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World War 2
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Australia declares war on Germany
On the 3rd of September 1939, Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies announced that Australia is at war with Germany. Since Britian was at war with Germany Australia was as well. "Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially, that in consequence of a persistance in Germany by her invasion, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war. No harder task can to the lot of a democratic leader then to make such an annoucement" -
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Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain began in in Germans attacking Coastal Conveys in an effort to draw RAF fighters into battle. The Germans were over-confident and misjudged the strength of the RAF fighters. The Australian's aided the RAF fighters. Of the total 537 RAF fighters that died atleast 10 of them were Australian. 8 Australians also become air aces because they had shot down 5 or more enemy aircraft. -
HMAS Sydney Sinks the Bartolomeo Colleoni
The HMAS Sydney began its long credited history by sinking the Bartolomeo Colleoni which happened in the Battle of Cape Spada early in the war. It was struck by HMAS Sydney in the engine bay which immobilised the ship. There were 121 casualties when the ship was sunk. -
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Siege of Tobruk
The Siege of Tobruk was a 241 day war that was held between axis and allied forces in North America during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second Wrold War. -
HMAS Sydney Sunk
The HMAS Sydney had an impressive batlle history but was sunk in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia. It was lost in a battle with the German raider HSK Kormoran. 317 of the 397 crew were rescued. -
Australia declares war on Japan
One hour after the bombing on Pearl Harbour Prime Minister John Curtain declared that "From one hour ago, Australia has been at war with the Japanese empire" War was officially declared on the 9th of Decemeber, Australian time. -
Japanese bomb Darwin
In February of 1942 Darwin was bombed by the Japanese Empire in a attempt to cripple Australia's defences. Japanese bombers attacked the Port and airfields twice in the day killing 252 service personal and civilians. -
Japanese midget submarines attack Sydney Harbour
On the morning of the 30th of May, 5 large Japanese submarines postitioned themselves North-East of Sydney Heads. At 4:30pm they launched 3 midget submarines each entering the Harbour at different times. Only one was succesful when one of its torpedos struck the Harbour bed killing 21 Sailors. The other 2 midget submarines where either shot or sunk. -
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Battle of El Alamein
The Battle of El Alamein consisted of two different battles, the first one taking place on the 1st of July till the 27th of July. The second one taking place 23rd of October till the 11th of November. Both of these battles were across the Northern Egypt Coast. The allies consisted of the British, India, Australia and South Africa. The enemies consisted of Germany and Italy. -
HMAS Canberra Sunk
The HMAS Canberra had a extensive battle history which was ended on the 9th of August in the Battle of Savo after being struk by the opening shots of the Battle. There were 193 casualties among the 819 personal serving in HMAS Canberra on August the 8th, 1942. -
Austrlian's Recapture Kokoda
On November 2nd 1942 a foot patrol from 2/31 Battalion entered the Kokoda Government to find that the Japanese had left 2 days before. By the afternoon the whole battalion had arrived and secured the area meaning that they had recaptured Kokoda. -
Japanese Surrender Signed
Just after 9am, Japanese foreign minister signed Mamoru Shigemitsu signed on behalf of the Japanese governemnt to their surrender. This was then followed by 10 other countries, US, Australia, China, Britain, etc.
