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Period: to
World War 2
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Australia declares war on Gerrmany
In 1939 Germany threatened to invade Poland. Britain and France warned them that if they invaded they would declare war on them. Germany did invade on 1 September, and on 3 September Britain and France declared war. Australia, being alies with Britian also declared war on Germany. -
Battle of Britian
This Battle of Britain, officially lasted from 10 July to 31 October 1940. The battle began with German attacks on coastal convoys in an attempt to draw RAF fighters into battle. Twenty-five Australians were considered eligible for the Battle. Others flew during the battle with RAF Bomber Command, but the total number involved in the battle was not more than 35. During the battle 8 Australians became air aces by shooting down five or more enemy aircrafts. -
Australian troops capture Bardia, Libya, from the Italians
Bardia was the site of the first battle fought by Australian troops in the Second World War. On the 3rd of January 1941, troops were sent to make a diversion in the south perimeter, while the others broke through the western side. Bardia was later captured on the 4th of January, but the Italian resistance in the southern portion delayed it to the 5th. -
HMAS Sydney
On 19 November 1941, HMAS Sydney a light cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy was lost following a battle with the German raider HSK Kormoran in the Indian Ocean. -
Australia declare war on Japan
One hour after Japanese bombers struck at Hawaii on the morning of December 7, 1941. Prime Minister of Australia John Curtin declared war with the Japanese Empire." -
Japanese aircraft bomb Darwin
On 19 February 1942, 188 Japanese planes were launched to attack Darwin, whose harbour was full of Allied ships. It was the largest Japanese attack since Pearl Harbour -
The Second Bttle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein was a turning point in the North African campaign. It ended the long fight for the Western Desert, and was the only great land won by British forces without help from the Americans. -
Conscription in Australia
Conscription was debated by the Australian people for years and every time it failed. It was clear that the Australian people did not want their young men and women to be involved in war overseas. At the time Prime Minister Robert Menzies had no intentions of changing the policy. All unmarried men aged 21 or over had to do at least 3 months of military training. -
Battle of Borneo
The Battle of North Borneo took place during the Second World War between Japanese forces and their allies. it was fought between 10 June and 15 August 1945 in North Borneo. -
Japan Surrender
The surrender of the Empire of Japan was announced by Imperial Japan on August 15 and signed on September 2, 1945,
