Australian forces had significant success in the North African campaign during World War 2 (1939-1945) which is highly evident in their extensive contribution and notable allied victories in various battles including the battle/siege of Tobruk and the second battle of El Alamein. Axis powers focused their attention to the Suez Canal and the Persian oil fields. This would enable them to control Mediterranean shipping/trading and would warrant axis power to accumulate crucial resources in order to retaliate and expand through-out the Middle east. Australia’s success was due to a multitude of factors including the military ability of the Australian 9th division and Australian artillery and soldiers skill tactics in the face of intimidating German …show more content…
This is evident in the second battle of El Alamein which was aimed at protecting essential resources from the powerful Axis forces. The success of the Australian forces in the Second Battle of El Alamein was significant, as it marked the turning point in the North African campaign. The North African front exhausted Germany's global military resources and control of the East oil field gave allies control of the Mediterranean shipping and trading. Australian success was a result of leadership expertise and effective tactic use. The Australian troops, along with the other allied soldiers were under the supervision and command of the highly skilled and experienced Commander General Bernard Montgomery. Montgomery's leadership style was characterized by “his willingness to take risks”. Additionally, he had the ability to inspire troops and instill a sense of discipline and determination to the soldiers in the face of intimidating axis powers. Consequently, allowing Australian forces to work together and efficiently. Australia’s success continued as a result of the effective tactics used. Comprehending the power of Axis defense, Montgomery withstood the impatient Winston Churchhill for an early attack reflecting his true (successful) leadership qualities and Australia's ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As a result, When offensive threats failed to fracture German forces in the south, Montgomery ordered the Australian 9th division to attack from the heavily fortified northern side. This resulted in the shift of Rommel's focus and allowed Australian forces to advance through Rommel’s troops which allowed the South to obtain a successful allied tank breakthrough. Thus, reflecting Australian success and a sense of discipline and determination. On the 2nd of November, the Panzerarmee suffered important losses and Rommel was forced to order withdrawal and cease operations. In
The attack was planned as a diversion for the Australian and New Zealand groups that were to breakout from the Anzac by capturing Chunuk Bair. Australian artillery barrage lifted and from trenches in the land the 1st Australian Brigade charged towards the Turkish at 5:30pm. This misconception was hoped to draw a force but in fact drew a division on the Australian Brigade. After the battle 2298 Australians and 5000 Turkish people died in the area about the size of three football fields. This is the contribution made by the Australian soldiers.
The 39th Battalion was made up of mostly 18 and 19 year old boys. They were hardly trained, unequipped and outnumbered in men. The Australians realised that they couldn’t win this battle, so they returned back to the Kokoda Village while still being cautious of Japanese troops and defending their selves. Late August was when the Australians had back up forces, but even though they had reinforcement, the Australians and Papuan’s were forced to retreat back to Imita Ridge which is just 50 km’s away from Port
Australians fought hand in hand during times of hardship, especially, when they were out-numbered and didn't have enough weaponry. For the past 3 months the control of Kokoda has gone back and forth but with our fighting squad, everyone's sure that this fight was made for us to win. A good example of our brave people is the 39th Battalion as they weren't trained to be overseas fighters but they still went to New Guinea even after they were told to, “bring their tennis
The conditions and terrain in which they were fighting in were horrendous and overrun with diseases. Despite all this, the Australians were victorious; pushing the Japanese back to the north coast – and finally defeated them at Sanananda. The recruitment for Kokoda were young kids off the street, forced to be in the army with little to no training or fighting experience. To the AIF, they were known as ‘chocolate soldiers’ or ‘chocos’; because they thought they would “melt under pressure”.
These events solidified the resolve of the Australian military, never to fight a battle on its own shores a policy that is still maintained, further the battle of Kokoda was one of the first occasions where Australia and American forces combined in a military alliance with this alliance strengthen from this point onward with Americas now being a major partner in the defence in the
This was so important for the Pacific war as it marked the first time that the Japanese had been stopped in their advance across the pacific and stopped the Japanese from capturing Port Moresby. If the Japanese were able to successfully capture Port Moresby, then it would have put Australia at risk as the Japanese could have then invaded or attacked Australia. The Kokoda campaign is also significant for its use of military tactics that As significant as the Kokoda campaign was for the Pacific War, there was also many other campaigns and battles that were also extremely significant such as the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Siege of Tobruk, the Battle of Milne Bay, the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, and the Battle of Guadalcanal all of which were only a few of the many important battles that helped the success and safety of Australia and were vital to the allies attempt to overtake the axis powers. While, these battles the Australians were involved with were extremely helpful and vital to the Australians success in the war but the Kokoda campaign was significant in its own way for its use of military tactics such as jungle warfare and fire and movement where one of the group makes their way toward the enemy while another fires, to keep the enemy distracted and it saved Australia from being
This weakened Australia’s ties with Great Britain making Australia more independent. This was also the first time Australia had to defend itself from a foreign invasion. After the Kokoda campaign, Australian soldiers and citizens also gained various qualities such as persistence, courage, endurance, mateship, and sacrifice. Therefore, the Kokoda campaign caused many short-term and long-term consequences for
In an unambiguous way if the Australian army did not showcase this perseverance and extreme moral they would have been forced back, letting the Japanese take control then giving the Axis powers more
At the commencement of the battle the Australians were instantly recognised for their gallantry for facing an opponent far greater in numbers, the Australians showed in the battle of long tan the are able to repel a great attacking force which somewhat changed the Americans options towards the Australians combat skills. The battle also found the huge force was sent to eliminate the Australians in the province because they had previously been successful in eliminating Vietcong activity, this again proves the Australian forces were somewhat achieving in Vietnam. The battle of long tan for various reasons is another key example of how the Australians played a significant role in
Alexander as a ground forces commander. Because he was popular General among both British and US troops. Overall responsibility of land force were under him and he was the person led the ground troops. General Dwight Eisenhower had a winning personality with wide experience in war. Field marshal Harold alexander was the person who has ability to get along with people with sound tactical conceptions.
The Kokoda track campaign had a lasting impact on Australia’s military, with improvements to post war practices, preparations, and tactics whilst in battle, as well as giving the soldiers there much needed experience for later wars. Traversing the terrain would have one of best effects on the soldiers, teaching them how to traverse terrain, deal with difficult situations and most importantly problem solving. Kokoda not only was the most important battle won and fought by Australians, but it also shaped Australia’s post-war training practises and military. This victory ‘marked the first major turning of the Japanese ground forced during the Pacific war (Taylor et al p. 176-7,181,182). As well as the militaries experiences and mindset becoming stronger, a “thought to be more important” event, was the protection of port Moresby, being the main line towards the Japanese invading Australia, specifically Darwin, because of its recent bombings at the time weakening the area and leaving a big opening for the Japanese military.
The Kokoda Campaign was a series of events fought between Australian and Japanese soldiers. It was one of the most difficult, yet important campaigns for Australian soldiers. The campaign had a high-level impact on the physical and mental health of soldiers who fought in it. This essay will convey key information from sources that explore different aspects of the Kokoda Campaign.
Some German trenches were captured Australian brigades, however, due to having so few men compared to the Germans, they were forced to
Should Australia change the date of Australia Day? Some of you may be wondering why this is such a controversial issue and some of you might already know. If you don’t know why I’ll tell you. The date that we celebrate Australia Day is not the date we became our own country, you may be thinking “so what?” well I’ll tell you, the day we are celebrating is the day Great Britain invaded Australia and the start of when they tortured and killed thousands of the Australian indigenous people, there are multiple dates available that were important to Australia or represent Australia and this date has no monument recognizing the day
Australia’s experiences of World War II were significant for Australia and impacted on the shaping of our national identity. Australia 's response to entry into World War II in 1939 differed from Australia 's entry into World War I in 1914. Reasons for this includes attitudes towards war changing after gaining the knowledge and experiencing consequences of World War I, the conditions and lead up to World War II as well as Australia’s strong support for Britain. Firstly, the attitude of Australians changed due to World War 3I proving that war was not glamourous or exciting like it was assumed. During the lead up to World War II Australians had already struggled to survive through the depression and were now required to survive at war.