Content on World War II 1939-1945

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

The RAN at the Battle of the Coral Sea

... the captain is about to address the ship's company. Everyone stops talking; everyone listens. Japanese have been sighted coming down to the area south of New Guinea.

The Royal Australian Navy (excerpt) (Video)

The Royal Australian Navy (excerpt) [AWM F00322]

The sinking of HMAS Canberra

Francis Pickup was a signaller on board HMAS Canberra in August 1942 when the ship, along with HMAS Australia and HMAS Hobart (light cruiser 6 inch guns) plus a large American Amphibian Force of…

The sinking of the Kuttabul (Video)

Australian newsreel footage of sunken ferry HMAS Kuttabul in 1942.

The sinking of the Wollongbar II

A one-sided secret sea-battle raged in the New South Wales north coast waters during one fortnight in mid 1943. Much wreckage and Australian blood washed on to beaches during this battle. Because of…

The skirl of the pipes kept troops entertained

The skirl of the bagpipes and the beating of the drum have been the inspiration for many a Scots unit during various wars. But when the pipes and drums were played by three attractive young ladies…

The stand at Isurava

26-31 August 1942 In late August both the Australians and the Japanese were greatly reinforced and prepared for a decisive battle at Isurava.

The tide turns

At the end of September 1942 the Japanese retreated from their southernmost point of advance, just 40 kilometres from Port Moresby.

The V.D.C. on Parade! (Video)

The Voice of Australia (1939) newsreel (Video)

Prime Minister Robert Menzies had the 'melancholy duty' to announce Australia’s entry into the Second World War. In this newsreel footage, he spoke of the struggle that lay ahead. This film would…

The war at sea

The sea battle which most influenced the war in Papua was the Battle of the Coral Sea, fought on 5-8 May 1942, two months before the Japanese landed there...

The War in Libya Bardia (1941) newsreel (Video)

On 3 January 1941, the 6th Australian Division attacked and broke through the Italian defences at Bardia in Libya. Fighting lasted until the morning of 5 January. The attack cost the 6th Division 130…

The war in Papua: the strategic context

A strategy is a long-term plan designed to achieve a certain goal...

The war in the air

The war in the south-west Pacific was primarily a contest for possession of air bases...

The Weary Dunlop Park

… all the prisoners of war love him very much … So, when he died, I made up my mind to have Weary Dunlop Park in memory of him.

The Weary Dunlop Park Video (Video)

Kanit Wanachote speaking about his reasons for creating a memorial park for 'Weary' Dunlop.

The workers

Military units to which the Australians belonged were broken up into work forces to meet the Japanese need for labour. From late 1942 more than 13 000 Australians were sent from Singapore, Java and…

Their recovery (Video)

They can't beat the boys of this old brigade

Despite being only 15 years old, Tom Murphy was so keen to go to war that he borrowed his older brother's birth certificate and put up his age. His big problem was that he only looked 15 and he was…

This place they call Tobruk

War has produced some memorable poetry over the years with the name Paterson among the best.

Thomas Currie Derrick

Early life Thomas 'Tom' Derrick was the eldest child of David and Ada Derrick. He had 1 brother and 5 sisters. His father emigrated to South Australia from Dublin, Ireland.

Thomas Leslie Axford

Early life Thomas Leslie Axford was born in 1894 at Carrieton in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia.

Those at home also suffered from lack of news

Much of the focus during any war is on the family members who have gone away to serve their country. Service men and women tell of their longing to receive mail from home and how excited they are…

THREE FEDERAL MINISTERS KILLED (1940) newsclip (Image)

This article is about a Canberra plane crash during the Second World War.

To Shaggy Ridge

The 1942-43 defeats of the Japanese at, Kokoda, Milne Bay, around Buna and at Wau opened the way for the Allies to plan and mount the advance on the major objective of Lae, New Guinea.

Tobruk: In Their Own Words (Educational), (Student activity)

Hear from Australian veterans about their experiences of the Siege of Tobruk during World War II.

Tokyo Bay (1945) newsreel (Video)

Newsreel footage of Allied naval ships heading to Tokyo Bay. Among them were 10 Royal Australian Navy ships. The formal Japanese surrender took place in Tokyo Bay, and Allied prisoners of war (POWs)…

Tom Kirkham - World War II veteran (Oral history)

Tom Kirkham - World War II veteran (Video)

In 1941, at 15 years of age, Tom Kirkham joined the Merchant Navy.

Tom Sheridan - World War II veteran (Oral history)

Tom Sheridan - World War II veteran (Video)

Mustered as a fitter armourer in Brisbane in March 1940, Tom Sheridan was sent to serve with No 10 Squadron, Roy

Tom Tyne - Death of Flight Lieutenant Hill (Oral history)

Tom Tyne - Japanese POWs (Oral history)

Tom Tyne - The invasion of Balikpapan part 1 (Oral history)

Tom Tyne - The invasion of Balikpapan part 2 (Oral history)

Tom Tyne - The invasion of Balikpapan part 1 (Video)

Thomas 'Tom' Tyne enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Sydney on 13 April 1943.

Tom Tyne - The invasion of Balikpapan part 2 (Video)

Thomas 'Tom' Tyne enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Sydney on 13 April 1943.

Tom Tyne - Death of Flight Lieutenant Hill (Video)

Thomas 'Tom' Tyne enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Sydney on 13 April 1943.

Tom Tyne - Japanese POWs (Video)

Thomas 'Tom' Tyne enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Sydney on 13 April 1943.

Tom Uren (Oral history)

Tom Uren speaks here of his mate, Bill Halliday, on the Burma-Thailand railway, and how mateship changed them both.

Topography of Kokoda

The 96-kilometre Kokoda track takes about 50 hours walking time. That is about two kilometres per hour.

Tourists and Pilgrims

I took part in the 2008 QLT [Quiet Lions Tour]. Best experience of my life, met loads of people and it changed my view on life.

Track 'n teeth

Captain Alan Oliver Watson enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Corps in June 1940, and served in the 9th Dental Unit in Palestine and Syria. He returned to Australia in March 1942.

Track or trail?

The terms Kokoda track and Kokoda trail were both in use during the Second World War and both are still commonly used today...

Transport Command: History in Focus (Fact sheet), (Educational)

This education resource encourages inquiry learning and discussion in the classroom. British Transport Command played a vital support role during World War II and in the post-war decades. Originally…

Treatment of prisoners

Japanese military discipline was sadistic, because they administered instant or Japanese punishment.

Trial of Sergeant Major Sugino, Labuan (Video)

The trial of Japanese Sergeant Major Sugino was held at HQ 9th Australian Division on 3 December 1945. He was charged with 'having caused to be killed 46 Australian, British and Indian POWs at Miri…

Troops getting down from lorries (Image)

Two working men, Konyu River Camp: Expressions - Commemoration through Art (Student activity), (Fact sheet), (Educational)

A printable activity sheet to help develop students' understanding of wartime artworks. British soldier and artist Jack Bridger Chalker created this drawing in 1942. In World War II, Chalker was…

Unconditional surrender

General Percival made the decision to surrender on 15 February 1942.
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