Other Wars & Conflicts

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Australians, because of a sense of commitment to their country, the mother country or special alliances, have been involved in wars and conflicts overseas since the second half of the 19^th century. This involvement has had a profound impact on our culture. Aspects from earlier involvements still resonate today.

This page looks at Australian involvement in Other Wars and Conflicts.

The Second Page looks at involvement in World Wars I & II, Medals and Awards and other information including Histories of the Armed Services.

Information is aimed at undergraduate level and is listed in alphabetical groupings. Some information may be useful at a higher level.

Be aware some units/topics have different titles at different universities, even though content may be the same or similar. Australian information is supplied where possible.

In addition, there are databases, primary documents, reference material and other general information where seen as relevant. Check the ANZAC Day page for additional information.

Other Wars & Conflicts

Information on colonial and Australian involvement in a range of conflicts and wars, including Peacekeeping missions. They are listed chronologically.

Sudan, March/June, 1885

Only a contingent from New South Wales was involved.

• Australian Colonies Send Troops to Their First War
  Information and images re the NSW Contingent in The Sudan. Eyewitness account, information on the only NSW soldier killed.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.
• Sudan [New South Wales Contingent]
  Information, links. Australian War Memorial.
• The Sudan - 1885
  Brief outline from the Australian Army which also includes information on Colonial Security and The Boer War.

Boxer Uprising : 1900-1901

Primarily a naval involvement.

• Boxer Uprising : 1900-1901
  Information, images, nominal roll, links to further reading.
• The Contingent of Handy Men
  ‘An account of Australia’s Boxer Rebellion contingent’.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.

Boer War, South Africa, 1899-1902

During the last years of the colonial period and the first of the new Commonwealth. Involved military units from all states prior to Federation and also Commonwealth forces after Federation. It is estimated that more than 20 000 Australians served there in some form, including the first Australian women to serve in uniform and the first war in which a serving Australian woman lost her life.

• Australia and the Boer War, 1899-1902
  Australian War Memorial. Text, images, a listing of those who served, reading list, other information.
• Australian Military Contingents to The War in South Africa 1899-1902
  ‘A comprehensive individual name index can be accessed’ as well as pages of documentation from primary documents relating to the involvement.
• Boer War Records
  Fact Sheet 67, National Archives. Introduction, Australian involvement, record holdings, soldier records, records about service, links.
• Boer War Records
  National Archives. Introduction, images, The general Collections, Committing the Contingents, Raising and Supporting the Contingents, Controversies, The Aftermath. There are also several Appendixes covering jargon, further reading, other collections and more.
• Campaign Medals - Boer War 1899-1902
  Information from the Department of Defence.
• Military Stories & Anecdotes, Boer War
  The Bushveldt Carbineers [including Breaker Morant] Updated, Horses in the Boer War, Small Arms in the Boer War and The Send Off From Winton [a newspaper report].
• National Boer War Memorial Association [Australia]
  For an Australian War Memorial. While this may be a major target, the site contains a wealth of information about Australian involvement in the Boer War with soldiers, Contingents, Engagements and Events, medals, bibliography, memorials, Ancestor Search, other links and more.
  Well presented !
• South African War [Boer War], 1899-1902
  Researching Australian Military Service : Information Sheets. Nominal rolls, service records, reading lists, database access, more.
• The Boer War
  Background to the war, brief summary of major incidents and actions and also the role played by Australian forces.
• The Boer War : Army, Nation and Empire
  Article with reference list, by Bill Nasson. Available by section in PDF format.
• The Boer War 1899-1902
  Brief outline from the Australian Army which also includes information on Colonial Security and The Sudan War.
• Villains or Victims ?
  ‘On 27 February 1902, Harry Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock were shot by a British firing squad in Pretoria. A hundred years on, the controversy over the rights and wrongs of the case continues’.

Korean War

• For other Korean War information, check the Modern History page.
• Apple Orchard
  ‘To remind those with short memories that Kapyong was not the only battle of the Korean War’.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.
• Korea
  Home page for information and sub-category pages. Click each sub-category for information on that topic.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.
• Korean War, 1950-53
  ‘Began on 25 June 1950, when North Korean forces launched an invasion of South Korea. Personnel from the Australian Army, RAAF, and RAN fought as part of the United Nations multinational force’. Essays, articles, talks, roll of honour, war diaries, research guides, online exhibition, more.
• Nominal Roll of Australian Veterans
  ‘Information from the service records of more than 17 000 individuals who served during the Korean War’.
• The Korean War and Australia
  ‘Australian War Memorial Anniversary Oration by Robert O’Neill 11 November 2003’.

Malayan Emergency

• Malaya
  ‘The story of Australia’s commitment to Malaya stretches from 1950 to 1977 so it needs to be broken up into separate sections. The RAAF started into the fray in Malaya in July 1950 so technically we were involved in that war before Korea, where we put troops on the ground in September 1950. I have chosen 9 sections. They are listed on the right. Choose one that interests you’.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.
• Malayan Emergency, 1950-60
  Background, images, links to a map, reading list, databases, military units, commanders’ diaries.
• Malayan Emergency, 1955-62
  ‘The campaign against Communist insurgents attempting to destabilise the British colony of Malaya post World War 2’. Overview, Australia’s involvement, casualties, extra information, anecdotes.
• RAN, Strategic Reserve and the Malayan Emergency
  Article from the Navy.
• The Malayan Emergency [1948-1960]
  Provides background and an outline of the involvement including various operations and Australia’s allies.

Indonesian Confrontation

• Confrontation with Indonesia [1964-66]
  ‘This decision-making simulation is an excellent exercise for helping students understand the political context in which Konfrontasi, the Confrontation with Indonesia in Borneo, was conducted’.
• Indonesian Confrontation
  Background, role of army and navy, maps, images.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.
• Indonesian Confrontation, 1963-66
  Background information, several images, map, reading list, databases, military units, commanders’ diaries.
• The Indonesian Confrontation [Konfrontasi]
  Article covering causes, our involvement, operations, allies and adversaries.

Vietnam War

• For other Vietnam War information, check the Modern History page.
• 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan | Australian War Memorial
  Australian War Memorial. ‘Speech by His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC [Retd], Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, 18 August 2006’.
• A Grunt’s View
  Australian soldier’s personal view.
• Australia and the Vietnam War
  ‘Students can learn about the experiences of Australians and the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1973, through images, film, classroom and interactive activities. Follow links to view each chapter of the publication [PDF files]’. Download as a single file [6.4mb].
• Brief History of the Australian Forces in Vietnam
• Impressions : Australians in Vietnam
  ‘Tells some of the personal stories of the Vietnam War. Explores the experience of Australians who served in Vietnam and their subsequent reflections on those experiences’. No longer travelling but there is a wealth of information and images available.
• Long Tan
  Information about a pivotal battle for Australian troops.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.
• Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans
  ‘Lists approximately 61 000 men and women who served in the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force in Vietnam, or in the waters adjacent to Vietnam, during the conflict between 23 May 1962 and 29 April 1975’.
• Statistics
  Total Australian service casualties in the Vietnam War, 1962-72. Statistics in a variety of tables.
• The Tet Offensive 1968
  Extensive information.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.
• The National Service Scheme, 1964-72
  Information, statistics about this scheme with many conscripts going to Vietnam.
• The Vietnam War
  Resources and Links for Year 10 History. ‘Provides links to resources and web sites you may find useful for your research of the topic’.
• Viet Nam
  Home page, leading to others covering everything from a timeline to the SAS, Long Tan to VC Tunnels, the TET Offensive to an Honour Roll.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.
• Vietnam War
  ‘Australia’s military involvement in the Vietnam War was the longest in duration of any war in Australia’s history’. Essays, talks, articles, Roll of Honour, research guides, exhibitions, links.

Gulf War

• First Gulf War, 1990-1991
  Information, images, links to resources.
• Preliminary Gulf War Nominal Roll
  ‘Preliminary Gulf War Nominal Roll. Lists Australian Defence Force personnel involved in that conflict. Includes all personnel involved in the hostilities and associated operations in the Persian Gulf from August 1990 to September 1991’.
• The Gulf War 1990-91
  Short summary including a list of ships involved.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.

Iraq & Afghanistan

• Afghanistan
  Brief report.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.
• Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan
  Background paper from the APH Library. Both information and links to further data.
• Australia in Afghanistan - Quick Guide
  Questions and responses detailing Australia’s presence and actions in Afghanistan.
• Australia to Withdraw Troops from Iraq This Year
  News report on the decision by the Federal Government. Links to other reports indicating this.
• Iraq 2
  Background, SAS, Special Forces, navy, airforce, Australia Army Training Team Iraq, general information.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.
• The Battle for Fallujah
  One digger’s account of what happened.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.

Peacekeeping Actions

• Australians and Peacekeeping
  ‘Military observers, Police in peacekeeping, Operations, Australian deaths in peacekeeping’.
• Australia’s Involvement in Peacekeeping Operations
  ‘Studies the criteria against which Australian decision makers should assess whether or not to commit to a peacekeeping operation’. Other information can be found here.
• Australian Defence Force Peace Operations Training Centre
  Meaning of terminology used, Australians in Peace Operations, information about UN Military Observers, links.
• Australian Peacekeeping Operations
  Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
• East Timor and Australia’s Security Role
  Review of issues and scenarios linked to the INTERFET role in 1999-2000.
• Keeping the Peace
  Stories of Australian Peacekeepers. History, timeline, observers, enforcers, specialists & support, Cambodia and East Timor, looking to the future, educational material.
• Peacekeepers
  Peacekeeping involvements, links to pages for medals awarded as a result of our involvement.
  There appear to be some problems with this site, but you can still access data through an archived version here.
• Peacekeeping and Contemporary Conflict
  Blog which details photographed material, information, a selection of images.
• Summary of Australian Participation in Peacekeeping Missions

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