Visitor information
Second World War 1939-1945
The Desert Campaign display in the Second World War galleries
featuring a 25 Pounder Field Gun and Supermarine Spitfire
Almost a million Australians, both men and women, served in the Second World War. This war affected Australians more directly than the First World War, and caused immense social change. Over 39,000 Australians died.
The Second World War Galleries show how Australians fought in campaigns against Germany and Italy in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa; and against Japan in south-east Asia. It covers the experience of those on the home front, for it was during this war that the Australian mainland came under direct attack for the first time
This suite of galleries tell stories of endurance and courage, of grief and humour, and displays the achievements and the sacrifices of a people at war.
The galleries have five main areas:
- The European war 1939–1941
- Year of crisis 1942
- War against Germany 1943–1944
- War against Japan 1943–1944
- Year of victory 1945
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