WW2 dates By asdfghjklqwertyuiopoijhgfdxcvbnmnbv Sep 1, 1939 WW2 outbreak Sep 3, 1939 Australia declares war on Germany Jun 11, 1940 Australia declares war on Italy Jan 15, 1941 Australia attacks Italy in Libya May 30, 1941 Australia try to defend Rethymnon (greece) but loose to the intense pressure of the German army Dec 9, 1941 Japanese troops advance into Malaya peninsula Feb 8, 1942 the fall of Singapore 8-15th Feb 19, 1942 the Japanese 1st air fleet conduct a suprise attack on allied ships at Broome and Darwin where 12 ships are sunk Mar 8, 1942 Japan invades New Guinea May 2, 1942 Kokoda and the battle of milne Bay May-September 1942 May 31, 1942 Japanese submarines attack shipping in Sydney Harbour Aug 7, 1942 American and Allied troops launch attack at Guadalcanal Jan 1, 1943 Directorate of manpower introduced Jan 31, 1943 Kokoda trail in allied hands May 14, 1943 Australian hospital ship AHS centaur sunk by Japanese submarine of the coast of Queensland May 5, 1944 the Cowra breakout Aug 14, 1945 Armistice day Aug 15, 1945 Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima Sep 2, 1945 WW2 Ends Sep 2, 1945 Japan surrender