Australian War Memorial

Australian War Memorial
Treloar Crescent (top of ANZAC Parade), Campbell ACT 2612

The Australian War Memorial is one of the most sacred sites for anyone interested in Australian military history and the ANZAC spirit.

The AWM collection is extensive and well presented. It embodies the solemn respect and gratitude the Australian people feel toward their warriors and the victims of war.

It is sited majestically on the side of a hill overlooking Lake Burley Griffin and facing Parliament House in Canberra. You can not help but feel humbled as you climb the stone stairs to the main entry, look over the Pool of Reflection, walk through the Honour Roll and go inside to the display areas.

I believe one of the AWM’s criteria for its collection is that an item must have a direct link to active service for it to be considered for aquistion. Therefore, all the vehicles, aircraft and displays you see have been directly involved in war in some way. It is a very sobering thought, as you wander through the halls and read the story each of the exhibits tells.

From an aviation perspective, there are many significant airframes on display, including Avro Lancaster G for George, a Bf 109-G, Me 262 and Me 163 Komet. There is also a Kittyhawk, a Sea Fury, a Mustang and a Mosquito. Several WWI types are on display as well. In the Vietnam area there is a Bell 47.

The extensive AWM image, film and document collections can be searched online and images can be purchased.

I have included a selection of images I took there on my last vist, some years ago now.

If you are ever in Canberra or the ACT, I urge you to pay a visit to the AWM.

Bf 109G-6, werke no. 163824, was gifted to the AWM after WWII. It’s service history is not known, but it shows evidence of battle damge.	This Saladin-turretted M113 FSV (Fire Support Vehicle) is a veteran of the Vietnam War. More pics here	In the main entry foyer is this long boat from the original landings at Gallipoli in WWI, where the ANZAC legend was born.

This Vietnam veteran Bell 47 sits next to the M113 FSV in the Vietnam War display area. More pics here	“Polly”, P-40 Kittyhawk A29-133, is a veteran of the fierce fighting for Milne Bay, New Guinea, in WWII. Milne Bay was one of the key battles of the Pacific war where the Japanese advance was halted and reversed.	Arguably the most famous Lancaster in the world, G for George racked up around 90 missions while flying with 460 Squadron, RAAF, operating from England over Europe. It toured Australia promoting Victory Loans and was then handed over to the AWM.

SE5A WWI Fighter / Scout biplane.	Hawker Sea Fury, possibly a Korean veteran. More pics here	Some WWI vehicles.

P-51 Mustang, A68-648. More pics here

Here is a link to the official AWM website:
Australian War Memorial


Go to Australian Air Museums from Australian War Memorial page
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All material © 2007-2011 Graeme Molineux

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