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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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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

Intelligence on the Somme

British intelligence systems played an influential role in the conduct of the fighting in 1916.

By Jim Beach

First World War 1914 - 1918

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

Collection of our expert's favourite military books

The books that shaped our historians

Historians share the books that first inspired their passion for history.

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

A collection of Tom Richards' honours: (L-R): 1908 Olympic gold medal, Military Cross, 1910 Lions cap, Wallabies cap (1908-1912) and his portrait

Two rugby legacies

Only two players have ever represented both the Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions.

First World War 1914 - 1918

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

Blair Swannell (centre) with fellow Anzac soldiers in Egypt

Rugby Heroes: Remembering Swannell and Richards

Families unite at the Memorial to honour rugby greats who served at Gallipoli.

First World War 1914 - 1918

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

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

Enemy weapons encountered by the Australian Army in South Vietnam.

By Garth O'Connell

Vietnam War 1962 - 1975

Danger Close

Actor Travis Fimmel talks portraying Vietnam War veteran Major Harry Smith in Danger Close.

Vietnam War 1962 - 1975