Australian Army At War 1939 - 1945. War Experience.

From the Film Australia Collection. Made by the Commonwealth Film Unit 1965. A record of Australian soldiers’ participation in the Second World War, drawing on actual newsreel footage depicting the hardship the men experienced and incorporating the soldiers' own observations about what it was like for them. Beginning with a brief overview of the era leading up to the war and ending with the soldiers' return to Australia, its focus is the army's campaigns from Tobruk in the Middle East to Tarakan in Borneo, including Singapore, Malaya, New Guinea and the notorious Kokoda Track.

[@gordonisamoron]

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.

[@tiamatxvxianash9202]

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.

[@grayeagle7007]

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

[@victorgodwin505]

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.

[@victorgodwin505]

Small error - He was enlisting along with hundreds of other men in 1939 !

[@flin3803]

Wow what a story I am so thankful heroes like your father fought for the freedom and peace I enjoy today, I will never forget their efforts. Lest we forget

[@Jabberstax]

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

[@misskitty9556]

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.❤

[@mothratemporalradio517]

On Anzac Day ♥📯🌿

[@yanmay9824]

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.

[@warrenmilford1329]

I had the Aussie Airfix soldiers as well. They were in their jungle gear. (I'm Aussie). I also had the German Afrika Korp set as well. Of course the Aussies always kicked their arses in the battles I created. HaHa. Thanks for your kind words about our troops.

[@scottyfox6376]

I remember tying airfix planes on the Hills-hoist cloths lines & swinging it around so me & my mates would play "Ack Ack" & shoot them to pieces with air rifles. Toy soldiers had firecrackers buried under sandy dirt to simulate artillery strikes. Lol of coarse this was long ago before such things were banned & you needed a firearm license & a gun safe for slug guns (air rifles). 😁

[@ford9339]

@@scottyfox6376 y'all need a licence for air rifles?

[@markhonerbaum5789]

B.B gun practice we were young ,how many toys I destroyed in my youth full games. At 10 a b.b stings.

[@FallenAngel-he5ko]

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

[@alanle1471]

Australian soldiers were very brave and tough.

[@richardfowler9901]

Saved my dad life found a prison of war camp witch he was in for a bit . Prisoners all scarpered . Never got much out of him ! Best dad u could have rip

[@craigschruhm2379]

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.

[@henerymag]

You see him still, and never forget him. He is not gone you will meet again.

[@RonOside]

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.

[@pebblesfarr]

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.

[@BigMan-rm6uy]

Hope he lived a good life, god bless your dad for the sacrifices he made

[@soultraveller5027]

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 🇬🇧🇭🇲

[@nursedaniel72]

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.

[@mothratemporalradio517]

Thanks for your work. On Anzac Day. 🙏📯🌿

[@paddy.7784]

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.

[@allgood6760]

Thanks from across the ditch 👍🇳🇿

[@NFSAFilms]

Welcome!

[@mothratemporalradio517]

Greetings on Anzac Day 🍻 📯🌿

[@arniewilliamson1767]

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

[@maxmanuelmicklymiru3636]

Thank You. Love from Borneo ❤️

[@hollandalhaddad4383]

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

[@xAntoIRL]

How can I see it?

[@calamfischer7009]

A handful of Aussies and kiwis still overshadow the truckload of Germans that must be buried there?

[@jcee2259]

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.

[@tipofthespear7182]

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. 🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@angusmckenzie9622]

Oddly, I hope it was the War that formed your father. My unkle was in Changi, we children were ordered not to approach him from behind. My cousins had a hell of an upraising but came through and are decent, now, grandparents. War's no fun. None of those young blokes, militia, cut lunch commandos, Army reserves, whatever you call them, they weren't Regulars, were trained in jungle warfare, the way our Army now is, the best in the World at it. Tough, hard blokes, survivors of the Depression, unaware of what their country would become. I hope that the young people understand what it took to build our great nation. Covid19 ? Nothing like Kokoda..

[@christianvlek]

That's a very sad story , The knock on effect of PTSD was felt all over the country for an entire generation. Try not to judge him too harshly, and be proud of the sacrifice you yourself made for our nation.

[@fredintas6596]

War casualty stats lie. After some wars more die or are wounded, psychologically, if not physically, than did on the battlefields. In war there are no unwounded soldiers (or civilians).

[@macminator3000]

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

[@MegaBoilermaker]

Many thanks from the old country.

[@gordonisamoron]

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 .

[@calamfischer7009]

Lest we forget!

[@Rusty_Gold85]

Up until the 2010's VFL and SANFL/WAFL was Football sport organised as thuggery with a whistle. Wouldve been normal for a Biffo for the tough bastards . Mind you they played on Saturday morning after working on Farms all week

[@jamwri6718]

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

[@Biggus63]

Well that's very nice of you mate, but I'm still not game to ask a Scotsman what he wears under that kilt.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

My wife's convict great something grandad owned a pub called the Rose, Thistle and Shamrock. Shows the racial make up of Australia, minus the great, invisible Aboriginal contribution. Some great tough people were/are of Aboriginal decent.

[@cannonball3693]

Thanks mate

[@anthonyeaton5153]

@@Biggus63 A woman once asked a Scotsman ‘Is there anything worn under your kilt’ he replied ‘Yes it’s worn but it still in good working order’

[@larrybarnes3920]

Thank you mate. They were tough because most of them let hard lives.

[@henerymag]

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

[@kotahurt]

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

[@petermagro1557]

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!

[@matthewcullen1298]

The poor Maltese did it tough during the war. They were brave people. Much respect for them

[@peteradler5937]

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

[@anthonyeaton5153]

Just as the British Americans did.

[@keithsteele5580]

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

[@angusmckenzie9622]

Amen, Keith. Diggers and Pioneers offer inspiration. I'm old enough to have mixed it with WW1 and 11 returned servicemen. Humbling.

[@worldorthoorthopaedicsurge6147]

Aussies and Kiwis some of the best fighters

[@sandymiller870]

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.

[@jaynemeulman8484]

my uncle was part of this and he came home with fine hearing but toes to armpits with fungus....a little horror they hardly mention....

[@rustykilt]

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.......

[@manofwar577]

Poorly trained?, not sure bout that, poorly equipped yes. The 39th, when you read about their tactics, were quite disciplined and well rehearsed, given they were militia.

[@jamestoomer1330]

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

[@PaulM-he8hq]

Amazing brave men. I salute Australia.

[@rjl110919581]

thank you share that special video

[@NFSAFilms]

You're welcome.

[@Relay300]

A fine record thanks for uploading

[@NFSAFilms]

You're welcome

[@unclefrankindia]

we owe all these men

[@AusFeral23]

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

[@mothratemporalradio517]

In memory of your uncle on Anzac Day 2021 🙏📯🌿

[@idiotbox8291]

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

[@Rusty_Gold85]

He might have bumped in to my Great Uncle at some stage perhaps ??

[@anthonyeaton5153]

Share was the Battle of Bardia and when?

[@thomasbain9241]

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.

[@thegodemperorofmankind7yea704]

Those motor bike jumps were hilarious!! 😂😂

[@tonobehnke5885]

How great the Aussie soldiers! I salute you!

[@anthonyeaton5153]

Would you say that about your SAS shooting prisoners just for fun and the experience which includes that Cpl VC winner.

[@warrenmilford1329]

@@anthonyeaton5153 Just like the various British troops (and other allied nations), who have been charged with crimes committed in Iraq and Afghanistan. You can't blame a whole army for the crimes of a few.

[@geoffbell166]

@@anthonyeaton5153 You think some of these blokes never killed pows?Aussies and N*Z Maori Battalions were renowned for giving no quarter,Rommel even brought the matter up.On Crete there was no prisoners for a time due to Para troops executing some officers for refusing to work ...

[@anthonyeaton5153]

@@geoffbell166I agree with you but we didn’t give them VCs .

[@fredmaxwell9619]

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

[@angoose651]

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

[@lemmy6782]

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

[@kenford6163]

Salute the austrilian cruisers canberra, and the british cruiser, sunk at graduale canal, we were at iwo jima, were salute the marines, but we salute ythe austrilian, and the british cruisers, sunk at graduale canal, the diving fleet off iwo jima,we salute the brits and the aussies, that was 1971, and the marine at iwo jima,when station in washington, with the old guard, we were drunk near the marine statue in washington, and were kind of desrespectful, but respectful anyway.

[@petercastles5978]

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.

[@wundurra24]

Australian ex-service men and women are fortunate (and rightly so) that the Australian government has a Department of Veterans' Affairs and the various benefits given to holders of Veterans (white, orange, gold) Cards. The UK, for example, does not have an equivalent and instead mostly relies on charities, such as The Royal British Legion.

[@liambridges9479]

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

[@Rusty_Gold85]

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

[@trevaperes5343]

No one has ever won 4 VC's. Please check WWII war records

[@larrybarnes3920]

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

[@jackt6112]

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.

[@alneal100]

The bravery, and resourcefulness of the Australian soldiers has never been in doubt. They were tough.

[@1223steffen]

Love Australia

[@306champion]

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

[@colesmith1256]

Awesome video about world war 2.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

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

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

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

[@pnwRC.]

Great video!

[@roostersbays95]

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

[@MathRaven1910]

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

[@tommymagnusson]

LEST WE FORGET

[@danrobinson572]

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

[@maxairjet3741]

You’re my hero.(Brisbane ,Australia)

[@oncall21]

Lest We Forget.

[@davedrewett2196]

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

[@-k1wis1wi32]

Rest in peace im so sorry my country japan had war with you guys.

[@JacobafJelling]

Lovely content. Greetings from Denmark

[@mothratemporalradio517]

Hello on Anzac Day 2021.

[@warrenmilford1329]

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.

[@jw451]

Definition of Tobruk imho " fire that ww1 Italian field artillery with a burnt-out barrel and unstable shells at that nazi tank at point-blank range". "They will GET THE MESSAGE"

[@petercastles5978]

The Dad said they would sight by " One telephone pole to the right", etc, etc.

[@warrenmilford1329]

@MichaelKingsfordGray Thanks for that info, yea I remember reading that somewhere now that you mention it.

[@richardfowler9901]

Brave men

[@ktkt9982]

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

[@mothratemporalradio517]

Lest we forget. Anzac Day 2021. 🙏📯🌿

[@jambaydorji5260]

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

[@419chris419]

Fascinating

[@calebjohnson9414]

make this video known! this will be forgotten history

[@richyearle007]

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".

[@BrassLock]

Your prediction that _"The war was over for that poor bugger."_ is incorrect; he luckily had *a reserve parachute which he successfully deployed.* He contributed to the battle. Watch closely on a large good quality screen, or with a smartphone *set to ".25X"* and you'll see the fully deployed 'chute strings are attached to him, allowing his controlled descent.

[@JNS4444]

No reserve chutes till after WW2.

[@EllusivSmith]

Papua New guinea will always be our family. #freewestpapua

[@elcasho]

So powerful

[@mothratemporalradio517]

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

[@user-ns9fp7hp4t]

Respect those men and women who sacrificed themselves for the country

[@blumie006]

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

[@christianvlek]

We will remember them.

[@mothratemporalradio517]

Lest we forget, 2021 📯🌿

[@contactico]

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

[@ozjohn39]

At Tobruk, the Australians TOOK it, and then HELD it!

[@lambofbodom5610]

That’s high praise

[@anthonyeaton5153]

@@ozjohn39 Tobruk ultimately was a defeat

[@bestdogshadow383]

@@anthonyeaton5153 Depends on your definition of defeat.

[@anthonyeaton5153]

@@bestdogshadow383 when one side loses to the other. Good old plain English. Please don’t talk in riddles.

[@AussieVet]

13:29 never seen that footage before.

[@Hawker_Tempest]

the footage doesn't show up much

[@barryivey1572]

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

[@jw451]

39th Battalion "warriors in an army of light" best of the best. The elite imho

[@xdsoyquef4969]

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

[@george49743]

As an American who is truly grateful for Australia help in not just WW2 but all our conflicts thank you and I agree you don't get the respect/recognition you deserve!! God bless Australia

[@anthonyeaton5153]

The war would have still been without Australia. Don’t overdo the we were the best nonsense.

[@Tomee66666]

God Bless them All❤❤

[@pdiddydoan69]

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...

[@kiwaussiegirl]

Thank you 👍 🙏🙏🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@charliepearce8767]

Both my grandfather's fought.

[@angoose651]

"We had a heatwave" *yeah it happens*

[@humbleguy4726]

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.

[@philipfrazee5661]

What about the thousands of American lives sacrificed, to stop the Japanese in New Guinea ?

[@lachlanhawkes-law3396]

@@philipfrazee5661 you could say their worth a mention but with sheer amount of global recognition and awareness spread through holywood you could forgive him for mentioning his own people don't you think especially because our efforts have been all but forgotten over time at least from multinational perspective.

[@iiLuvvEminem]

Lest we forget ❤️

[@danrobinson572]

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

[@desbrittain9952]

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

[@cdnsk12]

Rayte Mayte!

[@gentlemanskier3107]

Correct, but in times gone by, narrators used to use RP English for news broadcasts, sounded more official and ‘British’. In my opinion I think it sounds quite nice! (Am an Aussie myself)

[@mjames4709]

They did on such newsreels.

[@anthonyeaton5153]

At least you can understand what he is saying.

[@warrenmilford1329]

As mentioned above it's called received pronunciation (RP). All newsreel, radio, then later TV announcers, particularly ABC ones, were trained in this speaking form, because it was thought that the Aussie accent sounded too harsh and coarse. It was done to sound more refined and 'British', particularly upper class British, and also more official, as stated above. ABC announcers were trained this way till around the early '70's, until it was dropped, and natural Aussie accents started to be encouraged. There were still older ABC radio and TV announcers, around into the '80's and '90's, who spoke like this way from their training in the '60's. I think it was bad that they felt this way about our accent, and thought they had to do this.

[@mitchellgruninger9992]

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

[@carlospimentel1722]

Very good Austrália

[@gmskippy]

Lest We Forget

[@edgardoromero9607]

Aussies have nice artillery in Tobruk morters, antiaircraft guns small arms.......steel balls, they chop the Germans!!!

[@anthonyeaton5153]

Tobruk was a defeat, where do you get you history.

[@garyrogers6761]

@@anthonyeaton5153 Tobruk was a defeat after the Australians had long left ! It was mainly South African troops in Tobruk when it fell, Where the fuk do YOU get your history ????? Instead of shooting your big mouth off maybe you should do some real reading ? If you do it with an open mind you may even learn something, though I doubt it.

[@petercastles5978]

@@anthonyeaton5153 The first seige of Tobruk , 1941, was an outstanding victory. Tough , resolute. yet green Australian troops, against an experienced German and Italian army, an army with all the armour and aircover. Yet, try as Mr Rommel might, he couldn't take the fortress, and was held up for 8 long weary months. He was held out by brains, guts, and cold steel. Rommel withdrew, attacked again some months later, in 1942, and rolled the joint. The Australians weren't there, they were in Palestine resting.

[@outdoorsurvivallife3535]

interesting

[@markhonerbaum5789]

Unlike your President, few asked or received 5 deferments. They were of the best of a generation. And what a great fall it was.A biblical passage,doest it ring true?

[@brennyluv]

why does history never mention the aussies / kiwis

[@nathan-ck3je]

They called us part of the commonwealth forces or British forces overseas. Many battles we fought we was never even mentioned. They just said British force

[@ozjohn39]

Because it was written by Gen MacArthur!

[@jimmytheyoutubewatcher8002]

We fall under "British forces" In most war documentries

[@geoffbell166]

Doug out Doug as he was known and despised by the fighting men,they never forgave him for calling them cowards,nor Blamey..

[@anthonyeaton5153]

You aren’t reading theright books. If you do read other books be prepared for some nasty shock stories about Australians.

[@jerryumfress9030]

The narrator sounds like David Niven