Courtesy of: Australians at War 2/1st Battalion The 2/1st Battalion was raised at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, on 16 October 1939 as part of the 16th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division. It relocated to the newly-opened Ingleburn Camp on 2 November and, after conducting basic training there, embarked for overseas service on 10 January 1940. Disembarking in Egypt on 13 February 1940, the 2/1st moved to Palestine, where it was concentrated with the rest of the 16th Brigade at Julis near Gaza. The brigade trained in Palestine until the end of August, when it moved to Egypt to carry out its final preparations for active service with the 6th Division. The 2/1st Battalion’s first campaign of the Second World War was the advance from Egypt into eastern Libya in January and February 1941. The battalion was involved in the attacks to capture Bardia (3–5 January) and Tobruk (21–22 January), and was left to garrison Tobruk as the advance continued. It left Tobruk on 7 March, ultimately bound for Greece with the rest of the 6th Division. The 2/1st Battalion arrived in Greece on 22 March and was soon deployed north to resist the anticipated German invasion. The battalion occupied positions at Veria on 7 April but, in the face of superior German force, it began a long withdrawal south on 12 April and was evacuated by sea from Megara on 25 April. The battalion landed on Crete the next day and was subsequently deployed with the 2/11th Battalion to defend the critical airfield at Retimo. The German airborne invasion of Crete began on 20 May but a tenacious defence denied them Retimo airfield until 30 May. German victories elsewhere on Crete, however, allowed them to concentrate overwhelming force against Retimo and, short of rations and ammunition, the 2/1st surrendered and became prisoners of war. The battalion was rebuilt in Palestine and subsequently manned defences in northern Syria between October 1941 and January 1942. It left the Middle East, heading for the war against Japan, on 10 March 1942. The 16th and 17th Brigades, however, were diverted on the voyage home. Between 26 March and 13 July they defended Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) from possible Japanese attack. The 2/1st finally disembarked in Australia, at Melbourne, on 7 August 1942; less than 100 of the men who had originally sailed with it in January 1940 remained with the battalion. In the South-West Pacific theatre the 2/1st Battalion fought in two campaigns – the advance along the Kokoda Trail to the Japanese beachheads between September 1942 and January 1943, and the drive to clear the Japanese from the Aitape–Wewak region of New Guinea between December 1944 and August 1945. The period in between was occupied with training in northern Queensland. The Kokoda Trail fighting, involving major battles at Eora Creek (20 –29 October), Gorari (9–12 November 1942) and Sanananda (20–21 November) was particularly costly, with over two-thirds of the battalion killed, wounded, or evacuated sick. The 2/1st Battalion disbanded in December 1945. Colour Patch Glossary 16 Brigade ; 2nd Australian Imperial Force ; 6 Division ; Aitape-Wewak Campaign ; Ingleburn ; Victoria Barracks (Sydney) ; Battle for Retimo ; Battle of Bardia ; Battle of Gorari ; Battles for Tobruk ; Crete Campaign ; Greek Campaign ; Kokoda Trail Campaign ; Julis ; Eora Creek ; Sanananda Battle Honours North Africa Bardia 1941 Capture of Tobruk Greece 1941 Mount Olympus Brallos Pass Middle East 1941-1944 Crete Retimo South-West Pacific 1942-1945 Kokoda Trail Eora Creek-Templeton's Crossing II Oivi-Gorari Buna-Gona Sanananda Road Casualties 263 killed, 418 wounded For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Second World War Nominal Roll (external website) databases. Commanding Officers Eather, Kenneth William Campbell, Ian Ross White, Tom Warren Cullen, Paul Alfred Decorations 3 DSO, 1 bar 15 MC 7 DCM 28 MM 68 MID For more information please see Honours and Awards database Collection Items Search for related collection items References AWM52: 8/3/1 2/1st Battalion war diary E.C. Givney (ed.), The first at war: the story of the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion, 1939-45, the City of Sydney Regiment , (Earlwood: The Association of First Infantry Battalions, 1987).
2/2nd Battalion Courtesy of: Australians at War 2/2nd Battalion The 2/2nd Battalion was raised at Victoria Barracks, Sydney on 24 October 1939 as part of the 16th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division. It relocated to the newly-opened Ingleburn Camp on 2 November and, after conducting basic training there, sailed for overseas service on 10 January 1940. After disembarking in Egypt on 13 February 1940, the 2/2nd trained with the rest of the 16th Brigade in Palestine until the end of August. It then moved to Egypt to carry out its final preparations for operations with the 6th Division. The 2/2nd Battalion’s first campaign of the Second World War was the advance from Egypt into eastern Libya in January and February 1941. It was involved in the attacks to capture Bardia (3–5 January) and Tobruk (21–22 January), and remained as part of the Tobruk garrison when the advance continued. The 2/2nd left Tobruk on 7 March, ultimately bound for Greece. Arriving in Greece on 22 March, the 2/2nd was soon deployed north to resist the anticipated German invasion. It occupied positions at Veria on 7 April, but a succession of withdrawals by the Allies in Greece meant that the battalion did not meet the enemy in battle until 18 April – at Tempe (Pinios) Gorge. There, in a desperate fight, the 2/2nd blocked German movement through the gorge to permit the safe withdrawal of Allied forces further south. It held its ground until overwhelmed by vastly superior German forces. Some parties from the battalion later managed to rejoin the main withdrawal south, and were eventually evacuated by the Allied navies, while others made epic escapes through the Greek islands. A group of 189 members of the 2/2nd subsequently fought with the 16th Brigade Composite Battalion on Crete. After being rebuilt in Palestine, the 2/2nd manned defences in northern Syria between October 1941 and January 1942. It left the Middle East, heading for the war against Japan, on 11 March 1942. The 16th and 17th Brigades, however, were diverted on the voyage home. Between 27 March and 13 July they defended Ceylon (current-day Sri Lanka) from possible Japanese attack. The 2/2nd finally disembarked in Australia, at Melbourne, on 4 August 1942. The 2/2nd’s first campaign against the Japanese was the advance along the Kokoda Trail to the Japanese beachheads between September and December 1942. Fighting major engagements at Templeton’s Crossing (20 October), Oivi (5–12 November), and on the Sanananda Track (21 November–10 December), the battalion suffered heavily from both wounds and sickness. It arrived in Port Moresby on 21 September 670 strong, but withdrew from the Sanananda Track with only 88 men. 1943 and 1944 were spent training in northern Queensland, and the 2/2nd’s last campaign of the war was the drive to clear the Japanese from the Aitape-Wewak region of New Guinea between December 1944 and August 1945. For his actions at Dagua during these operations, Lieutenant Albert Chowne was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. The 2/2nd Battalion disbanded in Brisbane on 15 February 1946. Glossary 16 Brigade ; 2nd Australian Imperial Force ; 6 Division ; Aitape-Wewak Campaign ; Ingleburn ; Victoria Barracks (Sydney) ; Battle of Bardia ; Battle of Templeton's Crossing ; Battles for Tobruk ; Chowne, Albert ; Crete Campaign ; Greek Campaign ; Kokoda Trail Campaign ; Dagua ; Oivi ; Sanananda ; Tempe (Pinios) Gorge Battle Honours North Africa Bardia 1941 Capture of Tobruk Greece 1941 Mount Olympus Tempe Gorge South-West Pacific 1942-1945 Kokoda Trail Eora Creek-Templeton's Crossing II Oivi-Gorari Buna-Gona Sanananda Road Liberation of Australian New Guinea Nambut Ridge But-Dagua Casualties 217 killed, 368 wounded For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Second World War Nominal Roll (external website) databases. Commanding Officers Wootten, George Frederick Edgar, Cedric Rupert Vaughan Cameron, Allan Gordon Decorations 1 VC 4 DSO 9 MC, 1 bar 4 DCM 24 MM 79 MID For more information please see Honours and Awards database Collection Items Search for related collection items References AWM52: 8/3/2 2/2nd Battalion war diary S. Wick, Purple over green: the history of the 2/2nd Australian Infantry 1939-1945, (Brookvale: 2/2 Australian Infantry Battalion Association, 1977). M. A. Barter, Far above battle: the experience and memory of Australian soldiers in war 1939-1945, (St Leonards: Allen & Unwin, 1994).
2/3rd Battalion Courtesy of: Australians at War 2/3rd Battalion The 2/3rd Battalion was raised at Victoria Barracks, Sydney on 24 October 1939 as part of the 16th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division. It relocated to the newly-opened Ingleburn Camp on 2 November where it conducted its basic training. On 10 January 1940, it sailed from Sydney and disembarked in Egypt on 14 February. After further training in Palestine and Egypt, the 2/3rd took part in its first campaign – the advance against the Italians in eastern Libya – in January 1941. It was involved in the successful attacks at Bardia (3–5 January) and Tobruk (21–22 January), and remained as part of the Tobruk garrison when the advance continued. One company of the 2/3rd was also employed to garrison Derna after its capture by the 19th Brigade on 30 January. The 2/3rd left Tobruk on 7 March, ultimately bound, with the rest of the 6th Division, for Greece. Arriving in Greece on 19 March, the 2/3rd was soon deployed north to resist the anticipated German invasion. It occupied positions at Veria on 7 April, but a succession of withdrawals by the Allies in Greece meant that the battalion did not meet the enemy in battle until 18 April – at Tempe (Pinios) Gorge. There, the 2/3rd supported the 2/2nd Battalion and blocked German movement through the gorge, allowing the unhindered withdrawal of Allied forces further south. The 2/3rd itself was forced to withdraw again by nightfall. Its activities in Greece ended with evacuation by sea from Kalamata on 27 April. The bulk of the battalion returned to Palestine, via Egypt, but one group of 141 troops subsequently fought with the 16th Brigade Composite Battalion on Crete, after the transport carrying them away from Greece was sunk. In June and July 1941, the 2/3rd took part in the campaign in Syria and Lebanon and fought around Damascus (20–22 June), in an unsuccessful effort to secure Jebel Mazar (24–28 June), and in the climactic battle of Damour (6–10 July). The battalion was destined to remain in Syria as part of the garrison there until January 1942. It left the Middle East, heading for the war against Japan, on 10 March 1942. The 16th and 17th Brigades, however, were diverted on the voyage home. Between 27 March and 13 July they defended Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) from possible Japanese attack. The 2/3rd finally disembarked in Australia, at Melbourne, on 8 August 1942. The 2/3rd’s first campaign against the Japanese was the advance along the Kokoda Trail to the Japanese beachheads between September and December 1942. It fought major engagements at Eora Creek (22–28 October), Oivi (5–12 November), and on the Sanananda Track (21 November–19 December). 1943 and 1944 were spent training in northern Queensland, and the 2/3rd’s last campaign of the war was the operation to clear the Japanese from the Aitape–Wewak region of New Guinea between December 1944 and August 1945. The 2/3rd Battalion disbanded on 8 February 1946. Glossary 16 Brigade ; 2nd Australian Imperial Force ; 6 Division ; Aitape-Wewak Campaign ; Ingleburn ; Victoria Barracks (Sydney) ; Battle of Bardia ; Battles for Tobruk ; Crete Campaign ; Greek Campaign ; Kokoda Trail Campaign ; Eora Creek ; Oivi ; Sanananda ; Tempe (Pinios) Gorge Battle Honours North Africa Bardia 1941 Capture of Tobruk Syria 1941 Damascus 1941 Dimas Damour Greece 1941 Mount Olympus Tempe Gorge South-West Pacific 1942-1945 Kokoda Trail Eora Creek-Templeton's Crossing II Oivi-Gorari Buna-Gona Sanananda Road Casualties 203 killed, 432 wounded For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Second World War Nominal Roll (external website) databases. Commanding Officers England, Vivian Theophilus Lamb, Donald James Stevenson, John Rowlstone Decorations 4 DSO 16 MC 12 DCM 30 MM 2 BEM 73 MID For more information please see Honours and Awards database Collection Items Search for related collection items References AWM52: 8/3/3 2/3rd Battalion war diary K. Clift, War dance: a story of the 2/3 Aust. Inf. Battalion A.I.F., (Kingsgrove: P. M. Fowler, 1980).
2/4th Battalion Courtesy of: Australians at War 2/4th Battalion The 2/4th Battalion’s first drafts of recruits arrived at Ingleburn Camp on 3 November 1939, following the formation its headquarters at Victoria Barracks in Sydney the previous week. Part of the 16th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division, the battalion departed Sydney for service overseas on 10 January 1940. While the battalion was en route for the Middle East Australian infantry brigades were reorganised along British lines, with three battalions instead of four. This meant the 2/4th was eventually transferred to the 19th Brigade, but remained part of the 6th Division. Arriving in the Middle East on 14 February 1940, the 2/4th trained in Palestine and Egypt in preparation for its first campaign, against the Italians in eastern Libya. It played only a small role at Bardia (3–5 January 1941) but was more active during the battle for Tobruk (21–22 January 1941), and had to fight particularly hard to secure the Wadi Derna (26–30 January). It was the first Australian unit to enter Benghazi, on 6 February, and subsequently garrisoned the town until 22 February. In early April 1941, the 2/4th, with the rest of the 6th Division, deployed to Greece to resist the anticipated German invasion. It fought a fierce battle at Vevi in northern Greece on 11 and 12 April and then withdrew through a series of rearguard positions until evacuated, by sea, from Megara on 26 April. The battalion landed on Crete the next day and eventually joined the force defending Heraklion airfield. When German paratroops landed on 20 May they were rapidly overcome in the area immediately around the airfield. The paratroops were, however, able to gain a foothold outside the defended area. This, combined with German successes elsewhere on Crete, brought about the evacuation of Heraklion by sea on 29 May. After a period of training in Palestine, the 2/4th joined the force garrisoning Syria. It completed this duty in mid-January 1942, embarked for home on 12 February, and arrived at Adelaide on 27 March. In June, the 19th Brigade was deployed to defend Darwin and the 2/4th remained there for what became a boring and frustrating year. The brigade rejoined the rest of the 6th Division training in northern Queensland in June 1943 but another 18 months would pass before it saw action again. The 2/4th landed at Aitape in New Guinea on 2 November 1944 to undertake its only campaign against the Japanese. Its most intense effort took place between April and July. Landed at But, the battalion advanced along the coast, captured Wewak on 10 May, and then swung inland to clear the foothills of the Prince Alexander Range. For his actions during the attack on Wirui Mission on 14 May, Private Edward Kenna was awarded the Victoria Cross. Following the Japanese surrender on 15 August, drafts of 2/4th men began returning to Australia for discharge. The remainder of the battalion itself arrived home on 26 October and disbanded at Chermside in Queensland on 12 November 1945. Glossary 16 Brigade ; 19 Brigade ; 2nd Australian Imperial Force ; 6 Division ; Aitape-Wewak Campaign ; Ingleburn ; Battle of Bardia ; Battle of Vevi (Veve) ; Battles for Tobruk ; Crete Campaign ; Heraklion ; Greek Campaign ; Benghazi ; Derna ; Wewak ; Wirui Battle Honours North Africa Bardia 1941 Capture of Tobruk Greece 1941 Veve Soter Middle East 1941-1944 Crete Heraklion South-West Pacific 1942-1945 Liberation of Australian New Guinea Wewak Wirui Mission Mount Shiburangu-Mount Tazaki Casualties 138killed, 243 wounded For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Second World War Nominal Roll (external website) databases. Commanding Officers Parsons, Percival Augustus Dougherty, Ivan Noel Farrell, Nevis William Parkington Cox, Geoffrey Souter Decorations 1 VC 1 DSO 2 MBE 9 MC 6 DCM 11 MM 53 MID For more information please see Honours and Awards database Collection Items Search for related collection items References AWM52: 8/3/4 2/4th Battalion war diary "White over green": the 2/4th Battalion and reference to the 4th Battalion, (Sydney: Angus & Robertson in association with 2/4th Infantry Battalion Association, 1963).
2/5th Battalion Courtesy of: Australians at War 2/5th Battalion The 2/5th Battalion formed in Melbourne on 18 October 1939, as part of the 17th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division. The nucleus of the battalion was assembled in ensuing days at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, but its first drafts of recruits were not received until after it moved to the newly-established camp at Puckapunyal on 2 November. Basic training was completed there prior to the battalion’s departure for overseas service on 14 April 1940. After arriving in the Middle East on 18 May 1940, the battalion undertook further training in Palestine and Egypt. The 2/5th took part in its first campaign – the advance against the Italians in eastern Libya – in January and February 1941, and participated in successful attacks at Bardia (3–5 January) and Tobruk (21–22 January). In early April, the 2/5th, with the rest of the 6th Division, deployed to Greece to resist the anticipated German invasion. For the 2/5th, the Greek campaign was essentially one long withdrawal from its initial defensive positions at Kalabaka (occupied on 14 April) to the port of Kalamata, from which it was evacuated on 27 April. A party of approximately 50 transport drivers were left behind in Greece and became prisoners. A similar sized group landed on Crete and, after fighting with the 17th Brigade Composite Battalion, also suffered the same fate. Back in Palestine, the 2/5th was given little respite. In June and July 1941, it took part in the campaign in Syria, including the climactic battle of Damour (6–10 July) that sealed the defeat of the Vichy French forces. The battalion was destined to remain in Syria and Lebanon as part of the garrison force there until January 1942. It left the Middle East, heading for the war against Japan, on 10 March 1942. The 16th and 17th Brigades, however, were diverted on the voyage home. From early March to early July they defended Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) from possible Japanese attack. The 2/5th finally disembarked in Australia, at Melbourne, on 4 August 1942. The 2/5th deployed to Milne Bay, in Papua, in early October 1942 but did not meet the Japanese in battle until the end of January 1943, when it joined the force defending Wau, in New Guinea. After much desperate fighting, the Japanese around Wau were defeated in early February. The 2/5th subsequently participated in the drive towards Salamaua and was heavily engaged around Goodview and Mount Tambu in July and August. After arriving back in Australia at Cairns on 23 September 1943, the 2/5th spent most of 1944 training in northern Queensland. On 29 November 1944, the 2/5th disembarked at Aitape in New Guinea for its last campaign of the war. It spent much of the next seven months engaged mainly in arduous patrolling to clear the Japanese from the Torricelli and Prince Alexander mountain ranges. It was still engaged in this role when the war ended on 15 August 1945. The battalion embarked to return to Australia on 1 December and disbanded at Puckapunyal in early February 1946. It was one of only two battalions that fought all of Australia’s major enemies during the Second World War. Glossary 17 Brigade ; 2nd Australian Imperial Force ; 6 Division ; Aitape-Wewak Campaign ; Puckapunyal ; Battle of Bardia ; Battle of Damour ; Battles for Tobruk ; Crete Campaign ; Defence of Wau ; Greek Campaign ; Mount Tambu ; Salamaua ; Syrian Campaign Battle Honours North Africa Bardia 1941 Capture of Tobruk Syria 1941 Merjayun Damour Greece 1941 South-West Pacific 1942-1945 Wau Bobdubi II Mubo II Mount Tambu Komiatum Liberation of Australian New Guinea Perimbil Balif Yamil-Ulupu Kaboibus-Kiarivu Casualties 216 killed, 390 wounded For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Second World War Nominal Roll (external website) databases. Commanding Officers Cook, Thomas Page Wrigley, Hugh King, Roy Wood, Frederick George Starr, Patrick Daniel Sarsfield Buttrose, Alfred William Conroy, Thomas Mayo Collection Items Search for related collection items References AWM52: 8/3/5 2/5th Battalion war diary S. Trigellis-Smith, All the King's enemies: a history of the 2/5th Australian Infantry Battalion, (Ringwood East: 2/5 Battalion Association, 1988).
2/6th Battalion Courtesy of: Australians at War 2/6th Battalion Part of the 17th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division, the 2/6th Battalion opened its headquarters at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds on 25 October 1939. “Nothing over 2/6” was a well-known advertising slogan for Coles department store at the time and thus the battalion adopted the motto “nothing over us”. It relocated to the newly-established camp at Puckapunyal on 3 November to carry out its basic training, and departed Melbourne for service overseas on 14 April 1940. Arriving in the Middle East on 18 May, the 2/6th spent the rest of 1940 conducting further training in Palestine and Egypt. Just before Christmas, it embarked on its first campaign, against the Italians in eastern Libya. Its first battle, fought at Bardia between 3 and 5 January 1941, was costly. The battalion was given a diversionary role and a series of misunderstandings resulted in heavy casualties. It fought again at Tobruk between 21 and 22 January with much more success, and finished its activities in Libya by providing garrisons for Barce and Benghazi. In early April, the 2/6th, with the rest of the 6th Division, deployed to Greece to resist the anticipated German invasion. For the 2/6th, the Greek campaign was essentially one long withdrawal through a series of rearguard positions, beginning on 16 April. In the last days of the campaign its companies were dispersed by higher command; some were subsequently evacuated by sea between 26 and 29 April, but approximately a quarter of the battalion was left behind and taken prisoner. Some of the evacuees were landed on Crete and, after fighting with the 17th Brigade Composite Battalion, many of these men were also captured. Rebuilt in Palestine, the 2/6th moved into Syria in December 1941 to join the garrison force there. It left the Middle East on 10 March 1942 but was diverted to Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka), with the rest of the 16th and 17th Brigades, and between mid-March and mid-July defended the island from possible Japanese attack. The 2/6th finally disembarked in Australia, at Melbourne, on 4 August 1942. The 2/6th first met the Japanese in battle in mid-January 1943 as part of the force defending Wau in New Guinea. After much desperate fighting, Wau was made secure in early February. The 2/6th subsequently participated in the drive towards Salamaua. It resisted a determined Japanese counter-attack at Lababia Ridge between 20 and 22 June, and was particularly active around Komiatum Ridge in August. After arriving back in Australia on 23 September 1943, the battalion spent most of 1944 training in northern Queensland. On 6 December 1944, the 2/6th disembarked at Aitape in New Guinea for its final campaign and spent much of the next eight months engaged in arduous patrolling to clear the Japanese from the Torricelli and Prince Alexander mountain ranges. It was still engaged in this role when the war ended on 15 August 1945. The battalion embarked to return to Australia on 13 December and disbanded at Puckapunyal on 18 February 1946. Glossary 17 Brigade ; 2nd Australian Imperial Force ; 6 Division ; Aitape-Wewak Campaign ; Puckapunyal ; Battle of Bardia ; Battles for Tobruk ; Crete Campaign ; Defence of Wau ; Greek Campaign ; Lababia Ridge operations ; Komiatum Ridge ; Salamaua Battle Honours North Africa Bardia 1941 Capture of Tobruk Greece 1941 South-West Pacific 1942-1945 Wau Lababia Ridge Bobdubi II Mubo II Komiatum Liberation of Australian New Guinea Maprik Yamil-Ulupu Kaboibus-Kiarivu Casualties 179 killed, 335 wounded For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Second World War Nominal Roll (external website) databases. Commanding Officers Godfrey, Arthur Harry Langham Wrigley, Hugh Wood, Frederick George Jackson, David Arion Collingwood Decorations 4 DSO 15 MC 5 DCM 35 MM 63 MID For more information please see Honours and Awards database Collection Items Search for related collection items References AWM52: 8/3/6 2/6th Battalion war diary D. Hay, Nothing over us: the story of the 2/6th Australian Infantry Battalion, (Canberra: Australian War Memorial, 1984).
2/7th Battalion Courtesy of: Australians at War 2/7th Battalion Part of the 17th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division, the 2/7th Battalion opened its headquarters at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds on 25 October 1939. It relocated to the newly-established camp at Puckapunyal on 3 November to carry out its basic training, and departed Melbourne for service overseas on 15 April 1940. Arriving in the Middle East on 17 May 1940, the 2/7th conducted further training in Palestine and Egypt, before embarking on its first campaign – the advance against the Italians in eastern Libya – just before Christmas. It fought in the battles for Bardia (3–5 January 1941) and Tobruk (21–22 January 1941) and ended its activities in Libya manning defensive positions at Marsa Brega – the western extent of the advance. In early April 1941, the 2/7th, with the rest of the 6th Division, deployed to Greece to resist the anticipated German invasion. For the 2/7th, the Greek campaign was essentially one long withdrawal through a series of rearguard positions, beginning on 16 April. The majority of the 2/6th were evacuated from Kalamata aboard the "Costa Rica" on the night of 26 April. On the afternoon of 27 April, however, the "Costa Rica" was crippled by German aircraft. The men of the 2/7th were rescued by a pair of British destroyers and landed on Crete. On Crete, the 2/7th were initially deployed to defend the coastline around Georgioupolis but, after the German airborne landings on 20 May, were soon moved up to join the fighting around Canea. On 27 May the battalion took part in a wild bayonet charge at 42nd Street that temporarily rebuffed the German advance. The 2/7th subsequently played a critical rearguard role as the Allied forces retreated across the island to Sphakia. As a result, the battalion was left behind and taken prisoner after the withdrawal of the last evacuation vessels from Sphakia on 1 June. Rebuilt in Palestine, the 2/7th formed part of the garrison in Syria between October and February 1941, before leaving the Middle East on 12 March 1942. Between mid-March and mid-July it formed part of a force defending Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) from possible Japanese attack, and did not disembark in Australia until 4 August 1942. The 2/7th, as a whole, first met the Japanese in battle in the mid-January 1943 as part of the force defending Wau in New Guinea, although its carrier platoon had already been involved in fighting at Buna in Papua. Once Wau was made secure in early February, the 2/7th subsequently participated in the drive towards Salamaua. After arriving back in Australia on 6 October 1943, the battalion spent most of 1944 training in northern Queensland. On 16 November 1944, the 2/7th disembarked at Aitape in New Guinea for its final campaign. Between January and June 1944, it was engaged mainly in arduous patrolling to clear the Torricelli Range, and in August it carried out a similar role in the Prince Alexander Range. The battalion returned to Australia on 18 December 1945 and disbanded at Puckapunyal in February 1946. Glossary 17 Brigade ; 2nd Australian Imperial Force ; 6 Division ; Aitape-Wewak Campaign ; Puckapunyal ; Battle of 42nd Street ; Battle of Bardia ; Battles for Tobruk ; Crete Campaign ; Sfakia ; Defence of Wau ; Greek Campaign ; Salamaua Battle Honours North Africa Bardia 1941 Capture of Tobruk Greece 1941 Middle East 1941-1944 Crete Canea 42nd Street Withdrawal to Sphakia South-West Pacific 1942-1945 Wau Mubo I Bobdubi II Komiatum Liberation of Australian New Guinea Maprik Yamil-Ulupu Kaboibus-Kiarivu Casualties 226 killed, 473 wounded For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Second World War Nominal Roll (external website) databases. Decorations 6 DSO 2 MBE 11 MC 5 DCM 26 MM 60 MID For more information please see Honours and Awards database Collection Items Search for related collection items References AWM52: 8/3/7 2/7th Battalion war diary W.P. Bolger & J. G. Littlewood, The firey phoenix: the story of the 2/7 Australian Infantry Battalion 1939-1946, (Parkdale: 2/7 Battalion Association, no date).
2/8th Battalion Courtesy of: Australians at War 2/8th Battalion The headquarters of the 2/8th Battalion opened at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds on 30 October 1939 and four days later relocated to the newly-established camp at Puckapunyal. After completing its basic training, the battalion departed Melbourne for service overseas on 14 April 1940. The battalion was originally formed as part of the 17th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division, but in February it was decided to reorganise Australian infantry brigades along British lines, with three battalions instead of four. This meant the 2/8th was eventually transferred to the 19th Brigade, but remained part of the 6th Division. Arriving in the Middle East on 18 May 1940, the 2/8th trained in Palestine and Egypt in preparation for its first campaign, against the Italians in eastern Libya. It played only a small role at Bardia (3–5 January 1941) but suffered the heaviest casualties of any Australian unit during the battle for Tobruk (21–22 January 1941), after having to attack a strong point constructed around a line of dug-in tanks. The 19th Brigade led the divisional advance onwards to Benghazi, which was reached on 6 February; the Italian forces surrendered the next day. In early April 1941 the 2/8th deployed to Greece. It fought a fierce battle with German troops at Vevi in the country’s north on 11 and 12 April but, overstretched and assailed by a vastly superior force, was forced to withdraw. The battalion became disorganised, lost a great deal of its weapons and equipment, and many of its troops were separated. It played no significant role in the rest of the campaign and was evacuated from Kalamata, in two ships, on the night of 26 April. 199 members of the battalion were taken straight back to Egypt, while another 394 were landed on Crete after their transport, "Costa Rica", was sunk. This party fought around Canea after the landing of German paratroops on 20 May. The battalion was reunited in Palestine on 3 June and in October it joined the force garrisoning Syria. It left Syria in mid January 1942, embarked for home on 12 February, and arrived at Adelaide on 28 March. In June, the 19th Brigade was deployed to defend Darwin and the 2/8th remained there for what became a boring and frustrating year. The brigade rejoined the rest of the 6th Division training in northern Queensland in June 1943 but another 18 months would pass before it saw action again. The 2/8th landed at Aitape in New Guinea on 12 November 1944 to undertake its only campaign against the Japanese. It was involved in the Danmap River operations between December 1944 and February 1945, and then the advance on Wewak and clearance of the Prince Alexander Range between April and July 1945. The capture of the dominating heights of Mount Shiburangu on 27 June was the battalion’s greatest achievement of the campaign. Following the Japanese surrender on 15 August, drafts of 2/8th men began returning to Australia for discharge. The remainder of the battalion departed Wewak on 10 November, and disbanded at Puckapunyal on 14 December 1945. Glossary 17 Brigade ; 19 Brigade ; 2nd Australian Imperial Force ; 6 Division ; Aitape-Wewak Campaign ; Puckapunyal ; Battle of Bardia ; Battle of Vevi (Veve) ; Battles for Tobruk ; Capture of Mount Shiburangu ; Crete Campaign ; Canea ; Greek Campaign ; Benghazi ; Danmap River ; Wewak Battle Honours North Africa Bardia 1941 Capture of Tobruk Derna Greece 1941 Mount Olympus Veve Middle East 1941-1944 Crete Canea 42nd Street Withdrawal to Sphakia South-West Pacific 1942-1945 Liberation of Australian New Guinea Abau-Malin Wewak Casualties 94 killed, 272 wounded For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Second World War Nominal Roll (external website) databases. Commanding Officers Mitchell, John Wesley Winning, Robert Emmet Decorations 1 DSO 1 MBE 11 MC 6 DCM 11 MM 53 MID For more information please see Honours and Awards database Collection Items Search for related collection items References AWM52: 8/3/8 2/8th Battalion war diary The Second Eighth: a history of the 2/8th Australian Infantry Battalion, (Melbourne: 2/8th Battalion Association, 1984).
2/11th Battalion Courtesy of: Australians at War 2/11th Battalion The 2/11th was the first Western Australian battalion raised for service overseas during the Second World War. Its formation began with the appointment of its first commanding officer on 13 October 1939 and by 7 November it was assembling at the newly-built Northam Camp to begin training. On 30 November it left Northam to join the 18th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division, a journey that would end at another new camp at Greta in New South Wales. The battalion returned to Western Australia in the middle of March and embarked at Fremantle for service overseas on 20 April 1940. After arriving in the Middle East on 18 May, the 2/11th trained in Palestine and Egypt. A decision to reorganise Australian infantry brigades along British lines, with three battalions instead of four, meant the 2/11th was now part of the 19th Brigade, but it remained part of the 6th Division. The battalion went into action for the first time at Bardia on 5 January 1941 and, as part of the Allied advance into Italian-occupied Libya, subsequently fought at Tobruk on 21–22 January, and to secure Derna airfield on 25 January. It was advancing to the south of Benghazi when the Italians surrendered on 7 February. In early April 1941 the 2/11th were deployed to assist in the defence of Greece. The Allied forces, however, were unable to hold back the attacking Germans. The 2/11th withdrew from its initial positions at Kalabaka and remained on the move until it occupied rearguard positions at Brallos Pass a week later. It fought and slowed the Germans there on 24 April and then continued its withdrawal to Megara, where it was evacuated by sea on the night of 25 April. The battalion landed on Crete the next day. It was subsequently deployed with the 2/1st Battalion to defend Retimo airfield, which was held tenaciously for ten days following the landing of German paratroops on 20 May. German successes elsewhere on Crete, however, made surrender inevitable. Many 2/11th soldiers attempted to escape from Crete but only a relatively small number ultimately succeeded; most were taken prisoner. The battalion was rebuilt in Palestine, and between mid-September 1941 and late January 1942 joined the force garrisoning Syria. It left the Middle East on 16 February 1942 and arrived at Adelaide on 16 March. The next month it was attached to the 2nd Brigade of the 4th Division to assist in defence of Western Australia. The battalion rejoined the 19th Brigade in northern Queensland in July 1943, but another 18 months would pass before it saw action again. The 2/11th landed at Aitape in New Guinea on 13 November 1944 to undertake its only campaign against the Japanese. Patrolling, often arduous in nature, constituted the bulk of its operations. Its main areas of operation were east of the Danmap River (January 1945), and in the foothills of the Prince Alexander Range to the south of Wewak (April–July 1945). Following the Japanese surrender on 15 August, drafts of 2/11th men began returning to Australia for discharge. The remainder of the battalion departed Wewak on 10 November, and disbanded at Puckapunyal on 7 December 1945. Glossary 18 Brigade ; 19 Brigade ; 2nd Australian Imperial Force ; 6 Division ; Aitape-Wewak Campaign ; Greta ; Northam ; Battle for Retimo ; Battles for Tobruk ; Crete Campaign ; Greek Campaign ; Benghazi ; Danmap River ; Wewak Battle Honours North Africa Bardia 1941 Capture of Tobruk Derna Greece 1941 Brallos Pass Middle East 1941-1944 Crete Retimo South-West Pacific 1942-1945 Liberation of Australian New Guinea Matapau Abau-Malin Wewak Wirui Mission Casualties 182 killed, 307 wounded For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Second World War Nominal Roll (external website) databases. Commanding Officers Louch, Thomas Steane Sandover, Raymond Ladais Green, Charles Hercules Decorations 2 DSO 1 OBE 3 MBE 6 MC 4 DCM 20 MM 66 MID For more information please see Honours and Awards database Collection Items Search for related collection items References AWM52: 8/3/11 2/11th Battalion war diary K.T. Johnson, The 2/11th (City of Perth) Australian Infantry Battalion, (Swanbourne: John Burridge Military Antiques, 2000).
Spidge you're absolutely tireless well done again. VX3212 Cpl A McCallum, the cousin of a mate of mine was with 2/6 and was given MID during their attack on Derna in 1941, was captured on Crete and was in StalagV1b and Stalag 8. After being repatriated to England after VE Day he went AWL for a while and when arrested was given 6 months imprisonment for his efforts, was released then promoted to Sgt. Heck of a way to gain promotion. Rod
My dad was 2/8th and was hit from all sides on January 21st 1941 taking Tobruk. I remember the 2/8th representative telling mum at dad's funeral 25 years ago........... Mrs Swallow, it was a brave man you had there:
Arch McCallum VX3212 2/6th Battalion I am trying to trace what happened to my father, Arch McCallum VX3212, after he separated from my mother in England in 1952. If anyone has any information about him after that date I would be hugely grateful to hear from them. My email address is a.l.mccallum@btinternet.com
Hello, I know my father was in the 6th Division but I can't find out any more it seems. I have seen a certificate online that has his number & joining date (1939) I know he was in Crete as he received that (Medal?) before he died. He was a Captain by the end of WW2 Surely I would be able to find out more. His grandchildren would love to know more as would I. Where should I look. Thank you.
Hi Indigolady, Supply as much information as you know, full name etc where he was from eg Indigo, as there are details on the AWM and NAA which may help. Cheers Geoff
Hello, I tried to send you a private msg it said your inbox is full. Dad joined in Summer Hill, North Sydney. May I email you? My email address is indigolady63@hotmail.com Thank you.
