Difference between revisions 121772669 and 121772672 on dewiki

[[Image:Work fight or perish (RC02370).jpg|thumb|An Australian Government leaflet bearing the likeness and signature of Prime Minister [[John Curtin]], telling Australians that they must make sacrifices for the war effort.]]
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Despite the Australian fears, the Japanese [[Proposed Japanese invasion of Australia during World War II|never  intended]] to invade the Australian mainland. While an invasion was seriously considered by the Japanese 
[[Imperial General Headquarters|high command]] in early 1942, this was judged to be beyond the Japanese military's capabilities and no planning or other preperations were undertaken.<ref>Stanley (2002)7). Page 29.</ref> Instead, in March 1942 the Japanese military adopted a strategy of isolating Australia from the [[United States]] by capturing [[Port Moresby]] in New Guinea, the [[Solomon Islands]], [[Fiji]], [[Samoa]] and [[New Caledonia]].<ref>Horner (1993). Pages 4–5.</ref> This plan was frustrated by the Japanese defeat in the [[Battle of the Coral Sea]] and was postponed indefinitely after the [[Battle of Midway]].<ref>Horner (1993). Page 10.</ref> While these battles ended the threat to Australia, the Australian government continued to warn Australians of the danger of invasionthat an invasion was possible until mid-1943.<ref>Stanley (2007). Page 29.</ref>

===The defence of New Guinea===
[[Image:Australian troops at Milne Bay.jpg|thumb|Australian troops at Milne Bay]]
Japanese forces first landed on the mainland of New Guinea on 8 March. On this day Japanese forces staged unopposed landings at [[Salamaua]] and [[Lae]]. Australian guerrillas from the [[New Guinea Volunteer Rifles]] established observation posts around the Japanese beachheads and the [[2/5th Cavalry Commando Squadron (Australia)|2/5th Independent Company]] successfully raided Salamaua on 29 J(contracted; show full)
* {{cite web |url=http://www.ww2australia.gov.au/index.html |title=Australia's War 1939—1945 |accessdate= |author= |date= |work= |publisher=[[Department of Veterans' Affairs (Australia)|Department of Veterans' Affairs]] }}


{{Australian Military History}}
{{WWIIHistory}}

[[Category:Military history of Australia during World War II| ]]