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There was five men who led Australia as Prime Minister during World War II - Robert Menzies, Arthur Fadden, John Curtin, Frank Forde and Ben Chifley.

Robert Menzies served from 26 April 1939 to 28 August 1941. He was the one who made the official announcement that Australia was at war with Germany, following on from England's lead.

Arthur Fadden served from 29 August to 7 October 1941, but was defeated during the budget debate on a no confidence motion.

John Curtin served from 7 October 1941 - 5 July 1945. He died on 5 July 1945, six weeks before the end of the War in the Pacific. Curtin is credited with developing a better alliance with the US once Japan entered the war, realising that Australia could no longer depend on the UK for support, as it was occupied with both fighting Germany and its allies in Europe, and with the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in the Pacific.

Francis Forde served from 6 July 1945 to 13 July 1945, for a period of only eight days, the shortest term for any Australian prime minister. He maintained the leadership following Curtin's death, until elections could be held.

Ben Chifley served from 13 July 1945 to 19 December 1949, and led the nation for the final weeks of the war.

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10y ago

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