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Second World War 1939 - 1945 X
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HMAS Diamantina pulling into the wharf

A quiet victory

HMAS Diamantina’s role in the surrenders of Nauru and Ocean Island in 1945.

By Michael Kelly

Second World War 1939 - 1945
Boonpong Sirivejjabhandu (seated) with members of the Allied War Graves Commission

Undercover Hero

A local merchant from Thailand who helped prisoners of war on the Thai–Burma Railway.

By Sara Hodges

Second World War 1939 - 1945
An Australian patrol lays up in an anti-tank ditch near the perimeter of the Australian defences around Tobruk

Heroes of Tobruk

The Australians demonstrated determination and courage at Tobruk.

By Peter Burness

Second World War 1939 - 1945
Members of Mobile Cinema Unit 82 prepare their projector before an evening show, New Britain, 1945.

65 miles of film

The remarkable effort behind mobile cinemas.

By Greta Wass

Second World War 1939 - 1945
HMAS Goorangai in wartime service, c. 1939.

HMAS Goorangai

The first ship of the Royal Australian Navy lost in the Second World War.

By Dr Thomas Rogers

Second World War 1939 - 1945
“There is no ‘off time’ on the Peninsula, and the firing goes on forever.” Soldiers of the Royal Irish Fusiliers man frontline positions at Cape Helles. Photographer: Ernest Brooks

The Dominion of Fear

Morale and combat motivation of Commonwealth soldiers in the two World Wars.

By Gary Sheffield

Second World War 1939 - 1945
Baniff Strike Wing attacking

The fight for Norway’s Skies

The dangerous conditions faced by the Australian and British crews of Coastal Command.

By Cait Tullis

Second World War 1939 - 1945
Japanese troop medical supplies. AWM P02443.004

Hospitals of death

The Japanese medical system in Papua created immense suffering for staff and soldiers.

By Dr Steven Bullard

Second World War 1939 - 1945
Matron Muriel Doherty, RAAFNS, Alfreda Markovitch, 1948, oil on canvas

Nurse at Bergen-Belsen

After the war, an Australian nurse served with the United Nations at the infamous camp.

Second World War 1939 - 1945
A letter after it was censored, AWM 139314

With a kiss for the censor

Censorship of servicemen’s mail during the Second World War put a gag on their relationships.

By Emma Carson

Second World War 1939 - 1945