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  4. Australia under attack 1942-1943
  5. Australia under attack: Mobilising the nation
  6. Australia under attack: The Z men

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Australia under attack: The Z men

  • Introduction
  • Under attack
  • Mobilisation
  • The End in sight

 

Australian specialist military units were formed in Australia to undertake sabotage operations behind enemy lines and assist resistance groups in occupied territories. In June 1942 Z Special Unit was formed from volunteers from the RAN, the AIF, the RAAF, and Allied service personnel. These commandos were used for covert operations deep into enemy territory launched from bases in Australia. They trained in Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.

Their most remembered mission was Operation Jaywick. This secret raid aboard the MV Krait would prove to be the longest commando raid of the war. Conducted from 1 September to 19 October 1943, it involved a clandestine attack by a small group of Allied operatives against Japanese shipping at Singapore.

Collection Item C43323

Accession Number: 045424

Jaywick veterans

Collection Item C324228

Accession Number: REL25432

Knuckle knife

Mobilisation

  • Mobilising the nation
  • Air Raid Precautions
    • Identification labels
    • The Anderson air raid shelter
    • “When the air raid siren sounds …”
  • Scanning the skies
  • The man who killed Santa Claus
    • Austerity
    • Suits and home-made toys
    • Investing in victory
  • Inventors and industry
    • Civil Constructional Corps
    • Rail transport
    • Feeding the men
  • Recruitment
  • The Australian Military Forces
    • Lines of communication
    • Militia training
    • Australia’s home guard
    • The Nackeroos
    • The RAAF at war
    • The Z men

Last updated: 26 November 2019

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.

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The Donations and bequests

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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.

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Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

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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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Treloar Crescent
Campbell ACT 2612
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The Australian War Memorial

Treloar Crescent

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

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