Welcome to the Military history of Australia portal!
The military history of Australia spans the nation's 230-year modern history, from the early
Australian frontier wars between
Aboriginal people and
Europeans to the ongoing conflicts in
Iraq and
Afghanistan in the early 21st century. Although this history is short when compared to that of many other nations, Australia has been involved in numerous conflicts and wars, and war and military service have been significant influences on Australian society and national identity, including the
Anzac spirit. The relationship between war and Australian society has also been shaped by the enduring themes of Australian strategic culture and the unique security challenges it faces.
The six British colonies in Australia participated in some of Britain's wars of the 19th century. In the early 20th century, as a federated dominion and later as an independent nation, Australia fought in the First World War and Second World War, as well as in the wars in
Korea,
Malaya,
Borneo and
Vietnam during the
Cold War. In the Post-Vietnam era Australian forces have been involved in numerous international
peacekeeping missions, through the
United Nations and other agencies, including in the
Sinai,
Persian Gulf,
Rwanda,
Somalia,
East Timor and the Solomon Islands, as well as many overseas humanitarian relief operations, while more recently they have also fought as part of multi-lateral forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. In total, nearly 103,000 Australians died during these conflicts. (Full article...)
Featured articles are displayed here, which represent some of the best content on English Wikipedia.
Image 1
The Avro Ansons after landing safely, having collided in mid-air and locked together, 29 September 1940
On 29 September 1940, a
mid-air collision occurred over
Brocklesby, New South Wales, Australia. The accident was unusual in that the aircraft involved, two
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)
Avro Ansons of
No. 2 Service Flying Training School, remained locked together after colliding, and then landed safely. The collision stopped the engines of the upper Anson, but those of the one underneath continued to run, allowing the aircraft to keep flying. Both navigators and the pilot of the lower Anson bailed out. The pilot of the upper Anson found that he was able to control the interlocked aircraft with his
ailerons and
flaps, and made an emergency landing in a nearby paddock. All four crewmen survived the incident. The upper Anson was repaired and returned to flight service; the lower Anson was used as an instructional airframe. (Full article...)
Image 2
5 September 1943. Dwarfed by and silhouetted against clouds of smoke generated to provide concealment, C-47s from the US Army Air Forces drop a battalion of the 503rd Parachute Regiment at Nadzab, New Guinea. A battalion dropped minutes earlier is landing in the foreground.
Born in Queensland to a farming family, Towner enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1915. Posted to the transport section of the 25th Battalion, he served in Egypt until his unit was sent to the Western Front. He then transferred to the
2nd Machine Gun Battalion where he was
commissioned as a lieutenant and twice
mentioned in despatches for his leadership. During June 1918, Towner led a machine gun section in attack near
Morlancourt and assisted the infantry in reaching its objectives under heavy fire, for which he was awarded the
Military Cross. In September, again commanding a machine gun section, he was involved in the
Allied counteroffensive that broke the German lines at Mont St. Quentin and
Péronne. Fighting for thirty hours after being wounded, his "conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty" earned him the Victoria Cross, which was presented by
King George V in April 1919. (Full article...)
Sent to
Singapore with the rest of the 8th Division, Matthews served as the brigade signals officer of the
27th Brigade during the
Malayan campaign and the
Battle of Singapore, and at the surrender of Singapore he became a
prisoner of war (POW). While in captivity he was awarded the
Military Cross for displaying a high standard of courage, energy and ability while maintaining communications under fire in the earlier fighting. In July 1942, he was a member of a group of POWs sent to the
Sandakan POW camp in
British North Borneo. There, Matthews established an intelligence network, collecting information, weapons, medical supplies and radio parts, and made contact with organisations outside the camp, including Filipino guerrillas who assisted POWs to escape. (Full article...)
The Battle of Morotai, part of the
Pacific War, began on 15 September 1944, and continued until the end of the war in August 1945. The fighting started when United States and Australian forces landed on the southwest corner of
Morotai, a small island in the
Netherlands East Indies (NEI), which the
Allies needed as a base to support the
liberation of the Philippines later that year. The invading forces greatly outnumbered the island's
Japanese defenders and secured their objectives in two weeks. Japanese reinforcements landed on the island between September and November, but lacked the supplies needed to effectively attack the Allied defensive perimeter. Intermittent fighting continued until the end of the war, with the Japanese troops suffering heavy loss of life from disease and starvation.
Morotai's development into an Allied base began shortly after the landing, and two major airfields were ready for use in October. These and other base facilities played an important role in the
Liberation of the Philippines during 1944 and 1945. Torpedo boats and aircraft based at Morotai also harassed Japanese positions in the NEI. The island's base facilities were further expanded in 1945 to support the Australian-led
Borneo Campaign, and Morotai remained an important logistical hub and command center until the Dutch reestablished their colonial rule in the NEI. (Full article...)
James Ernest Newland,
VC (22 August 1881 – 19 March 1949) was an Australian soldier, policeman and a
recipient of the
Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and
Commonwealth armed forces. Newland was awarded the Victoria Cross following three separate actions in April 1917, during attacks against German forces retreating to the
Hindenburg Line. While in command of a
company, Newland successfully led his men in several assaults on German positions and repulsed subsequent counter-attacks.
Born in the
Victorian town of
Highton, Newland joined the Australian military in 1899 and saw active service during the
Second Boer War. He continued to serve in the
Australian Army's permanent forces on his return to Australia, and completed several years' service in the artillery. Transferring to the militia in 1907, Newland became a police officer in Tasmania before re-joining the permanent forces in 1910. After the outbreak of the First World War, he was appointed to the
Australian Imperial Force and was among the first wave of men to
land at Gallipoli. In the following days, Newland was wounded and evacuated to Egypt where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. (Full article...)
Image 9
RAAF area commands, November 1942. Eastern Area's boundaries remained in place until it re-formed as Home Command in October 1953, beginning the supersession of the area command system.
The area command continued to function after the war, its headquarters transferring from Sydney to
Glenbrook, in the
Blue Mountains, in 1949. By this time, most of the RAAF's operational units—including fighter, bomber, and transport
wings—were based within Eastern Area's boundaries, and the officer in command was responsible for air defence across all of Australia. In October 1953, the RAAF began reorganising its command-and-control system from one based on geography to one based on function; Eastern Area was re-formed as
Home Command, which was renamed
Operational Command in 1959, and
Air Command in 1987. (Full article...)
RAAF Hornets were first sent on a combat deployment as part of the
Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. During the invasion, 14 Hornets flew patrols over Iraq, as well as
close air supportsorties to assist coalition ground forces. RAAF F/A-18s also provided security for the American air base at
Diego Garcia between late 2001 and early 2002, and have protected a number of high-profile events in Australia. Between 2015 and 2017 a detachment of Hornets was deployed to the Middle East and struck
ISIL targets as part of
Operation Okra. (Full article...)
The Leeuwin class is a two-ship class of
hydrographic survey vessels operated by the
Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Leeuwin and
Melville were ordered from
NQEA Australia in 1996, and were commissioned in 2000. The ships are capable of charting waters up to 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) deep, carry three
Fantome-class survey boats, and could operate an
AS 350B Squirrel helicopter. In addition to surveying duties, since 2001 both vessels have been used to supplement the RAN patrol force. Leeuwin and Melville are based at
HMAS Cairns, and are active as of 2023. (Full article...)
Sybil Howy IrvingMBE (25 February 1897 – 28 March 1973) was an Australian military officer who was the founder and controller of the
Australian Women's Army Service during
World War II. She served in this position from 1941 to 1946, and was active in charity and social organisations until she was aged 74. (Full article...)
Over a 41-year career, Sinclair saw active service in
Korea,
Malaysia,
Vietnam, and in relief operations following
Cyclone Tracy, and commanded the naval base
HMAS Penguin. He later rose to high command, serving as Director of Naval Plans and as chief project officer during the establishment of the tri-service
Australian Defence Force Academy, and then serving as its first commandant. In 1987, he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet, which was redesignated as
Maritime Commander Australia the following year. In 1989, he was appointed as
Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff but served only briefly until his retirement later that year. (Full article...)
The first conflict took place several months after the landing of the
First Fleet in January 1788, and the last conflicts occurred in the early 20th century following the
federation of the Australian colonies in 1901, with some occurring as late as 1934. Conflicts occurred in a number of locations across Australia. (Full article...)
Captain
Harry Cobby (centre), Lieutenant
Roy King (fourth from right), and other officers of "A" Flight, No. 4 Squadron AFC, with their Sopwith Camels on the Western Front, June 1918
In 1911, at the
Imperial Conference held in London, it was decided that aviation should be developed by the national armed forces of the
British Empire. Australia became the first member of the Empire to follow this policy. By the end of 1911, the Army was advertising for pilots and mechanics. During 1912, pilots and mechanics were appointed, aircraft were ordered, the site of a flying school was chosen and the first squadron was officially raised. On 7 March 1913, the government officially announced formation of the
Central Flying School (CFS) and an "Australian Aviation Corps", although that name was never widely used. (Full article...)
...that the 2/12th Field Ambulance suffered the highest rate of casualties for a non-combatant unit in Australian history?
...that the Office of Australian War Graves is also responsible for the maintenance of some 20,000 graves of
Commonwealth war dead in 76 war cemeteries and plots and in numerous civil cemeteries, as well as Memorials to the Missing listing over 3,000 names?
These are
Good articles, which meet a core set of high editorial standards.
Image 1
Men from the 31st/51st Battalion about to go out on patrol around Porton Plantation, 9 June 1945
The 31st/51st Battalion was an
infantrybattalion of the
Australian Army, which served during
World War II. Raised for service as part of the
Militia in 1943 through the amalgamation of two previously existing battalions, the 31st/51st Battalion undertook garrison duties in
Dutch New Guinea in 1943–44 before taking part in the
Bougainville Campaign in 1944–45. Following the end of the war, the battalion served in the Pacific overseeing the transfer of Japanese prisoners of war and re-establishing law and order until mid-1946 when it returned to Australia and was disbanded. (Full article...)
Image 2
Australian soldiers scaling the "Broken Bridge" on the Taeryong River near Kujin, October 1950.
The Battle of Kujin (25–26 October 1950), also known as the Battle of the Broken Bridge, took place during the
United Nations Command (UN) offensive towards the
Yalu River, which followed the
North Korean invasion of
South Korea at the start of the
Korean War. The battle was fought between Australian forces from
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) and elements of the 17th Tank Brigade of the
Korean People's Army (KPA) over a key bridge across the
Taeryong River near Kujin, North Korea. On 25 October the
27th British Commonwealth Brigade had resumed their advance towards
Pakchon after crossing the
Chongchon River, with 3 RAR as the lead
battalion. Arriving at Kujin, the Australians discovered that the centre span of the 300-metre (330 yd) concrete bridge had been demolished by KPA engineers, blocking their passage across the river. A
platoon-sized reconnaissance patrol crossed the river using debris from the destroyed span; however, it was soon forced to withdraw by KPA holding the high ground. Airstrikes and artillery fire were subsequently called in at 17:15 by the Australians as they prepared to conduct an assault.
At 19:00 that evening, following the clearance of nearby Pakchon by D Company 3 RAR, the Australians sent two
companies across the river to establish a bridgehead and prevent the KPA from consolidating their position on the western bank. A and B Companies subsequently established defensive positions on either side of the road. Shortly afterwards KPA forces were detected forming up for an assault on the right flank against B Company, and these preparations were broken up with mortars. The KPA then engaged the forward Australian companies with mortar fire which was largely ineffective. However, by 22:30 KPA activity increased significantly, with heavy small arms fire causing a number of casualties among the Australians which perilously had to be evacuated under fire by boat across the fast flowing tidal river. Further artillery support was called in by the Australians at 23:00 in response to renewed concentrations by the KPA in preparation for an assault. Meanwhile, the Australians sent another platoon across the river to reinforce the companies on the western bank. (Full article...)
Image 3
Canberra Mk.20 flown by No. 1 Operational Conversion Unit in 1970–71 following service in the
Vietnam War, now on display at
RAAF Base Wagga, New South Wales.
No. 1 Operational Conversion Unit (No. 1 OCU) was an
operational training unit of the
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Formed in January 1959 at
RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, its role was to convert pilots and navigators to the
English Electric Canberra bombers flown by
Nos. 1,
2 and
6 Squadrons. The unit's complement of Canberras included T.4 and Mk.21 dual-control trainers, and Mk.20 bombers. Originally a component of
No. 82 Wing, No. 1 OCU became an independent unit at Amberley in April 1968, its focus being the provision of operationally ready pilots for service with No. 2 Squadron in the
Vietnam War. No. 1 OCU was disbanded in June 1971, following the withdrawal of No. 2 Squadron from South-East Asia. By then the RAAF's only Canberra unit, No. 2 Squadron ran its own conversion courses before disbanding in 1982. (Full article...)
Image 4
Soldiers from the 6th Brigade, of which the 23rd Battalion was a part, at Warloy, August 1916
The 23rd Battalion was an
infantrybattalion of the
Australian Army. It was raised in 1915 as part of the
Australian Imperial Force for service during World War I and formed part of the
6th Brigade, attached to the
2nd Division. After being formed in Australia, the battalion was sent to Egypt to complete its training, before being committed to the
Gallipoli Campaign as reinforcements in September 1915. They remained on the peninsula until the evacuation of Allied troops in December, when they were withdrawn back to Egypt where they were reorganised before being transferred to the
Western Front in March 1916. Over the course of the next two-and-a-half years, the 23rd took part in a number of significant battles in France and Belgium, before being disbanded in mid-1919 following the conclusion of hostilities. In 1921, the battalion was re-raised as a part-time unit within the
Citizens Forces in the state of
Victoria, but was amalgamated with the
21st Battalion in 1929 to form the
23rd/21st Battalion. (Full article...)
Image 5
Australian troops withdraw from Ratsua on to the Soraken Peninsula following the end of hostilities, August 1945
The fighting occurred following a failed landing by Australian forces at
Porton Plantation in early June, which was part of an attempt to outflank a series of strong points that the Japanese had built across the base of the
Bonis Peninsula. After this, the fighting in the northern sector around Ratsua essentially became a containment action for the Australians as they concentrated their efforts and resources upon driving south towards
Buin, which was the main centre of Japanese resistance on the island at the time. As a result, the situation around Ratsua remained largely static until the end of hostilities in mid-August 1945. (Full article...)
Image 6
14th/32nd Battalion wounded await evacuation from the battle zone, March 1945
Charles Arbuthnot Crombie, DSO,DFC (16 March 1914 – 26 August 1945) was an Australian aviator and
flying ace of the
Second World War. Born in
Brisbane, he was working as a
jackeroo when he enlisted in the
Royal Australian Air Force in May 1940. Completing flight training in Australia and Canada, he flew in the
European,
Mediterranean and Middle East Theatre and
South-East Asian theatres, amassing a tally of 12
Axis aircraft shot down, with an additional four probables. In a particular attack on 19 January 1943, Crombie intercepted a formation of four Japanese bombers over India. Despite his aircraft being set alight early in the engagement, he shot down two of the bombers and severely damaged a third before he was forced to bail out. He was awarded the
Distinguished Service Order for this action. Returning to Australia late in 1943, he was promoted to
squadron leader and posted as a flight instructor with
No. 5 Operational Training Unit. Crombie was killed in a flying accident in August 1945. (Full article...)
Image 8
Murphy (left) and Wrigley during their pioneering trans-Australia flight, 1919
After completing training, No. 78 Squadron was deployed to the combat zone north of Australia in October 1943. From November that year until September 1944 the squadron supported the advance of the Allied ground forces through western
New Britain and the north coast of
New Guinea by attacking Japanese positions, providing fighter protection for recently established beachheads, and escorting Australian and United States bombers. From late 1944 until mid-1945 it operated against Japanese positions and shipping in the eastern
Netherlands East Indies. The squadron took part in the
Borneo campaign during the final weeks of the war. No. 78 Squadron was reduced to a cadre after it returned to Australia in December 1945, but received new aircraft in 1946 and undertook training exercises until being disbanded in April 1948. (Full article...)
The squadron saw combat against both
Nazi Germany and the
Empire of Japan during the war. From March to May 1942 it was based in southern England and flew missions over German-occupied France during which it shot down at least five
Luftwaffe aircraft. After being deployed to Australia, No. 457 Squadron was based near
Darwin as part of
No. 1 Wing RAAF and intercepted several Japanese raids on Allied bases in
northern Australia between March and November 1943. The squadron remained at Darwin and saw almost no combat during 1944, but moved to
Morotai and later
Labuan in 1945 from where it attacked Japanese positions in the
Netherlands East Indies and
Borneo as part of Allied offensives in these areas. (Full article...)
Image 35Australian sailors take possession of a midget submarine at a Japanese naval base near Tokyo in September 1945. (from History of the Royal Australian Navy)
Image 41Women friends and family on the wharf waving farewell to the departing troop ship RMS Strathallan carrying the Advance Party of the 6th Division to service overseas. They include
George Alan Vasey's wife
Jessie Vasey (second from the left). The photograph is especially poignant because Vasey did not survive the war. (from Military history of Australia during World War II)
Image 52The light cruiser
HMAS Hobart showing torpedo damage inflicted by a Japanese submarine on 20 July 1943. Hobart did not return to service until December 1944. (from History of the Royal Australian Navy)
HMAS Condamine was a
Royal Australian NavyRiver class frigate. The ship was built at
Newcastle, New South Wales and was commissioned in February 1946. During the first years of her career Condamine operated in Australian and New Guinean waters. The ship saw action during the
Korean War, serving in Korean waters from August 1952 to March 1953. Following the war Condamine completed a second tour of Korean waters between February and November 1955. HMAS Condamine paid off into reserve in December 1955 and was sold for scrap in September 1961.
Without any inhibitions of any kind I make it quite clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom