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Events

Libya and the Siege of Tobruk 1941

Libya and the Siege of Tobruk 1941

In 1941, Australians fought in land and air campaigns in Egypt and Libya in North Africa. Three AIF divisions - the 6th, 7th and 9th - fought in those countries.
Greece and Crete April–May 1941

Greece and Crete April–May 1941

In March 1941, Robert Menzies, Prime Minister of Australia, with the concurrence of his Cabinet, agreed to the sending of Australian troops to Greece.
Syria and Lebanon June 1941

Syria and Lebanon June 1941

After the surrender of France in June 1940, the French colonies of Lebanon and Syria passed into the control of the pro-German Vichy French government.
Japanese advance (December 1941–March 1942)

Japanese advance (December 1941–March 1942)

Landing first on the north-east coast of Malaya on 8 December 1941, Japanese troops took just 70 days to crush the British Empire forces in Malaya and Singapore, which was surrendered on 15 February 1942.
Australia under attack 1940–1945

Australia under attack 1940–1945

The Japanese first attacked the Australian mainland on 19 February 1942 when they launched a devastating air raid on Darwin in the Northern Territory
Coral Sea, Kokoda and Milne Bay (May–September 1942)

Coral Sea, Kokoda and Milne Bay (May–September 1942)

The Japanese had no plans to invade Australia during the Second World War but they did plan to cut Australia's supply line with America by establishing bases in the south-west Pacific islands. In early May 1942, an American carrier force intercepted a Japanese carrier force in the Coral Sea and, after a fierce aerial battle—the Battle of the Coral Sea—the Japanese turned back.
Little-known operations 1939–1945

Little-known operations 1939–1945

Several thousand Australians served in locations remote from the main areas of Australian operations during World War II. They served in places like China, Russia, the Faroe Islands, Madagascar, Burma, the West Indies, Iraq, Kenya, the Azores and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).
El Alamein October–November 1942

El Alamein October–November 1942

Between 1940 and late 1942 the British Empire and Dominion forces struggled against the German and Italian 'Axis' forces in North Africa as the Axis forces tried to capture the Suez Canal and take control of the Middle East oilfields.
Beachhead Battles (Papua 1942–1943)

Beachhead Battles (Papua 1942–1943)

The last battle of 1942 involving Australians was for the Japanese beachheads at Buna, Gona and Sanananda in northern Papua. The Allies expected the battle would be easily won but underestimated Japanese strength and resolve and grossly overestimated Allied capabilities.
The Japanese retreat 1943–1944

The Japanese retreat 1943–1944

By early 1943, Japanese forces still held most of New Guinea, including the main coastal settlements of Lae and Salamaua. Australians defeated a Japanese force at Wau in late January and early February 1943.
War at sea 1939–1945

War at sea 1939–1945

During World War II, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships carried troops, escorted merchant ships, carried out bombardments and provided support for Allied operations in the Mediterranean, the North Sea and the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Air war Europe 1939–1945

Air war Europe 1939–1945

When war broke out in Europe in 1939, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircrews were among the first Australians to head overseas to Britain's aid. Between 1939 and 1945, they flew in both Australian and British squadrons with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Coastal, Bomber and Fighter Commands.
Last battles

Last battles

During the last years of the war with Japan, thousands of Australian men and women served in Australia's largest military campaigns in the islands north of Australia: on the mainland of Papua New Guinea and its islands of Bougainville and New Britain, and in Borneo.
Victory (8 May 1945/15 August 1945)

Victory (8 May 1945/15 August 1945)

By the beginning of 1945 Australians had been at war for over five years. Now they believed that the Allies would be victorious and that both the war in Europe and the war with Japan would end.