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WW2
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Britain and France Declare war on Germany
Germany ignore the ultimatums delivered by Britain and France causing the two allied countries to declare war on Germany. -
Allies take Tobruk in North Africa
The siege of Tobruk lasts 240 days, it was fought between between Axis and Allied forces in North Africa. The siege started when Tobruk was attacked by an Italo–German force under Lieutenant General Erwin Rommel. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, and the US enters the war
The Japanese launch a surprise attack against the United States by bombing Pearl Harbour. This attack causes the US to enter the war. -
Australia's 39th Battalion arrive in Papua New Guinea
The 39th battalion lands in Papua New Guinea to bolster the 30th Brigade division against an inevitable Japanese invasion of PNG. -
Japanese invade Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea
20 days after the 39th battalion lands in Papua New Guinea the Japanese begin their invasion of the country by taking Rabaul. It then became the Japanese base of operations in PNG. -
Singapore falls to the Japanese
Singapore was the biggest British military base in South east Asia. The fall of Singapore resulted in the largest surrender of British lead personnel in history. Over 80,000 British, Australian and Indian troops were taken by the Japanese as prisoners of war. -
Battle of the Coral Sea
The Japanese wanted to strengthen their defensive position in South east Asia by invading Port Moresby. Both sides suffered heavy losses from the battle which resulted in no winner as both the Japanese and Allied Navy retired from the battle. -
Period: to
The Kokoda Campaign
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Japanese forces land at Buna, Gona and Sanananda on the northern beaches
The First Japanese landing force was comprised of 2200 men. Their initial orders were to establish a bridgehead at Buna and provide a reliable and secure road to the Kokoda track. -
First contact between Australian and Japanese troops at Awala
The first contact between Australian and Japanese troops occurred on the 22nd of July 1942 when shots were exchanged between the two forces at Awala. After contact was made the Australian troops retreated back over the Kumusi river cutting the bridge once they were across. -
B Company 39th Battalion fall back to Oivi.
As the Japanese further advanced along the Kokoda track the Australian troops began to set ambushes. The Australians continued to do this and slowly they fell back to Oivi. -
The Battle of Isurava
The 39th battalion being poorly equipped, dug in and waited for the Japanese attack in the villiage of Isurava. The attack came a fortnight later. The Australian troops were overwhelmed by a large Japanese force and again they were forced back due to lack of reinforcements. -
The Battle of Milne Bay
The battle of Milne bay took place at the Allied airfields in Milne bay on the 2nd of September 1942. The Japanese greatly miscalculated the size of the allied forces as they had recently heavily reinforced the garrision. Due to these major disadvantages the Japanese were forced to retreat. -
The Battle of Brigade Hill
The next defensive point for the Australian withdrawl was Mission Ridge (later changed to Brigade Hill). After the Japanese had launched a frontal assault against the Australians they soon tried to encircle their position and effectively cut them off from retreat. The Australian forces having almost no ammo were forced to "go bush" which was an order that meant every man for himself to find their own way to the next defensive vantage point, Ioribaiwa. -
The Battle of Ioribaiwa
The Australian forces withdrew to Ioribaiwa where they would make their last stand. The battle started with heavy artillery fire from the Japanese followed by a frontal assault and flanking attack. The battle continued for another day until finally the Australians fell back due to a failed counterattack. -
Japanese begin withdrawing from Ioribaiwa
After the Australians retreat from the battle of Ioribaiwa they were reinforced with fresh supplies and troops from Port Moresby. Including battle harderned units that had recently returned from Tobruk. With these new troops, supplies and supporting artillery fire the Australian troops retook Ioribaiwa. This battle marked the start of the Australian offensive. -
The Battle of Eora Creek
The battle of Eora creek took place at Templeton's crossing during the Japanese withdrawl along the trail. The Australian forces attacked the enemy position for two and a half days until they discovered that the Japanese had withdrawn. As the allies pursued them a few hundred metres down the track they managed to sandwhich the enemy force with a wide sweeping arc manouvre. The next morning they discovered that the Japanese had escaped through the jungle. -
The Battle of Oivi and Gorari
The second and third battalions advance was stopped by a strong defensive Japanese position at the villiage of Oivi. Learning from their previous battles the Australian commanders encircled the enemy forces blocking the north and south trail, again trapping the Japanese. The next day as the Australian troops closed the gap between them they discovered that the Japanese had again retreated from their clutches. -
Australian troops reach the Kumusi river
Australian troops finally reach the Kumusi river signifying the end of the Kokoda trail. The allies then pushed foward to attack the heavily defended beacheads of Buna and Gona. -
The Battle of the Beacheads commences.
Australian and US troops attacked the entrenched Japanese force at the beacheads of Buna and Gona. The battle continued for 13 days with severe losses on both sides and many of the Australian and US troops contracting illnesses. The battle ended when increasingly aggressive allied air attacks cut off Japanese supplies. When the Australians took the enemy positions they found evidence of cannibalism amongst the Japanese. -
Japanese resistance ceases in PNG
The last of the Japanese army are driven from Papua New Guinea. -
Italy surrenders
Mussolini is thrown out of office for his part in starting WW2. The newly formed government surrenders and agrees to join the allies. However the Germans stop the latter by taking control of the Italian army. -
D- Day Allied Invasion of France
The D day attack was planned by the allies in excess of one year. The allies were able to amass a three million strong army to land on the coast of Northern France and push inland until they eventually reached Germany and Berlin. -
Germany Surrenders
Germany surrenders on the 2nd of May 1945 after Adolf Hitler commits suicide and Berlin falls to the Russian army. -
Japan Surrenders
Japan was the last Axis country to surrender during WW2 bringing the war finally to an end.
