videos

The 16th Brigade march through Sydney, 4th of January 1944. "An enormous crowd acclaimed

the 16th Infantry Brigade during its march through Sydney yesterday the first street parade of Australian troops who have been in action against the Japanese. The salute was taken at the Town Hall by the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie, who was accompanied by General Sir Thomas Blamey, Commander of the Allied Land Forces in the South-west Pacific." Sydney Morning Herald - 5th January 1944.

This short newsreel video shows AIF troops arriving in the Middle East and going into camp in Palestine. It shows everything the men of the 2/3rd Infantry Battalion experienced: from sailing into the Suez Canal, disembarking at El Kantara, Egypt, receiving a hot meal, then transport via train and motor bus to their camp at Julis in Palestine. The Battalion sailed in the first troop convoy to the Middle East arriving several days before this newsreel being filmed and were in camp at Julis.

On the 8th of February 1941 the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. R. G. Menzies visited the 2/3rd Infantry Battalion outside Tobruk in the Wadi Avda. This news reel shows the PM reviewing the 2/3rd men with General Blamey and Allen in the wadi from 3:35 – 3:49. Menzies’ can be seen being escorted by the 2/3rd’s Commanding Officer Lt Col England. From the 6:08 – 6:20 section the PM is addressing the 2/3rd men on a platform in the wadi, expresing his thanks for the Battalion's part in the campaign.

Men of C Company, 2/3rd Infantry Battalion form up on the Quayside at Sidon to act as guard of honour to General Sir Maitland Wilson KCB, DSO, General Officer Commanding Palestine and Syrian Forces, as he formally takes possession of Sidon from the Vichy French. Film by Frank Hurley. AWM F01100

On the 3rd of October 1942, the men of the 2/3rd Australian Infantry Battalion set off from Koitaki commencing their advancement on the Kokoda Track as part of the counter offensive as the lead battalion for the 16th Brigade. The Battalion passed through Ower’s Corner during General MacArthur's visit and he speaks to men of the 2/3rd. Major Ian Hutchison MC (later Lt Col, DSO, OBE, MC, ED); Lt Francis Joseph (Frank) Hoddinott DCM (and later MC) and Ronald Gray.

This iconic and Academy Award-winning newsreel from 1942 shot by Damien Parer contains some of the most recognised images of Australian troops in the Second World War. It shows some troops from the 16th Brigade moving up as reinforcements for the counter offensive along the Kokoda Track.

The Commander in Chief, General Sir Thomas Blamey, reviews troops of the 6th Australian Division at a parade held on the Wondecla Show Grounds Atherton Tablelands, Queensland on the 5th of November 1943. General Sir Thomas Blamey reviews the parade from a Bren gun carrier then takes the salute at march past.

This short three-minute video below was created by curators of the Photographs, Film and Sound section of the Australian War Memorial for the 70th anniversary of VP Day in 2015. A showreel highlighting some of the spirit of that day in 1945 including extracts from the Honourable J. B. Chifley’s announcement on the 15th of August 1945 of the Japanese surrender. Oral history interviews with three civilians who partook in the celebrations.

This short clip of black and white 35mm footage captures the surrender ceremony at Cape Wom Airstrip, Wewak on the 13th of September 1945. The film was taken by NX113469 Sgt David Tennant Gaery Eastman, Military History Section Land Headquarters. The ceremony was held at 1000 hours before a Division Ceremonial Parade of the 6th Australian Division AIF with 3000 troops on parade. The 2/3rd Infantry Battalion was represented by the CO, 8 officers, 60 other ranks present.