Welcome to the Military history of Australia portal!
The military history of Australia spans the nation's 230-year modern history, from the early
Australian frontier wars between
Aboriginals and
Europeans to the ongoing conflicts in
Iraq and
Afghanistan in the early 21st century. Although this history is short when compared to that of many other nations, Australia has been involved in numerous conflicts and wars, and war and military service have been significant influences on Australian society and national identity, including the
Anzac spirit. The relationship between war and Australian society has also been shaped by the enduring themes of Australian strategic culture and the unique security challenges it faces.
The six British colonies in Australia participated in some of Britain's wars of the 19th century. In the early 20th century, as a federated dominion and later as an independent nation, Australia fought in the First World War and Second World War, as well as in the wars in
Korea,
Malaya,
Borneo and
Vietnam during the
Cold War. In the Post-Vietnam era Australian forces have been involved in numerous international
peacekeeping missions, through the
United Nations and other agencies, including in the
Sinai,
Persian Gulf,
Rwanda,
Somalia,
East Timor and the Solomon Islands, as well as many overseas humanitarian relief operations, while more recently they have also fought as part of multi-lateral forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. In total, nearly 103,000 Australians died during these conflicts. (Full article...)