Australian War Memorial

Private Victorianno (Victor), a pearl diver from Thursday Island, Queensland, asks a policewoman for directions in London during the Second World War.

Blanco enlisted at the start of the war in September 1939 and served with the Australian Army in Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Papua New Guinea and Borneo. Family lore tells that when he was fighting in Syria, a German mortar hit him in the chest, but didn’t explode, so he got up and kept fighting.

More than 3,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people served during the Second World War. Some joined specialised units, such as the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion, and the Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit, and entire communities in Northern Australia undertook defence work such as construction, farming and butchery.

In every theatre of war, in every role imaginable, Indigenous servicemen and servicewomen continued the proud tradition of defence of Country.

📸 Image: Private Victorianno Blanco asks for directions in London. Unknown British Official Photographer. Accession number: 002420

Today we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Black Hawk training accident, in which 18 men lost their lives.

On 12 June 1996, during a night training exercise near Townsville, two Australian Army Black Hawk helicopters collided. Fifteen soldiers from the Special Air Service Regiment and three aircrew from the 5th Aviation Regiment were killed, and another 12 personnel were injured.

We pause to remember those who died, and honour the survivors, their comrades, and their families. We welcome you to share your memories or a tribute in the comments.

Before leaving Australia, Army Chaplain Luke Skipper arranged for a small, simple object to carry much greater meaning. He had a series of double-sided crosses 3D printed in yellow and blue, the national colours of Ukraine, and asked a Ukrainian Orthodox priest to bless them before deployment.

These crosses travelled with him to the United Kingdom, where Australian personnel were instructing Ukrainian trainees as part of Operation Kudu. Skipper handed them out during graduation, where around 200 trainees lined up to receive one. As he later joked, he nearly gave himself RSI from blessing every individual who came forward.

In Ukraine, Orthodox Christianity holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, so the gesture was deeply meaningful. The crosses were designed to be durable, something trainees could carry with them as a reminder of both their faith and their training.

Though small in scale, these objects speak to the human side of military service and the role chaplains play in providing comfort, connection, and continuity in times of conflict.

Operation Kudu: Supporting Ukraine is now open at the Australian War Memorial, exploring Australia’s role in training Ukrainian forces and highlighting the personal stories that shape contemporary conflicts.

Eighty years ago today, Melbourne erupted in colour, noise and celebration as thousands filled the streets for Victory Day.

Melbourne held an official Victory Day celebration to mark the end of the Second World War. Massive crowds turned out for the military parades led by General Sir Thomas Blamey, followed by public festivities across the city. Organised activities included a RAAF aircraft flyover, a 21 gun slaute, and a state dinner. Celebrations went on into the evening with fireworks and singing and dancing in Alexandria Gardens; with many break-away celebrations occuring in the suburbs.

These photographs from our newly digitised Herald and Weekly Times collection capture the atmosphere of the packed, heavily decorated streets and cheering crowds in a palpable way.

Now this is a photo you’d send home. 📸🚁

Flight Lieutenant Phillip O'Donnell Flight Lieutenant Phillip O'Donnell from 171 Operational Support Squadron - on a loan posting from RAAF to the Army - walks from a helicopter at Honiara International Airport. Behind him are two Australian UH-1H ‘Huey’ Iroquois helicopters, A2-508 and A2-487.

Four Australian helicopters from 171 Operational Support Squadron, 1st Aviation Regiment, were deployed to the Solomon Islands under Operation Anode. The Australian and New Zealand crews worked closely together in support of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), even crewing each other’s helicopters. They provided reconnaissance, transport, and medical evacuation support to the multi-national military and policing intervention.

Photographer: Stephen Dupont. Official war photographer to Solomon Islands 2003. Accession number: P04225.470

Eighty-five years ago, in the early hours of 8 June 1941, Allied forces - including Australia’s 7th Division - launched a three-pronged invasion of Syria and Lebanon against Vichy French forces.

Fierce fighting followed at the Litani River and Merdjayoun, with further advances at Sidon and the entry into Damascus. Heavy coastal fighting at Damour took place in early July. A ceasefire began on 12 July, and the armistice was signed at Saint Jean d’Acre on 14 July.

An estimated 2,400 people died in the fighting, including 416 Australians.

Today, we remember all those who served in the Syrian Campaign.

🔗 Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x3a96

Looking for something to do this long weekend? We’re open today - with plenty of new spaces to explore. 👣

The Australian War Memorial galleries are open from 10 am to 5 pm, including the new Anzac Hall, showcasing Australia’s involvement in defence and peacekeeping.

🔗 Visit our website for more info: https://brnw.ch/21x3a2J