Learning module:
Second World War Defining Moments, 1939–1945
Investigation 2: The Australian military experience of the war
2.2 Where Australians fought
The main areas where Australians fought during the Second World War are listed in the table below. In most areas where Australian Military Forces (AMF) served, there were also Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) units in support. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) also served in various theatres of war around the world.
|
Year |
Region |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
1939 |
Battle of the Atlantic (RAN) |
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|
1940 |
North Africa (AMF) Mediterranean (AMF) Battle of the Atlantic (RAN) Mediterranean (RAN) Europe (RAAF) |
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|
1941 |
North Africa: Bardia, Tobruk, Benghazi (AMF) Mediterranean: Greece, Crete (AMF) Middle East: Syria, Lebanon (AMF) Southeast Asia: Singapore, Malaya, Ambon, Timor (AMF) Pacific Islands: Rabaul (AMF) Mediterranean (RAN) Battle of the Atlantic (RAN) Europe (RAAF) |
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|
1942 |
Pacific Islands: Milne Bay, Kokoda, Buna, Gona (AMF) Mediterranean (RAN) Pacific Ocean (RAN) Battle of the Atlantic (RAN) Defence of Australia (RAN) Europe (RAAF) |
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|
1943 |
Pacific Islands: Sanananda, Wau, Lae, Salamua, Huon Peninsula, Finschhafen, Finisterre, Rabaul (AMF) Mediterranean: Invasion of Sicily (RAN) Pacific Ocean (RAN) Battle of the Atlantic (RAN) Defence of Australia (RAN) Europe (RAAF) |
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|
1944 |
Pacific Islands: Aitape, Wewak, Bougainville (AMF) Pacific Ocean (RAN) Battle of the Atlantic (RAN) Europe (RAAF) |
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|
1945 |
Pacific Islands: New Guinea (AMF) Southeast Asia: Balikpapan, Tarawa, Brunei (AMF) Pacific Ocean (RAN) Battle of the Atlantic (RAN) Europe (RAAF) |
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1. This map uses letters to show each major region where Australians fought. Match the regions where fighting took place to the letters on the map.
