Australian casualties of World War II


Over 27,000 Australians were killed and 23,000 wounded in action during World War II. In addition, hundreds more servicemen and women were killed and injured in accidents during the war.

Casualties by service

The following table is taken from The Final Campaigns by Gavin Long. It excludes deaths and illnesses from natural causes, including disease.
RANArmyRAAFTotal
War against Germany, Italy and Vichy France
Killed in action900261050368546
Died of wounds370058761
Died of wounds while POW56965
Died of sickness or injury while POW9595
Presumed died while POW9114105
Total killed903355251179572
POW escaped, recovered or repatriated25687410207919
Wounded and injured in action 2689255299480
War against Japan
Killed in action840629411408274
Died of wounds411090651196
Died of wounds while POW5050
Died of sickness or injury while POW53365336
Presumed died while POW11623911382645
Total killed99715161134317501
POW escaped, recovered or repatriated2381387223514345
Wounded and injured in action 5531319125313997
All theatres of war
Killed in action17408904617616820
Died of wounds4417901231957
Died of wounds while POW01069115
Died of sickness or injury while POW0543105431
Presumed died while POW11624821522750
Total killed190018713646027073
POW escaped, recovered or repatriated26320746125522264
Wounded and injured in action 5792211678223477

Non-battle casualties

The Australian Army suffered 1,165 killed and died of injuries in operational areas and a further 33,396 soldiers were wounded or injured. Casualties in non-operational areas were also significant, with 2,051 soldiers being killed or dying of injuries and 121,800 being wounded or injured. These figures also exclude deaths and illnesses from natural causes. The RAN suffered 177 non-battle casualties and the RAAF 6,271.