Historical eventSeptember 111914

World War I

First World War: The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force invaded German New Guinea, winning the Battle of Bita Paka.

Everything on September 11Original source

In context

When
Friday, September 11 1914112 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
20th century · 1910s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

Russia, Greece and some other countries used the Julian calendar into the early 20th century, so local records may show a date up to 13 days earlier.

At a glance

Dates: From 1914.

What came beforeAI-assisted

Germany had controlled German New Guinea since 1884, establishing a colonial presence in the South Pacific. When World War I began in August 1914, the territory became a strategic target for the British Empire and its dominions.

Australia, newly independent and eager to prove itself militarily, sought to eliminate German influence in the Pacific. The Australian government authorized an expeditionary force to seize German New Guinea before Germany could reinforce it.

Catalyst / how it startedAI-assisted

Britain's declaration of war on Germany on August 4, 1914, automatically involved the British Empire's dominions, including Australia. Australia's Prime Minister Billy Hughes committed the nation to the war effort and authorized military action in the Pacific.

The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF) was hastily assembled and dispatched to German New Guinea in late August 1914. The force aimed to capture German wireless stations and colonial infrastructure before German reinforcements could arrive.

Who was involvedAI-assisted

The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, commanded by Colonel William Holmes, consisted of approximately 1,500 troops. The force included infantry, naval personnel, and support units transported by Australian and British warships.

German defenders in New Guinea, led by Governor Friedrich Hahl, had limited military resources and fewer than 300 trained soldiers. German colonists and indigenous police forces supplemented the small garrison.

TimelineAI-assisted

August 19, 1914: The Australian expeditionary force departed from Brisbane. September 11, 1914: Australian forces defeated German defenders at the Battle of Bita Paka, the first land battle involving Australian troops in World War I.

September 17, 1914: German Governor Hahl surrendered at Toma, ending organized German resistance. By October 1914, Australia had secured control of German New Guinea and its strategic wireless stations.

What happened

First World War: The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force invaded German New Guinea, winning the Battle of Bita Paka.

September 11 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1914World War I
  2. 2011National September 11 Memorial & Museum
  3. 20122012 Pakistan factory fires
  4. 2012Central Intelligence Agency
  5. 2012Benghazi
  6. 2015Mecca crane collapse
  7. 2023Derna, Libya
  8. 2024Hurricane Francine
  9. 2024Soyuz MS-26
  10. 2025Jair Bolsonaro
  11. 2025Progress MS-32

Also in 1914

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  • September 17Andrew FisherAndrew Fisher, who in his previous term as premier oversaw a period of reform unmatched in the Commonwealth until the 1940s, became Prime…
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  • October 27World War IWorld War I: The Royal Navy dreadnought HMS Audacious was sunk by a mine, but its loss was kept secret for four years.
  • October 7PohnpeiJapan captured Pohnpei from Germany, eventually leading to large-scale Japanese immigration to Micronesia.
  • October 7Rudolf SteinerIn a death that Rudolf Steiner terms a voluntary sacrifice and that inspires Edith Maryon's relief In Memory of Theo Faiss (pictured), se…

Everything we record for 1914 →

Sources

Cite this page

“World War I”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/world-war-i-1914-september-11, accessed October 26, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did World War I happen?

September 11 1914 — 112 years ago, on a Friday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints. Panels marked AI-assisted were filled where the sources left a heading empty.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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