WWII Archives - Page 2 of 6 - CONTACT magazine

Air Force aviators and an Australian Air Force Cadet stand as part of the catafalque party during the Battle of Britain commemorative service held at Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide, SA. Story by Group Captain Gregory Weller. Photos by Garry Petts.

The few who enabled the many

04/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1059 Views 0 Comments Australian Air Force Cadets, Battle of Britain, commemorations, No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit (1RSU), RAAF Edinburgh, WWII

In a moving ceremony, those that became known as ‘the few’ were remembered during the Battle of Britain commemorative service

HMAS Perth's Leading Seaman Joshua Paynter, left, and Able Seaman Aidan Judd visit Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand during a regional presence deployment. Story by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Scanlon. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Connected stories a powerful reminder

02/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 955 Views 0 Comments HMAS Perth, HMAS Perth I, Regional Presence Deployment, Thailand, WWII

HMAS Perth recently reinforced its long-standing connection with Thailand during a meaningful port visit to Sattahip as part of a

Admiral Victor Smith, seated, as air operations officer on board HMS Tracker operating in the Atlantic and Arctic in 1943. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photos courtesy Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

A legacy to remember

18/09/202418/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1001 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Navy, Fleet Air Arm, HMAS Canberra (I), HMAS Melbourne II, HMAS Sydney III, WWII

Admiral Sir Victor Alfred Trumper ‘VAT’ Smith led the first mass torpedo strike against a major warship at sea, survived

Representing the Chief of Air Force, Air Commodore James Badgery lays a wreath at St David's Cathedral in Hobart during the Battle of Britain National Commemoration service. Story by Flying Officer Wendy Pyper. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

A determination to serve and defend

18/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 980 Views 0 Comments Battle of Britain, Chief of Air Force, WWII

In a speech to the House of Commons in August 1940, then Prime Minister Winston Churchill defined the fierce battle

(L-R) Lieutenant Colonol Justin Meyer, Master Sergeant Emily Luzum, Debbie Wadwell and Group Captain Paul Jarvis with a shadow box for the Russell family, at RAAF Base Amberley, Qld. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

ADF People History

B-2 Spirit delivers important overseas mail

13/09/202415/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 937 Views 0 Comments No. 82 Wing, RAAF Amberley, RSL, US Air Force, Vietnam War, WWII

When sending important packages overseas, most people look for a fast and secure carrier – and no other provider can

Captain Brett Westcott and members of the catafalque party attend the anniversary memorial service for the sinking of HMAS Canberra 1. Story. by Lieutenant Angela Faulkner.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Battle of Savo Island service honours courage and sacrifice

30/08/202431/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1497 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra (I), Royal Navy, US Navy, WWII

On August 9, 1942, HMAS Canberra I was hit 24 times in less than two minutes, resulting in the loss

Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson, right, presents Elizabeth Buchanan with a Medal for Gallantry, which was posthumously awarded to her father, the late Pilot Officer Warren Frank Cowan, for his actions on July 22, 1942. Story by Flight Lieutenant Robert Cochran. Photos by Sergeant David Cotton.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Heroic WW2 acts awarded 82 years on

30/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 912 Views 0 Comments Medal for Gallantry, WWII

Medals of Gallantry have been awarded to members of 32 Squadron who were killed in action during World War 2.

Australian military personnel gather for a dawn service at the Trincomalee Commonwealth War Cemetery in Sri Lanka. Story by Lieutenant Jonathan Wills. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy Videos

Indo-Pacific partners share history of sacrifice

23/08/202423/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2267 Views 0 Comments Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Sri Lankan Defence Force, WWII

In the dim first light of day, a contingent of ADF personnel gathered for a dawn service on August 17

Madeleine King MP hands over Sergeant John Brislin’s WW2 medals to his son, Bruce Brislin, outside her office in Rockingham, WA. Story by Lieutenant Commander John . Photos Supplied.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

WW2 medals lost but not forgotten

21/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1017 Views 0 Comments WWII

“We will remember them” is more than a phrase. CAPTION: Madeleine King MP hands over Sergeant John Brislin’s WW2 medals to

The Australian War Memorial's V2 rocket on a Meillerwagen launching trailer inside the memorial's storage hub in Mitchell, ACT. Story and photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Exciting piece of history on display

16/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1668 Views 0 Comments AWM, WWII

For the first time, the Australian War Memorial (AWM) will display a Nazi missile alongside a Lancaster bomber sent to

Army soldiers from Rifle Company Butterworth rotation 144 receive an historical briefing prior to conducting the Sandakan Death March in Sandakan, Malaysia. Story by Lieutenant Chloe Reay. Photos by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Diggers retrace Sandakan Death March to pay tribute

16/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1418 Views 0 Comments Malaya and Borneo, Rifle Company Butterworth, WWII

In 1942, under Japanese occupation, Australian prisoners of war were sent to Sandakan in Borneo, Malaysia, to build an airstrip.

Privates Bianca Nankervis and Nelson Fox from Rifle Company Butterworth rotation 144 visit the Kundasang War Memorial in Ranau, Malaysia. Story and photos by Lieutenant Chloe Reay.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Paying tribute to fallen family members

16/08/202424/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1372 Views 0 Comments 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Malaya and Borneo, Rifle Company Butterworth, WWII

As part of their three-month deployment to Malaysia, soldiers from Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB) rotation 144 were given the opportunity

An unexploded World War II-era Japanese bomb that was later disposed of by the ADF's North Queensland Joint Explosive Ordnance Support team after it was unearthed at the Stokes Hill Waterfront Precinct in Darwin. Image supplied.

Australian Army History News

Normal day at work ends with a bang

16/07/202421/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1293 Views 0 Comments Joint Explosive Ordnance Support (JEOS), UXO, WWII

Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Kyle Johnson arrived at work on June 26 expecting a routine day. CAPTION: An unexploded World

Warrant Officer Rodney Wallace and Squadron Leader Jamie Stirling (fourth and fifth from left) with the other 11 Squadron personnel at Owens Arch along the Kokoda Track. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Trekking for history and self

09/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 919 Views 0 Comments Kokoda Track, No. 11 Squadron, PNG, WWII

The Kokoda Track was always in the back of Squadron Leader Jamie Stirling’s mind during his more than 25 years

Sub-Lieutenant Richard Pirrie has been honoured at the Normandy Memorial Wall during commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Story by By Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

D-Day commemorations: honouring those who served

14/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1060 Views 0 Comments D-Day, France, WWII

Sub-Lieutenant Richard Pirrie, who served in World War 2, has had his name added to the Normandy Memorial Wall during

Flight Sergeant Gordan Hamilton's portrait on display during the memorial service of four WW2 RAAF servicemen at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Wing Commander Bruce Chalmers. Photos by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force

Farewelled eight decades later

15/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1420 Views 0 Comments Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Historical Unrecovered War Casualties – Air Force (HUWC-AF), No. 100 Squadron, Papua New Guinea, RAAF Amberley, WWII

Brought down in action in September 1943, the crew of 100 Squadron’s Beaufort Bomber A9-186 were farewelled during a combined

Victorian Governor Margaret Elaine Gardner, right, presents the daughter of Pilot Officer David Taylor, Margaret Ekberg, with his Medal for Gallantry for heroism in PNG during WW2. Story by John Noble.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Remembering heroism 82 years on

10/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 676 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Air Force, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Their mission was as dangerous as any during World War 2, and more than 80 years after coming down in

Former Flying Officer Sidney Mibus next to his service certificate, badge and World War 2 medals on his 100th birthday in Florida. Story by John Noble.

ADF People History

Eighty years late but not forgotten

08/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 763 Views 0 Comments WWII

Better late than never is an expression often heard and one that has particularly special meaning for a previous Air

Leading Aircraftman Connor Bourn from Australia's Federation Guard participates in the Catafalque Party during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Samuel Miller

ADF People Lest We Forget

Strengthening Anzac and PNG bonds – Anzac Day

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 598 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Air Force, Papua New Guinea, WWII

Dawn broke across Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, accompanied by wreath-laying and the playing of the

Merchant Navy veteran Don Kennedy receives the Merchant Mariners of WW2 Congressional Gold Medal from US Consul General Christine Elder at a ceremony in Sydney, NSW. Story by Lieutenant Marie Davies.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Merchant Navy veteran honoured – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 656 Views 0 Comments RSL, WWII

In February 1943, 16-year-old Don Kennedy from Manly, NSW, jumped on board the Norwegian tanker MT Seirstad and cruised out