Snapshot of Australia’s Wartime & Peacekeeping History
Boer War 1899 -1902
As part of the British Empire, the Australian colonies offered troops for the war in South Africa. At least 12,000 Australians served in contingents raised by the six colonies or from 1901 by the new Australian Commonwealth, and many more joined British or South African colonial units in South Africa. Australians served mostly in mounted units formed in each colony, often known as mounted rifles, bushmen, or imperial bushmen. They fought in both the British counter-offensive of 1900 which resulted in the capture of the Boer capitals, and in the long, weary guerrilla phases of the war lasting until 1902. Colonial troops were valued for their ability to "shoot and ride", and they performed well in the open war on the veldt.
World War 1 1914–1918
In August 1914, Australia, as a member of the British Empire, joined Britain in its war against Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Between 1914 and 1918 over 320,000 Australian men and women served overseas in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and some in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The best remembered event of that ‘Great War’ is undoubtedly Gallipoli where in 1915 the Australians and New Zealanders (the Anzacs) fighting together founded the Anzac legend, a story of courage, mateship and sacrifice in adversity. After Gallipoli, most of the AIF went to fight in France and Belgium (Western Front) where over 45,000 Australians lost their lives. In the Middle East the Australian Light Horse fought against the Turks between 1916 and 1918. Three squadrons of the Australian Flying Corps also served on the Western Front, and another flew in the Middle East. The RAN provided warships for convoy escorts, anti-submarine operations and participated in the blockade of Germany.
World War 2 1939–1945
When Britain declared war on Germany in September 1939, Australia again rallied to support Britain. During the war, Australian men and women fought in the Australian Army in Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean and later in Malaya and the islands of the Pacific. Australia also had to defend its own territory against Japanese attack in 1942 and 1943 when towns such as Darwin were bombed and merchant ships were sunk around the coast. Throughout the war the RAN escorted merchant marine convoys and participated in naval actions in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. RAN personnel also served with the Royal Navy. The RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) sent thousands of airmen to serve with the Royal Air Force in Europe and the Mediterranean as well as fighting in the war in the Pacific. Australian women saw significant war service both on the home front and in the women’s services.
Korean War 1950–1953
In 1950 Australian servicemen and women joined a United Nations (UN) force to support South Korea against invasion by North Korea. After initial North Korean success their forces were pushed back but, in October 1950, China intervened and drove the UN armies south. A stalemate developed, which lasted until July 1953 when an armistice was signed ending the fighting in Korean War. A final agreement - a peace treaty - has yet to be signed. The Australian Army, RAN and RAAF all fought in Korea.
Malayan Emergency 1950–1960
In 1950, Australian forces were sent to Malaya when the British government called for assistance to resist communist insurgents. Australia’s small military involvement in the Malayan Emergency lasted until 1960.
Vietnam War 1962–1975
In 1962, Australia became involved in what was to become the longest conflict in the nation’s military history – the Vietnam War. At first, Australian advisers were sent to South Vietnam to help train the South Vietnamese army against their communist neighbours in the north. Over time, further forces were committed to aid the South Vietnamese and American forces in direct conflict against the armies of the local Viet Cong and North Vietnam. Australia’s main commitment to the Vietnam War included elements of the Australian Army, RAN and RAAF as well as service nurses and lasted until 1973.
Indonesian Confrontation 1963–1966
The Indonesian Confrontation was the name given to the Indonesian attempt to foil the British move to establish a Federation of Malaysia in the early 1960s. In response to a developing ‘low level war’ and to British requests, Australia sent ground troops to Borneo in 1965. RAN ships patrolled coastal waters. Confrontation ended in 1966 after Indonesia and Malaysia signed a peace treaty.
First Gulf War 1991
Following the Iraqi invasion of neighbouring Kuwait in 1990, the United Nations approved trade sanctions against Iraq. A multinational force, including elements of the RAN, was deployed in the Persian Gulf to enforce this trade embargo while ground forces were assembled in Saudi Arabia. A few RAAF and Army personnel, including medical teams, also served. In early 1991, Iraq was bombed and invaded to drive that country’s forces out of Kuwait. The war ended successfully for the UN force in late February 1991.
Afghanistan & Iraq 2001–present
Along with other Nations, Australia became involved in Afghanistan as part of the War on Terror. In March 2003 the United States, along with Britain and Australia, invaded Iraq. The allies alleged that Iraq was concealing weapons of mass destruction and had links with terrorist groups. Bombing of Iraqi cities preceded a swift advance to Baghdad where the regime of the Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, was overthrown. Australia provided diverse support in this Second Gulf War. For example, RAN ships carried out anti-mine activities and blockade duties in the Persian Gulf; the Army’s SAS (Special Air Service) were involved in actions in western Iraq; and RAAF fighters attacked enemy ground forces and protected surveillance and tanker aircraft.
Peace operations 1947–present
Australia has been involved in United Nations and other multi-national peacekeeping and peacemaking operations since 1947. These activities have included military observation, monitoring cease-fires, clearing landmines, humanitarian aid and the repatriation of refugees. In September 1999, Australian forces were sent to East Timor as part of a UN force to provide security and restore peace. Australian Defence Force personnel are currently (2004) deployed on a number of peace-keeping operations in places as diverse as the Solomon Islands, Eritrea and Israel.