More Media Snippets From The Minister For Veterans’ Affairs (online) minister.dva.gov.au/media_releases/2013/sep/va073.htm Wednesday, 4 September 2013 VA073 AUSTRALIA COMMEMORATES ONE OF ITS GRAVEST TIMES On Battle for Australia Day, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Warren Snowdon has asked Australians to remember the time when our shores were under threat during the Second World War. Mr Snowdon spent time on Battle for Australia Day visiting Taminmin College in the Northern Territory and presented the school with a copy of Australian War Memorial - Treasures from a Century of Collecting. “During 1942 and 1943 Australia faced a direct attack from Japanese forces, withstanding multiple bombings to Darwin and other northern towns including Port Hedland, Broome, Derby, Katherine and Townsville,” Mr Snowdon said. Battle for Australia Day was declared a day of national observance in 2008 and is marked on the first Wednesday of September. “Battle for Australia Day recognises a grave time in Australia’s wartime history and the contribution of the servicemen and women who defended Australia’s home front – both across the northern Australian coastline and throughout the south-west Pacific including Milne Bay and the Kokoda track,” he said. This year is especially significant as it marks 70 years since the Battle of Wau, a little known but important battle against Japanese forces in Papua New Guinea. The settlement of Wau was highly valued for its airstrip, a crucial supply line for the Australian ‘Kanga Force’ who defended the surrounding area. Facing Japanese troops advancing from Salamaua in early 1943, Australian forces attempted to deliver reinforcements to Wau by air but were prevented by bad weather. The situation came to a head on 28 January 1943. Far outnumbered, a single Australian company of less than 200 men held their position against the Japanese force in a hard fought and relentless battle. Reinforcements arrived the next day and the Japanese were driven back from the airstrip. “This outstanding Australian victory in the Battle of Wau helped pave the way for future advances in the region and illustrates the bravery and service that we honour today. “Today Australia gives its deepest thanks and gratitude to all those who have served in defence of our nation,” Mr Snowdon said. For more information on Australian involvement in the Second World War visit ww2australia.gov.au.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Sep 2013 13:39:07 +0000
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