12 NOV 1943: World War II and today sees the last Japanese air raid on Darwin. This, the 64th raid since February 1942, was the last air raid made on Australia during the war. On 19 February 1942, 188 planes were launched against Darwin whose harbour was full of ships. Eight ships were sunk, two […]
Military History
Battle of the Strait of Otranto
12 NOV 1940: World War II and HMAS Sydney [II] is in action at the Strait of Otranto in a diversion for the British attack on Taranto. The Australian cruiser became the most celebrated ship in the RAN after its performance in the Mediterranean against the Italian navy in 1940. The battle occurred when an […]
The Armistice of Compiègne
11 NOV 1918: World War I and Germany signs an armistice also known as the Armistice of Compiègne after the location in which it was signed – and the agreement that ended the fighting on the Western Front. The First World War ended at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. […]
Nashos for the Confrontation
10 NOV 1964: Selective conscription was introduced for the Indonesian Confrontation. The Australian government introduces selective conscription of 20-year-old males by ballot under the National Service Act. A couple of years later and The National Service Scheme also saw the beginning of a series of deployments where 15,381 ‘nasho’ volunteers served in Viet Nam. Many say […]
Japanese forced from Oivi
10 NOV 1942: World war II and the Japanese forced back from Oivi and Gorari by Australian troops. Japanese troops doggedly contested the Australian pursuit down the northern face of the Owen Stanley Range. Several hours drive to the west along the Popondetta-Kokoda road is the battlefield of Oivi-Gorari. This, the largest battle of the […]
Battle of Cocos
9 NOV 1914: World War I and HMAS Sydney [I] destroys SMS Emden at the Battle of Cocos, a single-ship action that occurred after the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney (under the command of John Glossop) responded to an attack on a communications station at Direction Island by the German light cruiser SMS Emden (commanded […]
“G for George” Arrives
8 NOV 1944: World War II and “G for George” arrives at RAAF Base Amberley. This Lancaster bomber survived 89 operations with No. 460 Squadron RAAF. After touring to support war loan campaigns, it was presented to the Australian War Memorial Canberra. G-George flew 96 combat missions over occupied Europe with 460 Squadron, and is […]
Third Battle of Gaza
7 NOV 1917: World War I and the Third battle of Gaza. After the outflanking advance at Beersheba, British empire forces, including the Australian Light Horse, rapidly advanced northwards toward Jerusalem. The coastal city of Gaza was the heart of the main Turkish defensive position in southern Palestine. Three major battles were launched in 1917 […]
Sydney at Vung Tau
6 NOV 1971: Viet Nam and HMAS Sydney embarks the bulk of its final Australian army units from Vietnam at Vung Tau. Anecdotal evidence holds that most men returned from Vietnam in the dead of night, hidden from the public. In fact, large numbers actually returned on HMAS Sydney, to a welcome by dignitaries and a […]
77SQN Supports 3RAR
5 NOV 1950: On the same day, the Royal Australian Air Force’s No. 77 Squadron supports 3RAR. 77 SQN, for the first time in the Korean War, flies in support of the 3rd Battlion, the Royal Australian Regiment, in the Pakchon-Sinanju Road area, Korea. Australian Mustang fighters strafed Chinese positions just before 3RAR commenced its […]
