r/CommonwealthWW2photos

The last attempt to reinforce the 18th army in New Guinea by sea, condemning around 110 thousand soldiers to a brutal death. The beginning of the end of imperial Japan. The 20th division lost around 4500 in operations in China over 9 years, but only 1700 out of 25 thousand would survive the Australians in new guinea.

The official American history of this battle is proof everything the US says about that war has to be taken with a grain of salt. Australian devised tactics and planning. 30 and 100 squadron RAAF would obliterate Japanese air defences aboard 8 of thier most experienced destroyers, attacking at mast height after fooling the IJN they were torpedo bombers, It was every ship for itself after this. The skip bombing by US planes crewed with many Australians was devised by RAAF group captain gearing, a decorated pilot from the arctic convoys to Russia who witnessed Luftwaffe attacks on convoys, added a few party tricks utilising the formidable heavey fighter the Bristol Beaufighter, known to IJA as whispering death.

r/CommonwealthWW2photos

"Experienced in desert weather flying, a British pilot lands an American made Kittyhawk fighter plane of the Sharknose Squadron in a Libyan Sandstorm, on April 2, 1942. A mechanic on the wing helps to guide the pilot as he taxis through the storm." (AP)

2/27th battalion soldiers 7th div 2nd AIF guard Japanese prisoners captured at Gona PNG December 42.

Forward observer climbs lookout overlooking Gona PNG November 1942.

Japanese staff car acquired from fall of Singapore, riddled with bullets signifying the intensity of battle, after capture of Gona PNG by Australian 7 th division December 1942.

30 squadron RAAF Beaufighter attacks Japanese troop transport in Bismarck sea 3/3/43 on operations leading to the destruction of IJA 20th division attempting to reinforce operations against Australians in PNG.

2/27th bat, 7th division 2/AIF Gona PNG Dec 1942. 3 vicious campaigns (lebenon/Kokoda/Gona) 3 brothers from rural South Australian town unscathed.

Antelat Libya 17th Jan 1941. War artist Frank Norton painting Kittyhawk of no 3 squadron RAAF. Damien parer filming.