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Geoffrey Mainwaring, "Australian action at Buna", 1962, oil on canvas, 175 x 313 cm. AWM ART27547

The Japanese Experience

The Allied victory at Buna–Gona was harrowing for the Japanese soldiers

By Haruki Yoshida

Second World War 1939 - 1945
Sergeant Brian Walsh and 2nd Lieutenant Jim Fitzsimon, both of 7RAR, checking an American .30-06 calibre M1917 rifle and a 7.92-mm German Mauser Model 98

From the East and the West

During the Vietnam War the frontline Australian soldier faced a diverse range of weapon systems.

By Garth O'Connell

Vietnam War 1962 - 1975
Survivors of the 1st Light Horse regiment’s attack at Pope’s Hill assemble after the battle. There were fewer than 50

A chain of disasters

The battle at Lone Pine was only part of a series of attacks in August 1915

By Peter Burness

First World War 1914 - 1918
Australian soldier crouches on the ground with a Bren light machine gun

Down the Buin Road

Sweat, mud, fatigue, stress, fear and constant patrolling in Bougainville, 1945.

By Dr Karl James

Second World War 1939 - 1945
Second Lieutenant Nakanishi formerly Commandant of the Notogawa prisoner of war (POW) camp surrenders his sword (and command) to Lt Goddard who was captured at Singapore on 15 February 1942

The Spirit of the Samurai

At surrender ceremonies in 1945, Japanese leaders were made to do the unthinkable.

By Haruki Yoshida

Second World War 1939 - 1945
The cemetery near Hell Spit on the southern horn of ANZAC Cove. The grave on the left is that of Captain Bage.

A quiet hero

Already a hero of the Antarctic, a gifted man’s life was wasted at Gallipoli

By Peter Burness

First World War 1914 - 1918
Australians cleaning off mud, France, December 1916

Somme Sort of Life

Mud and mortality on the Western Front.

By Stephanie Boyle

First World War 1914 - 1918

Inspiring stories - Expert insights

REMEMBERING VICTORY

War in Europe
General Douglas MacArthur and Prime Minister John Curtin, 1943

The Final Campaigns

Australian forces were more engaged in 1945 than in any other year of the Second World War.

By Dr Karl James

Second World War 1939 - 1945
Portrait of Flight Sergeant Keith Mills in his uniform

Australian airmen at Buchenwald

Downed Australian airmen were sent to a concentration camp, instead of to a military prison.

By Emily Hyles

Second World War 1939 - 1945

GALLIPOLI: AUGUST OFFENSIVE

Gallipoli
Horace Moore-Jones, NZ & A Headquarters, North Beach below the Sphinx, Gallipoli,

Gallipoli in art

Paintings by Horace Moore-Jones and Sidney Nolan

First World War 1914 - 1918
The Lone Pine diorama at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

Courage at Lone Pine

The Lone Pine diorama depicts the attack on 6 August 1915.

First World War 1914 - 1918
Bayonet training

The spirit of the bayonet

An outdated weapon still played an important psychological role.

By Dr Aaron Pegram

First World War 1914 - 1918

WOMEN AND WAR

Women
Portrait of Agnes Betty Jeffrey

Forbidden diaries

Sister Betty Jeffrey's story of survival, courage, and comradeship as a prisoner of war.

By Robyn van Dyk

Second World War 1939 - 1945
Vibrant painting showing a man eating with a Nazi soldier, with other green uniformed soldiers brandishing weapons outside to search haystacks.

Stories of Survival

An immigrant artist left a record of her wartime story.

By Ally Roche

Second World War 1939 - 1945
An old Frenchwoman at the entrance to her brick house, Villers-Bretonneux

Alone in the Ruins

After the battle, war correspondent Charles Bean found an elderly woman alone in the ruins.

First World War 1914 - 1918

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