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Naval Attacks on Australia from Japan
Japanese submarines operated in Australian waters from January 1942 until July 1944. These ships sank a small number of merchant ships and the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney. -
Anschluss
Anschluss is when Austria was annexed (that means united with) Nazi Germany. This happened because Hitler wanted all German-speaking countries to be added to Germany, and it was actually a violation of the Treaty of Versailles, as it dictated that Austria and Germany cannot be unified. -
The Invasion of Poland
Germany invaded Poland to regain lost territory and ultimately rule its neighbour to the east. In response to German aggression, Great Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany. This event marked the beginning of World War 2. -
The entry of Australia
Australia entered World War II on 3 September 1939, following the government's acceptance of the United Kingdom's declaration of war on Nazi Germany. Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies announced the beginning of Australia's involvement in the Second World War on every national and commercial radio station in Australia. Almost a million Australians, both men and women, served in the Second World War. -
The entry of Japan
The Empire of Japan entered World War II on September 27, 1940, by signing the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy. Japan participated in World War I from 1914 to 1918 in an alliance with Entente Powers and played an important role in securing the sea lanes in the West Pacific and Indian Oceans against the Imperial German Navy as a member of the Allies. -
The entry of United States
During World War II, the United States began to provide significant military supplies and other assistance to the Allies in September 1940. They officially committed to a declaration of war against Germany on the 11th December 1941 after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. -
The first bombing of Darwin
On 19 February 1942, approximately 240 Japanese aircraft attacked Darwin in two separate raids, representing the first-ever enemy attack on Australian soil. More than 240 civilians and Australian and US service personnel were killed, and eight ships were sunk in Darwin Harbour. It was the largest attack on Australia in World War II and left the city of Darwin in ruins.
