Australian Army At War 1939 - 1945. War Experience. 

Let me make this very very clear , Australia, New Zealand, Canada etc came to our aid without even being asked in numbers way above their current population and fought like lions , myself , my family and my whole country owe you all a debt we could never repay , you gave us our freedom at a time when we fought alone . Without you all we would not have stood a chance . God bless you all ,, I know you all like to have a dig at us bloody poms but believe me when I say we love you and your country so much . .... A retired 20 yr royal navy NCO.

The narrator of this film should be awarded the highest recognition for the reverent quality of his words. From his journalistic pulpit, he delivered a moving sermon on Australia's patriotic citizens who answered the call and closed it with a fitting eulogy upon their sacrifice.

Good one you Aussies. I hope that Britain, Australia, NZ and Canada always stand together in any struggle that may occur.

This video is a treasure. That is my dad enlisting at the 1:33 mark in 1937. He became one of the “rats” in Tobruk, where he was wounded and evacuated on the “Tobruk ferry”. He also served in Greece and on Crete, but happily returned to Australia and went on to raise a happy family and live a wonderful and fulfilling life. ( I was born in 1949.). God bless him and all the magnificent men and women who served in that horrendous conflict to save us all from the evil forces they were facing. Covid is a horror, but pales into insignificance compared to what they endured for all of us.

Our brothers from Australia have never been given the credit they deserve for what they did in WW2. /S/ American vet .

Strange. Out for a short walk earlier today in my neighborhood. Noted "Lives Lost" , 1939-1945, on a plaque near an estate. How ironic... I never stopped to read it... So many lives...So many names. Father and Sons. Uncles. Brothers. Even, a Miss. My heart sank...😢 Mighty Respect and Thank you for our freedom. May God watch over you. Rest in Paradise.❤

When I was a child from about 1970 onwards I had a collection of plastic Airfix toy soldiers that I spent most of my time playing with. I don't know why but of the many boxes of German, Italian, Russian, American and British even Japanese the box of Australian infantry was my pride and joy. In all the games I played they were almost always the ones who arrived to save the day or held of the hoards of enemy. Like I say I don't know why I played that way ( I'm English) but after all I have learnt since I am not disappointed that I did ..... truly tough and determined troops from tobruk to the jungle they gave as good an account of themselves as any other soldiers of any army. Men that deserve to be remembered with the respect they earned.

I had a neighbor as a kid who flew P40's in Australia. It was an Aussie/Kiwi/Yank outfit. They often ran out of clothing for one country and would wear the uniforms of allied countries. Before Japan surrendered the unit was wearing a combination of uniforms that were distinct. You could not tell what country they were from until they speak in many cases. They all looked alike and performed as a single organism. He said he never experienced that kind of team work again in civilian life. He said the Aussies and Kiwis had one thing in common. They always had the same sense of humor regardless what was happening. Their facial expressions were often constant he said. They perform under stress as they perform at ease. With Americans there tends to be a state of calm and a state of fury. With Aussies and Kiwis it's all the same.

My grandfather fought in ww2 pacific islands (kirawena island) 1942-1946 Australian Air Force search n salvage. Listening to his war stories was something ill never forget. The japanese would fly over kirawena n drop bombs then to goodenough island...bomb that island then back over kirawena and drop bombs again. They got the ship my grandfather had just disembarked So much so i captured audio of them. He would cook and fight. He handed out the malaria tablets as well to all except himself lol. The soldiers were yellow skinned from the pills.many of his mates never came home. He did. He died an old man of 93 in his hospital bed from bladder cancer. RIP Par. Miss you always. Was a pleasure and honor knowing u

My Pa fought with the 2nd/4th in Africa then parachuted into New Guinea as part of Australia's 1st airborne action. Never talked about it. God I loved him. He left this world over 30 years ago but I still see him when I think of him.

Australian soldiers were very brave and tough.

My dad was in the AIF 2/4 Battalion and fought the Japanese in New Guinea. He was only 20 years of age when the war ended. He lied about his age when he enlisted. May he R.I.P.

The aussies were a tough bunch of men , always up for a fight, they were eager to have a crack at the germans, when they arrived in North Africa, for a lot of them they lived an existence in the aussie outback in sheep farming and the like, living in them conditions turned you into a rough tough character, Rommel when his Afrika Korps encounter them specially at the first battle of Tobruk he considered them first rate soldiers, when Aussie prisoners were brought in he noticed the difference in size and physique compared to his soldiers, the aussies were big strong burly men, even considered them elite troops the british brought in . It was commented and a complaint levelled at the aussies by the germans after the war, in regards to their commitment of these men from down under ,they the aussies fought hard with total determination in getting the job done, they were surprised how on occasions prisoners were not taken, in the heat of battle, going in with the bayonet at close quarter fighting prisoners were sometimes overlooked. What must be remembered here, sometimes missed or overlooked by some well known english historians, the pivotal, role played by the Australian 9th division who served under montgomery 8th army at both the 1st and most importantly the 2nd battle of El alamein 1942 , the 9th division were positioned at the northern flank of monty's line with mediterranean sea on there right facing Rommel's strongest sector, the aussies launch an attack on this line, and fought so hard with sheer aussie grit they pushed the germans back, leading Rommel to feed in reinforcements with the aussies taking heavy casualties in the process, this did not deter them they continued to fight hard until exhaustion took over some units were exposed to german heavy fire until surrounded and taken prisoner, but again this did not stop the 9th division kept on pushing. It was at this juncture when because of the 9th divisions actions, that weakened the line eles where monty's armour could break through further down the line, this is the reason why victory at El alamein was achieved, this was why the 9th division took heavy losers, to such a extent they played no further part in chasing the afrika korp across africa, Recognized after the battle by both General alexander, when he personally addressed the entire 9th australian division, shortly before they were shipped out bound for australia to fight the japaneses, and by Winston Churchill in a victory speech in the house of commons that they alone broke the back of the german afrika korp and their made victory possible.... Rip grandad who fought in monty's 8th army and the aussies who laid it on the line 🇬🇧🇭🇲

I remember my great grandfather telling me that in WWI as part of the Canadian Corp, the only troops that they could safely rely upon to secure their flanks as they attacked were the ANZACs

I visited the post-war housing built in Australia for returning armed forces and their families. Who I also saw so grateful for that gift as senior citizens they brushed clean their street frontage daily.

I was amazed to see some of the guys I'd nursed in the Repay Hospital as young men in this film. Tough lot they were. Good on you Aussies.

Thank You. Love from Borneo ❤️

Great look back at that time .. just love the narrators accent .. tough men / hard times ..They became legends .. and they certainly earned it .. much respect.

Thanks from across the ditch 👍🇳🇿

I live in Tobruk City and there are cemetery for Australian Soldiers there

I remember an old soldier telling me that the Anzacs fought all day and when they ran out of enemies to fight they started on each other, always up for a fight god bless you all .

always fascinating seeing video footage from the early-mid 20th century, especially wartime content. thanks for uploading this :)

My respect for the Australian military and New Zealanders has been life long. Canada.

My Dad and 2 of his brothers fought with the 2nd 28th battalion and all survived and made it back. My dad had his demons drank and had anger problems. Mum had to leave him with 3 kids in toe when it got too much . Never saw him again from 4 years of age. His brother turned up at my business in 1982 to say my dad was back and in hospital and wanted to see me. I hadn't heard from him in 27 years and didn't go and see him. He died a few weeks later. A part of me regrets it but he abandoned us and mum struggled with no help to support us all those years. The war paid a terrible price on those that fought and those that died or were injured and those that survived. I can only say I honour him for his service to our country. 🇦🇺🇦🇺

Even whilst at war and in the heat of bloody battle and conflict, the aussies can still have a good time, the Scottish was legends at it too

Toughest fighting men in the World,and that's coming from a Scot.

ANZAC DAY 2021. LEST WE FORGET. My father was a Maltese who was on the 18LB guns in Malta , but he always marched with pride on ANZAC DAY in SYDNEY since 1955!

Amazing brave men. I salute Australia.

My grandfather landed in Egypt 7 div 1940 finished up on North Borneo in 1945 ,he gave his today, so we could have our tomorrow, he will always be my hero lest we forget Keith steele

Aussies and Kiwis some of the best fighters

Many thanks from the old country.

brilliant showing how the Australians did adapt to many different theaters of war

we owe all these men

Thank you for the emotional coverage of world war two. Thanks to the men and women for the courage they showed and to the many,the sacrifice they made for our freedom. My father joined the army in 1939.

Dad fought in New Guinea. He was part of the 2/7th Advanced workshop. When all their tanks were destroyed they fought on as riflemen at a time when the Japanese had them up against the wall. He is gone now, as is most of his generation. It was a time of true blue mate ship, when our poorly trained and poorly armed men were thrown in unprepared against a tough and courageous enemy. It’s a generation that evoked the true spirit of Australia, and this goes for the women who played their role in supporting the men as nurses and suffered the hardship, and cruelty of a foe who practiced savagery of a kind that would now be known as total war. Bless them all, the long and the short and the tall.......

They must of came home almost stone deaf from the noise of the guns and terrible blasts. Courageous generation who knew the meaning of duty.

Had 2 Grandfathers that fought in the battle of Bardia, 1 fought for Australia, 1 fought for Italy. Both survived the war!

A fine record thanks for uploading

The Desert Rats. I remember hearing the stories about 'em as a kid. Bloody tough blokes.

Remember treat them with care well said my family fought in PNG my uncle died there fighting for Australia

The Dad ,( 2/15 th Btn, 9th Division), told me that a lot of blokes that joined up had never had a job, before the army. I believe we have no idea now , in the main, of the privations that those generations lived under, especially before the war. The parting phrase " Treat them with care" hit me hard. Were they treated with care, after the war? I believe our women , mostly their wives , did that job. I have the greatest respect for my mother, and the wives of all service men. We will never know what they went through, really. I believe that we who lived with these damaged men, on reflection, can only wonder at what our mothers went through. No doubt service women had similar challenges too! Kudos to the Australian service men and women in various wars, who took on all comers, and if the odds were at all sort of even, beat them comprehensively.

thank you share that special video

My great grandpa was a gunner on a bomber, and when they were flying once, he dropped a magazine or something, and he was told earlier that any lost equipment would be payed for by whoever lost it. So he launched himself at it to grab it (the back of the plane was open) and he almost fell out of the plane cos he wasnt strapped in. Luckily he grabbed whatever had fallen out of the plane AND did *not* fall out of the plane himsellf

My Great Uncle copped a Head wound and lost an eye in 1st Alamein Battle. His head wound caused him to be de-mobbed in 1944. But he missed out fighting in the Jungles of New Guinea . He was in the most decorated 2/48 Bn with 4 VC's

The damage done to young men cannot be undone. The same for all young men who have fought in wars through out the ages.

Love Australia

great historical film. should be compulsory viewing for every school child in australia.

Glad the Australians are our allies, i don't think there's any better soldier to have fighting on your flank than these guys.

Those motor bike jumps were hilarious!! 😂😂

Remembering Ray Lynch. 2/2MG Batt. Middle East, S/E Asia.

Proud of our Aussie brothers and sisters they've always had our backs when we needed them .

Rip to all who served and died. Rip great grandfather percival jack nowell, who left home at 16 to fight for our country 💪🙏 against japan

How great the Aussie soldiers! I salute you!

This is reminder that peace and democracy doesn't come easily. You have to fight for it.

Starting on one coast and moving to another, highly trained or not, the Japanese leader thought they were nuts to tell them to do that because by the time they would get to Port Moresby they'd be shot anyway anyway. The Aussies were pretty well supplied most of the way and the Japanese were not. They had some hard battles, but in the end the Japanese were split up and running back with really only their commanding elements making it minus their leader who fled on the river and drown it a makeshift raft. However, the Aussies did a lot more than these normal campaigns. They would parachute in and make themselves a royal PITA for the Japanese in concert with locals. This meant the Japanese could never hold anything. When they went after the Aussies they would disappear. When they would send out patrols looking for them they would get ambushed. If they camped anywhere their perimeter would get sniped at. The Japanese could easily overwhelm the land, but only held what they stood on at that moment, so they tied up a lot of Japanese troops, who could never say they secured the area and thereby free troops. Many were coast watchers and worked with natives on that too. They gave away enemy ship and air movements and thus set them up for ambush. The fought smart. They were hated by the Japanese and it didn't go well for coastal watchers when one was was caught.

Great video!

LEST WE FORGET

Awesome video about world war 2.

my mothers family suffered terribly after the second stunt...my pop carried his wounds and diseases for decades ...descendent of 2 /27 th Battalion

Lest We Forget.

We shall remember them 😐😓. Such stoic determined strong men. Such terrible times and loss of life. 💔

Aussies and Kiwis to save the world and send the bad lads going for a one-way only trip for hell,i'm very bloody proud of everyone yours madlads from Brasil

Great video and very interesting to see how the Australian army dealt we it’s that crazy war.

You’re my hero.(Brisbane ,Australia)

The footage at 11-52 to 11-56 is I believe, Aussie cooks, clerks, and other normally rear echelon troops, not trained for this role, firing an Italian artillery piece. They formed some ad-hoc units, and took part in many of the battles during the siege of Tobruk. They got the nickname, the bush artillery, and lined up their targets as best they could, because the Italians had destroyed the sights on these pieces.

Fascinating

Thank you for a film made in the sixties ? A film that shows and tells much more than those made in the forty's

Brave men

Respect those men and women who sacrificed themselves for the country

RIP grandpa Wally Drewett 6th division 2 nd AIF Egypt, Libya, Greece , Crete, Palestine, Sri Lanka then attached to HMAS Manoora Darwin, New Guinea.

16:12 reminded of Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence theme song ♥🌺

Lovely content. Greetings from Denmark

make this video known! this will be forgotten history

As an Australian I’m proud at what we accomplished but disappointed we don’t get enough credit with out us the outcome would been a lot different Mabye not as good as it was. Just a opinion

So powerful

Papua New guinea will always be our family. #freewestpapua

21:01..The war was over for that poor bugger..When a parachute did not open it was referred to as as a "Roman Candle".

I couldn't imagine people diving on barbed wire like that these days they sure did breed them tough back then

Lest we forget, 2021 📯🌿

Thank you 👍 🙏🙏🇦🇺🇦🇺

We will remember them.

God Bless them All❤❤

If I had to take hell, I would use the Australians to take it, and the New Zealanders to hold it” -Erwin Rommel

my dad was a 39a2n/5th /b 1939 -45 rip dad

Both my grandfather's fought.

Lest we forget ❤️

13:29 never seen that footage before.

Happy VJ Day Today we celebrate the Victory over Japan, 15th of August. Today we celebrate but moreover we honour those who lost, For everyone gave some, But some gave everything. We celebrate as a Commonwealth Community and as Britons of the former Empire look back at these days and remember, Perhaps you know little about the efforts in the Pacific thanks to US propaganda, And certainly efforts were overlooked but to those brave Britons it is a Story made to be told. This day we celebrate, honour and mourn the ANZAC diggers, Who fresh out of Africa and the Middle East turned to Kokoda Papua New Guinea on steep muddy tracks with little food and in a jungle quite dense. Fought Blood, Grit and bone to push the Japanese out or the continuing efforts they had liberating the Islands and nations to push back Japan. We celebrate, honour and mourn the various Island nations taken over, The Malaysians, Singaporeans, Bruenians, Burma, Hong Kong and various citizens of India who had their land ravaged by the Japanese and some starved to death like the poor citizens of Bengal thanks to Japanese taking their food sources. Some lost their homes, some their brothers and sisters, many had their families stripped and many starved. To the forgotten hero's, Britain, India and various African Armies who fought in Brutal war that said to rival such the horrors of Stalingrad fought blood and tooth to liberate and save their nations once again. We also want to take the time to mourn the loss, For those brave Britons of varied ethnicity gave everything, As we have done before and as we continue to do. And we honour and respect the citizens of Japan, For which they had no play in the horrors they received and the brutality of the Atomic weapons that mass slaughtered them, Their Children, Wives and Elderly. Today we take a break, To honour, Mourn and remember. Lest we forget

"We had a heatwave" *yeah it happens*

At 30:10 watch out that sound will scare the hell out of you. Trust me it scared me hahaha.

I am of the decree that these men were brave and bold..but would you have said yes today? If you answer that honestly knowing what you know ... that changes. Sure some will still say yes. But some won't be so...

Lest We Forget

Very good Austrália

Aussie grit, Kiwi stoicsm, world beaters and soldiers without equal both then and now. Whatever you do as their enemy do not make e`m mad, you will regret it.

Yank here with a hat question. @2'21" and other places. What is the reason that the turned up side of the hat is on the left side? I actually bought a hat like that in the '70's and hunted in it, I found that I had to wear it backwards so that I could aim my shotgun better.

The narrator sounds like David Niven

Respect s to rembrance R I P the fallen 11 th 11 th off 11 th 💛

The posh accent of the bloke narrating this aping the upper class English.......nobody talks like that in Australia.

why does history never mention the aussies / kiwis

interesting