What

When 1899-1902 a 4th to 16th August 1900 b 1902

Why/How was Australia involved

Significance to Australia

Resources

Boer War a) Eland's River b) Breaker Morant

. Australia lost over 200 men . Played a vital role for the British Forces in the guerrilla part of the war, cutting off Boer fighters from their farms and families, and also securing many supplies for the men and their horses . A war where Australia proved they were worth being part of the Commonwealth . The first war Australia fought as a nation . Much bravery and courage was displayed, and six Australians received the Victoria Cross . Battle fought between the Boers and the British Army, but was made of mostly Australians, they were defending supplies, including weapons and horses from the attacking Boer forces . Harry Harbord The Breaker Morant was a soldier from Australia who with Peter Handcock, was executed during the Boer War over the murder of a number of Boers who were trying to surrender. There is still much controversy over why they did it and if they shouldnt have been executed . Elands River was a major battle for Australia . Outnumbered eight to one and were facing a side with modern artillery . Held their ground, with many of the Australians never have been in battle . Suffered casualties, and large numbers of horses, cattle and mules were killed . The bravery shown was incredible, they fought for 12 days and when called to surrender, refused. . One of Australias most well-known war stories . Was an awful tale of murder committed by two Australians . Partly an injustice because the case wasnt investigated properly . Brought into question whether the British Forces were actually doing the right thing . One of Australias most controversial cases ever

http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/boer/ http://www.bwm.org.au/site/Elands_Rive r.asp http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/morant -harry-harbord-breaker-7649

a) April 25th 1915 to December

World War 1 a) Gallipoli Landing/Evacuation b) Lone Pine c) The Nek d) Fromelles e) Battle of Messines f) Battle of Beersheba

20th 1915

http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/ http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/ga llipoli/ http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_71. asp http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_133 .asp http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_159 .asp http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_81. asp http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_138 /

.In Gallipoli, Australias role was to b) August break through the th th 6 to 9 Turkish lines while the . One of Australias most significant and famous battles in history 1915 Turks tried to fight . Lead to the creation of Anzac Day them off the peninsula . A proud moment for all Australians . Many men, fathers, sons, husbands, lost their lives . Australia was put . The newly formed Australian Commonwealth proved their ability to pull against entrenched together and fight together Turkish positions which were securely roofed with pine logs, Australia and the . Against all the factors that were against them, they succeeded allies succeeded, but . So many lives were lost went through 4 awful . Hard work and determination ended up helping the allies win the battle c) August days of hand to hand . Part of a series of battles which helped the allies to win the war 7th 1915 combat, resulting in . Though they succeeded, the battle had devastating losses 2,000 Australian casualties .
. The Nek was a vitally important position but had a tragic ending for the allies. The first wave of 8th Light Horse Regiment charged forward but were shot down by Turkish rifle and machine gun, the second

wave was ordered to do the same thing and received the same fate. They
wanted to cancel it, but was rejected by Major John Antill, and a wave from the 10th Light Horse was sent

.Was one of the saddest battles in World War 1 . Showed what risks arent worth being taken, lives are more important . The allies learnt the hard way that proper communication is so vital in battle . Helped them to learn from their mistakes . Proved how worthy and brave each of the soldiers were . Gave Australia another reason to be proud

over the top of the wounded and shot down, cancellation was again suggested but the fourth line went before the d) July decision was made, 19th and and the rest of the 20th 1916 line followed, again shot down. The allies lost over 300 men. . First major battle fought by Australians on the Western Front against as strong German position known as the Sugar Loaf salient. The attack was meant to try and draw the Germans away from the Somme offensive but unfortunately failed. It started at 6pm on July 19th and Australia and Britain fell heavily to the Germans machine gun fire. Small parts of the German trenches were captured by the 8th and 14th Australian Brigade, but they were forced to withdraw. At 8am the next morning the battle was over. The 5th Australian Division suffered 5,533 casualties, while the Germans suffered less than 1,000.

. Though it was an awful battle, it was a major step up for the Australian soldiers . Unfortunately they tried and tested a battle technique which failed . Again, the loss of Australian soldiers was so large and awful . Proved yet again how far the soldiers would go for each other and for the allies . They learnt an important thing from battle, even though they suffered immensely

e) June 7th to 14th 1917

. A successful British assault on the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge, which was a strong position held on the Western front since 1914. It was a detailed assault and took a lot of training and planning. The initial assault went ahead by 19 mines that were detonated under the German font line, causing an estimated 10,000 German casualties. Behind a coordinated artillery bombardment, British, New Zealand and Australian f) October infantry advanced, 31st 1917 and secured what they needed in the first few hours. . The Battle of Beersheba was the capture of a town 43 kilometres from the Turkish bastion, Gaza. The successful capture of this area led to the demise of Gaza but not before severe fighting. The allies reached their goal. The 4th and 12th Australian Light a April Horse Regiment were 10th 1941 among the soldiers to 27th involved. November

. Proved to be a well-executed assault . Gave hope not only to the soldiers, but hopefully the people back in Australia . Australia had a smaller number of casualties . A great win for the allies . Showed how far clever planning and well-thought out tactics can go . Teamwork played a very important role

. Capturing Beersheba was a very smart move to help the allies reach their goal . Trying to achieve smaller goals in order to achieve the bigger goals showed to be quite successful . Although there were so many losses, the Australians were having some success, bringing them hope . Careful planning had become a new tactic of the allies . They achieved such a difficult task, again putting the Australian soldiers as amazing role models of bravery, courage and determination

World War 2

a) Tobruk b) Kokoda c) Bombing of Darwin

1941

. Tobruk was a small

town on the Libyan coast which was a major target for the Britain and the Commonwealth, as it had a sheltered harbour which was crucial to transporting soldiers and equipment. Italy had a defence line which fell when it was attacked by the 6th Australian division and taking 27,000 Italian prisoners. In the hot desert, the Commonwealth forces (Rats of Tobruk) fought in many rough battles against the Italian and German forces for the duration of the siege. Unfortunately the B 21st of defence of Tobruk July to costed 749 Australia 16th of deaths and 604 November became prisoners of 1942 war. . The Kokoda track, situated along the Owen Stanley ranges, was one of the most significant battles fought by Australians in World War 2, and began when the Japanese landed at Gona on the north

http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_71.asp
http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_133 .asp . Had enormous importance to the Commonwealth forces because of its harbour filled with useful infrastructure and easy transportation . Hundreds of Australians lost their lives defending Tobruk . Earned the Australian, British, and Indian forces the nickname Rats of Tobruk firstly because they were apparently trapped like rats in a trap on a radio station in Berlin, but when they ended out outsmarting the Germans, it became a name for their cunning abilities, smarts, and bravery . Though they were outnumbered and not many believed they would be able to do it, they succeeded on a very large scale . In the extreme conditions, the heat, the sadness, the health issues, poor living and eating conditions, they remained determined and strong, giving the Australians hope and something to keep their heads up http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_159 .asp http://australia.gov.au/aboutaustralia/australian-story/japanesebombing-of-darwin

. Australia came quite close to invasion by the Japanese, the Australians as well as help from the Papuans and other allies, protected Australia and kept our country free . The Australians gave all they could, and so many men lost their lives . They fought for four months in extreme humidity, steep mountain passes, swamps filled with tropical diseases including malaria and

coast of what was known as New Guniea with their mission to invade Australia. In extremely awful conditions over 4 months there was heavy fighting and over 600 Australians lost their lives. Japans aim was to capture Australias main base in New Guniea, Port Moresby by fighting their way along the rough mountains using the jungle pathway known as The Kokoda Track. Despite strong resistance from the Australian and Papuan forces they were forced back to Isurva. Fortunately reinforcements were sent to Port Moresby and the Australians were able to hold their stands against the Japanese. The Papuan men employed as carriers played such a vital role, carrying supplies and the wounded when they were unable to walk. On September 16th more reinforcements kept coming, and the Japanese had had enough. By November the 18th

muddy footpaths through dense jungle, yet they remained so strong and resilient . Friendship was extensively throughout the Kokoda Trail, especially the local Papuans who helped look after many Australians, a gesture that will hopefully never be forgotten . Australia was outnumbered, and the odds were against them, but they pushed on through everything and defended the Kokoda Track.

C 19th of February 1942 to 12th of November . On the 19th of 1943 February 1942, aggressive Japan delivered their largest air raid since Pearl Harbour, targeting Darwin, which was a key military port for Australian ships, had airfields, anti-aircraft and guns and was seen as a major port for the forces defending the Dutch East Indies (Now Indonesia and East Timor). In total the Japanese carried out 64 bombings on Darwin and 33 on other Northern towns which had some military importance, this killed over 900 civilians and allies and destroyed many military and civilian facilities. Women and children in Darwin were ordered starting the 16th of December 1941 evacuate, and thankfully they got out before the first bombing

Australia had reached the Kumusi River and the battle for the Kokoda track was over.

. War had never come so close to our shores before . First time Australia had foreign invaders since European settlement . It was not just soldiers and army officers killed by the bombings, but innocent residents of Darwin and other northern towns as well . One of Australias major military ports was destroyed, a huge setback for those defending the Dutch East Indies . Japan laid waste to a large amount of an Australian town, something that had never happened before . It put many of the civilians into a panic as they feared of being invaded . Women and children had to be evacuated, meaning many of their husbands and fathers were left behind