WWII Archives - CONTACT magazine

Australian Defence Force members march with service personnel from other Commonwealth nations during the London parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Story by Captain Edward Pym. Photos from UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025.

ADF commemorates VE Day in London

09/05/202510/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1347 Views 0 Comments VE Day, WWII

More than 1000 service personnel, including members of the Australian Defence Force marched through London to commemorate the 80th anniversary

10 Squadron marches in a Victory in Europe Day parade on May 9, 1945, in Plymouth, United Kingdom. Story by Rosalind Turner.

Australian Army Lest We Forget News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

80th anniversary of Victory in Europe

08/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 633 Views 0 Comments VE Day, WWII

On Tuesday May 8, 1945, British prime minister Winston Churchill made an announcement: The war was over and the Allies

Warrant Office of the Air Force Ralph Clifton, Gary Walsh, Rodney Ticler, David Gardner, and Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell at the unveiling of the restored P-40E Kittyhawk. Story by Squadron Leader Richard Briedis. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scot.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF restores Ming the Merciless

26/03/202505/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 989 Views 0 Comments Australian International Airshow, Chief of Air Force, RAAF Museum, RAAF Point Cook, WWII

Bringing a World War II aircraft back to life is a labour of love – especially when that aircraft’s namesake

d guests attend the HMAS Perth I memorial foundation ceremony, commemorating the Battle of Saunda Strait, at Training Ship Perth in Fremantle, WA. Story by Petty Officer Keigan Gunther. Photos by Able Seaman Connor Morrison.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Perth I Memorial unveiled

07/03/202511/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1340 Views 0 Comments HMAS Perth, HMAS Perth I, WWII

The HMAS Perth I memorial was inaugurated in East Fremantle recently by the Governor of Western Australia Chris Dawson and

The Rats of Tobruk memorial band members at the Rats hall in Melbourne. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People History

Band gives a shout-out for new members

05/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 740 Views 0 Comments Edinburgh Tattoo, WWII

The Rats of Tobruk memorial band has carried its music across the globe, from the renowned Edinburgh Military Tattoo, to

Gunners from 102nd Battery, 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery participate in the re-enactment of the Bombing of Darwin. Story and photo by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Darwin bombing a call to defend the north

04/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 961 Views 2 Comments 8th/12th Regiment RAA, RAAF Darwin, WWII

From RAAF Base Darwin, a young Brian Winspear saw Japanese bombs glinting in the sun like confetti above Darwin on

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, speaks with guests at the Bombing of Darwin memorial unveiling at RAAF Base Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

ADF People Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF salutes sacrifice in WWII attack

28/02/202514/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1095 Views 0 Comments Bombing of Darwin, Chief of Air Force, No. 13 Squadron, RAAF Darwin, WWII

Two memorials honouring the sacrifice of aviators killed in a Japanese attack have been unveiled in Darwin. CAPTION: Chief of Air

Karen Curtis and her grandchildren with the World War 2 service medals of her great uncle Sergeant William O’Shea at the Timaru War Memorial in New Zealand, after the medals were returned by Chaplain Haydn Lea. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Medals land in safe hands

25/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 621 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, No. 25 Squadron, RNZAF, WWII

As New Zealander aviator Sergeant William O’Shea’s Wellington bomber barrelled through heavy flak over Germany, a cone of light tracked

Murielle Ahern with her family during her 100th birthday celebration at HMAS Moreton, Brisbane. Story by Lieutenant Michael Wilson. Photos by Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

ADF People History Royal Australian Navy Veterans

Trailblazing veteran waltzes into 100 years

04/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1270 Views 0 Comments HMAS Moreton, HMAS Penguin, WWII

Family, friends and HMAS Moreton personnel turned out in force to help celebrate a remarkable milestone, Murielle Ahern’s 100th birthday.

An Australian-built Beaufort Bomber belonging to RAAF’s 1 Squadron during World War 2.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Sonar image reveals lost piece of history

14/01/202518/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1559 Views 0 Comments Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO), WWII

The discovery of a World War II aircraft off the Northern Territory coast highlights one of the many benefits of

Wing Commander Aarian Birch pilots his CAC Winjeel from 100 Squadron at Point Cook over the cliffs of Point Addis during the 80th commemoration of the ditched RAAF Mitchell Bomber in 1944. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti. Photo by Warrant Officer Don Kenny.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Sacrifices commemorated at 80 years on

20/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 925 Views 0 Comments RAAF Laverton, WWII

On December 11, 1944, a B-25D Mitchell bomber crashed off Point Addis, marking a tragic chapter in Australia’s wartime history.

Ambassador to the Republic of Palau Richelle Turner, left, with the Governor of Peleliu Emais Roberts and Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr, at an exhibition of the life of Damien Parer. Story by Lieutenant Geoff Long.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honouring the legacy of WW2 photographer

18/12/202418/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 874 Views 0 Comments Palau, US Marines, WWII

This year marks 80 years since legendary Australian war photographer Damien Parer was killed filming US Marines in action on

Nursing officers at the Bangka Island Massacre memorial service on board HMAS Adelaide hold photos of those who lost their lives in 1942. Story by Commander Steven Grosser. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Memorial service to honour fallen nurses

13/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1786 Views 0 Comments Australian Amphibious Force (AAF), HMAS Adelaide, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Maritime Operational Health Unit, Singapore, Vivian Bullwinkel, WWII

On its return home from Singapore after Indo-Pacific Endeavour, HMAS Adelaide sailed to Bangka Island where personnel commemorated sacrifices made

HMAS Canberra personnel conduct a freedom-of-entry parade through Canberra. Story by Lieutenant Jonathan Wills. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarrod Mulvihill.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Canberra exercises Freedom of Entry in capital

04/12/202407/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2524 Views 3 Comments Freedom of Entry, HMAS Canberra, WWII

Steady rainfall and gloomy skies did not dampen spirits as Navy personnel paraded through Canberra on 30 November in a

World War 2 RAAF veteran Cyril Rothall, who served with 3 Airfield Construction Squadron, celebrates his 100th birthday. Photo by Nicholas Gunn.

ADF People History Royal Australian Air Force

WWII veteran ‘Flying Shovel’ celebrates centenary

26/11/202404/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 870 Views 0 Comments No. 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

On November 16, several RAAF Base Edinburgh aviators, including an airfield engineer, shared in the 100th birthday celebrations of a

Australian Army Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award recipient Lieutenant Lachlan Maill meets local villagers in Rabaul, PNG, during a historical battle tour. Story and photos by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People Australian Army Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget

Aspiring to lead in the spirit of Kokoda’s heroes

08/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1281 Views 0 Comments Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award, Kokoda Track, PNG, WWII

When Lieutenant Lachlan Maill heard cries for help near a shopping centre escalator, he didn’t hesitate. CAPTION: Australian Army Jonathan

Australian Army Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award recipients follow Lark Force’s withdrawal route through the jungle between the villages of Dodul and Maranagi in East New Britain, PNG. Story and photos by Corporal Melina Young.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Walking in the footsteps of their forefathers

06/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1071 Views 0 Comments Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award, PNG, WWII

When the order “every man for himself” was given, Australian soldiers of Lark Force faced a grim choice – stay

From left, Pilot Officer Justin Mulligan and Warrant Officer William Kinloch with a DeHavilland Mosquito fighter bomber in 1944. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

WWII pilots awarded after 80 years

01/11/202402/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1452 Views 0 Comments No. 464 Squadron, WWII

Eighty years after their service in the skies of occupied Europe, two Royal Australian Air Force aviators have been posthumously

The family of the late Colin Dudley, a World War 2 Bomber Command veteran, receive the Henry Hering Art and Architecture Award on his behalf during a ceremony at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Aircraftwoman Halley Van Essen.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Aussie veteran’s family accept US architecture award

24/10/202430/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1220 Views 0 Comments Bomber Command, RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

The daughter of World War II Bomber Command veteran Colin Dudley has received the prestigious Henry Hering Art and Architecture

Members of HMAS Brisbane's ship's company visit the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Story by Lieutenant Marie Davies.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy USA

Aussie crew commemorate Pearl Harbor and 9/11

22/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1018 Views 0 Comments US Navy, WWII

During a port visit to Hawaii, crew from HMAS Brisbane paid their respects to the fallen at the USS Arizona

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