Australia in World War 2
Australia entered the Second World War on 3 September 1939, shortly after Britain declared war on Germany. Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced that, because Britain was at war, Australia was also at war. Over the next six years, almost one million Australians served in the armed forces, while the civilian population supported the war through industry, rationing, fundraising and voluntary work.
During the early years of the war, Australia’s main military contribution was made in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The Second Australian Imperial Force was formed for overseas service, while Australian airmen served in large numbers through the Empire Air Training Scheme. Australian forces fought in major campaigns at Bardia, Tobruk, Greece, Crete, Syria and El Alamein. The defence of Tobruk in 1941 became particularly famous. Australian troops, known as the “Rats of Tobruk”, resisted repeated German and Italian attacks and helped prevent Axis forces from advancing further into Egypt.
The war changed dramatically for Australia after Japan entered the conflict in December 1941. Japanese forces rapidly captured Hong Kong, Malaya, Singapore and much of the Netherlands East Indies. The fall of Singapore in February 1942 was a major disaster, and about 15,000 Australian soldiers became prisoners of war. Many endured brutal conditions, forced labour, disease and starvation, including on the Burma–Thailand Railway.
For the first time, Australia faced a direct threat to its territory. Japanese aircraft bombed Darwin on 19 February 1942, killing hundreds and causing widespread destruction. Other northern Australian towns were also attacked, while Japanese submarines entered Sydney Harbour. In response, the Australian government recalled many troops from the Middle East and increasingly relied on military cooperation with the United States. American General Douglas MacArthur established his headquarters in Australia, which became an important Allied base for operations in the Pacific.
Australian forces played a major role in the New Guinea campaigns. In 1942, Australian troops fought Japanese forces along the Kokoda Track, at Milne Bay and around Buna and Gona. The Kokoda campaign became one of the best-known episodes of the war because soldiers fought in extremely difficult jungle and mountain conditions. The Allied victory at Milne Bay was also significant because it was one of Japan’s first major defeats on land. Australian forces later fought in Papua, New Guinea, Bougainville, New Britain and Borneo.
The war also transformed life at home. Women entered factories, farms, transport services and military support organisations in greater numbers. The government introduced rationing, censorship, identity cards and extensive economic controls. Manufacturing expanded rapidly, especially in aircraft, weapons, vehicles and munitions. However, wartime fear also led to the internment of some people of German, Italian and Japanese background.
By the war’s end in August 1945, about 39,000 Australian service personnel had died and many more had been wounded or suffered lasting physical and psychological effects. Australia’s experience in the Second World War strengthened its relationship with the United States, encouraged the development of local industry and altered its understanding of national security. The conflict was one of the most important events in modern Australian history.