Australian Imperial Force

1939: Paths to Victory in the Second World War

Australia's response to war

1940: Paths to Victory in the Second World War

Australia's military plans

Alan Ward - Enlistment (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.

Alan Ward - Mate injured through marching (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.

Alan Ward - Bombing the searchlight (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.

Alan Ward - Malaria (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.

Alan Ward - Port Moresby and militia (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.

Alan Ward - The Light Horse (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.

Animals in the military during World War I

Camels Camels can travel long distances with heavy loads, through hot dry country. Before motorised transport was available, camels were useful for exploration and work in arid regions.

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…

Australian Army Nursing Service in World War I

Australian military nurses served far from home, caring for the sick and wounded on land and sea. Their skills saved many lives.

Australian Flying Corps in World War I

Australian planes and crews flew in the Middle East from 1915 to 1918 and in Europe from 1916 until they returned home after the war, in May 1919.

Australian Light Horse in World War I

Before the war Mounted troops had been part of Australia's home defence scheme since the 1890s, mostly as volunteers in rifle clubs.

Australian military organisation during World War I

Preparation for war When the UK declared war on Germany, Australia was poorly prepared to join the fight.

Australian signallers in World War I

Australians From Balikpapau (1945) newsreel (Video)

Newsreel footage of Australian Imperial Force (AIF) soldiers on Borneo. This would have been shown at cinemas throughout Australia.

Australians' Big Part in Syria (1941) newsclip (Image)

Australian newspaper clipping of the Australians in the Syrian campaign of the Second World War.

Bart Richardson - 'Here Come the Girls' (Video)

Barton (Bart) Richardson enlisted at Rutherford, New South Wales, in June 1940.

Bart Richardson - Journey home (Video)

Barton (Bart) Richardson enlisted at Rutherford, New South Wales, in June 1940.

Bart Richardson - Finding his brother (Video)

Barton (Bart) Richardson enlisted at Rutherford, New South Wales, in June 1940.

Bart Richardson - Burma-Thailand Railway (Video)

Barton (Bart) Richardson enlisted at Rutherford, New South Wales, in June 1940.

Bart Richardson - Ill-treatment of locals (Video)

Barton (Bart) Richardson enlisted at Rutherford, New South Wales, in June 1940.

Bart Richardson - Vickers machine gun (Video)

Barton (Bart) Richardson enlisted at Rutherford, New South Wales, in June 1940.

Bart Richardson - Singapore: Rearguard (Video)

Barton (Bart) Richardson enlisted at Rutherford, New South Wales, in June 1940.

Bart Richardson - Singapore: Working party (Video)

Barton (Bart) Richardson enlisted at Rutherford, New South Wales, in June 1940.

Bart Richardson - Changi: End of the war (Video)

Barton (Bart) Richardson enlisted at Rutherford, New South Wales, in June 1940.

Bill Ennis - Singapore: Isolated (Video)

Bill Ennis was 18 years old and working as a clerk when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in June 1940.

Bill Ennis - Burma-Thailand Railway (Video)

Bill Ennis was 18 years old and working as a clerk when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in June 1940.

Bill Ennis - Singapore: Japanese aerial domination (Video)

Bill Ennis was 18 years old and working as a clerk when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in June 1940.

British Troops Back From Greece (1941) newsreel (Video)

On 6 April 1941, German forces attacked both Greece and Yugoslavia. Some 58,000 allied troops, including two-thirds of the Australian 6th Division, were transported from Africa to help the Greek army…

Charles Bean's first report from Gallipoli 1915

The first report Australia's Prime Minister, Andrew Fisher, made the first report of the Anzac landing by Australia's official war correspondent,

Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean

Charles Edwin Woodrow (CEW) Bean, historian and journalist, was born on 18 November 1879 in Bathurst, where his father was headmaster of All Saints' College.

Cultural diversity in Australia's forces during World War I

Barriers to enlistment Most recruitment officers enforced strict enlistment standards in 1914 and 1915.

Damien Parer: Stories of Service (Video)

In the 21st century, it's easier than ever to find media coverage of conflicts. Technology allows us to record skirmishes and make stories available to millions of people. In the Second World War,…

Doug Rouse - A bombing at Buna (Video)

Doug Rouse enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 26 March 1941 in Sheffield, Tasmania.

Doug Rouse - The Americans (Video)

Doug Rouse enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 26 March 1941 in Sheffield, Tasmania.

Enlisting in the Australian forces during World War I

Preparation for war When the United Kingdom (UK) declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914, nations in the British Empire followed willingly.

Evacuation from Gallipoli 1915

Situation on Gallipoli After August, the British mounted no further major attacks at Gallipoli. The British Government grew alarmed at the failure to break through to the Dardanelles.

FALL OF SINGAPORE (1942) newsclip (Image)

This article tells us about the capture of Singapore island by Japanese forces during World War II.

First Australian Imperial Force in World War I

Before the war Australia's Regular Army was a young evolving force when war broke out.

First convoy of Australian troops in World War I

Setting off for Europe The first contingent of soldiers destined for the war in Europe left Western Australia on 1 November 1914.

Gallipoli Campaign 1915

Background to the campaign By early 1915, the Allies were in a deadlock with Germany on the Western Front, and the Russian army was struggling in the east.

Gordon Wallace: Stories of Service (Video)

Gordon Wallace enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in 1940. He went on to serve in North Africa and New Guinea during the Second World War. This tells the story of Gordon's service…

Jack Thomas - Arrival at the Burma-Thailand railway site (Video)

Jack Thomas was born in Broken Hill on 4 November 1919. He worked as a grocer's assistant before enlisting in Broken Hill in June 1940.

James Kerr - Hellfire Pass (Video)

James Kerr was underage when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in March 1941. He was accepted, nevertheless.

James Kerr - Weight and malaria (Video)

James Kerr was underage when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in March 1941. He was accepted, nevertheless.

James Kerr - Lack of amenities (Video)

James Kerr was underage when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in March 1941. He was accepted, nevertheless.

James Kerr - Beds and bed bugs (Video)

James Kerr was underage when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in March 1941. He was accepted, nevertheless.

James Kerr - Joining the army (Video)

James Kerr was underage when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in March 1941. He was accepted, nevertheless.

James Kerr - A spoonful of charcoal (Video)

James Kerr was underage when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in March 1941. He was accepted, nevertheless.
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