80th anniversary of war on Japan and attacks in the Asia-Pacific

On 8 December 1941, Australia declared war on Japan. The declaration came as a result of the coordinated attacks on multiple countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region in the 24 hours prior. The declaration was the first time in our history that Australia, as an independent nation, had taken such an action.

Australians had been serving in the Second World War since its beginning in 1939, however fighting had predominately been in the European, Middle Eastern and North African theatres. RAAF squadrons had been sent to Malaya in 1940 and from February 1941, in anticipation of an attack, Australian army units began to join British and Indian troops stationed in Malaya and Singapore.

On 7 December 1941 Japan launched a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. More than 2,400 people including civilians were killed. The Japanese managed to damage and destroy over 300 American aircraft and sink or damage 21 ships. Soon after on 8 December, coordinated invasions of Malaya, Thailand, and the Philippines were launched.

In Malaya, Australian bombers were sent to attack Japanese ships that had been sighted off the coast. Within just 70 days, Japanese forces gained control over Malaya and captured Singapore.

Within hours of the coordinated attacks, leaders of the United States, Britain and Australia announced to their people that they were at war with Japan. On this anniversary we remember all those who served our nation during the war in the Pacific – and those who lost their lives as a result of these attacks.

If you would like to know more about the war in the Pacific, visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Anzac Portal.