The Siege of Tobruk
When did the battle take place?
The siege of Tobruk began on the 10th of April and ended 241 days later, on the 27th of November, 1941. In Tobruk, Libya.
Who fought?
The garrison, commanded by Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead, consisted of the 9th Division (20th, 24th, and 26th Brigades), the 18th Brigade of the 7th Division, along with four regiments of British artillery and some British Indian, Polish and Czechoslovakian troops. These soldiers fought against 35,000 German and Italian soldiers commanded by the German General, Erwin Rommel.
What happened?
The siege of Tobruk ended in an Allied forces victory, with at least 3,836 casualties. 749 Australians were killed, 1,996 wounded and 604 prisoners. The German – Italian side of the battle was faced with unknown casualties, but about 150 of their aircraft were destroyed.
Why was this battle important?
The defence of Tobruk was vital for the Allies' defence of Egypt to hold the town Tobruk, with its harbour, as this forced the enemy to bring most of their supplies overland, across 1,500 kilometres of desert. As well as diverting troops from their advance, Tobruk was subject to repeated ground assaults and endless shelling and bombing.
How did it effect the overall war?
The defence of Tobruk had a massive impact in the Second World War, because the so called “Rats of Tobruk” could hold the German and Italians they couldn’t invade Egypt an gain control of Northern Africa.
How did it effect the Australian war image?
The siege of Tobruk changed the Australian soldier’s war image forever, the Australians in battle showed patience, determination and absolute dependability. The battle was also another battle where the Australians followed the British into odds uncounted. Australia have never started a war with other countries, they always followed their orders and fought to their last breath.
The siege of Tobruk began on the 10th of April and ended 241 days later, on the 27th of November, 1941. In Tobruk, Libya.
Who fought?
The garrison, commanded by Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead, consisted of the 9th Division (20th, 24th, and 26th Brigades), the 18th Brigade of the 7th Division, along with four regiments of British artillery and some British Indian, Polish and Czechoslovakian troops. These soldiers fought against 35,000 German and Italian soldiers commanded by the German General, Erwin Rommel.
What happened?
The siege of Tobruk ended in an Allied forces victory, with at least 3,836 casualties. 749 Australians were killed, 1,996 wounded and 604 prisoners. The German – Italian side of the battle was faced with unknown casualties, but about 150 of their aircraft were destroyed.
Why was this battle important?
The defence of Tobruk was vital for the Allies' defence of Egypt to hold the town Tobruk, with its harbour, as this forced the enemy to bring most of their supplies overland, across 1,500 kilometres of desert. As well as diverting troops from their advance, Tobruk was subject to repeated ground assaults and endless shelling and bombing.
How did it effect the overall war?
The defence of Tobruk had a massive impact in the Second World War, because the so called “Rats of Tobruk” could hold the German and Italians they couldn’t invade Egypt an gain control of Northern Africa.
How did it effect the Australian war image?
The siege of Tobruk changed the Australian soldier’s war image forever, the Australians in battle showed patience, determination and absolute dependability. The battle was also another battle where the Australians followed the British into odds uncounted. Australia have never started a war with other countries, they always followed their orders and fought to their last breath.
Kokoda Trail Campaign
When did the battle take place?
The Kokoda Trail battle began on the 23rd of July and ended on the 16th of November, 1942. The battle of Kokoda was fought at Papua New Guinea.
Who fought?
The battle of Kokoda was fought by 30,000 Australian, American and some New Guinean soldiers of the Papuan Infantry Battalion, the Australian 39th Battalion, the 53rd Battalion, 21st Brigade, the 25th brigade and commanders of the 30th Brigade fought against about 13,500 Japanese soldiers who were trying to capture Port Moresby and further more attack Australian soil.
What happened?
The Kokoda trail ended in an allied forces victory with approximately 625 Australians killed along the Kokoda Trail and over 1,600 wounded. Casualties due to sickness exceeded 4,000 soldiers. 6,500 of the 13,500 Japanese soldiers were also killed in the battle.
Why was this battle important?
The battle of Kokoda was very important for the allied forces to win as if the Japanese won the battle and captured Port Moresby a Japanese attack on Australia was evident. Capturing Port Moresby would for whoever could take it, be a major turning point in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
How did it effect the overall war?
The capture of Port Moresby and the win of the Kokoda trail was major in the battle of the Coral Sea. It basically meant that the allied forces would have a major port and gave them most of the control of north eastern Queensland.
How did it effect the Australian war image?
The battle of Kokoda was major in Australian war history. The Australian and American soldiers came into the battle with little or no experience in jungle warfare, they persevered through these disadvantages because they had to, if they didn’t Australia would surely be attacked by the Japanese forces. Kokoda a new type of battle for the Australian forces. It was the only time in Australian war history that Australian soldiers defense of a position really could affect their loved ones back home in Australia.
The Kokoda Trail battle began on the 23rd of July and ended on the 16th of November, 1942. The battle of Kokoda was fought at Papua New Guinea.
Who fought?
The battle of Kokoda was fought by 30,000 Australian, American and some New Guinean soldiers of the Papuan Infantry Battalion, the Australian 39th Battalion, the 53rd Battalion, 21st Brigade, the 25th brigade and commanders of the 30th Brigade fought against about 13,500 Japanese soldiers who were trying to capture Port Moresby and further more attack Australian soil.
What happened?
The Kokoda trail ended in an allied forces victory with approximately 625 Australians killed along the Kokoda Trail and over 1,600 wounded. Casualties due to sickness exceeded 4,000 soldiers. 6,500 of the 13,500 Japanese soldiers were also killed in the battle.
Why was this battle important?
The battle of Kokoda was very important for the allied forces to win as if the Japanese won the battle and captured Port Moresby a Japanese attack on Australia was evident. Capturing Port Moresby would for whoever could take it, be a major turning point in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
How did it effect the overall war?
The capture of Port Moresby and the win of the Kokoda trail was major in the battle of the Coral Sea. It basically meant that the allied forces would have a major port and gave them most of the control of north eastern Queensland.
How did it effect the Australian war image?
The battle of Kokoda was major in Australian war history. The Australian and American soldiers came into the battle with little or no experience in jungle warfare, they persevered through these disadvantages because they had to, if they didn’t Australia would surely be attacked by the Japanese forces. Kokoda a new type of battle for the Australian forces. It was the only time in Australian war history that Australian soldiers defense of a position really could affect their loved ones back home in Australia.
The Bombing of Darwin
When did the battle take place?
The bombing of Darwin took place on the 19th of February 1942, in Darwin north most and capital city in the Northern Territory, Australia. The bombing was the first time Australia had ever been targeted in any of the wars it had been involved in.
Who fought?
The Japanese side of the battle was fought with 242 aircraft, 4 Aircraft Carriers, 3 Cruisers, 7 Destroyers and 3 Japanese Submarines. The only Australian defences were 31 aircraft and 18 anti-aircraft (A/A) Guns.
What happened?
The Japanese were successful in the bombing of Darwin, with many Australian naval ships destroyed. The naval ships destroyed were 1 Destroyer, 1 Seaplane Tender, 2 Sloops, 4 Minesweepers and 4 Boom Defence Vessels. The Japanese also were able to destroy 9 Merchant ships/Transport ships, 1 Hospital Ship, 23 Auxiliary vessels and 12 Pearling luggers. Additionally the bombers killed 235 Australians, wounded 300 – 400 people. To this they also destroyed 30 aircraft, 11 vessels and damaged another 25 ships. The only casualties the Japanese faced with were two soldiers killed and four aircraft destroyed.
The bombing of Darwin took place on the 19th of February 1942, in Darwin north most and capital city in the Northern Territory, Australia. The bombing was the first time Australia had ever been targeted in any of the wars it had been involved in.
Who fought?
The Japanese side of the battle was fought with 242 aircraft, 4 Aircraft Carriers, 3 Cruisers, 7 Destroyers and 3 Japanese Submarines. The only Australian defences were 31 aircraft and 18 anti-aircraft (A/A) Guns.
What happened?
The Japanese were successful in the bombing of Darwin, with many Australian naval ships destroyed. The naval ships destroyed were 1 Destroyer, 1 Seaplane Tender, 2 Sloops, 4 Minesweepers and 4 Boom Defence Vessels. The Japanese also were able to destroy 9 Merchant ships/Transport ships, 1 Hospital Ship, 23 Auxiliary vessels and 12 Pearling luggers. Additionally the bombers killed 235 Australians, wounded 300 – 400 people. To this they also destroyed 30 aircraft, 11 vessels and damaged another 25 ships. The only casualties the Japanese faced with were two soldiers killed and four aircraft destroyed.
Why was this battle important?
The bombing of Darwin was important as it was, and still is the only time that Australia has been attacked by another, oversees force.
How did the battle effect the overall war?
The bombing of Darwin apart from killing many Australians didn’t have any major effects, apart from better defences planned for further attacks, on the Second World War.
How did the battle effect the Australian war image?
The bombing of Darwin was a significant event in Australian war history, it changed our image. Before this bombing Australia had not ever been targeted by enemies. The bombing came as a major shock to the Australian soldiers systems as they had always thought that Australia had been 100% safe from any attacks.
The bombing of Darwin was important as it was, and still is the only time that Australia has been attacked by another, oversees force.
How did the battle effect the overall war?
The bombing of Darwin apart from killing many Australians didn’t have any major effects, apart from better defences planned for further attacks, on the Second World War.
How did the battle effect the Australian war image?
The bombing of Darwin was a significant event in Australian war history, it changed our image. Before this bombing Australia had not ever been targeted by enemies. The bombing came as a major shock to the Australian soldiers systems as they had always thought that Australia had been 100% safe from any attacks.