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Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Germany
Australia joined World War II, following the United Kingdom's declaration of war against Germany. "Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially, that in consequence of a persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war."
Australian Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies, September 3 1939.
history.stackexchange.com/questions/11526/when-did-australia-declare-war-on-germany-in-wwii -
Australian fighter pilots participate in the Battle of Britain
During the Battle of Britain 450 Australians were serving in the RAF 35 of whom flying in combat. 10 were killed in action. these men were immortalized by the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in his tribute to men in Fighter Command.
One man whose name was Pat Hughes shot down 15 enemy aircraft. Putting him in the top 10 leading aces of the battle. https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/battle-of-britain -
Australian Troops Capture Bardia, Libya
The Battle of Bardia was the first battle Australia fought in the Second World War. The battle started early morning on January 3 1941. the 16th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division attacked and broke through the western face of the defensive perimeter. While another division mounted a diversion in the south. Bardia was captured on January 4th but Italian forces did not cease until the next morning.
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Australia Declares War on Japan
When japan launched its Pacific Offensive attack on Thailand, Malaya, the Philippines and Pearl Harbor, on 7 December 1941. Australia's Governor General, Alexander Hore-Ruthven, declared war on Japan. This was Australia's first time declaring war as an independent country. http://www.myplace.edu.au/decades_timeline/1940/decade_landing_6.html?tabRank=2 -
Japanese Aircraft Bomb Darwin
On the 19th of February 1942, Australia came under attack when Japanese forces mounted two air raids in Darwin. The first attack began just before 10:00 am. The bombers hit shipping, infrastructure and towns. the second attack which began at around 11:45 am began bombing the Royal Australian Air Force. The Australians shot down 4 aircraft. One of them crash landing and the pilot being captured by a local Aboriginal man. http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs195.aspx -
Tobruk Captured by the Allies
Between April and August 1941, about 14,000 Australian soldiers were besieged in Tobruk by German and Italian infantry. The garrison consisted of the 9th Division (20th, 24th, and 26th Brigades), 18th Brigade of the 7th Division, along with British artillery and Indian troops. https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/tobruk -
Australian POWs in Borneo sent on Sandakan Death Marches
Australian POWs captured in Singapore were sent to Sandakan to build an airstrip for the Japanese. By late 1944, Japan sent about 2,000 Australians westward towards Ranau, in Borneo's rough environment. Many men died on the way to Ranau. Men who were unable to continue were left behind or killed. The Sandakan Death March is arguably the most horrific atrocity to ever occur to Australians in war. https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/stolenyears/ww2/japan/sandakan -
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Battle of El Alamein
Three major battles occurred between July and November 1942, and was the turning point of war in North Africa. The Australian 9th Division played major roles in 2 of the battles.
On the 10th of July, Australian 9th Division launched an attack on the Northern flank and succeeded, catching German commander Marshall E. Rommel. The 9th division then began to fight off counter-attacks and eventually won the battle. https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/el_alamein/reading -
Australians Capture Brunei
The battle involved amphibious landings by Australian forces on various parts of the mainland around Brunei Bay. Japanese opposition was initially was sending troops to scattered places, but at the operation went on there were many clashes between the two sides, both suffering casualties. Australian forces were the successors of seizing control of the region. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_North_Borneo
