-
Conscription Introduced In Australia
In 1911 the legislation for compulsory military training was passed into law. It was later abolished in 1929. Later in 1939 after the outbreak of World War II, compulsory military service for duty within Australia was brought back. -
Australia Joins the War
Prime Minister Robert Menzies announces that Great Britain has declared war on Germany and as a result Australia is too joining the war. -
Period: to
Australian Fighter Pilots Participate in the Battle of Britain
32 Australians pilots fought during the Battle of Britain. Of the 32 pilots, 10 died. 8 Australians shot down 5 or more enemy aircraft, Pat Hughes having the most at 14 confirmed kills. Placing him among he top 10 aces of the battle. -
HMAS Sydney is Sunk in the Indian Ocean
Light cruiser, HMAS Sydney, was destroyed in the Indian ocean after a battle with Germany's, HSK Kormoran. All men on the HMAS Sydney died. -
Australia Declares War on Japan
Australia's governor-general declared war on Japan after Japan's Pacific attacks. This was the first time Australia had declared war on another country as an independent nation. -
Period: to
First Battle of El Alamein
The First Battle of El Alamein was a battle that occurred in El Alamein, Egypt. It was between the allies and the axis powers, the allies were commanded by Auchinleck and the axis powers were commanded by Rommel. The allies failed to destroy Rommel and his army, causing them to move back and take a defensive stance. -
HMAS Canberra Destroyed in the Savo Sea
Heavy Cruiser, HMAS Canberra, was sunk after a battle off Savo Island. 84 men died inside HMAS Canberra and 109 were injured. -
Defeat of Japan at Milne Bay
After the Japanese had an unsuccessful attack on the ally base at Milne Bay, Papa New Guinea. The Japanese tried retreating but the 2/12th battalion were ordered to pursue. On the 7th of September Japan evacuated at night. Out of the 2,800 Japanese only 1,320 lived. -
Period: to
Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alammein was a battle that occurred in El Alamein, Egypt. It was between the allies, commanded by Bernard Montgomery, and the axis powers, commanded by Erwin Rommel. After the allies victory at the battle of Alam Halfa the axis powers took a defensive stance at El Alamein. The allies successfully pushed the Axis powers out of El Alamein, which lead to the retreat of the Afrika Korps later on. -
Australian and British POWs in Borneo Sent on Notorious Sandakan Death Marches
Australian and British prisoners of war were sent to Sandakan POW camp in Malaysia. At first the men were treated reasonably well, but as years went on the conditions got worse. With the allies advancing towards Borneo, the Japanese decided to send approximately 2000 POWs on a 260km walk to Ranau. Of these 2000 men, 6 survived by escaping the march. The rest of the men either died from starvation and disease or they were killed by the camp staff as they were too sick to continue the walk.
