The Battle for Australia signifies a series of critical events and conflicts fought primarily in the Pacific theatre during World War II, as Allied forces, predominantly Australian, faced threats from advancing Japanese forces.

John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia, 1941-1945 (image source: National Archives of Australia)

From 1942 to 1943, Australia's security was seriously threatened by Japan's aggressive southern expansion.

In the three months following the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942, Darwin and other Australian cities and towns were bombed, while Japanese midget submarines infiltrated Sydney Harbour attacking targets there. By July, the Japanese had also occupied the Solomons and landed in Papua New Guinea.

Rather than a single defined battle, the term Battle for Australia refers to several critical military engagements including the bombing of Darwin, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Kokoda Track campaign, the Battle of Milne Bay and the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.

"Just as Dunkirk began the Battle for Britain, so does Singapore open the Battle for Australia. It is now work or fight as we have never worked or fought before. On what we do now depends everything we hope to do when this bloody test has been survived."

— John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia, 1941-1945

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Battle for AustraliaCommemoration

4 Sept

2024

Held annually on the first Wednesday in September, Battle for Australia Day is a time for us to remember and honour those who served in the seas and skies to our north and on our home front, steadfast in their commitment to the defence of the Australian mainland.

Commemoration services are held across the nation, including in Victoria where a wreath laying service is held at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance where students and members of the public can join veterans in commemorating the service and sacrifice of Australians and their allies.

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Sources

ANZAC Portal, Australian Department of Veterans Affairs – https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/

National Archives of Australia – https://www.naa.gov.au/

 Mr Chris Moraitis, Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea – Battle for Australia Day Commemoration Address on 2 September 2009 at Bomana Cemetery, Port Moresby) – https://png.highcommission.gov.au/pmsb/Speech090902.html