War in the Pacific

The war in the Pacific took place between Japan and the Allies from 1941 to 1945 in a campaign that took place in east and south-east Asia, and the Pacific Ocean. The Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force were engaged in areas including Malaya, Singapore, Timor, Milne Bay, New Guinea, Borneo, Bougainville, Guadalcanal, and the Coral Sea.

The experiences of Australian servicemen and servicewomen varied greatly. Some endured tough conditions on the Kokoda trail, while others came under attack at sea. Special Forces undertook reconnaissance and sabotage operations, and approximately 22,000 Australians became prisoners of the Japanese.

This page links you to some of the Australian War Memorial’s resources relating to the Pacific campaign of the Second World War.