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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

An RAAF convoy, transporting the V2 rocket through Sydney, September 1957.

Rocket Science for Australians

The Memorial’s V2 rocket and Meillerwagen trailer have many stories to tell

By Duncan Beard

Second World War 1939 - 1945

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

Engraved fountain pen belonging to Lieutenant Ronald Lister

Collection insights: a pen’s journey

The engraved fountain pen of Lieutenant Ronald Lister.

Second World War 1939 - 1945

The landing beaches at Normandy from the air, 1944

The Royal Australian Navy at Normandy

Australian sailors played many important roles in D-Day’s Operation Neptune.

By Dr Lachlan Grant

Second World War 1939 - 1945

General Hans-Jürgen von Arnim and other senior officers arrive at Trent Park

The Walls Have Ears

Eavesdropping on German prisoners in England provided crucial intelligence.

By Dr Helen Fry

Second World War 1939 - 1945

Hitler as military leader

By his own account a genius, was Hitler chiefly responsible for Nazi Germany's military defeat?

By Sir Richard J. Evans

Second World War 1939 - 1945

Painting by Roy Hodgkinson, titled Americans and Aborigines.

The Flying Bunyips

An American squadron that recognised the support of the Aboriginal community.

By Garth O'Connell

Second World War 1939 - 1945

An ornate and fastidiously decorated fascist eagle clasping a Roman fasces, from which are suspended the symbols of the three Axis allies, each contained within a decorated wreath - from left to right, the Nazi swastika; the Italian arms and the Japanese 'rising sun' flag.

An Axis ornament

Trench art created at the POW camp in Cowra, NSW.

By Kerry Neale

Second World War 1939 - 1945

Reg Saunders and Tom Derrick shake hands after graduating from the Officer Cadets Training Unit

In his own words

The combat diaries of Diver Derrick

By Dr Mark Johnston

Second World War 1939 - 1945

A group of seven Australians standing around a microphrone. Squadron Leader James Catanach is in the centre.

The Great Escape

The Great Escape, the largest Allied prisoner of war breakout of the Second World War.

Second World War 1939 - 1945

Roy Hodgkinson, 14 Australian Anti-aircraft Battery (Militia) Fixed Defences, Darwin (1942) AWM ART22719

Bombing Darwin 1942

A successful Japanese raid caught the Allied forces unprepared.

By Dr Thomas Rogers

Second World War 1939 - 1945

Four men stand against a brick wall, in front are seven men sitting on the ground.

Fit for Purpose

An airframe fitter was an essential job in Bomber Command.

By Chris Goddard

Second World War 1939 - 1945