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[[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.]]
'''[[Australia]] entered [[World War II]]''' shortly after the [[Invasion of Poland (1939)|invasion of Poland]], declaring war on [[Nazi Germany|Germany]] on [[September 3]], [[1939]]. By the end of the war almost a million Australians had served in the Australian armed forces and Australian military units had seen combat in [[European Theatre of World War II|Europe]], [[North African campaign|North Africa]], and the [[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|South-West Pacific]]. In addition, Australia [[Attacks on Australia during World War II|came under direct attack]] for the first time in its history. 39,366 Australians were killed and 23,477 were wounded by enemy action during the war.

In effect, Australia fought two wars between 1939 and 1945.<ref>Hasluck (1970). Page 2.</ref> Australia fought against Germany and Italy as part of the [[British Empire]]'s war effort and against Japan in alliance with the United States and Britain. While most Australian forces were withdrawn from the Mediterranean following the outbreak of war in the Pacific, large numbers of Australians continued to take part in the air offensive against Germany. From 1942 until early 1944 Australian forces played a critical role in the Pacific war, making up the majority of Allied strength in the South West Pacific. The Australian military was largely relegated to subsidiary fronts from mid-1944 but continued offensive action against the Japanese until the end of the war.

==Between the wars==
{{sectstub}}
Between the wars, Australia was suffering greatly from the Great Depression, much like the rest of the western world. In the years leading up to the war Australia followed British policy towards [[Nazi Germany]]. Australia was supportive of the policy of [[Appeasement of Hitler|appeasing Germany]] and later supported Britain's guarantee of Polish independance.<ref>Macintyre (1986). Page 325.</ref>

==Outbreak of war==
{{sectstub}}
Australia declared war on [[Germany]] on [[3 September]] [[1939]] after the British ultimatum for Germany to withdraw from Poland expired. Australia's first shot of the war was fired several hours later when a gun at [[Fort Queenscliff]] fired [[Warning shot|across the bows]] of an Australian ship which was attempting to leaving [[Melbourne]] without the required clearances.<ref>McKernan (1983). Page 4.</ref>

At the time of declaration the Australian armed forces were less well prepared for war than they had been at the outbreak of [[World War I]] in August 1914.<ref>Coates (2001). Page 116.</ref> While the Government began a large military expansion and transferred Australian warships and RAAF aircrew and units to British control, it was unwilling to immediately dispatch an expeditionary force overseas due to the threat posed by Japanese intervention.<ref>Macintyre (1986). Page 326.</ref> On [[10 October]] [[1939]], a [[Short Sunderland]] of [[No. 10 Squadron RAAF|No. 10 Squadron]], based in England for re-equipment, became the first Australian and the first [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] air force unit to go into action when it undertook a mission to [[Tunisia]].<ref name="Stephens 76-79">Stephens (2006). Pages 76-79.</ref>

On [[15 September]] [[1939]], Menzies announced the formation of the [[Second Australian Imperial Force]] (AIF), an expeditionary force of 20,000, to consist of one infantry division and whatever auxiliary units the Army could raise within this troop ceiling. On [[15 November]] [[1939]], Menzies announced the reintroduction of conscription for home defence service effective [[1 January]] [[1940]]. Unmarried men turning 21 in the year ending [[30 June]] [[1940]] would be drafted into the Militia. Because of this, the AIF could not accept personnel who were in [[reserved occupation]]s.<ref>Long (1961). Page 39.</ref>

==North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East==
===Prelude===
[[Image:Troop ship farewell (000304-01).jpg|thumb|Five women farewelling a troop ship as it leaves Melbourne carrying the advance party of the 6th Division in December 1939]]
{{sectstub}}
During the first years of World War II Australia's military strategy was closely aligned with that of the [[United Kingdom]]. In line with this, Australia's war effort was concentrated in the [[Middle East]] and [[Mediterranean Sea]]. Most [[Australian Army]] units in 1939 were [[Australian Citizens Military Forces|Militia]] (reserve) units barred under Australian law at the time from serving outside Australia and Australian overseas territories. The [[Second Australian Imperial Force]] (2nd AIF) was formed in 1939 as Australia’s expeditionary force and would eventually consist of four [[Division (military)|division]]s raised in 1939–40: the [[Australian 6th Division|6th]], [[Australian 7th Division|7th]], [[Australian 8th Division|8th]] and [[Australian 9th Division|9th]].

The Australian Army saw action in [[North Africa]], [[Greece]], [[Crete]] and [[Lebanon]]. The 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions, as the [[Australian I Corps]] faced Italian and German forces in the Middle East, Greece, and North Africa.

===North Africa===
{{sectstub}}
[[Image:Awm 005392 2nd11th.jpg|thumb|Soldiers from the 2/11th Battalion after the capture of Tobruk]]
The Australian Army first saw action in [[Operation Compass]], the successful Commonwealth offensive in North Africa which was conducted between December 1940 and February 1941. The 6th Divsion relieved the [[4th Infantry Division (India)|4th Indian Division]] on [[14 December]]. Although the 6th Division was not fully equipped, it had completed its training and was given the task of capturing Italian fortresses bypassed by the [[7th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|British 7th Armoured Division]] during its advance.<ref>Long (1973). Page 54.</ref>

The 6th Division went into action at [[Bardia, Libya|Bardia]] on [[3 January]] [[1941]]. Although the fortress was manned by a larger Italian force, the aggressive Australian infantry quickly penetrated the defensive lines with the support of British tanks and artillery. The majority of the Italian force surrendered on [[5 January]] and the Australians took 40,000 prisoners.<ref>Long (1973). Pages 55-58.</ref> The 6th Division followed up this success by assaulting the fortress of [[Tobruk]] on [[21 January]]. Tobruk was secured the next day with 25,000 Italian prisoners being taken.<ref>Long (1973). Pages 60-62.</ref>

Following the fall of Tobruk the 6th Division pushed west along the coast road to [[Cyrenaica]] and captured [[Benghazi]] on [[4 February]].<ref>Long (1973). Page 63.</ref> The 6th Division was withdrawn for deployment to Greece later in February and was replaced by the untested 9th Division.<ref>Coates (2001). Page 132.</ref>

===Greece and Crete===
[[Image:Australians Crete (007789).jpg|thumb|Australian troops landing in [[Alexandria, Egypt]] after being evacuated from Greece]]
{{sectstub}}
In early 1941 the 6th Division and I Corps Headquarters took part in the ill-fated Allied [[Battle of Greece|expedition to defend Greece]] from a German invasion. Outnumbered by the Germans, the Allies were driven from the Greek mainland. The Australians conducted a fighting withdrawal from their inital positions in northern Greece and were evacuated from southern Greece between 24 April and 1 May.<ref>Coates (2006). Pages 144-146.</ref>

The 19th Brigade Group then took part in the [[Battle of Crete]]. The Crete campaign also went badly for the Allies and were forced to evacuate. Approximately 3,000 members of the 6th Division could not be evacuated and were taken prisoner.<ref>Coulthard-Clark (2001). Page 190.</ref>

The Allied defeat during the Greek Campaign indirectly contributed to a change of government in Australia. Prime Minister Menzies' leadership had been weakened by the lengthy period he spent in Britain in early 1941, and the high Australian losses in the Greek Campaign led many members of his [[United Australia Party]] (UAP) to conclude that Menzies was not capable of leading the Australian war effort. Menzies resigned on 26 August after losing the confidence of his party and was replaced by [[Arthur Fadden]]. The UAP government collapsed on [[3 October]] and was replaced by an [[Australian Labor Party]] government under the leadership of [[John Curtin]].<ref>McKernan (2006). Pages 125-133.</ref>

===Syria and Lebanon===
{{sectstub}}
{{main|Syria-Lebanon campaign}}

The 7th Division and the 17th Brigade from the 6th Division formed part of the Allied force in the successful Allied invasion of [[Vichy French]]-controlled Lebanon and Syria in 1941. [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) aircraft joined the [[Royal Air Force]] in providing [[close air support]].

===Tobruk and El Alamein===
[[Image:2-8 Field Regt.jpg|thumb|Guns of the 2/8th Field Regiment at El Alamein in July 1942]]
On [[6 April]], [[1941]], the 9th Division was ordered to enter and defend the important port town of [[Tobruk]] which [[Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell|General Wavell]], the commander of the [[British Middle East Command]], had ordered be held for at least two months. Reinforced by the 18th Brigade of the 7th Division and British artillery and armoured regiments, the 9th Division [[Siege of Tobruk|successfully defended]] the town for over six months. Through the use of existing fortifications, aggressive patrolling and the firepower of the garrison's artillery the Australians successfully contained and defeated repeated German armoured and infantry attacks on the fortress. Upon the request of the [[Australian War Cabinet]], the bulk of the 9th Division was withdrawn from Tobruk in September and October 1941 and was replaced by the [[70th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|British 70th Division]]. The 2/13th Battalion was forced to remain at Tobruk until the siege was lifted in December when the convoy evacuating it was attacked. The defence of Tobruk cost the Australian units involved 3,009 casualties, including 832 killed and 941 men taken prisoner.<ref>Coulthard-Clark (2001). Pages 183-186.</ref>

In 1941, the 6th and 7th Divisions returned to Australia to face the Japanese threat. The 9th Division remained in North Africa under Maj. Gen. [[Leslie Morshead]] until victory over [[Erwin Rommel]] was assured. During early 1942 the Axis forces advanced steadily through north west Egypt. It was decided that the [[British Eighth Army]] should make a stand just over 100km west of [[Alexandria, Egypt|Alexandria]], at the railway siding of [[El Alamein]]. On [[26 June]] [[1942]] the 9th Division was ordered to begin moving to El Alamein. The lead elements of the Division arrived at El Alamein on 6 July and the Division was assigned the most northerly section of the Commonwealth defensive line. The [[First Battle of El Alamein]] was a stalemate, but the Axis advance on [[Alexandria]] was halted. In October the Eighth Army decisively defeated the Axis forces in the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]]. In January [[1943]], the 9th Division started its return journey to Australia.

===The RAAF in the Middle East and Mediterranean===

The Australian contribution to the [[Desert Air Force]] (DAF) supporting the North Africa and the Mediterranean campaign included [[No. 3 Squadron RAAF]] which arrived in North Africa on August 23, 1940. The Squadron served with the DAF until the closing stages of the war in Europe, when it was transferred to the [[Australian First Tactical Air Force]] in the [[Pacific War|Pacific]]. By that time 3 Sqn had the most substantial service record of any DAF squadron, including the greatest number of kills (217 claims). At first it was equipped with the [[Gloster Gladiator]], but by 1941 received the more modern [[Hawker Hurricane]] then the [[Curtiss Tomahawk]]. During El-Alamein it had the later Kittyhawk and was part of No. 239 RAF Wing, along with [[No. 450 Squadron RAAF]]. After the invasion of Italy, the Wing was transferred there. In late 1944 the squadron was equipped with [[North American P-51|North American Mustangs]] which it operated until the end of the war.

===Battle of the Mediterranean===
[[Image:Hmas sydney 1940.jpg|thumb|right|HMAS ''Sydney'' in 1940]]

At the onset of war, the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) numbered two heavy cruisers, four light cruisers, five destroyers, three sloops and a variety of support and ancillary craft. From mid-1940, the RAN took part in the [[Battle of the Mediterranean]] as part of the [[British Mediterranean Fleet]] against Italy.

At the [[Battle of Calabria]] on July 9, 1940, the British [[Royal Navy]] and the Royal Australian Navy engaged ships of the Italian [[Regia Marina]]. The Australian force included the [[Leander class cruiser (1931)|Leander class light cruiser]] [[HMAS Sydney (1934)|HMAS ''Sydney'']] and the destroyers [[HMAS Stuart (D-00/100)|HMAS ''Stuart'']], [[HMAS Vampire (D68)|HMAS ''Vampire'']] and [[HMAS Voyager (D31)|HMAS ''Voyager'']]. The outcome was inconclusive, but ''Sydney'' was credited with the sinking of the Italian destroyer ''Espero'' and shared honours in the sinking of the destroyer ''Zeffiro''.

Ten days later (19 July, 1940), ''Sydney'', with a British destroyer squadron in company, engaged the high-speed Italian light cruisers [[Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni|''Bartolomeo Colleoni'']] and [[Italian cruiser Giovanni dalle Bande Nere|''Giovanni dalle Bande Nere'']] (the [[Battle of Cape Spada]]). In the running battle which followed, ''Bartolomeo Colleoni'' was sunk.

All of the RAN's ships in the Mediterranean were withdrawn following the outbreak of war in the Pacific in December 1941. The RAN returned to the Mediterranean between May and November 1943 when eight [[Bathurst class corvette]]s took part in the [[Allied invasion of Sicily]] and escorted convoys in the western Mediterranean.<ref>Coates (2006). Pages 192-195.</ref>

==Britain and Western Europe==
[[Image:10 Sqn (AWM 042259).jpg|thumb|A No. 10 Squadron Sunderland departing for a patrol over the Atlantic in 1941]]
===The defence of Britain===

Australians participated in the defence of Britain throughout the war. About 100 Australian airmen fought with the [[Royal Air Force]] during the [[Battle of Britain]] in 1940, [[Non-British personnel in the RAF during the Battle of Britain|including 25 fighter pilots]]. In addition, two brigades of the AIF were stationed in Britain from June 1940 to January 1941 and formed part of the British mobile reserve. An Australian forestry group was also stationed in Britain between 1940 and 1943.<ref>Long (1973). Pages 41-43.</ref> Several Australian-manned fighter squadrons were also formed in Britain and remained active until the end of the war in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ww2australia.gov.au/raaf/fighter.html |title=Air war Europe 1939-1945: Fighter Command |accessdate=2007-12-22 |format= |work=Australia's War 1939—1945 }}</ref>

The RAAF and RAN took part in the [[Battle of the Atlantic (1939–1945)|Battle of the Atlantic]]. [[No. 10 Squadron RAAF|No. 10 Squadron]], based in Britain at the outbreak of war to take delivery of its [[Short Sunderland]] flying boats, remained there throughout the conflict. It was joined by [[No. 461 Squadron RAAF|No. 461 Squadron]] in April 1942, also equipped with Sunderlands. Both squadrons escorted Allied convoys and sank a number of [[U-boat]]s. Several of the RAN's cruisers escorted shipping in the Atlantic and Caribbean in 1939 and 1940 and hundreds of RAN personnel served aboard [[Royal Navy]] ships in the Atlantic throughout the war.<ref name="Stephens 76-79"/><ref>Long (1973). Page 369.</ref>

===Air war over Europe===
[[Image:460 Sqn (AWM 044167).jpg|thumb|Members of No. 460 Squadron and the Lancaster bomber [[G for George]] in August 1943]]
{{sectstub}}
RAAF units played a small but significant role in the Allied air offensive against Germany. Australians were especially notable in [[RAF Bomber Command]]: they represented two percent of all RAAF personnel during the war, but accounted for 23% of the total number killed in action. This statistic is further illustrated by the fact that [[No. 460 Squadron RAAF]], firstly flying the [[Vickers Wellington]] then the [[Avro Lancaster]], had an official establishment of about 200 aircrew and yet had 1,018 combat deaths. The squadron was therefore effectively wiped out five times over. RAAF squadrons, including 460 Squadron, flew many missions in support of the [[D-Day landings]] in 1944 and [[Operation Manna]], dropping food to relieve civilians facing starvation in the [[Netherlands]] in 1945. Overall, the Australian squadrons in Bomber Command dropped 6 percent of the total weight of bombs dropped by the command during the war.<ref>Long (1973). Page 393.</ref> About 3,500 Australians were killed while serving with Bomber Command.<ref>Long (1973). Page 474.</ref>

RAAF airmen and squadrons also took part in the liberation of Europe. Several Australian fighter and light bomber squadrons and hundreds of Australians in RAF units supported the Allied armies from the landing in Normandy until the end of the war. Two RAAF fighter squadrons, [[No. 451 Squadron RAAF|No. 451]] and [[No. 453 Squadron RAAF|No. 453]], operated from bases in France and Germany during this period.<ref>Long (1973). Pages 379-393.</ref>

The RAAF suffered heavy casualties in its campaigns over Europe. 5,397 Australian airmen were killed in Europe and 1,135 in the Middle East.<ref>Long (1973). Page 393.</ref>

==War in the Pacific==
[[Image:Threat to Australia 1942.jpg|thumb|The Japanese advance through the Malay Barrier in 1941-42 and feared offensive operations against Australia]]
===Prelude===
{{sectstub}}
Due to the emphasis placed on cooperation with Britain, relatively few Australian military units were retained in Australia and the [[Asia-Pacific]] Region. Measures were taken to improve Australia's defences as [[Pacific War|war with Japan]] loomed in 1941, but these proved inadequate. In December 1941 the Australian Army in the pacific comprised the 8th Division, most of which was stationed in Malaya, and eight partially trained and equipped divisions in Australia, including the [[1st Armoured Division (Australia)|1st Armoured Division]]. The RAAF was equipped with 373 aircraft, most of these were obsolete trainers, and the RAN had three cruisers and two destroyers in Australian waters.<ref>Horner (1993). Pages 2-3.</ref>

===Malaya and Singapore===
[[Image:Aust AT gun Singapore (012449).jpg|thumb|Australian anti-tank gunners overlooking the [[Johore Causeway]] between Singapore and Malaya in February 1942]]
{{see also|Battle of Malaya|Battle of Singapore}}

At the outbreak of war in the Pacific, the Australian forces in Malaya comprised the 8th Division (less one brigade at Darwin), four RAAF squadrons and eight warships.<ref>Coates (2006). Page 203.</ref> The RAAF became the first service to see action in the Pacific when Australian aircraft shadowing the Japanese invasion convoy bound for Malaya were fired at on 6 December 1941. Australian units participated the unsuccessful Commonwealth attempts to defeat the Japanese landings, with RAAF aircraft attacking the [[beachhead]]s and [[HMAS Vampire (D68)|HMAS ''Vampire'']] accompanying [[HMS Prince of Wales (53)|HMS ''Prince of Wales'']] and [[HMS Repulse (1916)|HMS ''Repulse'']] during their [[Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse|disastrous attempt to attack the Japanese invasion fleet]].<ref>Coates (2006). Pages 210-212.</ref>

The 8th Division was assigned responsibility for the defence of [[Johore]] and did not see action until mid-January 1942 when Japanese spearheads first reached the province. The division's first engagement was the [[Battle of Muar]] in which the Australians and attached Indian and British units inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese before being pushed out of their positions. This was the last major battle in Malaya, and all the remaining Commonwealth forces withdrew to Singapore by 31 January.<ref>Coates (2006). Pages 212-214.</ref>

Following the withdrawal to Singapore the 8th Division was deployed to defend island's north-west coast. The division had suffered heavy casualties during the fighting on the mainland, and most of its units were at half-strength. The commander of the Singapore fortress, [[Arthur Ernest Percival|Lt.-General Percival]], believed that the Japanese would land on the north-east coast of the island and deployed the near full-strength [[18th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|British 18th Division]] to defend this sector. [[Battle of Sarimbun Beach|The Japanese landing]] on 8 February took part in the Australian sector, however, and the 8th Division was forced from its positions after just two days of heavy fighting. The division was also unable to turn back the [[Battle of Kranji|Japanese landing at Kranji]] and withdrew to the centre of the island.

The Japanese captured Singapore's water reservoirs and large supply dumps in the first days of the battle, making prolonged resistance impossible for the Commonwealth forces. After further fighting in which the Commonwealth forces were pushed into a narrow perimeter around the urban area of Singapore, Lt.-General Percival surrendered his forces on 15 February 1942. Following the surrender 14,972 Australians were taken prisoner,<ref>Wigmore (1957). Page 512.</ref> though some Australians escaped on ships. These escapees included the 8th Division's commander [[Gordon Bennett (Australian soldier)|Maj-Gen. Gordon Bennett]], who was found to have not been justified in leaving his command by two post-war inquiries.<ref>{{ADB|last=Lodge  |first=A.B. |authorlink= |year=1993 |id=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A130195b.htm?hilite=Gordon%3BBennett |title=Bennett, Henry Gordon |accessdate= 2007-12-02}}</ref>

===Netherlands East Indies and Rabaul===
{{sectstub}}
[[Image:Darwin 42.jpg|thumb|left|Darwin bombed in 1942]]
====Netherlands East Indies====
Shortly after the outbreak of the Pacific War AIF troops were dispatched from Darwin to the [[Netherlands East Indies]]. Reinforced battalions were sent to [[Koepang]] in [[Timor]] and the island of [[Ambon]] to defend these strategic locations from Japanese attack. A commando company was also sent to [[Dili]] in [[Portuguese Timor]].<ref>Hasluck (1970). Page 14.</ref> The force at Ambon was defeated in the [[Battle of Ambon]] which was fought between January 30 and 3 February 1942. While the infantry battalion at Koepang was defeated, Australian commandos [[Battle of Timor (1942–43)|waged a guerrilla campaign]] against the Japanese in Portuguese Timor until February 1943.

In the lead-up to the [[Battle of Java (1942)|invasion of Java]] a force of 242 Japanese aircraft [[Air raids on Darwin, February 19, 1942|attacked Darwin on 19 February 1942]]. This attack was undertaken to ensure that Darwin could not be used as a base to counter the conquest of the Netherlands East Indies. The attack was successful, and resulted in the deaths of 251 civilians and military personnel (most of whom were non-Australian Allied seamen) and inflicted heavy damage on [[RAAF Base Darwin]] and the town's port facilities.

====Rabaul and New Guinea====
At the start of the Pacific War the strategic port town of [[Rabaul]] in [[New Britain]] was defended by 'Lark Force', which comprised an AIF infantry battalion reinforced with coastal artillery and a poorly equipped RAAF bomber squadron. While Lark Force was regarded as inadequate by the Australian military,<ref>Hasluck (1970). Page 14.</ref> it was not possible to reinforce it before the Japanese [[South Seas Force]] landed at Rabaul on 23 January 1942. The outnumbered Australian force [[Battle of Rabaul (1942)|was swiftly defeated]] and most of the survivors surrendered in the weeks after the battle. Few members of Lark Force survived the war, as at least 130 were murdered by the Japanese on 4 February and 1057 Australian soldiers and civilian prisoners from Rabaul were killed when [[Montevideo Maru|the ship carrying them to Japan]] was sunk by a US submarine on 1 July 1942.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ajrp.awm.gov.au/ajrp/remember.nsf/pages/NT00002EBE?openDocument |title=Rabaul, 1942 |accessdate=2007-11-06 |last=Moremon |first=John |coauthors= |date=2003 |work=Remembering the War in New Guinea |publisher=Australia-Japan Research Project}}</ref>

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 a commando company successfully raided Salamaua on 29 June.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ajrp.awm.gov.au/ajrp/remember.nsf/pages/NT00002612 |title=New Guinea north coast, 1942 |accessdate=2007-11-07 |last=Moremon |first=John |coauthors= |date=2003 |work=Remembering the War in New Guinea |publisher=Australia-Japan Research Project}}</ref>

===The defence of Australia===
[[Image:Geraldton exercise 1942 (028696).jpg|thumb|Australian soldiers exercising to defend [[Geraldton, Western Australia]] in October 1942]]
{{see also|Battle for Australia}}
Following the fall of Singapore the Australian Government and many Australians feared a Japanese invasion. Australia was ill-prepared to counter such an attack as the RAAF lacked modern aircraft, the RAN was too small and unbalanced to counter the Imperial Japanese Navy and the Army, though large, contained many inexperienced units and could not be easily moved around the country.<ref>Grey (1999). Page 171.</ref> In response to this threat most of the AIF was brought back from the Middle East and the Government appealed to the United States for assistance. The Japanese [[Proposed Japanese invasion of Australia during World War II|did not intend]] to invade the Australian mainland, however, as such an operation was judged to be beyond the Japanese military's capabilities.<ref>Dr. Peter Stanley (2002). [http://www.awm.gov.au/events/conference/2002/stanley_paper.pdf He's (Not) Coming South: The Invasion That Wasn't]</ref>

The air raids on Darwin demonstrated how unprepared the RAAF was for the defence of Australia. Some RAAF squadrons were transferred back to Australia and to address the shortages of fighter and ground attack planes, [[United States|US]]-built [[P-40]] Kittyhawks were acquired and [[CAC Boomerang]], an Australian designed fighter/close support aircraft, was manufactured.

The perceived threat of invasion led to a major expansion of the Australian military. By mid-1942 the Army had a strength of eleven infantry divisions, three armoured divisions and hundreds of supporting units. While the RAAF was also greatly expanded, the RAN experienced only modest growth. This was a larger force than Australia could sustain, however, and the Army was progressively reduced in size from 1943 until the end of the war.<ref>Palazzo (2001). Page 174.</ref>

===New Guinea Campaign, 1942-43===
[[Image:Australian troops at Milne Bay.jpg|thumb|Australian troops at Milne Bay]]
Australian forces in [[New Guinea]], including brigades of the 6th and 7th Division, fought the Japanese along the [[Kokoda Track Campaign|Kokoda Track]] from July 1942 to January 1943. The Kokoda Track runs from outside [[Port Moresby]] on the [[Coral Sea]] and (depending on definition) runs 60-100 kilometres through the Owen Stanley Ranges to Kokoda and the coastal lowlands beyond by the [[Solomon Sea]]. The track crosses some of the most rugged and isolated terrain in the world and combines hot humid days with intensely cold nights, torrential rainfall and endemic [[tropical diseases]]. The track is passable only on foot; this had extreme repercussions for [[logistics]], the size of forces and the type of warfare conducted on the Track. The Japanese objective was the capture of Port Moresby. After falling back from the Japanese attack, Australian commanders ordered in reinforcements and launched a counter-attack. After a vicious, see-sawing battle, Australian forces began to gain ground. Japanese marines launched an attack on Australian forces at Milne Bay on the eastern tip of New Guinea ([[Battle of Milne Bay]]) on August 25, 1942 and fighting continued until the Japanese were forced to retreat in September. This was the first time Japanese troops had been defeated in a land battle since the start of the Pacific war. Thus it was a much needed morale boost for the allies. Units from the 6th and 7th Divisions, with US forces, re-took the north coast of New Guinea in the [[Battle of Buna-Gona]] towards the end of 1942-early 1943.

In 1943, the Defence Act was changed to allow Militia units to serve south of the Equator in South East Asia. This gave the Army more flexibility and lessened the distinction between AIF and conscript units.

The 9th Division returned to Australia in 1943. Later that year it was pitched into battle against Japanese forces in New Guinea. By 1944, the 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions had been reunited at the operational level.

===North-West Area air campaign===
[[Image:18 Sqn (AWM P02769-001).jpg|thumb|B-25 Mitchell bombers from [[No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF|No. 18 (NEI) Squadron]] near Darwin in 1943. This was one of three joint Australian-Dutch squadrons formed during the war.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awm.gov.au/alliesinadversity/australia/nei.asp |title=No. 18 (NEI) Squadron, RAAF |accessdate=2007-11-04 |format= |work=Allies in adversity }}</ref>]]
The attack on Darwin marked the start of a prolonged aerial campaign over northern Australia and the Japanese-occupied Netherlands East Indies. Following the first attack on Darwin the Allies rapidly deployed fighter squadrons to protect the town from a feared invasion. A large number of airfields were also built south of Darwin to house fighters and bomber aircraft.

As the tide of the war shifted in the Allies' favour, the Allies mounted increasingly heavy air raids on the NEI from bases in the Darwin area. To counter these attacks the Japanese staged dozens of [[Air raids on Australia, 1942–43|air raids on Darwin and nearby airfields]] during 1942 and 1943, few of which caused significant damage. These raids were opposed by Australian and British fighters and suffered increasingly heavy casualties as Darwin's defences were improved.<ref>Coulthard-Clark (2001). Page 206.</ref> The Japanese also conducted a number of small raids on towns and airfields in northern Queensland and Western Australia during 1942 and 1943.

While the Japanese raids on northern Australia ceased in late 1943, the Allied air offensive continued until the end of the war. During late 1942 Allied aircraft conducted attacks on Timor in support of the Australian guerrillas operating there. From early 1943 United States [[heavy bomber]] squadrons operated against Japanese targets in the eastern NEI from bases near Darwin. These units were replaced by Australian [[B-24 Liberator]]-equipped squadrons in late 1944. The Allied air offensive against the NEI intensified from June 1943 in order to divert Japanese forces away from New Guinea and the Solomons. From 1944 several RAAF [[PBY Catalina]] squadrons were also based at Darwin and conducted highly effective mine-laying sorties across South East Asia.<ref>Coates (2006). Pages 269-271.</ref>

===Mopping up in New Guinea and the Solomons===
[[Image:Final NG campaigns.jpg|thumb|Australian and Japanese Army forces in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands in late 1944]]
{{sectstub}}
In late 1944 Australian Army units replaced six US Army divisions which were conducting defensive roles in [[Bougainville Island|Bougainville]], [[New Britain]] and New Guinea. While the US units had largely conducted a static defence of their positions, their Australian replacements mounted offensive operations designed to destroy the remaining Japanese forces in these areas. The value of these campaigns was controversial at the time and remain so to this day. The campaigns' supporters argue that they were worthwhile as a means of keeping the Australian Army involved in the war and maintaining Australia's influence in its region. In contrast, critics of the campaigns argue that they were unnecessary and wasteful of the lives of the Australian soldiers involved as the Japanese forces were already isolated and ineffective.<ref>Grey (1999). Pages 184-185.</ref>

====New Britain and Bougainville====
{{main|New Britain Campaign|Bougainville campaign (1943–45)}}
[[Image:Infantry wide bay (AWM 078376).jpg|thumb|left|Infantry at Wide Bay in January 1945]]
The [[5th Division (Australia)|5th Divsion]] was assigned responsibility for New Britain and was tasked with protecting Allied bases and confining the large Japanese force on the island to the area around Rabaul. The division replaced the [[40th Infantry Division (United States)|United States 40th Infantry Division]] during October and November 1944. In late November the 5th Division established bases near the Japanese perimeter and began aggressive patrols with the objective of reducing the size of the Japanese enclave. These patrols were supported by the [[Allied Intelligence Bureau]].<ref>Coates (2006). Page 276.</ref>

In early 1945 elements of the 5th Division conducted amphibious landings at Open Bay and Wide Bay at the base of the [[Gazelle Peninsula]] and defeated the small Japanese garrisons in these areas. As a result of the division's aggressive patrolling, by April 1945 the Japanese were confined to the Gazelle Peninsula and offered little resistance to Australian patrols. The 5th Division suffered 53 fatalities and 140 wounded during this campaign. After the war it was found that the Japanese force was 93,000 strong, which was much higher than the 38,000 which Allied intelligence had estimated remained on New Britain.<ref>Coates (2006). Page 276.</ref>

[[Image:Bougainville Matilda (AWM 018384).jpg|thumb|Australian soldiers and a Matilda II tank advancing on Bougainville in March 1945]]
The [[Australian II Corps|II Corps]] was deployed to Bougainville between October and December 1944 and assumed responsibility for the island from the [[XIV Corps (United States)|US Army's XIV Corps]]. The [[3rd Division (Australia))|3rd Division]] and the [[11th Brigade (Australia)|11th Brigade]] were on Bougainville along with the [[Fiji Infantry Regiment]]. The [[23rd Brigade (Australia)|23rd Brigade]] garrisoned neighbouring islands. II Corps was supported by RAAF, RNZAF and USMC air units based on Bougainville.<ref>Odgers (1968). Page 318.</ref>

While the XIV Corps had maintained a defensive posture around the Allied airfields at Cape Torokina, the Australians conducted offensive operations aimed at destroying the Japanese force on Bougainville. As the Japanese were split into several enclaves the Australians fought geographically separated campaigns in the north, centre and southern portions of the island. The main focus was against the Japanese base at Buin in the south of the island, however, and offensive operations in the north and centre of the island were largely suspended from May 1945. While Australian offensive operations on Bougainville continued until the end of the war, large Japanese forces remained at Buin and in the north of the island.<ref>Coates (2006). Pages 273-275.</ref>

====Ataipe-Wewak====
[[Image:Infantry Danmap River (078054).jpg|thumb|Infantrymen resting on a river bank before attacking Japanese positions near Matapau in New Guinea in January 1945]]
{{main|Aitape-Wewak campaign}}
{{sectstub}}

===Borneo Campaign===
[[Image:Borneo Campaign CMH.jpg|thumb|A map showing the progress of the Borneo campaign]]
{{sectstub}}
{{main|Borneo Campaign (1945)}}
The Borneo Campaign of 1945 was the last major Allied campaign in the [[South West Pacific Area]]. In a series of amphibious assaults between [[May 1]] and [[July 21]], the [[I Corps (Australia)|Australian I Corps]], under General [[Leslie Morshead]], attacked [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] forces occupying the island. Allied naval and air forces, centred on the [[U.S. 7th Fleet]] under Admiral [[Thomas Kinkaid]], the [[Australian First Tactical Air Force]] and the U.S. [[Thirteenth Air Force]] also played important roles in the campaign.

The campaign opened with a landing on the small island of [[Battle of Tarakan (1945)|Tarakan]] on [[May 1]]. This was followed on [[June 1]] by simultaneous assaults in the north west, on the island of [[Operation Oboe Six|Labuan]] and the coast of [[Brunei]]. A week later the Australians attacked Japanese positions in [[Battle of North Borneo|North Borneo]]. The attention of the Allies then switched back to the central east coast, with the last major amphibious assault of World War II, at [[Battle of Balikpapan|Balikpapan]] on [[July 1]].

Although the campaign was criticised in Australia at the time, and in subsequent years, as pointless or a "waste" of the lives of soldiers, it did achieve a number of objectives, such as increasing the isolation of significant Japanese forces occupying the main part of the [[Dutch East Indies]], capturing major [[petroleum|oil]] supplies and freeing Allied prisoners of war, who were being held in deteriorating conditions.<ref>Grey (1999). Pages 184-186.</ref>

===The RAAF in the Pacific===
{{sectstub}}
[[Image:Beaufighter (AWM OG0001).jpg|thumb|A [[No. 30 Squadron RAAF|30 Sqn RAAF]] Beaufighter flying over New Guinea in 1942]]
RAAF Kittyhawks and Boomerangs came to play a crucial role in the New Guinea, [[Solomon Islands]] and [[Borneo]] campaigns, especially in operations like the [[Battle of Milne Bay]].

From 1943 the RAAF played a supporting role to the [[Fifth Air Force|United States Fifth Air Force]]. While the USAAF units were concentrated on supporting the main Allied advance, the RAAF was mainly assigned tasks on the flanks of the threatre and home defence duties. Nevertheless, the RAAF played an important part in supporting Australian and United States operations in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands during 1943 and 1944.<ref>Odgers (1968). Page 498.</ref>

During 1945 the RAAF was assigned flank protection tasks, garrison duties and supporting the liberation of Borneo. The use of the RAAF's main operational formation, the [[Australian First Tactical Air Force|First Tactical Air Force]] (1TAF), for garrison tasks led to a decline in morale, and contributed to the [[Morotai Mutiny|'Morotai Mutiny']] in April. However, 1TAF's morale recovered at the start of the Borneo Campaign.<ref>Odgers (1968). Page 498.</ref>

At the end of the war 1TAF comprised more than 18,000 personnel and 20 squadrons and was scheduled to participate in the invasion of the Japanese mainland, [[Operation Downfall]]. However, the war was brought to a sudden end by the US [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|nuclear attack]]s on Japan. 3,342 RAAF personnel were killed during the Pacific War.<ref>Long (1973). Page 393.</ref>

===Naval war in the Pacific and Indian Ocean===
[[Image:Starr King (AWM 128144).jpg|thumb|The [[United States of America|U.S.]]-registered [[Liberty Ship]] ''[[Starr King]]'' sinking after being attacked near [[Port Macquarie, New South Wales|Port Macquarie]] on [[10 February]] 1943.]]
There was [[Axis naval activity in Australian waters]] throughout the war. In November 1941, the HMAS ''Sydney'' was sunk with the loss of all hands (645 officers and men) after a [[battle between HMAS Sydney and HSK Kormoran|battle with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran]], off the coast of Western Australia.

Following the Japanese attacks in December 1941 the RAN redeployed its larger ships to home waters to protect the Australian mainland from Japanese attack. At the [[Battle of Java Sea|Battle of Sunda Strait]], in March 1942, the RAN suffered the loss of another Leander class vessel, [[HMAS Perth (1934)|HMAS ''Perth'']].

The RAN took part in the [[Battle of the Coral Sea]] in May 1942, where HMAS ''Australia'' survived a brief but intense attack from Japanese torpedo bombers. The battle averted a Japanese attack on [[Port Moresby]]. [[HMAS Hobart (1939)|HMAS ''Hobart'']] also participated in the battle and would latter participate in the amphibious assaults on the Philippines and Borneo. She was in [[Tokyo]] for the Japanese surrender in 1945.

The most significant Japanese naval attacks in Australian waters occurred in May and June 1942, when [[attack on Sydney Harbour|Japanese submarines attacked Sydney and Newcastle]]. Three Japanese midget submarines were launched but only one actually attacked allied shipping in [[Sydney harbour]], sinking the depot ship [[HMAS Kuttabul (ship)|HMAS ''Kuttabul'']] and damaging a Dutch submarine. On June 8, a Japanese submarine surfaced about 10 km (6 miles) off Sydney. For a four minute period, the submarine's deck gun was fired at the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Every shot landed well short of its target, all but one of the shells failed to explode and there were no fatalities or serious injuries. The RAN's biggest single ship loss of the war was the sinking of the heavy cruiser [[HMAS Canberra (1927)|HMAS ''Canberra'']] at the [[Battle of Savo Island]] in August 1942.
[[Image:HMAS Swan guns (079323).jpg|thumb|left|[[HMAS Swan (U 74)|HMAS ''Swan'']] firing on Japanese positions in New Guinea in February 1945]]

In the [[Battle of the Bismarck Sea]] in 1943, [[Bristol Beaufighter]]s of [[No. 30 Squadron RAAF]] proved to be highly effective ground attack and maritime strike aircraft, inflicting heavy loses on Japanese troop convoys, along with other RAAF squadrons. The battle was a combined operation with the [[United States Army Air Force]] and resulted in the sinking of 12 Japanese transporters and destroyers and hampered the Japanese forces in New Guinea.

The Royal Australian Navy participated the United States-led [[island hopping]] campaign in the Pacific, with the surviving cruisers providing fire support and other ships escorting convoys. At the [[Battle of Leyte Gulf]], in October 1944, HMAS ''Australia'' became the first Allied ship to be hit by a [[kamikaze]]. The ship survived that and several other suicide attacks, though many crew members were killed.

At its peak strength on 30 June 1945 the RAN comprised 39,650 personnel and 337 ships in commission, making it the fourth largest navy in the world at that time. A total of 1911 naval personnel died as a result of hostilites and more than 30 Australian warships were lost in the war, making it by far the costliest in the RAN's history.<ref>Frame (2004). Page 196.</ref>

==Australians in other theatres==
[[Image:Mission 204 (P00763001).jpg|thumb|Four members of the Australian contingent to Mission 204 in [[Yunnan Province]], China, during 1942]]
In addition to the major deployments, Australian military units and individual Australian service personnel served in other theatres of the war.

Australia played a minor role in the British-led campaigns against [[Vichy French]] colonial possessions in Africa. In late September 1940 HMAS ''Australia'' took part in the [[Battle of Dakar|British and Free French attempt to capture Dakar]] in which she sank a Vichy French destroyer. The Australian government was not informed of the cruiser's involvement in this operation prior to the battle and complained to the British government.<ref>Horner (1982). Page 40.</ref> Three Australian destroyers also took part in the [[Battle of Madagascar|capture of Madagascar]] in September 1942.<ref>Long (1973). Page 265.</ref> Closer to home, [[HMAS Adelaide (1918)|HMAS ''Adelaide'']] played a significant role in ensuring that [[New Caledonia]] came under [[Free French Forces|Free French]] control in September 1940 by escorting a pro-Free French Governor to [[Noumea]] and taking station off the city during the popular protests which resulted in the Governor replacing the pro-Vichy authorities.<ref>Horner (1982). Page 40.</ref>

Australian warships served in the [[Red Sea]] and [[Persian Gulf]] through much of the war. From June to October 1940 HMAS ''Hobart'' took part in the [[East African Campaign (World War II)|East African Campaign]], and played an important role in the [[Italian conquest of British Somaliland|successful evacuation]] of [[Berbera]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/spc/history/ships/hobart1.html |title=HMAS ''Hobart'' (I)  |accessdate=2007-12-21 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date= |work=HMA Ship Histories |publisher=Seapower Centre - Australia }}</ref> In May 1941 HMAS ''Yarra'' participated in the [[Anglo-Iraqi War]] by supporting the landing of [[Gurkha]] troops near [[Basra]]. In August 1941 ''Yarra'' and [[HMAS Kanimbla (1936)|HMAS ''Kanimbla'']] took part in the [[Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran]], with ''Yarra'' sinking the Iranian sloop ''Babr'' near Kohorramshahr and ''Kanimbla'' landing troops at Bandar Shapur.<ref>Nash and Stevens (2006). Pages 9-10.</ref>

While most Australian units in the Pacific Theatre fought in the SWPA, thousands of Australians were posted to British units in Burma and India. These included 45 men from the 8th Division who volunteered to train Chinese guerrillas with the British Mission 204 in southern China. Thousands of Australians also served with RAF units in India and Burma, though no RAAF units were deployed to this theatre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ww2australia.gov.au/farflung/index.html |title=Far Flung Australians |accessdate=2007-12-02 |format= |work=Australia's War 1939—1945 }}</ref>

In addition to operational deployments, thousands of Australian airmen were trained overseas under the [[Empire Air Training Scheme]]. More than 10,000 were trained in [[Canada]] and 674 in [[Rhodesia]]. While many of these men were posted to Australian [[Article XV squadrons]], the majority served within British and other Dominion squadrons.<ref>Clark (2003)</ref>

==Australian intelligence and special forces==
[[Image:21henryst44.jpg|thumb|Central Bureau's headquarters building at Ascot in Brisbane]]
{{sectstub}}
Australia developed large [[List of Australian intelligence agencies|intelligence services]] during the war. Prior the outbreak of war the Australian military possessed almost no intelligence gathering facilities and was reliant on information passed on by the British intelligence services. Several small [[signals intelligence]] units were established in 1939 and 1940 and these units had some success intercepting and deciphering Japanese transmissions before the outbreak of the Pacific War.<ref>Horner (1982). Pages 224-225.</ref>

General MacArthur began organising large scale intelligence services shortly after his arrival in Australia. On 15 April 1942 the joint Australian-US [[Central Bureau]] [[signals intelligence]] organisation was established at Melbourne. Central Bureau's headquarters moved to Brisbane in July 1942 and [[Manila]] in May 1945. Australians made up half the strength of Central Bureau, which was expanded to over 4000 personnel by 1945.<ref>Horner (1982). Page 242.</ref>

==Prisoners of war==
{{sectstub}}
{{see also|Japanese war crimes}}
30,000 Australians were taken [[prisoner of war|prisoner]] by the Axis during the war. Only 14,000 of the 22,000 Australian prisoners taken by the Japanese survived captivity. The majority of these deaths were due to malnutition and disease. The treatment of Australian POWs led to many Australians continuing to be hostile to Japan after the war.<ref>Macintyre (1999). Pages 192-193.</ref>

==Home front==
[[Image:Victory job (AWM ARTV00332).jpg|thumb|Australian women were encouraged to participate in the war effort]]
{{main|Australian home front during World War II}}
{{sectstub}}
During the war the [[Government of Australia|Australian Government]] greatly expanded its powers in order to better direct the war effort, and Australia's industrial and human resources were focused on supporting the Allied armed forces.

==The cost of war==

During World War II 27,073 members of the Australian military were killed or died of wounds or died while prisoners of war. Of these, 9,572 were killed in the war against Germany and Italy and 17,501 in the war against Japan. Nearly half of Australia's deaths in the Pacific were prisoners of the Japanese.<ref>Long (1973). Page 474.</ref>

In financial terms, total Australian war expenditure was [[Australian pound|£]]2,949,380,000. At its peak in 1942-43 war expenditure accounted for 40.1 percent of national income.<ref>Long (1973). Page 474.</ref>

==After the war==
[[Image:HMAS Shropshire (123797).jpg|thumb|[[HMAS Shropshire|HMAS ''Shropshire'']] arriving in Sydney in November 1945 carrying long serving Australian soldiers]]
{{sectstub}}
A planned invasion of the Japanese home island of [[Honshū]] in 1946, [[Operation Downfall#Coronet|Operation Coronet]], would probably have included a proposed [[Australian 10th Division]], formed from existing AIF personnel. However, the [[nuclear attack]]s on [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki]] caused [[Surrender of Japan|Japan to surrender]] before the invasion became necessary. General Blamey signed the [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender]] on behalf of Australia during the ceremony held on board [[USS Missouri (BB-63)|USS ''Missouri'']] on 2 September 1945. Several RAN warships were also present in [[Tokyo Bay]] during the ceremony.

Compulsory military service ended in 1945, and most Australian personnel had been demobilised by the end of 1946.<ref>Palazzo (2001). Page 191.</ref> A volunteer force was formed as Australia's contribution to the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]] in Japan and Australia contributed the majority of the BCOF's personnel for most of the occupation.

World War II led to significant changes to Australian society. In economic terms, the war accelerated the development of Australia's manufacturing industry and led to a large fall in [[unemployment]]. The impact of World War II changed Australia's society, and contributed to the development of a more cosmopolitan society in which women were able to play a larger role. The war also resulted in a greater maturity in Australia's dealings with the world, as demonstrated by Australia developing an independent foreign policy and encouraging mass-migration after the war.<ref>Grey (1999). Page 191.</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Military of Australia]]
* [[Conscription in Australia]]
* [[Planned invasion of Australia during World War II]]
* [[List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons#RAAF Units Under RAF Operational Control|RAAF units under RAF operational control]]
* [[South West Pacific Area]]
* [[Official History of Australia in the War of 1939–1945]]

==Notes==
{{Portalpar|Military of Australia|Adf.jpg}}
{{commons|Category:Military history of Australia during World War II|Military history of Australia during World War II}}
{{reflist}}

==References==

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* {{cite journal |last=Stanley |first=Peter |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |month= |title=What is the Battle for Australia? |journal=Australian Army Journal |volume=4 |issue=2, Winter 2007 |pages=17-34 |id= |url=http://www.army.gov.au/lwsc/Publications/journal/AAJ_Winter2007/AAJ_Winter07_Stanley.pdf |accessdate= 2007-09-16 |quote= }}
*{{cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan|origyear=2001|year=2006| title=The Royal Australian Air Force: A History| location=London| publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0195555414}}
* {{cite book |last=Stevens |first=David |title=A Critical Vulnerability: The Impact of the Submarine Threat on Australia’s Maritime Defence (1915-1954)|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/spc/maritimepapers/piama15/piama15_full.pdf |format=PDF |series=Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs (No. 15) |year=2005 |publisher=Sea Power Centre - Australia |location=Canberra|isbn=0642296251 }}
* {{cite book |last=Stevens |first=David |authorlink= |editor=David Stevens |title=The Royal Australian Navy in World War II |origyear=1996 |url= |edition=2nd edition |year=2005 |publisher=Allen & Unwin |location=Sydney |isbn=1741141842 |chapter=South-West Sea Frontiers: Sea power in the Australian context }}
* {{cite book |last=Wigmore |first=Lionel |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The Japanese Thrust |url=http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/chapter.asp?volume=20 |series=Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 1 – Army |year=1957 |publisher=Australian War Memorial |location=Canberra |isbn= }}

==External links==
* Australian War Memorial [http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/ww2.htm Second World War 1939–45]
* [http://www.raaf.gov.au/history/airforce_history/WW2.htm RAAF in World War II - RAAF website]
* {{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| ]]