1900 — A mixed force of over 500 troops, Including 300 Australians, guarding a large supply depot at ELAND’S RIVER, South Africa, withstood a sustained attack over 12 days, by about 3000 Boers during the BOER WAR

1914 — GREAT BRITAIN declared war on GERMANY and consequently, AUSTRALIA was at war

1916 — A fierce battle involving the Australian Mounted Division took place around ROMANI, PALESTINE, as troops fought to protect access to the Suez Canal. The brunt of the fighting fell to the Australians who sustained over 900 casualties, including 202 deaths

1860 — The Second Maori War began. About 2,500 Australians fought alongside British troops in the Waikato area

1914 — Australia offered ships of the Royal Australian Navy, and to raise a force of 20,000 men, to assist Great Britain should war break out

1941 — HMAS VENDETTA sailed on her 39th voyage to bring supplies to the besieged port of TOBRUK, (Libya). VENDETTA made more runs into Tobruk that any other Australian or British ship

1941 — The last major action involving Australians at TOBRUK, began

1990 — IRAQ invaded KUWAIT, leading to the GULF WAR

1900 — 200 South Australian troopers attacked a Boer encampment at GROOTVALLIER, South Africa, during the BOER WAR. The night attack was thwarted by the unexpected presence of a wire fence, forcing the troops to dismount and engage in hand-to-hand fighting with bayonets. The delay enabled the Boers, including a General, to escape. Several troopers were mentioned in dispatches and a DCM was awarded for the action

1914 — GERMANY declared war on RUSSIA

1900 — Naval Brigade sailors left Melbourne for service in China during the BOXER REBELLION

1914 — Andrew Fisher, Leader of the Federal Opposition declared that Australia would defend Britain “to our last man, and our last shilling”

1917 — Third battle of YPRES began. Known as the battle of Passchendaele, the campaign lasted until November 1917and included actions at Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, and Passchendaele

1942 — Darwin was bombed for the 25th time

1942 — Port Hedland, Western Australia, was attacked by Japanese bombers. The attack resulted in one casualty, and  damage to the airfield

1942 — Darwin was bombed for the 25th time

1942 — Horn Island, Torres Strait, a major tactical base for Allied air operations, was bombed for the fifth time. 156 people died during attacks on Horn Island

1942 — Port Hedland, Western Australia, was attacked by Japanese bombers. The attack resulted in one casualty, and  damage to the airfield

1942 — Darwin was bombed for the 25th time

1942 — Horn Island, Torres Strait, a major tactical base for Allied air operations, was bombed for the fifth time. 156 people died during attacks on Horn Island

1916 — SGT C. CASTLETON won a Victoria Cross at POZIERES, for his gallantry in repeatedly leaving his position to bring wounded men in from no-mans land. He was killed when he went out for the third time

1951 — RAAF jet fighters were engaged in their first combat mission in KOREA

1942 — Japanese troops captured KOKODA, New Guinea

1968 — HMAS HOBART fired on a suspected enemy observation post near Da Nang, Vietnam. 12 bodies were later found in the target area

1942 — After initial success, 2/28th Battalion troops were involved in an intense counter-attack by German and Italian troops at RUIN RIDGE, Egypt. 65 Australians were killed and 489 taken prisoner

1942 — Australian troops were involved in heavy fighting at KOKODA as Japanese forces began their push southwards towards Port Moresby

1953 — Fighting in Korea ended with the signing of a ceasefire agreement at Panmunjon