Classphoto

Australian Involvement in World War I and World War II

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    War against the German Navy

  • Australia supports Britain in war

    Australia was involved in the war against Germany as it was part of the British Empire during the time.
  • Landing at Rabaul

    The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force' landed at Rabaul on the 11th of September,1914.
  • Possession of German New Guinea

    The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force took possession of German New Guinea on the 17th of September 1914.
  • Possesion of the neighbouring islands of the Bismarck Archipelago

    The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force took possesion of the neighbouring islands of the Bismarck Archipelago.
  • Destroying SMS Emden

    The Royal Australian Navy used the HMAS Sydney to destroy the German raider SMS Emden.
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    Defending the Suez Canal

    Australian troops helped the British fight against German-led Ottoman Army troops who raided the British-Empire protected Suez Canal.
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    Landing on Galipolli

    The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) landed on Gallipoli with troops from New Zealand, Britain, and France. The campaign ended with the evacuation of troops.
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    War against the Ottoman Empire (Turkey)

    Light Horsemen fought against the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East.
  • Battle of Fromelles

    Australian infantry fought at Fromelles, where they suffered 5,533 casualties in 24 hours.
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    The Battle of Somme

    A series of battles fought along the Somme Valley in France. Australian troops fought around Pozieres and Mouquet Farm between 23 July and 3 September. Australian troops also launched several attacks around Flers in November.
  • Advancement into Palestine and the capture of Jerusalem and Gaza

  • The First Battle of Bullecourt

    Australian troops attacked German trenches on the east of the village of Bullecourt. Australia lost around 3000 men.
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    The Second Battle of Bullecourt

    Australian and British troops attacked the Germans trenches once again. Of 150,000 men from both sides who fought, 18,000 British and Australians, and 11,000 Germans, were killed or wounded in battle.
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    The Battle of Messines

    The battle sparked when 19 mines detonated under the German font line which caused around 10 000 German casualties. British, Australian and New Zealand infantry all fought against the Germans.
  • The First Battle for Passchendaele

    Australian, New Zealand and British troops were unsucessful with their mission to seize the Passchendaele Ridge from the Germans.
  • Occupation of Syria and Lebanon

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    The Battle of Dernancourt

    Australian fought against German troops in Dernancourt. Battles occured at thehe 4th Brigade at Hebuterne, the 10th and 11th Brigades at Morlancour and the 12th and 13th Brigades on the railway embankment at Dernancourt.
  • The Battle of Hamel

    The Australian Imperial Force and several American units fought against the Germans in and around the town of Le Hamel in northern France.
  • Australia is involved in World War II

    Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies announced the beginning of Australia's involvement in the Second World War.
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    The Syrian Campaign

    Australia participated in the sucessful invasion of Syria with other allies. Australian casualties during the fighting in Syria and Lebanon numbered 416 killed and 1,136 wounded.
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    The Dutch East Indies Campaign

    Japan targeted what is now called Indonesia and forces from the Allies (including Australia) unsucessfully tried to defend the land.
  • Bombing of Darwin

    242 Japanese aircraft attacked ships in Darwin's harbour and Australia was only light;y defended. It was the first and largest single attack on Australia.
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    Battle of the Coral Sea

    The Battle of the Coral Sea (between Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands) was one of the major wars that was navally fought. Australian and American troops fought against Japan, however Japan won.
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    The First Battle of El Alamein

    Britain, British India, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand fought against Italy and Germany on the northern coast of Egypt and Britain's allies won.
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    The Kokoda Track campaign

    The Kokoda Track campaign consisted of battles fought between Japanese and Australian (with American) forces. If the Japanese had advanced through to Port Moseby, they could have easily reached Australia. Australia won.
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    The Battle of Milne Bay

    Japanese naval troops fought against Australians and Americans and attacked the Allied airfields at Milne Bay. 167 Australian troops were killed or missing and 206 were wounded.
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    The Battle of Buna-Gona

    The Battle of Buna-Gona followed the conclusion of the Kokoda Track campaign. The battle was conducted by Australian and American troops against the Japanese in Buna, Sanananda and Gona. The Allied forces used guerrilla tactics and won.
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    The Battle of Wau

    Australian and American troops fought against the Japanese in Wau, New Guinea.
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    Huon Peninsula campaign

    The Huon Peninsula campaign was a series of battles fought in north-eastern Papua New Guinea with Australian and American troops attacking the Japanese.