Portal:Military history of Australia/Selected anniversaries/April
Selected anniversaries in April
January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December
Anniversaries can be found here from the Army news website or here at the AWM or here at the Australian History unit, or in books, journals or other sources related to Australian military history.
- 1921 – The First Australian Imperial Force is disbanded.
- 1955 – The Australian Government announced its decision to send ground troops to the Commonwealth of Nations Far East Strategic Reserve in Malaya.
- 1917 - World War I: Jørgen Christian Jensen is awarded the VC at Noreuil, France.
- 1985 - 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers granted freedom of entry to Sydney, New South Wales.
- 1916 - World War I: An order approving the formation of the ANZAC Provost Corps in Egypt. This date marks the birthday of the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police.
- 1982 - 4th/19th Prince of Wales' Light Horse granted freedom of entry to Sale, Victoria.
- 1901 - Second Boer War: The 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen contingent sailed for service in South Africa.
- 1941 - World War II: The 2/13th Battalion was attacked by 13 tanks, four armoured cars and 3,000 infantry near Tocra Pass-Er Regima, Greece. This was the first encounter between Australian and German troops during the war.
- 1918 – World War I: At Dernancourt, the 12th and 13th Brigades fought off two and half German divisions. It was the strongest attack made against the Australians in the War.
- 1951 – Korean War: 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment crossed the 38th Parallel in Korea and advanced North.
- 1942 - World War II: The 42nd US Division arrives in Australia.
- 1952 - Korean War: 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment arrived in Korea.
- 1918 - World War I: Percy Valentine Storkey is awarded a VC for actions at Bois de Hangard, France.
- 1967 - Vietnam War: Peter John Badcoe is awarded a VC for actions in the Huong Tra district South Vietnam.
- 1917 – World War I: Captain James Newland and Sergeant John Whittle, both of the 12th Battalion, win Victoria Crosses
- 1917 – World War I: Thomas Kenny is awarded a VC for actions near La Houssoie, France.
- 1942 – World War II: HMAS Vampire is sunk off Ceylon during the Indian Ocean Raid.
- 1901 - Second Boer War: The 6th Western Australian Mounted Infantry sailed for service in South Africa.
- 1941 - World War II: Siege of Tobruk begins, it lasted for eight months.
- 1917 - World War I: The 4th Division attempted to penetrate the Hindenburg Line during the First Battle of Bullecourt. Over 3,000 Australians died.
- 1965 - 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment presented with its colours at Adelaide by the Governor General Viscount De L'Isle
- 1918 - World War I: The 7th and 8th Battalions hold a 14 Km section of the front near Vieux-Berguin against repeated German attack. A length of line normally held, at that time, by two full division of infantry with supporting arms.
- 1941 - World War II: Anzac Corps reformed in Greece by General Thomas Blamey.
- 1941 - World War II: John Edmondson was awarded a VC posthumously for actions at Tobruk.
- 1983 - Rats of Tobruk Memorial is dedicated on Anzac Parade by the Governor General, the Right Hon. Sir Ninian Stephen.
- 1941 – World War II: Germans and Italians launch the first major attack on Tobruk which was repulsed by the 2/17th Battalion. This was the first defeat of a German attack in North Africa.
- 1954 – Korean War: 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment relieved 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
- 1915 - World War I: Charles Pope is awarded a VC for actions near Louveral, France.
- 1942 - World War II: The whole of Australia was proclaimed a theatre of war.
- 1954 - Korean War: 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment arrived in Brisbane after service in Korea.
- 1967 - Vietnam War: HMAS Hobart begins involvement in Operation Sea Dragon.
- 1917 - World War I: 4,000 Australians repulse 16,000 Germans at the Battle of Lagincourt.
- 1942 - World War II: General Douglas MacArthur arrives in Australia to assume command of the South West Pacific Area.
- 1941 – World War II: The Australian 2/2nd and 2/3rd Battalions and New Zealand's 21st Battalion stem the German advance in Greece in a rearguard action that enabled the main Allied force to withdrawal to defensive lines.
- 1942 – World War II: General Thomas Blamey is appointed Commander Land Forces, South West Pacific Area.
- 1940 - World War II: General Thomas Blamey was issued with the charter to command the Second Australian Imperial Force in the Middle East.
- 1971 - 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment presented with its colours at Enoggera Barracks.
- 1915 - World War I: Mesopotamian Half Flight embarks for service in Mesopotamia
- 1941 - World War II: Anzac Corps rallied at the Thermoplyae Line in Greece.
- 1917 – World War I: Foundation of the Imperial War Graves Commission now known as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- 1968 – Vietnam War: Fire Support Base Coral come under attack from troops of the North Vietnamese Army's 7th Division.
- 1942 – World War II: during the Salamaua–Lae campaign fighting begins around Bobdubi and Mubo
- 1952 – Korean War: the Battle of Kapyong commences
- 1918 – World War I: Eleven volunteers from HMAS Australia took part in the Zeebrugge Raid.
- 1951 – Korean War: Battle of Kapyong began during which the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment played a pivotal role.
- 1918 - World War I: The German Army launches a counter attack at Villers-Bretonneux. Australian troops retook the town suffering heavy casualties.
- 1918 - World War I: Clifford Sadlier is awarded the VC for actions at Villers-Bretonneux.
- Anzac Day an annual holiday honouring all those who have served in the Australian military.
- 1915 – World War I: Australian and New Zealand troops land at Gallipoli
- 1918 – World War I: The 13th and 15th Brigades counter-attack and retake the town of Villers-Bretonneux, France in a night attack.
- 1923 – First Dawn service was held in Albany, Western Australia
- 1944 – World War II: exploiting their success around Madang, Australian forces occupy Alexishafen in New Guinea
- 1902 - Second Boer War: The South Australian 5th and 6th Imperial Bushmen contingents to the Boer War, arrived back in Australia.
- 1915 - World War I: Alfred John Shout awarded the Military Cross
- 1915 - World War I: First reinforcements reached ANZAC Cove, the troops in the front line relieved for the first time since the landing.
- 1952 - Occupation of Japan: British Commonwealth Occupation Force ceased to exist all Australian Army elements that remained in Japan were transferred to the British Commonwealth Forces Korea.
- 1902 - Second Boer War: The 5th and 6th Western Australian Mounted Rifles returned to Australia from South Africa.
- 1965 - Vietnam War: The Government announced that combat troops were to serve in South Vietnam.
- 1941 - World War II: Last evacuation ship leaves Greece ending the Greek campaign.
- 1967 - Vietnam War: 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, arrives in South Vietnam.