54 Bn colour patch

The colour patch of
54 Bn/Inf Bn.

Our image library of colour patches, badges, emblems, flags will be come back online over the coming weeks

Army Research Grants Scheme

GRANTS

The 2010/11 Army History Research Grants Scheme is now closed.Submitted applications are undergoing assessment. Applicants will be notified of the outcome in due course.
For further information on Grants please visit the link below

Grants Page

CONFERENCE PAPERS ONLINE

The Boer War

The Boer War: Army, Nation and Empire
contains all the papers presented at the Chief of Army's history conference in 1999.

The entire series of papers from the CA's history conferences that are out of print are now available online. Visit:
Conference papers

PRIMARY MATERIALS

Allied troops surrender to Japanese forces in Singapore 1942

AAHU's online database of the extensive primary materials it holds is expanding. Recent additions to this collection include the:

  • Report on the Directorate of POWs and Internees 1939-1951;
  • 'Jess Report' on the activities of the AMF 1929-1939; and
  • an extensive collection of Australian Intelligence Corps historical documents.
Primary Materials

FROMELLES PROJECT UPDATE

The Australian Fromelles Project Group has been established within Army to manage the Fromelles project on behalf of the Australian Government.

The Group consists of four people: one part-time Major General who has three permanent staff allocated to the project. The Group works to the Fromelles Management Board, which has been established with representation from:

- The Australian Department of Defence,
- The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, and
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

For further information and the latest news please visit the Fromelles project website below

www.defence.gov.au/fromelles Open in new window


FAQs

How can I obtain obsolete defence equipment/memorabilia to display in our museum/RSL club?

The answer to this and other frequently asked questions can be found at: FAQs


THE WESTERN DESERT CAMPAIGN
1940-41

(2nd Edition 2009)

Australian Army Campaign Series

Western Desert 2nd editionWhile the North African campaign has been studied in detail over the years, much of this study has been dedicated to the battles between the British 8th Army and Rommel's Afrika Korps. There has been little serious study of Wavell's campaign against Italian forces in 1940-41, nor of the role played by the Australian 6th Division in the eventual Italian defeat. Part of this can be attributed to wartime propaganda that labelled the Italian Army dilettantes and mocked their courage. The truth is much different. Many Italian units showed incredible bravery, and the Australian assaults on fortress towns such as Bardia were far from a walkover. Today's aspiring military commanders need look no further than the early Western Desert campaign for historical examples of brilliant leadership, detailed planning, deception, surprise, manoeuvre warfare and relentless pursuit, all against overwhelming odds.

The Western Desert Campaign 1940-41 (2nd ed) is the latest addition to the Australian Army Campaign Series. Find out more about the series at: Australian Army Campaign Series


EXPLORING VARIOUS IMAGES

Army image

AHU has extensive assorted images in its collection that are awaiting captions and a more systematic ordering on the w web site. These will be loaded back online in the near future. Some of these images are unique and not held in any other collection.

DUTY STATEMENT

The Australian Army History Unit is a direct command unit of Army Headquarters (AHQ), under the control, for administration purposes, of the Chief of Staff AHQ.

About AAHU

Protecting Army heritage. Promoting Army history.

The Australian Army History Unit's mission: to serve the Australian Army by assisting it to meet its goals by promoting the study and understanding of Army's history and traditions within Army and also by utilising Army's rich heritage to foster continued good standing with the community.

Find out more about AAHU

Latest News, Items or Events

  • We have recently added two new books to the Campaign series on our website. See here Open in new window for further information.
  • Our Primary materials Open in new window pages are taking shape and we are adding more materials online every month.

Books

AAHU helps publish authoritative studies into aspects of the Australian Army's history and its contribution to Australia's development. Along with numerous biographies, there are books on many issues.

Browse the AAHU booklist

Chief of Army's history conference

The Chief of Army hosts an annual history conference, organised by AAHU. This year's topic is Victory or Defeat? Armies in the Aftermath of Conflict. The conference will be held at the National Convention Centre, Canberra on 30 Sep - 1 October 2010.

Information on the CA's history conference

Conference papers

Many of the papers delivered at the Chief of Army's history conferences since 1994 are available online. Topics include the Boer, Korean and Vietnam Wars, land/air operations, amphibious operations in the south-west Pacific and strategic planning in peace and war.

Read past history conference papers online

Contacts

Need to know who's who and how to reach them at AAHU?
Find titles and contact details here.

Contact AAHU

FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive at AAHU. They may be all you need to steer you on your way with your research.

Answers to FAQs

Family history

If you're researching the history of your relative's time in the Australian Army, look through this page of useful information and pointers from AAHU historians.

Guidance on researching your family member's service history

Grants

Applications for the 2010/2011 Army History Research Grants Scheme have now closed. More information to follow. Information on the grants scheme and past recipients

History & battles

Start your research into Australian Army history with this overview of Australia's military history and the various battles the Army has been involved in in its over 100 year history.

Read about Army history and battles

Image library

The AAHU image library was one area that suffered data loss. We will be working on returning our collection to the website in the near future

Museums

AAHU is responsible for managing Army's rich collection of heritage objects. They are to be found in the network of Army museums located at sites across the country. Where they are, when they're open and what's contained in their collection is listed here.

Check the Army Museum directory

Newsletter

The AAHU newsletter, Despatches, is packed with stories and information about current and forthcoming happenings and issues within the Unit. Korea, 58 Years On and The Missing of Fromelles are two feature stories from the December 2008 issue, online now.

Read all about it in the AHU newsletter

On this day

On this day will be returning in a new format as a PDF document where specific Australian Army events for an entire month will be captured

Primary materials

AAHU holds a wide range of official and unofficial documents, both published and unpublished, that are progressively being made available online.

Research primary materials online

Prizes

The annual C.E.W. Bean Prize for Military History is awarded to the best honours or postgraduate thesis submitted in any Australian university focusing on the Australian Army's experience of war.

Information on prize applications and recipients