Explore | WM

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

Explore
unforgettable
stories

Second World War 1939 - 1945 X

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

An Australian "Scarlet Pimpernel"

A little-known group of Chinese spies, organised and led by an Australian

By Stuart Braga

Second World War 1939 - 1945

G for George Avro Lancaster on display in 2019

Shooting Gallery: G for George over Germany

Letters from Adrian Marks, a crew member on a Lancaster bomber, tell of the raids over Germany.

By Dr Karl James

Second World War 1939 - 1945

Premium

Norman Hetherington with his puppets including Mr Squiggle

From camouflage to cartoons: Norman Hetherington

The remarkable story of Mr Squiggle's creator, Norman Hetherington

Second World War 1939 - 1945

A theatre of 'perculiar significance'

“The front line of Australian defence”

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