Milne Bay Memorial Library and Research Centre

07/09/2026

07/09/2026

On the last day of the Battle, a fitting tribute to those who fought in it, is Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Qld's speech from the Brisbane Commemoration Service on 27 August 2022 - www.govhouse.qld.gov.au/the-governor-of-queensland/speeches/80th-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-milne-bay
[thanks to Alan Victor for the photo]

06/09/2026

On this day at the Battle, 2/9th Bn advances to Lilihoa and destroys Japanese stores. MV Anshun ship sunk at Gili Gili from Japanese warship gunfire, but hospital ship Manunda left unharmed.

MILNE BAY, PAPUA. 1942-09. THE STEAMER "ANSHUN" LYING ON HER SIDE IN MILNE BAY, WHERE SHE WAS SHELLED AND SUNK BY A JAPANESE CRUISER. THE "ANSHUN" WAS LATER SALVAGED AND TOWED TO SYDNEY, A DISTANCE OF 1750 MILES.

05/09/2026

Service held on 23 August at Toowoomba Qld:

05/09/2026

On this day at the Battle, six Beauforts of No. 100 Squadron RAAF arrive at Gurney airstrip. Main group of Japanese withdraw by ships.

Royal Australian Air Force

MILNE BAY, PNG, 1942 - 43. CLOSE -UP OF NOSE SECTION OF BEAUFORT AIRCRAFT A9-190 QH-B OF NO. 100 SQUADRON RAAF IN DISPERSAL, SHOWING NOSE ART. (DONOR - T. G. JONES.)

04/09/2026

Also on this day at the Battle, 2/9th Bn advances to and attacks Japanese at Goroni. 61st Bn Platoon at Taupota engages Japanese who had crossed the Stirling Range to the north.

7th Brigade - Australian Army

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

04/09/2026

Today is 84 years since Cpl John French's death in the Battle.
He was awarded a Victoria Cross. We remember him:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

03/09/2026

Yesterday was Battle for Australia Day:

On the first Wednesday of September, we observe Battle for Australia Day. This day commemorates the battles fought against Japanese forces in the South and Southwest Pacific during World War II, including the bombing of Darwin, the Kokoda campaign, and the Battle of Milne Bay, to prevent an invasion of mainland Australia.

Of the more than 39,000 Australians who lost their lives in WWII, around 17,000 were killed in the Pacific theatre of war. Battle for Australia Day serves as a reminder to honour those who defended our nation and contributed to the defeat of Japan.

Lest we forget.

📸 Australian War Memorial

03/09/2026

On this day at the Battle, 2/9th Bn moved to KB Mission in small boats and takes over the advance. 2/9th Bn pursues and attacks Japanese forces withdrawing to the east.

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

02/09/2026

On this day at the Battle, 2/12th Bn attacks Japanese east of KB Mission. 25th Bn(-) withdrawn to be Brigade Reserve. 61st Bn(-) responsible for defence of number 3 airstrip.

7th Brigade - Australian Army

MILNE BAY, PAPUA. 1942-09. A SMALL CEMETERY NEAR GILI GILI WHERE AUSTRALIANS WHO FELL DURING THE FIGHTING AROUND THE SHORES OF MILNE BAY ARE BURIED.