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Australians at war

Australian military history overview

These short chapters cover Australia's involvement in war, from the time of the first settlement at Sydney Cove in the 18th century to our peacekeeping roles under United Nations auspices and the First and Second Gulf Wars. This material has been prepared by the Memorial's Military History Section.

  • Indigenous service in Australia's armed forces
  • Colonial period, 1788–1901
  • Sudan, March–June 1885
  • South African War (Boer War), 1899–1902
  • China (Boxer Rebellion), 1900–01
  • First World War, 1914–18
  • Second World War, 1939–45
  • Occupation of Japan, 1946–51
  • Korean War, 1950–53
  • Malayan Emergency, 1950–60
  • Indonesian Confrontation, 1963–66
  • Vietnam War, 1962–75
  • Gulf War, 1990–91
  • Afghanistan, 2001–present
  • Iraq War, 2003–09
  • Peacekeeping, 1947–present

Disclaimer

This section of our website is intended to provide a readily available summary of useful knowledge of Australian military history.

While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the following information, it is possible that some content will contain inaccuracies or errors. Even Memorial founder Charles Bean had to grapple with this inevitable problem, and found it necessary to put a disclaimer on his war diaries.

You are invited to contact our web manager if you are aware of any inaccuracies, or simply wish to make a comment.

This month in Australian military history

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Last updated: 15 February 2021

Explore the Collection

Explore the Collection

Our collection contains a wealth of material to help you research and find your connection with the wartime experiences of the brave men and women who served in Australia’s military forces.

Find out more
The Australian War Memorial at Night

Visit

The Australian War Memorial was voted the number one landmark in Australia by travellers in the 2016 Trip Advisor awards. Come and see why.

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The Donations and bequests

Donations & Bequests

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

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The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

Find out more
Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
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The Australian War Memorial

Treloar Crescent
Campbell ACT 2612
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The Australian War Memorial

Treloar Crescent

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

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