On this day…
– The HMAS Armidale was attacked and sunk by Japanese Aircraft (1943) – The Last C-130 Hercules ‘Southern Service’ courier took off from Laverton (1992) – The Battle of Hat dich in Southern Vietnam begins (1968) – The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is presented with US Presidential Unit Citation for its action at Kapyong, Korea (1951) – The HAM Bataan and Warramunga participated on the withdrawal of UN troops and civilian refuges from chinnampo, North Korea (1950) – The HMAS Stalwart carried out an emergency re-supply mission to the Australian national Antarctic research expedition at sub-Antarctic Macquarie island (1985) – The Siege of Tobruk ends after 242 days of encirclement (1941) – War is declared on Japan (1941) – The eradication of the smallpox virus is certified, making smallpox the first of only two diseases that have been driven to extinction (1979) – The battle of Amboga River begins (1942) – The HMAS Newcastle is commissioned (1993) – HMAS Arunta is commissioned (1998) – The HMAS Teal intercepted and engaged two small Indonesian vessel carrying saboteurs in the Singapore strait during Indonesian Confrontation(1964) – The ships HMA Napier and Nepla conducted a shore bombardment of enemy positions on the Arakan coast, Burma, in support of the 74th Indian Brigade (1944) – HMAS Nestor sinks German U-boat U127 in the Atlantic Ocean (1941) – In response to China’s Second Phase Offensive in the Korea War, U.S. President Harry S. Truman declares a limited state of emergency(1962) – The HMAS Qiuberon rescued 31 Chinese sailors from the merchant vessel, SS Tuscany which had run aground on a reef 300 mules north-west of Bornerp (1962) – The battle for Artillery, Bougainville begins(1944) – The last of the Australian troops evacuate from Anzac(1915) – The battle for Jaffa is over(1917) – The Air Board held its inaugural meeting, even before the Air Force formed(1920) – The Battle of Magdhaba was fought today (1916) – Cyclone Tracey devastates Darwin, during which the Patrol boat HMAS sinks with the loss of two lives(1974) – 37 sqn Hercules make first relief fligh into Darwin after Cyclone Tracey(1974) – The defense of Jerusalem begins(1917) – The Japanese aircraft carrier Hōshō becomes the first purpose built aircraft carrier to be commissioned in the world(1922) – RAAF C-130 begains relief effort after Boxing Day tsunami(2004) – Nothing important happened. – The United States halts heavy bombing campaign of North Vietnam(1972) – The year ends forever