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Australians at War

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This Day in History

Other Wars & Conflicts

  1. The following provide information on colonial and Australian involvement in a range of conflicts and wars, including Peacekeeping missions. They are listed in time sequence wherever possible.
  2. Sudan, March/June, 1885
    Only a contingent from New South Wales was involved.
    3.
  3. Boxer Uprising : 1900-1901
    Primarily a naval involvement.
  4. Boer War, South Africa, 1899-1902
    Done during the last years of the colonial period and incorporating military units from several states only.
    • Australia and the Boer War, 1899-1902
      Information from the Australian War Memorial, with text and images. There are also further links to a listing of those who served, a reading list and other information.
    • Boer War Records
      [Fact Sheet 67 from the National Archives]
      Covers a general introduction, Australian involvement, record holdings, soldier records, records about service there and links to further information. The document Australians and the War in South Africa, 1899-1902 by Craig Wilcox will also be of assistance.
    • Military Stories & Anecdotes, Boer War
      Covers the Bushveldt Carbineers [including Breaker Morant], Horses in the Boer War, Small Arms in the Boer War and The Send Off From Winton [a newspaper report].
    • South African War [Boer War], 1899-1902
      [Researching Australian Military Service : Information Sheets]
      Includes nominal rolls, service records, a link to reading lists, database access and more.
    • The Boer War : Army, Nation and Empire
      A plain text article with extensive reference list, by Bill Nasson.
    • The Boer War 1899-1902
      A very brief outline from the Australian Army.
    • Villains or Victims ?
      ‘On 27 February 1902, Harry “Breaker” Morant and Peter Handcock were shot by a British firing squad in Pretoria. A hundred years on, the controversy over the rights and wrongs of the case continues.’
  5. Korean War :
    • For other information about the Korean War, you should also check Section 7 on the Modern History page.
    • Apple Orchard
      ‘The following is to remind those with short memories that Kapyong was not the only battle of the Korean War.’
    • Korea
      The home page for a range of information and sub-category pages. Click on each sub-category to see information on that topic [see on above].
    • Korean War, 1950-53
      ‘The Korean War began on 25 June 1950, when North Korean forces launched an invasion of South Korea. Personnel from the Australian Army, RAAF, and RAN fought as part of the United Nations multinational force, defending South Korea from the Communist force of North Korea.’ Essays, articles, talks, roll of honour, war diaries, research guides, online exhibition and more.
    • Nominal Roll of Australian Veterans
      [Of the Korean War]
      ‘This site contains information from the service records of more than 17 000 individuals who served during the Korean War.’
    • The Korean War and Australia
      An ‘Australian War Memorial Anniversary Oration by Robert O’Neill 11 November 2003.’
  6. Malayan Emergency :
    • Malaya
      ‘The story of Australia’s commitment to Malaya [later Malaysia and later still Malaysia and Singapore] stretches from 1950 to 1977 so it needs to be broken up into separate sections. The RAAF started into the fray in Malaya in July 1950 so technically we were involved it that war before Korea where we put troops on the ground in September 1950. I have chosen 9 sections. They are listed on the right. Choose one that interests you and Click the link.’
    • Malayan Emergency, 1950-60
      Background information, several images and links to a map, reading list, databases, military units and commanders’ diaries.
    • Malayan Emergency, 1955-62
      ‘Australian forces assisted in the campaign against Communist insurgents attempting to destabilise the British colony of Malaya post World War 2.’ Gain an overview, Australia’s involvement and casualties and extra information and anecdotes.
    • RAN, Strategic Reserve and the Malayan Emergency
      A feature article from the Navy covering this.
  7. Vietnam War :
    • For other information about the Vietnam War, you should also check Section 10 on the Modern History page.
    • A Grunt’s View
      An Australian soldier’s personal view.
    • Australia and the Vietnam War
      ‘Students can learn about the experiences of Australians and the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1973, through images, film, classroom and interactive activities. Follow the links [below] to view each chapter of the publication [PDF files].’ You can also download the publication as a single file [6.4mb]. Scroll down to the entry.
    • Brief History of the Australian Forces in Vietnam
    • Impressions : Australians in Vietnam
      ‘Impressions : Australians in Vietnam tells some of the personal stories of the Vietnam War. The exhibition explores the experience of Australians who served in Vietnam and their subsequent reflections on those experiences.’ While the exhibition completed travelling some time ago, there is a wealth of information and images available through the links on the site.
    • Long Tan
      Extensive information about this pivotal battle for Australian troops.
    • Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans
      ‘The Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans lists approximately 61 000 men and women who served in the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force in Vietnam, or in the waters adjacent to Vietnam, during the conflict between 23 May 1962 and 29 April 1975.’
    • Statistics
      [Total Australian service casualties in the Vietnam War, 1962-72]
      Statistics presented in a variety of informative tables.
    • The Tet Offensive 1968
      Quite extensive information.
    • The National Service Scheme, 1964-72
      This provides information and statistics about this scheme which resulted in many conscripts going to the Vietnam War.
    • The Vietnam War
      [Resources and Links for Year 10 History]
      ‘This web site provides links to resources and web sites that you may find useful for your research of the topic, The Vietnam War.’
    • Viet Nam
      The home page leading to a range of others covering everything from a timeline to the SAS, from Long Tan to VC Tunnels, from the TET Offensive through to an Honour Roll. A huge wealth of information.
    • Vietnam - 30 years on
      [Australian War Memorial Anniversary Oration by Paul Kelly, 11 November 2005]
      Access both audio and transcripts.
    • Vietnam War
      [‘Australia’s military involvement in the Vietnam War was the longest in duration of any war in Australia’s history.’]
      Essays, talks, articles, Roll of Honour, research guides, exhibitions and other links.
  8. Gulf War :
    • First Gulf War, 1990-1991
      Information, several images and links to resources.
    • Preliminary Gulf War Nominal Roll
      ‘This Preliminary Gulf War Nominal Roll, lists Australian Defence Force personnel involved in that conflict. It includes all personnel involved in the hostilities and associated operations in the Persian Gulf from August 1990 to September 1991.’
    • The Gulf War 1990-91
      A short summary including a list of the ships involved.
  9. Iraq & Afghanistan :
  10. Peacekeeping Actions :

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World Wars 1 & 2

  1. World War 1
    Including both Anzac & Gallipoli, the Western Front and other areas. Annotated where required.
    2.
  2. World War 11
    Includes information regarding Australians at war in Europe, the Pacific region and in Australia [Darwin]. Annotated where required.

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Medals & Medal Winners

  1. Medal Winners
    Information regarding medal and award winners, especially those who won the Victoria Cross.
    2.
  2. Medals & Awards
    Information concerning both the British and Australian originating medals and awards which were granted to Australians at war.
    • All Medals and Awards
      ‘This section has been devoted to displaying some of the medals awarded to Australians as a result of defence service and to explaining the circumstances under which the medals are awarded. Please note that ribbon and medal colours may vary somewhat from the actual, depending on your computer's display capabilities.’ Provides images and information on both campaign and other medals.
    • Australian War Medals
    • Campaign and Service Medals
      Covers entitlement to medals and links to a range of other information sources including descriptions and unusual medals such as the United Nations medal.
    • Defence Honours & Awards
      Information from the Department of Defence.
    • Military Honours and Awards to Australians
      Provides information on accessing information regarding both medals and awards as well as finding details regarding those who were awarded them.
    • Victoria Cross
      The history of The Victoria Cross, Australian recipients and information about the Victoria Crosses at the Australian War Memorial.

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General Information

  1. General Links & Portals
    Covers portal sites as well as Official Histories and other information which is not linked directly to other sections.
    • Art of The First World War
      While not peculiarly Australian, it comprises 110 paintings from people on both sides of the conflict.
    • Australians at War [2]
      Multiple sections of information including ‘Through My Eyes’ covering 100 years of conflicts through servicemen’s eyes, stories, television, education kits for schools, an aptitude test, preserving a family’s military history, Flash/HTML presentations and more.
    • Australians at War Film Archive
      ‘Commissioned through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and designed to film and record the stories of over two thousand war veterans as a permanent asset for posterity. It is an unmatched historical collection, a resource for all Australians interested in our wartime heritage. The material presented on this website is the memories and reflections of the person being interviewed.’
    • Australian Military Statistics
      ‘This brief statistical survey of Australian involvement in war and peacekeeping operations since 1885 has been prepared by the Memorial’s Military History Section. More detailed attention has been devoted to those involvements which have had the greatest influence on Australian society : the First and Second World Wars and the Vietnam War.’
    • Australian War Memorial - Databases
      Search both the Collection and the Biographical Databases at the Australian War Memorial for information.
    • Class Struggle on The Home Front
      [Women, unions and militancy in the Second World War]
      A text article which looks at this.
    • Commonwealth War Graves Commission
      ‘The Commonwealth War Graves Commission works to commemorate the fallen by name and without distinction. Recently this has lead to the placing of the casualty database or Debt of Honour Register, on the internet.’ There are multiple sections on the site from a Search mechanism through to education material and histories. Also check the Office of Australian War Graves for further information.
    • Digger History
      ‘Unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Services.’ 6 000+ pages. In addition to the master site there are links to affiliated sites on a vast range of specific topics, a further site of ebooks and a master Index for everything that is contained on the main site.
      Highly Recommended !
    • Encyclopaedia
      ‘The Australian War Memorial receives many public inquiries covering a wide range of topics. The Encyclopedia features answers to frequently asked questions about Australians at war. It will allow you to search the contents of the Memorial’s databases, and provides links to other resources.’ All topics are listed alphabetically.
    • Indigenous Australians at War
      ‘Dedicated to all Indigenous Australians who have served Australia in war and peacetime …’
    • Military History
      ‘Since 1788 when British Marines first stepped onto Australian soil there has been a close and lasting association between the army and the general population of Australia, probably because we have always had a citizens army. The military has never been a separate class, always of and for the community it serves. These are the periods of interest and/or the conflicts … choose one and click the link.’
    • Military History of Australia
      Covers all conflicts from Early Colonial Warfare through to Iraq and Peacekeeping, as well as information on the Creation of the Defence Forces. There are also further references notes and links to related information. From wikipedia.
    • Official Histories
      ‘Official histories are ‘official’ in the sense that they are commissioned by government as the national record of Australia’s involvement in particular conflicts, and the official historians have been granted unrestricted access to closed period and security-classified government records. All the Australian official war histories contain their author’s own interpretations and judgements and do not follow any official or government line. As such, these works are the first published official record of Australia’s involvement in War.’ Those for First World War and Second World War are available in .pdf format. The others list details of production, author[s] and general contents.
      Exceptional !
    • War & Identity : Education
      ‘a wealth of resources about Australia’s military history and heritage for teachers and students. These are at Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary levels. You can find what you are looking for by Themes, or Individual Wars. The list of relevant resources under the theme or war you select is colour-coded.’
  2. Important People
    Information about people of importance in this area.
    • Bean, Charles
      Helped establish the Australian War Memorial, a writer of the Official History of the First World War and the official War Correspondent.
    • Who’s Who in Australian Military History
      ‘Australian military history has featured many notable personalities - courageous, talented, compassionate, insightful, and even notorious ! Here you will find the stories of some of these remarkable people.’ Search through one of four topic areas.
  3. Histories of the Armed Services
    Also includes some links to special features e.g. the Rising Sun badge.
    • Australian Slouch Hat
      An extensive coverage from its introduction to today.
    • Colonial Forces of Australia
      Looks at the background and forces from each of the states. There are also notes and links to further information. From wikipedia.
    • General RAN History
      There are multiple sections listed from information on the White Ensign through to its role in the Indonesian Confrontation. As well there are links to feature articles about ships, naval aviation, Navy people and HMAS Sydney/Kormoran documents.
    • History of the Rising Sun Badge
      ‘Proudly worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces in both World Wars, the ‘Rising Sun’ badge has become an integral part of Digger tradition.’
    • History of the RAAF
      In multiple section beginning in World War 1 and running through to 2000 - A New Century.
    • The Australian Army
      Click on ‘History’ in the top menu and select from the sections listed.
    • Uniforms
      Looks at military uniforms since the first colony. Also includes information on New Zealand uniforms and those of some of our other allies.

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