World War II (1939–45)

In World War II, Australians fought with the Allies against Germany in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa. They also fought against Japan in South-East Asia and the Pacific.

In the deserts of North Africa, Australian troops resisted a long siege by the Germans and Italians in the town of Tobruk, the last defence against the Germans’ march on Egypt. For eight long months, these men (mostly Australians) withstood fierce attacks and harsh conditions, living in caves and crevasses. Their determination, bravery and humour, combined with the aggressive tactics of their commanders, became a source of inspiration during some of the war’s darkest days. In doing so, they achieved lasting fame as the ‘Rats of Tobruk’.

In 1941, Japan launched its war in the Pacific. Australian servicemen and women went to defend Papua New Guinea. This task was handed to regular soldiers and young conscript soldiers who were poorly-trained. They fought the enemy in the jungle, along a steep, muddy trail known as the Kokoda Track. The Australian troops stopped the Japanese advance. Like Anzac Cove at Gallipoli, the Kokoda Track has become a place of pilgrimage for some Australians.

In 1942, the Japanese took the British base in Singapore. Approximately 15,000 Australian troops were among those who were captured and taken to work on the Thai-Burma Railway. During its construction, many Australian troops were subjected to cruel treatment by the Japanese. Although Australian prisoners of war did their best to look after each other, it was here that more than 2700 Australian prisoners of war died.

Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop (1907–93)

Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was a brave and caring surgeon and an Australian war hero. During World War II he was captured by the Japanese and taken to Burma to work on the Thai-Burma Railway. This was very hard work.

As a commander, Weary spoke up for his men, and as their surgeon, he spent long hours healing them. He was tortured in the camp but defiantly continued to serve.

In 1969, he was knighted for his contribution to medicine. When he died, more than 10,000 people lined the streets of Melbourne for the state funeral of the hero they called ‘The Surgeon of the Railway’.

Other conflicts Soon after World War II, from 1950 to 1953, Australian armed forces were sent as part of a United Nations multinational force to defend South Korea from communist forces of the north.

Not long after, Australia joined the United States of America in supporting the South Vietnamese government against Vietnamese communist forces seeking to reunite the country. The Vietnam War remains Australia’s largest armed force commitment since World War II. Lasting from 1962 until 1973, it was also, at that time, the longest war in which Australia had fought. It was a controversial involvement, with many Australians taking to the streets to demonstrate their opposition to the cause and, in particular, the conscription of young Australian men into the war.

The Australian Defence Force has also been engaged in conflicts in East Timor, Iraq, Sudan and Afghanistan and has taken part in United Nations’ peacekeeping operations in many parts of the world, including Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.

Remembrance Day As well as on Anzac Day, Australians reflect on those who have served and died in war on Remembrance Day. At 11am on 11 November (the 11th month) each year, Australians pause to remember the sacrifice of the men and women who died or suffered in wars and conflicts, as well as all those who have served. We wear a red poppy on this day.