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An American soldier inspects German loot, found at the Schlosskirche in the south German town Ellingen, 24 April 1945. Courtesy: The U.S National Archives and Records Administration, RG 111-SC-204899

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Second World War 1939 - 1945 X

A Face to Remember: The story of Astrid Wagstaff

Letters to a model reveal wartime longing, connection and a life cut tragically short.

By Alix Heraid

Second World War 1939 - 1945

Japanese soldier points gun during military training video

Captured Japanese Film

Reels of Japanese film, captured by Australian forces post WWII

By Daniel Eisenberg

Second World War 1939 - 1945

The clearing in the centre of the islet is the airfield. Photo credit NH 95704 US Naval History and Heritage Command Collection

Visiting battle grounds: Tarawa

A remote atoll in the Pacific was taken in 1943 at immense cost.

By Emily Hyles

Second World War 1939 - 1945

Colin Douglas Simper and his wife Irene on their wedding day

Wartime love story: Colin and Irene Simper

Letters reveal Colin and Irene Simper’s wartime love story.

By Alix Heraid

Second World War 1939 - 1945

John’s niece, Rae Maree Curtis, studies a photograph of her uncle.

Dear John: Letters from home

A moving collection of letters written to an Australian prisoner of war

Second World War 1939 - 1945

LINCOLNSHIRE, ENGLAND. 1943-09-09. CORPORAL W. E. DAWSON OF ALBERTON, SA, RIDING ON A "COOKIE" (4000LB BOMB) TO BE LOADED ONTO "A2" AUSSIE, A LANCASTER AIRCRAFT OF NO 460 SQUADRON RAAF BASED AT RAF STATION BINBROOK. THE NOSE ART ON THE AIRCRAFT IS THE AUSTRALIAN COAT OF ARMS. AWM UK0487

More than just paint

RAAF Nose Art in Europe

By Garth O'Connell

Second World War 1939 - 1945

Papua New Guinean experiences of the Pacific War

Australian war artists captured striking portraits of Papua New Guineans who served in WWII.

By Dr Sylvia Cockburn

Second World War 1939 - 1945

The Beer They Never Shared

One of Australia’s oldest unopened bottles of beer has been donated to the National Collection.

Second World War 1939 - 1945

An Australian officer and a group of the 1st Papuan Infantry Battalion

Skin in the Game

Australia’s long defence relationship with Papua New Guinea is based in shared history.

By Tristan Moss

Second World War 1939 - 1945

Sybil Craig, Weighing cordite, Commonwealth explosives factory, Maribyrnong, 1945

Sybil Craig: for the war effort

Sybil's artworks capture the vital role of war industry workers on the home front.

By Michael Grant

Second World War 1939 - 1945

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

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