80 years on, we remember the Battle for Australia

Today on Battle for Australia Day, we remember all those who served in the defence of our nation during the Second World War.

This is a day to honour and thank the thousands of Australians and our allies who engaged in land, air and sea battles against Japan.

On 15 February 1942, Singapore fell to the Japanese, prompting Prime Minister John Curtin to declare that the “Battle for Australia” had begun.

Australia experienced a series of attacks, including air raids on Darwin and across areas of northern Australia, the attacks on Sydney Harbour and Newcastle in 1942, and the Battle of the Coral Sea, which is considered the largest naval battle ever fought off our shores. 

Australian service personnel also took the lead role in the victorious battles on the Kokoda Track, Milne Bay, Buna, Gona and Sanananda in Papua New Guinea.

An estimated one million Australians served and more than 39,000 were killed during the Second World War, with many more wounded. Additionally, more than 22,000 Australians became prisoners of war, with some 8,000 of them losing their lives.

Today we remember and honour the sacrifice of all those who served at home and abroad in the long battle to defend Australia against attack.