Content on Australian Imperial Force

This page lists content tagged with "Australian Imperial Force"

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 Jacka

In the boxing ring, as on the battlefield, he was not roused to anger quickly. But once his blood was up, he became a fierce and uncompromising fighter.

Animals in the military during World War I

CamelsCamels 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 in the Battle of Amiens 8 to 11 August 1918

Lead up to the battle Between late March and late July 1918, the strategy of the German Army on the Western Front was first to force a wedge between the British and French armies and then

Australians in the Battle of Mont St Quentin 31 August to 3 Sept 1918

… we reached a trench strongly held by the enemy. With bomb and bayonet we forced them back, making our way gradually along …

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

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

Barrow boy who made it to the top

Private David Simcock, popularly known as 'Pink Top' the Perth fruit merchant, climbed to the top of the Cheops pyramid in 1915 for a now-famous photograph of the 11th Battalion from Western…

Bart Richardson - World War II veteran (Army) (Video)

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

Battle of Hamel 4 July 1918

Role of the AustraliansThe Allies aimed to take the high ground east of the village of Le Hamel, south of the River Somme.

Bill Ennis - World War II veteran (Video)

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

Billy Sing and the Gallipoli Snipers: Australians in World War I (Video)

Hear the story of successful marksmen trained as snipers at Gallipoli to protect the soldiers of the Australian Imperial Force during World War I.

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.

Claire Forbes - World War I widow (Video)

Claire's husband served in the Australian Imperial Force during World War I.

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), (Online lesson), (Student activity), (Educational)

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,…

Diane Melloy - World War I widow (Video)

Diane's husband Bob served in the Army during both world wars.

Doug Rouse - World War II veteran (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.

Ernest Brough - World War II veteran (Video)

Ernest Brough enlisted at Dandenong, Victoria, in March 1940.

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.

Fall of Singapore: In Their Own Words (Video), (Online lesson), (Student activity), (Educational)

Australian veteran experiences of the Fall of Singapore in WWII

First Australian Imperial Force in World War I

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

First convoy of Australian troops in World War I

Setting off for EuropeThe first contingent of Australian and New Zealand soldiers destined for the war in Europe left Western Australia on 1 November 1914.

Frank Parker's story of the Gallipoli landing (Oral history)

Australian veteran Jack Nicholson speaks to ABC about his experience of landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. 336 Private John Leslie 'Jack' Nicholson (1894-1985) was an electrical engineer from…

Gallipoli Campaign 1915

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

Gallipoli Roll of Honour commemorative video (Video)

A photographic reflection of 56 of the many Australians who lost their lives due to their service in the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915. Some were killed in action. Others died from wounds at Gallipoli,…

Gallipoli: The first day short film (Video), (Educational)

A joint film production of DVA and ABC released in 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. The series includes reflections from Australian veterans on…

Gordon Wallace: Stories of Service (Video), (Online lesson), (Student activity), (Educational)

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…

Harry Cobby: Stories of Service (Video), (Online lesson), (Student activity), (Educational)

Harry Cobby was a bank clerk in Melbourne when the war began in 1914. He was keen to serve but his job at the bank was considered essential and he wasn't able to enlist in the Australian Imperial…

Harry Locke - World War II veteran (Video)

Harry Locke enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) at Renmark, South Australia in 1940.

Henry Lanser's story of First World War service (Video)

This short film is about Second Lieutenant Henry Miller Lanser, who served with the 1st Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (AIF), during World War I. Henry recorded a Christmas message in…

Indigenous Australians in service during World War II

When war broke out in September 1939, Indigenous people were among the first to enlist.

Jack Nicholson's story of the Gallipoli landing (Oral history)

Australian veteran Jack Nicholson speaks to ABC about his experience of landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. 336 Private John Leslie 'Jack' Nicholson (1894-1985) was an electrical engineer from…

Jack Thomas - World War II veteran (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 - World War II veteran (Army) (Video)

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

Jim Martin: Stories of Service (Video), (Online lesson), (Student activity), (Educational)

James (Jim) Martin was 14 years old when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He served as a private in World War I. Arriving at Gallipoli in early September 1915, he served in Wire…

Jim Vane - World War II veteran (Video)

Jim Vane enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces on 4 April 1942.

John Fleming - World War II veteran (Video)

John Fleming was a despatch rider with 9th Division Signals during World War II.

John Pope - World War II veteran (Army) (Video)

John Campbell Pope had been a member of the citizens' militia since January 1939. Then in July 1940, he enlisted in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force at Claremont, Western Australia.

John Wade - World War II veteran (Video)

John Wade was a truck driver before he joined the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He enlisted on 1 August 1940 in Claremont, Western Australia.
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