Sites of Significance: Now and Then photos of World War II

On the 15 August 2020, we marked the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), state and territory governments have joined together in their commemoration of some 1 million Australians who served during the war.

Revisiting significant Australian sites

Our states and territories have found some remarkable images captured during the war and have since photographed each local site of significance as it stands today. These 'now and then' digital montages help you to take a step back in time to visualise Australia during wartime.

We've included events from throughout World War II, from the bombing of Darwin in 1942 through to city crowds celebrating the end of the war on 15 August 1945, Victory in the Pacific Day (VP Day).

You can find these and other sites of significance in your home state or territory by visiting:

Commonwealth

Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of a landscaped cemetery of neat white gravestones overlaid with a 1944 photograph of white wooden crosses in rows.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of a white grave stone overlaid with a 1943 black and white photograph of a military funeral.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of an old gravestone overlaid with a 1943 photograph of the same grave.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of cemetery of gravestones overlaid with a 1944 photograph of white wooden crosses in rows, with wreaths and flowers on the first grave.

Images courtesy of the Office of Australian War Graves.

New South Wales

A montage of a 2020 photograph of the St James Station in Hyde Park overlaid with a photograph of a historical image of the St James Street Station as an air raid shelter during the Second World War
A montage of a 2020 colour photograph of Park Street in Sydney overlaid with a historical photograph of the celebrations in Park Street at the end of the Second World War.

Images courtesy of the New South Wales Government. Visit the Anzac Memorial website for more information.

Northern Territory

Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of a large 1990s-era government building overlaid with a 1942 photograph of a war-damaged government building.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of restored 1940s-era airfield hangar overlaid with a 1942 photograph of a war-damaged hangar.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of a city street overlaid with a 1942 photograph of a war-damaged building.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of a modern wharf and blue sky overlaid with a 1942 photograph of burning fuel tanks and a sky filling with dark smoke.

Images courtesy of the Northern Territory Government. Visit the Defence In the NT website for more information.

Queensland

A montage of a 2020 colour photograph of Ann Street, Brisbane overlaid with a historical photo of the bomb shelters which were built during the Second World War.
A montage of a 2020 colour photograph of the Archerfield Aerodrome overlaid with a historical photograph of the United States Army Air Force Headquarters in Australia.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of George Street, Brisbane overlaid with a photograph of the remains of a Japanese Zero fighter plane, was shot down by the United States (U.S.) Air Force on display in a march in 1943.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of the Atherton Backpackers at the Grand Hotel on Main Street, Atherton overlaid with a 1944 photograph of a parade of soldiers gathering round the War Memorial for Anzac Day commemorations.

Images courtesy of the Queensland Government. Visit the Queensland Government website for more information.

Tasmania

Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of the corner of two city streets overlaid with a 1945 photograph of a large crowd of people celebrating.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of a city square overlaid with a 1945 photograph of four males standing around a statue.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of a city street overlaid with a 1945 photograph of boys clinging to a lamp post above a crowd of people near a clock tower.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of a city street overlaid with a 1945 photograph of a girl waving a flag.

Images courtesy of the Tasmanian Government. Visit the Anzac Centenary website for more information.

Victoria

Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of an 1870s-era homestead overlaid with a 1943 photograph of two male guards in front of a roughly fenced building.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of a slipway at a lake overlaid with a 1944 photograph of men with a 1940s-era plane and tractor at the same slipway.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of a large 1860s-era government city building overlaid with a 1945 photograph of people crowding around the same building.
Montage of a 2020 colour photograph of bushland overlaid with a 1938 photograph of a wrecked 1940s-era plane.

Images courtesy of the Victorian Government. Visit the Victorian Government website for more information.

 

Proudly in partnership with
Queensland Government logo New South Wales Government logo Tasmanian Government logo Victoria State Government logo


Last updated: 28 August 2020

Cite this page

DVA (Department of Veterans' Affairs) (2020), Sites of Significance: Now and Then photos of World War II, DVA Anzac Portal, accessed 17 September 2021, https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/stories-service/commemorative-stories/sites-of-significance
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Indigenous content warning

The Department of Veterans' Affairs recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Nation Peoples of Australia and acknowledges their continuing spiritual, cultural, social and economic connection to Australia's lands and waters.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images, names and voices of deceased persons.