The anniversary of the Battle for Australia Day is commemorated every year on the first Wednesday in September. The Battle for Australia Day marks the first defeat of Japanese forces in the Battle of Milne Bay. Mainland Australia came under direct attack from the Japanese four days after the fall of Singapore in February 1942. Two air raids were launched against Darwin on 19 February with heavy loss of life and enormous destruction. In May 1942 the battle of the Coral Sea was fought, and later that year from July to September, the Japanese advanced through Papua New Guinea towards Port Moresby until they were held and then defeated on the Kokoda Track and at Milne Bay.Meanwhile, Japanese submarines continued to operate along Australia’s eastern waters, attacking Sydney Harbour on May 31 and continuing their campaign until June 1943. Air raids persisted against Northern Australia until November 1943. Australia was defended by more than half a million full time Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force personnel and the women’s services during this time. We remember and thank all of these brave individuals who defended our freedom and kept Australia young and free.
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