the Beachheads
On the 15th of November 1942, the Battle of the Beachheads commenced. The rapidly deteriorating Japanese troops made a final attack , and 1522 Australians were killed and thousands were wounded. Both sides forces were heavily decimated, and eventually on the 21st of January, the Japanese resistance ceases in Papua New Guinea. -
US Dropped Atomic Bomb On Hiroshima
On the 6th of August, 1945, the Unites States Milliary released an Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, a city on the largest island of Japan. 111,000 civilians and 120,000 Japanese Soldiers were killed as a result. -
US Dropped Atomic Bomb On Nagasaki
• On the 9th of August, 1945, the Unites States Milliary released an Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki, another city on the largest island of Japan. 60,000-80,000 people were killed as a result of the bomb. -
Japanese Surrendered Unconditionally
On the 15th of August, 1945, Japan surrendered unconditionally, signing the Instrument of Surrender and officially ending World War II.