contribution of nurses, airmen, sailors, and the people who were home during a significant period
and a defining moment in the country’s history.
Australia was part of the British empire. In 1939, Great Britain declared war against
Germany, and consequently, Australia was also at war due to her allegiance to Britain. Men and
women served during WWII. They fought against the Axis powers and the Japanese navy, which
had advanced towards South East Asia. For the first time, the Australian mainland was attacked
by the Japanese army. Australia was involved in a long battle for the Kokoda after the invasion
of Papua by Japanese. The Australians had failed to consider the Kokoda gap, and the possibility
of the Japanese force advancing from that side. Troops were sent to stop the Japanese from
advancing. The conditions at the battlefield were horrific, and the troops had not trained well on
jungle wars. The track was steep for young soldiers. They carried heavy equipment, and their
attires were heavy too. The conditions were unsuitable. By the time Germany was defeated, and
the Japanese had decided to surrender, Australia had already lost many of its people. 30000
Australians had been taken away as prisoners. My understanding of the two theatres of war is
that Australia was devoted to helping their British allies, and they forgot to guard their territories.
I saw a group portrait of some of the crew members that were aboard HMAS Sydney 11.
It could have been after the troop had successfully conquered the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo. The
period is significant for Australians who were at home and away, as it was during this time that
the country’s mainland first came under attack.
In 1962, Australia’s involvement in Vietnam began with thirty military advisors who
were sent to Vietnam. A decade later, the number had significantly increased due to Australia’s
commitment to helping with security in South Vietnam. By 1972, Australia withdrew its soldiers
after a decade-long war. Australia had not been in such a long war. It is still Australia’s biggest