Content on World War II 1939-1945

This page lists content tagged with "World War II 1939-1945"

Action stations (Video)

The Japanese made their first air raid on Port Moresby in the Australian territory of Papua on 3 February 1942. Twelve days later, on 15 February, the same day as the surrender of Singapore,…

Adaptable Jeep on the right lines

Jeeps were real work horses in World War II and they turned up in the most unusual places.

After all that—the beer was warm

Most servicemen like a drink and airmen are no exception so when a group of young RAAF personnel were waiting at the Sandgate Embarkation Depot in 1944 to board the USS Sea Ray due to sail for…

After Bardia (Video)

After the war

For Australian prisoners of war the Japanese surrender on 15 August 1945 was the first step towards their coming home.

Aftermath: The End of the Second World War (Book)

This commemorative book explores the aftermath of World War II. With millions of Australians involved in and out of uniform, the war caused big social, economic and diplomatic changes. It took a…

Air Force Cross (Medal/Award) (Image)

Air Force: Victory in the Pacific Day Poster 2020 (Poster)

We've created this poster to commemorate those who served in the Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF) during World War II. Airmen were among the first Australian service men to deploy overseas in support…

Air Observer Corps doing vital war job (Video)

Air raids

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…

Aircrew survived 11-day desert trek to safety

Mick Ey could regard himself as extremely lucky while flying in the Middle East as a wireless operator/air gunner with 454 Squadron. After all, it's not many people who can say they were involved in…

Airmen survived 47 days at sea during escape from Japanese

One of the most incredible escapes made during World War II involved 12 airmen who sailed in an open boat from Java [now Indonesia] to Australia to escape the Japanese, a journey that took 47 days.

Aitape-Wewak 1944-1945 (Book)

This is part of the Australians in the Pacific War series. It tells the story of how Australians served with Allied forces to successfully cut off the Japanese base at Wewak. The troops also…

Aitape-Wewak campaign - Indian POWs

In December 1944, after the 6th Division AIF assumed responsibility for operations in the Aitape-Wewak area and extended their campaign along the northern coast of New Guinea, they began to liberat

Alan Ward - World War II veteran (Oral history)

Alan Ward - World War II veteran (Video)

Alan Ward was working in a butcher's shop in Hillview, Queensland, before he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in July 1941.

Albert Chalmers Borella

Albert Chalmers Borella MM VC served with the 26th Australian Infantry Battalion at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during World War I.

Albert Edward Chowne

 

Alexander Kerr - World War II veteran (Oral history)

Alexander Kerr - World War II veteran (Video)

Alexander McBride Kerr enlisted on 27 April 1940 in Perth. He was part of the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS). After completing training, Alex was posted to England.

Ali Baba and his 20,000 thieves

'Ali Baba' Morshead, so called by Lord Haw Haw, led the 9th Australian Division in both Tobruk and El Alamein.

Aliens

In November 1941, just weeks before Japan entered World War II, Japanese nationals were among the 'Aliens' travelling around Australia with Wirth's Circus.

Alison Worrall - World War II veteran (WAAAF) (Oral history)

Alison Worrall - World War II veteran (WAAAF) (Video)

Alison Worrall enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) on 23 August 1941. Before enlisting, she had worked in an ammunition factory, filling bullets.

All in—The Australian homefront 1939-1945

Despite, or maybe because of, their vivid memories of the horrors of the First World War, many Australians continued their day to day lives with little or no change during the early years of World…

Ambon and Hainan

We'd go out and dig the graves, and then bury them. And by the time we got back from one there'd be another one ready to go out … You couldn't keep up with it.

American forces liberate South Korea (Oral history)

AMW ART26488 (Image)

An extraordinary war for HMS Kanimbla

The Australian passenger ship MV Kanimbla had an extraordinary war. She was converted into an armed merchant carrier in September 1939 and seconded to the Royal Navy. Apart from capturing 22 enemy…

Andy Anderson - World War II veteran (RAAF) (Oral history)

Andy Anderson - World War II veteran (RAAF) (Video)

Andrew 'Andy' Anderson joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Perth in March 1942.

Angas 'Gus' Murray Hughes - World War II veteran (Oral history)

Anne Curtis - World War II veteran (Oral history)

Anne Curtis - World War II veteran (Video)

Anne Curtis had been a keen sailor before the war, so her enlistment in the Royal Australian Navy on 9 November 1942 at Manly, Queensland, was a natural choice.

Anzac Day 2024 poster (Poster)

This poster honours all Australian personnel who have served in wars, conflicts and peace operations. It shows the 2023 Anzac Day service at the local war memorial in Tuross Head, New South Wales.

Anzac Day In Australia (1940) newsreel (Video)

The first Anzac Day of the war was seen very much as a passing of the torch from the original AIF to the Second AIF. In this newsreel footage, we see troops, World War I veterans and police marching…

Anzac Day in Thailand

Just before dawn a few shadowy forms gathered on the road [at 75-Kilo camp, Burma].

Anzac Day Posters 2011 (Poster)

70th Anniversary of the Battles for Greece and Crete The poster features an image of four Australian soldiers at the Acropolis while on leave in Athens. The soldiers arrived in Greece in time to see…

Anzac Day Posters 2012 (Poster)

70th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin On 19 February 1942, Japanese aircraft bombed Darwin, killing hundreds of service personnel and civilians. This was the first of a series of almost 100…

Anzac Day Posters 2013 (Poster)

During World War II almost 10,000 Australian prisoners of war worked on the construction of the Burma–Thailand Railway in appalling physical conditions. Construction of the notorious Hellfire Pass…

Armoured fighting vehicles - Australian made! (Video)

Army Salvage (Video)

Army: Victory in the Pacific Day Poster 2020 (Poster)

We've created this poster to commemorate those who served in the Australian Army, the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and the Citizen Military Forces (militia) during World War II. For more than 5…

Around the clock at American Service Club (Video)

Story of an American recreation centre in Melbourne, Vic.

Arthur Gould (Oral history)

Arthur James Murch

Early life Arthur Murch was born on 8 July 1902 in the Sydney suburb of Croydon.

Arthur Loudon - World War II veteran (Oral history)

Arthur Loudon - World War II veteran (Video)

Arthur Loudon enlisted into the Royal Australian Air Force in January 1943 at the age of 19

Arthur Roden Cutler

Sir Arthur Roden Cutler is remembered for his lifelong military, diplomatic and community service.
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