1918 — German forces were repulsed by the Australian 9th Brigade and British units at the first action at Villers-Bretonneux, France.
1941 — Australia’s first encounter with German troops in the Second World War, at El Regima, Libya. Australian troops of the 2/13th Battalion were confronted by an overwhelming force of Rommel’s Afrika Corps as they attempted a rear-guard action.
1885 — Battle of Tamai. While this was the most significant battle for the New South Wales Contingent of the war in the Sudan, their involvement was minimal.
1917— Danish born Private Joergen Jensen is awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on this day at Noreuil, France. Jensen attacked two German positions and then further risked his life to protect German soldiers he had taken prisoner.
1921 — The Australian Imperial Force, or AIF, is disbanded. During the four years of the Great War, the AIF earned a lasting reputation for military prowess, which continues to resonate in the Australian consciousness today.
1864 — British troops, including a portion of the Waikato militia recruited in Australia, besieged 300 Māori in their pa (fort) at Orakau, New Zealand, during the Māori Wars. The Māori attempted to break out but were hunted down. Up to 160 Māori were killed and 33 taken prisoner. British casualties were sixteen killed and 52 wounded.
1918 — First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, France, commences. The German army advanced towards the vital railhead at Amiens. Australian soldiers of the 9th Brigade were brought south from Belgium as reinforcements to help shore up the Allied defence and to slow the German advance.
1900 — Battle of Karee Siding, South Africa. Troops from NSW Mounted Rifles, NSW Lancers, and 1st Australian Horse were part of an Allied force of 9000 men which engaged 3500 Boers. The battle was won by the Allies but at a cost of 189 casualties compared with Boer losses of only 34.
1941 — Battle of Matapan, Greece. HMA Ships Perth, Stuart and Vendetta participated in the battle off Crete destroying Italian naval supremacy in the Mediterranean.
1918 — Battle of Morlancourt, France. The 10th and 11th Infantry Brigades occupied a ridge overlooking Morlancourt and helped to stem German advances during the Spring Offensive on the Somme.
1918 — First Battle of Amman, the scene of a strong Allied raid on Ottoman forces aimed at cutting the railway line south of Damascus. ANZAC Mounted Division and Imperial Camel Corps troops were involved in the battle.
1918 — Battle of Hebuterne, France. This was the first of many battles involving Australians during the great German offensive on the Somme.
1917 — First Battle of Gaza, Palestine, began. This was the first Allied attempt to capture this major Ottoman centre. Two Australian Light Horse Brigades, the ANZAC Mounted Division, and the Imperial Camel Corps were involved in the battle.