2/1st London Brigade, Disbandment
Once in France, the 2/1st London Brigade moved to Rouen, where it was disbanded and the four battalions broken up for drafting as reinforcements to other units For example, from 5 May the 2/2nd sent large drafts to the 1/2nd, and also to the 1/12th Londons (The Rangers) and the 1/16th Londons (Queen's Westminsters). By 20 June all of the 2/4th Bn had been drafted to the 1/4th Bn. All of these battalions were in the 56th (1/1st London) Division preparing for the Attack on the Gommecourt Salient that opened the Battle of the Somme.


2/1st London Brigade, Disbandment
Meanwhile, the units of the 173rd (3/1st London) Brigade, training in the UK, were renumbered as the 'New' 2/1st, 2/2nd etc Bns. The brigade had already taken 2/1st London Bde's place in 58th (2/1st London) Division. At the time, the 58th Division was carrying out coast defence duties in East Anglia, but in July 1916 it began battle training on Salisbury Plain and in January 1917 it landed in France, where it fought on the Western Front until the Armistice with Germany in November 1918.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia)
The 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion was a battalion of the Australian Army that was raised for service during World War II as part of the 6th Division. When it was formed on 14 December 1939, its component companies were spread across several Australian states, but it was later concentrated at Ingleburn, New South Wales, where it completed basic training in the early months of the war. In mid-1940, the battalion embarked for overseas, bound initially for the Middle East, but following the Fall of France it was diverted to the United Kingdom. Along with a larger contingent of Australians, it helped to bolster the island's garrison, undertaking defensive duties during a period when it was expected that the Germans might launch a cross-Channel invasion.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia)
The battalion was transferred to the Middle East in late 1940, after the threat of invasion had passed. It underwent further training in Egypt, before taking part in fighting against the Germans in Greece and on Crete in mid-1941. Having lost most of its equipment and suffering heavy casualties, the 2/1st was rebuilt in Palestine before undertaking garrison duties in Syria in 1941–1942. The battalion was withdrawn to Australia as a result of Japan's entry into the war in December 1941. During 1943, the 2/1st fought a defensive role in the New Guinea campaign.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia)
Following its withdrawal to Australia in early 1944, the battalion was re-organised on the Atherton Tablelands and reassigned to the 7th Division. It was committed to its final campaign in mid-1945, during the Borneo campaign. After the war, the battalion was disbanded in early 1946. One of its mascots, Horrie the Wog Dog, became the subject of a book by Ion Idriess.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
The 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion was formed on 14 December 1939, as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF). It was raised following a reorganisation of the 6th Division's infantry battalions, which saw the removal of the machine gun platoons that had previously existed within each battalion and their centralisation in a single unit. Three other machine gun battalions were subsequently raised as part of the 2nd AIF during the war to support its four infantry divisions.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
Developed by the British Army, the concept within the Australian Army had its genesis during the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915, when the machine guns assigned to the infantry battalions – initially two and then, later, four – had been grouped together and co-ordinated at brigade level to help compensate for the lack of artillery support. Over the course of the war on the Western Front, the concept had evolved through the establishment of machine gun companies in 1916 to the establishment of machine gun battalions in 1918.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
Similar formations had also been established amongst the Australian Light Horse units serving in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. During the inter-war years, the machine gun battalions had been deemed unnecessary. When the Army was reorganised in 1921, they were not re-raised, but in 1937, when the Army looked to expand as fears of war in Europe loomed, four such units were raised within the part-time Militia by converting light horse units and motorising them. When the Second World War broke out, the decision was made to raise several machine gun battalions within the 2nd AIF, one allocated to each division.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Claude Prior, the 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion was formed with four machine gun companies, a headquarters company – consisting of an anti-aircraft platoon, a signals platoon and a transport platoon – and a battalion headquarters. Australian machine gun battalions were established with an authorised strength of around 800 to 900 personnel, and like the others, the 2/1st was a motorised infantry unit with both wheeled motor vehicles and tracked carriers.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
Equipped with 48 Vickers medium machine guns, the battalion's four machine gun companies – designated 'A' to 'D' and each consisting of three four-gun platoons – were initially formed separately, with 'A' Company forming at Ingleburn, in New South Wales, 'B' Company forming at Puckapunyal, in Victoria, 'C' in South Australia, and 'D' at Rutherford, in New South Wales. At the end of the month, 'B' and 'C' Companies concentrated at Rutherford, before moving to Ingleburn with 'D' Company in January 1940.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
An intense period of training followed, with range shoots at Liverpool, and field exercises in the Green Hills and Wallacia areas, the latter being conducted in conjunction with the infantry battalions of the 18th Brigade. This period concluded in early May 1940, when the battalion was moved by train to Darling Harbour and embarked upon the Queen Mary.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Defence of Britain
The men aboard Queen Mary were originally destined for the Middle East but a decision was made mid-voyage to divert them to the United Kingdom, as part of a larger contingent of Australians that were sent to help bolster the defences there. After making the long passage via Fremantle, Cape Town, and Freetown, the Queen Mary arrived off the coast of Gourock, Scotland, on 16 June. The evacuation at Dunkirk had been achieved just two weeks earlier and France had just fallen; Britain was now preparing for a potential cross-Channel invasion.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Defence of Britain
The Australian troops from the 18th Brigade and, eventually, the 25th Brigade, along with various supporting arms, had been despatched to help bolster the island's defences. From Gourock, they entrained and moved south to Tidworth Camp on Salisbury Plain. They remained in Britain for much of the rest of the year, undertaking training, mounting guard, conducting patrols and exercises. A move to Colchester took place in October to afford the Australians a more permanent barracks for the coming winter, as they were mainly under canvas at Tidworth. The following month, as the threat of invasion seemingly passed, they received orders to move to Glasgow to embark on the transport Otranto, bound for the Middle East where they were to rejoin the rest of the 6th Division.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece, and Crete
Sailing around the west coast of Africa to avoid the threat of air attack in the Mediterranean, the Otrango carried the battalion to Egypt, which was reached at the end of December, following stops at Freetown and Durban. After docking at Kantara, the battalion moved by rail over 225 miles (362 km) to Ikingi Maryut, west of Alexandria in the Western Desert. There they received a new commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gooch, after Prior was promoted and transferred to divisional headquarters, and they began training to acclimatise to the new conditions.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece, and Crete
The rest of the 6th Division had gone into action in the Western Desert but the 2/1st, still waiting on the majority of its equipment to arrive, was not committed, its place being taken by a British machine gun battalion from the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. The Australian battalion remained at Ikingi Maryut until late March and early April, when it was despatched, along with the rest of the 6th Division, to Greece, where a German invasion was expected.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece, and Crete
Spread across several different transport vessels, after completing the crossing – during which the battalion’s machine guns were employed for anti-aircraft defence – the 2/1st's companies were split up: 'A' Company, supported the Australian 2/4th Battalion, while two companies – 'B' and 'C' – supported the New Zealand 4th Brigade, and another – 'D' Company – was assigned to the Australian 17th Brigade.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece, and Crete
The campaign proved to be short-lived, as the Allies were quickly pushed back by the advancing Germans, and the battalion was subsequently withdrawn around the end of April and early May, having fought major actions around the Aliakmon River, Servia Pass, Lamia and Mount Olympus. During the evacuation, elements of three companies were taken aboard the transport Costa Rica, which was later attacked by German aircraft. As the vessel was sinking, the troops on board were evacuated by Royal Navy destroyers and landed on Crete, minus the majority of their equipment which was lost at sea.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece, and Crete
On Crete, the battalion's companies were once again separated; 'D' Company, the only company in possession of all of its equipment, was assigned to support the Australian 19th Brigade around Georgioupolis, while the other three companies went into camp around Suda. A single platoon from 'B' Company was later sent to reinforce 'D' Company; however, on 14 May, the remainder of the battalion – a total of 432 personnel – was evacuated from the island on the transport Lossiebank, sailing back to Egypt and subsequently missing the German invasion of Crete, which was launched a week later.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece, and Crete
A short but sharp campaign followed, which saw the machine gunners that remained – 170 personnel, including six officers – take part in fighting around Canea and Retimo before the island's garrison was finally defeated at the end of May. By the end of the fighting, the 2/1st had lost 104 men killed, wounded or captured in either Greece or on Crete; of these, two later escaped, while one died in captivity.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece, and Crete
After arriving in Egypt, the remainder of the battalion was transported to Palestine, where it was subsequently rebuilt. The 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion remained stationed around Gaza until October, when it was sent to Syria to bolster the garrison that had been established there following the defeat of Vichy French forces. At this time, the 2/1st effectively became assigned to the 7th Division, and received a new commanding officer, as Lieutenant Colonel Cyril Fidock, a World War I veteran, replaced Gooch.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece, and Crete
The battalion was subsequently stationed in Damascus and at Zaboud, remaining there until early 1942, when it was moved back to Gaza as part of the draw-down of Australian forces in the Middle East and their return to Australia in response to Japan's entry into the war. The battalion embarked upon an American troop transport, USS West Point, in mid-March 1942, completing the voyage to Port Adelaide, via Fremantle, in just 19 days.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
Following the battalion's arrival in Adelaide, the men were billeted by locals in the city's suburbs while leave drafts were despatched throughout April. In early May, the 2/1st was reconstituted at Ingleburn, where it remained until June 1942, when the order came to move to Queensland. Moving up the coast via train, the battalion established a camp near Peachester, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Jungle training was undertaken there until September, when the 2/1st moved to another camp closer to the coast at Deception Bay.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
At the end of October, 'A' and 'B' Companies embarked in Brisbane, bound for New Guinea, to reinforce the troops fighting around Buna; en route they were diverted to Townsville, where they were unloaded. 'B' Company later re-embarked and arrived in Port Moresby in late November on the transport Both, before moving to Oro Bay, where it was deployed defensively around the US base and the mission at Eroro. ' A' Company also deployed in December, and the following month also moved to Oro Bay.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
The rest of the battalion remained at Deception Bay in Queensland and did not link up with the other companies until May 1943, landing in Port Moresby from the Duntroon. In the intervening period, the two deployed companies were temporarily detached to the Militia 7th Machine Gun Battalion, and 'A' Company went into action in the Pacific for the first time, fighting around Wau, before marching to Nassau Bay to support the 3rd Division during the Salamaua–Lae campaign.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
The battalion was withdrawn back to Australia in early 1944 for rest and reorganisation. During this period it was stationed at Tenterfield, where the soldiers experienced a bitterly cold winter, before moving to Petrie and then Kiari on the Atherton Tablelands. The battalion was reorganised to conform with the requirements of the jungle divisional establishment, and as a result its vehicles were changed to include jeeps and trailers, instead of trucks, which were considered impractical in the jungle.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
A change of commanding officer also took place in this time, with Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Haupt – who had previously served as battalion second-in-command before leaving to take over command of the 62nd Battalion in January 1943 – returning to take over from Fidock. A long period of training, which included courses in amphibious warfare and various jungle exercises followed, as the focus of the fighting in the Pacific shifted away from Australian forces towards the US military. Consequently, it was not until close to the end of the war that the battalion went into action again. Before this, the battalion contributed to an Australian contingent that was sent to India to lecture British Army officers on the lessons of jungle warfare.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
In May 1945, the battalion was transported to Morotai Island in preparation for Operation Oboe, the recapture of Borneo and the Netherlands East Indies. The 2/1st was assigned to support the 7th Division's landing on Balikpapan in July. Now largely being used as a divisional asset, the battalion provided a company to each of the division's component brigades – the 18th, 21st and 25th – while one company remained in reserve with the headquarters.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
Coming ashore aboard several landing craft, the two companies taking part in the initial assault – 'B' and 'D' – helped to secure the high ground overlooking the beachhead, while 'C' Company remained a floating reserve along with the 25th Brigade. The battalion's reserve company, 'A' Company, and headquarters element came ashore in a later wave to set up a secure base.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
During the subsequent advance inland, the battalion's main focus was progressing through what the Australians dubbed the "Vasey Highway", which ran east–west along the island's southern shore, as the Australians fought to take the oil pipeline and the airfield at Manggar, and the "Milford Highway", which ran north–south through the centre into the more mountainous hinterland. During the fighting on Borneo, the 2/1st lost 17 men killed or wounded.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
Following the conclusion of hostilities, the battalion's personnel were returned to Australia in small drafts, as the 2/1st undertook garrison duties in the Balikpapan area. The longer-serving men were repatriated and discharged early, while volunteers were transferred to other units that were being raised as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force that would be deployed to Japan. In November, a batch of men were transferred to the 21st Brigade for occupation duties in the Celebes as the Australian forces began preparing to hand over the territories to Dutch authorities. By December, the battalion consisted of less than fifty personnel, and at the end of the month this cadre embarked upon the transport Kings Point Victory to make the journey back to Australia. The battalion was subsequently disbanded on 26 January 1946.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
When they had been formed, it was intended that the machine gun battalions would provide highly mobile fire support; however, Phillip Hocking, author of The Long Carry, highlights that throughout the war the utility of the machine gun battalions was largely misunderstood by commanders, particularly after the focus of the Australian Army's operations shifted to the Pacific. Some commanders used the machine guns largely in a static defensive capacity against short and medium range targets, rather than as offensive fire support weapons that could be employed to provide long range fire support.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
The medium machine guns were also largely utilised in the same manner as light machine guns, such as the Bren. Other reasons identified for the concept's limited use include distrust of overhead fire by some commanders, a preference for organic fire support over attached sub-units, over-estimating  the difficulty of transporting Vickers guns in the jungle, and a tendency to ignore targets that could not be seen. After their disbandment, the machine gun battalion concept was not used in the post-war Australian Army, as the function became nested within the structure of a standard infantry battalion.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
One of the 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion's mascots, Horrie the Wog Dog, was the subject of a book by Ion Idriess; the book was based on stories recounted by the dog's owner, Jim Moody, who served as a machine gunner in the 2/1st. Over 2,000 personnel served in the 2/1st throughout the war, and 34 members of the battalion were killed in action, died of wounds or died from accident. Decorations awarded included two Military Crosses, four Military Medals, one British Empire Medal and 16 Mentions in Despatches.


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), Commanders
The following officers served as commanding officer of the 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion:


2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia), Battle honours
The 2/1st received the following battle honours for their involvement in the war:


2/1st Medium Regiment (Australia)
The 2/1st Medium Regiment was an artillery regiment of the Australian Army during World War II. Raised in 1940 as part of the all volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force, the regiment undertook garrison duties in Australia, Nauru and on Ocean Island, and served in the Middle East. It was converted to a field regiment, designated the 2/13th Army Field Regiment, due to a lack of howitzers, but was later converted back into a medium regiment. During 1943–1944, the regiment served as the 2/13th Composite Anti Aircraft Regiment before returning to the medium role. It was disbanded in July 1945, in Queensland.


2/1st Medium Regiment (Australia), History
The regiment was raised in May 1940 in Ingleburn, New South Wales, as part of the all volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force. Its first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel E.J.W Pope. Upon formation it consisted of two batteries: the 1st and 2nd Medium Batteries. Training was undertaken at Ingleburn with six-inch howitzers.


2/1st Medium Regiment (Australia), History
In October 1940, the regiment was converted into a field regiment due to a shortage of medium artillery pieces, designated as the 2/13th Army Field Regiment. As a field regiment, it consisted of the 25th and 26th Batteries. As a corps-level unit, it was assigned directly to I Corps. In February 1941, the regiment deployed two detachments of around 50 personnel and two 18-pounders to Nauru and Ocean Island as garrison troops as part of Heron Force and Wren Force; they were relieved in August 1941 and returned to Australia.


2/1st Medium Regiment (Australia), History
Meanwhile, the rest of the regiment was deployed to Darwin, Northern Territory from in Cowra, New South Wales, in April 1941 in support of the 23rd Infantry Brigade. While in the Northern Territory, the regiment was based in Winnellie. In July 1941, the regiment handed over its equipment to the 2/14th Field Regiment.


2/1st Medium Regiment (Australia), History
The regiment deployed to the Middle East in September 1941. The regiment was initially based at Hill 93 in Palestine. In October 1941, the regiment reverted to a medium regiment. At that time it received sixteen US-made, French-designed 155 mm howitzers. They moved to Beit Jirja and then later Beir Suneid,  but did not see combat before  being brought back to Australia in March 1942 and saw no further active service throughout the war.


2/1st Medium Regiment (Australia), History
On return to Australia, the regiment landed in Adelaide and then moved  to Queensland via Ingleburn. By July 1942, the 2/1st Medium Regiment, still under the command of Pope was assigned to the corps artillery within I Corps, based in Toowoomba, Queensland. The regiment provided some personnel for the 1st Mountain Battery, which served in the  New Guinea campaign. By January 1943, the regiment was based in Helidon, Queensland.


2/1st Medium Regiment (Australia), History
There was little need for medium artillery in the Pacific, and as a result the regiment was underemployed. In July 1943, it was converted into the 2/13th Composite Anti Aircraft Regiment at Chermside, Queensland; at this time it consisted of the 14th Heavy Anti Aircraft and 15th Light Anti Aircraft Batteries. Part of the 14th HAA Battery was detached in November 1944 to provide anti aircraft defence around Buna in New Guinea, during operations to secure Finschafen, remaining there until May 1944.


2/1st Medium Regiment (Australia), History
Meanwhile, in January 1944, the regiment was transferred to Southport, Queensland, and in September 1944 it briefly gained the 84th Mobile Searchlight Battery before this sub unit was deployed to New Guinea in November. The regiment then moved to Mapee, where they came under the command of II Corps; in August, they were reassigned to the 11th Division around Kairi, Queensland.


2/1st Medium Regiment (Australia), History
In December 1944, the regiment returned to the medium role, as the need for anti-aircraft defences in Australia diminished due to the decline in Japanese air power as the war progressed. At this time, it readopted the 2/1st Medium Regiment designation, and consisting of the 1st and 2nd Medium Batteries. For a period was assigned to the 5th Division. It remained in Australia and did not see further action until it was disbanded on 31 July 1945, while at Kairi, as it was deemed surplus to requirements.


2/1st North Australia Observer Unit
The 2/1st North Australia Observer Unit (2/1 NAOU) was an Australian Army reconnaissance unit of World War II. Formed in early 1942 in the Northern Territory, the unit was a light horse mounted unit that was tasked with providing early warning of Japanese activity in northern Australia at a time when an invasion of the country was expected. As the threat of Japanese invasion dissipated the unit's operations were curtailed in 1943 and it was eventually disbanded in the early months of 1945. The unit is considered to be a predecessor of several reconnaissance units that currently exist within the Australian Army.


2/1st North Australia Observer Unit, History
Formed on 11 May 1942 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bill Stanner, the unit's headquarters was established in Katherine, Northern Territory. Nicknamed the "Nackeroos", the unit was raised at a time when the Japanese were steadily advancing in the Pacific. Broome had recently been bombed and an invasion of Australia was considered a possibility.


2/1st North Australia Observer Unit, History
Concerned about the large unobserved sea and air approaches to northern Australia, specifically in the Kimberley region and in the Northern Territory, the Army tasked 2/1 NAOU with patrolling remote areas of northern Australia on horseback to provide early warning of Japanese activity to Northern Territory Force, which was tasked with defending the area in the event of an invasion. Other tasks included manning fixed coast watch stations and signals work. At the peak of its strength it numbered approximately 550 men, including 59 Aboriginal personnel who were employed as guides and labourers. As the threat of Japanese landings declined 2/1 NAOU patrols were reduced in July 1943 and the unit was disbanded in March 1945.


2/1st North Australia Observer Unit, History
In 1972, Stanner summarised the unit in the following terms to Amoury Vane, the author of the unit's history:


2/1st North Australia Observer Unit, History
The Unit was organised somewhat on the lines of a Light Horse regiment but with commando-type flexibility. It had a strategic and tactical role with duties of reconnaissance, scouting and coast-watching and was widely dispersed on and off the coasts and inland, between Cambridge Gulf and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The members of the Unit tended to operate in very small groups, often of section strength, over an enormous area, manning observation posts or in fixed or mounted roving patrols, so as to answer for the flanks of Northern Territory Force. They seldom assembled as troops, companies, or squadrons, and never, while I was in command, as a single Unit, after once taking up their field stations.


2/1st North Australia Observer Unit, Legacy
The modern Australian Army's Regional Force Surveillance Units have a similar role to 2/1 NAOU, with NORFORCE tracing its history back to 2/1 NAOU.


2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia)
The 2/1st Pioneer Battalion was a pioneer battalion of the Australian Army during World War II. Raised in early 1940, the battalion served throughout the war, seeing action in North Africa, particularly around Tobruk in 1941, before being brought back to Australia in 1942. It later took part in the fighting against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1942–43, and then in Borneo in 1945. It was disbanded in early 1946. The battalion undertook both infantry and engineer tasks.


2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia), History
Formed in May 1940, the battalion's initial recruits were drawn from New South Wales, many of whom had previously served in the part-time Militia. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Macgillycuddy, a Staff Corps officer who had served during World War I, the unit completed basic training in various locations across the state including Greta and Dubbo. By June 1940, the battalion had grown to over 900-strong. In late September and early October 1940, the battalion departed for overseas, embarking on two Dutch transports: Johan de Witt from Sydney and Niew Zeeland from Melbourne.


2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia), History
It was one of four pioneer battalions raised to provide engineer support to the 2nd Australian Imperial Force's four infantry divisions. Trained as infantry, the battalion undertook both the infantry and engineer support roles and was organised along conventional infantry lines with a headquarters and four companies – designated 'A' through to 'D' – but was made up of personnel with trade or practical skills and, within the divisional structure, the pioneers were administered as corps troops under the direction of the divisional engineer commander.


2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia), History
After arriving in the Middle East in November 1940, the battalion was assigned to the Australian I Corps, serving in Palestine until early 1941. It then moved to the port of Tobruk, where it was allocated to the 6th Division and worked to repair the port's facilities, construct roads and collect captured engineering equipment. When the 6th Division was transferred to Greece, the 2/1st Pioneers remained in North Africa, supporting the 9th Division. The battalion subsequently took part in the Siege of Tobruk, remaining there for five months before being withdrawn when the bulk of Australian forces were relieved in September 1941. Its casualties at Tobruk amounted to 45 killed and 63 wounded; nine personnel were taken prisoner.


2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia), History
In early 1942, the 2/1st returned to Australia as part of the general transfer of Australian ground troops from the Middle East to the Pacific, following Japan's entry into the war. The battalion returned aboard the USS Westpoint, and subsequently established itself around Ipswich, in Queensland, before being deployed to New Guinea in August aboard the transport Taroona, at the height of the fighting against the Japanese during the Kokoda Track campaign.


2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia), History
Initially, the pioneers undertook defensive tasks, with three companies being deployed forward to Owers Corner before moving to Uberi and then on to Imita Ridge, where the Australians sought to make a final stand against the advancing Japanese. There, the battalion occupied the extreme left hand position of a makeshift line alongside the 2/31st, 2/25th, 3rd and 2/33rd Battalions.


2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia), History
Later, as the tide of the campaign turned in favour of the Australians, the battalion conducted patrols and portage work along the track from September to November, before being reassigned to carry out mining and labouring work around 9-Mile Quarry, where three companies were deployed. A fourth company was also detached at this time to the Milne Bay area to improve the base's facilities; it remained in New Guinea until October 1943 before returning to Australia for rest and reorganisation aboard the USS Etolin.


2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia), History
A long period of training followed on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland over the period between late 1943 and early 1945, when the role of the Australian Army gradually diminished in the Pacific as US troops began to arrive in greater numbers. At this time, the 2/1st returned to the command of the 6th Division. Late in the war, the battalion took part in the Borneo campaign of early July 1945, supporting the 7th Division's landing at Balikpapan.


2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia), History
Embarking upon the USS General Anderson, the battalion was transferred to Morotai Island in late May 1945, before embarking upon several Landing Ship, Tanks and landing on Balikpapan on 1 July and later carrying out patrols and defensive tasks across the island. On 5 July, the battalion was transported across Balikpapan Bay to Penadjam, to assist the 2/9th Infantry Battalion clear Japanese artillery from the western side of the bay. The 2/1st lost 18 men killed or wounded during the brief campaign.


2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia), History
After the end of the war in August, the battalion was slowly demobilised, as men were returned to Australia individually for discharge. In December 1945, the remaining members of the 2/1st were returned to Australia aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Implacable, and the battalion was eventually disbanded on 18 February 1946, at Ingleburn Camp, New South Wales. After the war, the pioneer role was assumed as a specialisation within the conventional infantry establishment within the Australian Army, and consequently the wartime pioneer battalions have not been re-raised. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one Officer of the Order of the British Empire, three Military Crosses, two Military Medals, and 13 Mentions in Despatches. The battalion's casualties amounted to 68 killed in action or died on active service, 90 wounded and nine captured.


2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia), Battle honours
For its actions during the war, the 2/1st Pioneer Battalion was awarded the following battle honours:


2/20th Battalion (Australia)
The 2/20th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Raised in mid-1940 as part of the 8th Division, the battalion was recruited from Second Australian Imperial Force volunteers drawn from the state of New South Wales. In early 1941, the 2/20th Battalion deployed to Malaya, where they formed part of the garrison there until December when the Japanese invaded. The battalion subsequently fought a brief campaign along the east coast of the Malay Peninsula before being withdrawn back to Singapore in early 1942. They were heavily engaged after the Japanese landed on the island, and were eventually captured following the Fall of Singapore. Most members of the battalion became prisoners of war, and a large number died in captivity.


2/20th Battalion (Australia), History
Raised for service during Second World War as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, the 2/20th Battalion was formed on 15 July 1940 at Walgrove in Sydney under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Jeater, a Militia officer who had previously commanded the 2nd Battalion, and was attached to the 22nd Brigade, 8th Division. With an authorised strength of between 800 and 900 men, the battalion was organised into a headquarters and four rifle companies, designated A to D. The battalion's recruits were mainly drawn from Sydney, Newcastle and the New South Wales north coast.


2/20th Battalion (Australia), History
The colours chosen for the battalion's unit colour patch (UCP) were the same as those of the 20th Battalion, a unit which had served during the First World War before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were white over green, in a diamond shape, although a border of gray in an oval shape was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart; the oval shape designated the battalion as part of the 8th Division.


2/20th Battalion (Australia), History
After concentrating and commencing training at Walgrove, the battalion moved to Ingleburn in August where rudimentary basic training was completed. In November, after marching through the streets of Sydney, the battalion embarked for Bathurst by train. In late 1940, the British asked the Australian government to contribute a force to garrison the strategically important port of Singapore as tensions in the Pacific with the Japanese rose. Although they had not completed their training, the 22nd Brigade was eventually allocated to this task in early 1941, under the proviso that they would be relieved after a short period and returned to Australia to complete their training prior to being sent to the Middle East.


2/20th Battalion (Australia), History
Embarking for Singapore on 2 February 1941 from Darling Harbour on the ocean liner Queen Mary, the battalion arriving at the naval dock in Singapore. Upon arrival, the 2/20th were moved by train to Bagan Pinang and from there marched to Port Dickson, in south-west Malaya where it conducted further training. In early August, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Assheton took over as commanding officer, and the battalion was redeployed to Mersing, constructing defences there. Following the landings on 8 December 1941, the battalion was subsequently involved in fighting against the Japanese as part of the Malayan campaign.


2/20th Battalion (Australia), History
The first strikes of the Japanese attack fell on British and Indian troops in the north of the country, and initially the Australian units, which were based in primarily in the south around Johore, did not see much fighting. On 7 January 1942, C Company was detached to form part of a special unit to delay the Japanese advance at Endau on the north coast, clashing with the Japanese on a number of occasions before withdrawing to the battalion main defensive position at Mersing on 26 January.


2/20th Battalion (Australia), History
Meanwhile, the remainder of the battalion at Mersing also clashed with the Japanese on a number of occasions, and was heavily bombed. After being rejoined by C Company, the 2/20th Battalion withdrew to Singapore Island on 31 January, where it took up positions on the northern flank of the brigade sector. In the week following the withdrawal from Malaya, the battalion received an influx of about 80 reinforcements, who were largely untrained having been shipped hastily from Australia with little regard to their preparedness, to make up for earlier losses.


2/20th Battalion (Australia), History
Situated on the north-west coast of the island, the 22nd Brigade was allocated a frontage of 8 miles (13 km) – considerably larger than normal – along a stretch of coast line that was hard to defend due to the tidal flats and islets that punctuated the terrain. When the Japanese assaulted the island on 8 February 1942, the main assault fell on the 22nd Brigade's area, with the 2/20th bearing the brunt of the initial attack.


2/20th Battalion (Australia), History
Stretched across a brigade-sized frontage of 7,000 yards (6,400 m), which ran north along the coast from the Serimbun River to the Kranji River, and which included the Namazie Estate, an airfield and the main supply route that ran along the sealed Lim Chu Kang road, the 2/20th Battalion's lines, held by a total of about 750 men, were eventually infiltrated by the assaulting Japanese. After initially inflicting heavy casualties on the Japanese the battalion, threatened with encirclement, was forced to withdraw to a new position along Lim Chu Road.


2/20th Battalion (Australia), History
Although still intact, it was apparent that this position would shortly be overwhelmed and the battalion was again ordered to move south, during which it became scattered. The initial Japanese assault cost the battalion heavily. Casualties on the first night amounted to 334 killed and 214 wounded, including the commanding officer, second-in-command and three of the four company commanders. After Assheton had been wounded in the initial Japanese assault, a section was sent out to pull him to safety but before they reached him, he ordered them to leave him due to the volume of Japanese fire and he was subsequently killed.


2/20th Battalion (Australia), History
Separated, the individual elements of the battalion continued to conduct a fighting withdrawal but were subsequently captured on the outskirts of Singapore city on the night of 15 February 1942, along with the bulk of the British Commonwealth forces on the island after the garrison commander, Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, ordered a surrender. The men were initially imprisoned at Changi; however, many were later sent to work on Thai-Burma Railway, while others were sent to prison camps in Borneo, Japan, French Indochina, Java, Sumatra, and Malaya, where they endured considerable hardship with many men dying in captivity. Following the surrender of Japan the survivors were liberated in August 1945. The battalion was disbanded later in 1945; having lost 561 men dead and 122 wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one Military Medal, one Distinguished Conduct Medal and nine Mentions in Despatches.


2/20th Battalion (Australia), Commanding officers
The following officers commanded the 2/20th Battalion during the war:


2/21st Battalion (Australia)
The 2/21st Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Raised for service during Second World War as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, it was formed on 11 July 1940 at Trawool in central Victoria as part of the 23rd Brigade of the 8th Division. It was subsequently deployed to Ambon as part of Gull Force in December 1941 following the Japanese invasion of Malaya; however, with the defence of the island considered untenable due to the limited military resources available and overwhelming Japanese strength it was subsequently captured despite determined resistance, surrendering on 3 February 1942. Most members of the battalion became prisoners of war, and a large number died in captivity.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), History
The 2/21st Battalion was formed on 11 July 1940 at Trawool in central Victoria as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leonard Roach, a Militia officer who had previously commanded the 14th Battalion, it was part of the 23rd Brigade of the 8th Division. The majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers were Victorians, drawn from the country areas around Shepparton as well as Melbourne.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), History
The colours chosen for the battalion's unit colour patch (UCP) were the same as those of the 21st Battalion, a unit which had served during World War I before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were black over red, in a diamond shape, although a border of gray in an oval shape was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart; the oval border denoted that the battalion was an 8th Division unit.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), History
With an authorised strength of around 900 personnel, like other Australian infantry battalions of the time, the battalion was formed around a nucleus of four rifle companies – designated 'A' through to 'D' – each consisting of three platoons. Initially hampered by limited equipment and stores, the battalion undertook rudimentary training at Trawool until 23 September, the battalion moved on foot to Bonegilla, a march of 235 kilometres (146 mi) which it completed by 4 October.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), History
At Bonegilla, the battalion concentrated with the 23rd Brigade's other two battalions, the 2/22nd and 2/23rd, and as more equipment became available, more complex training began. Training continued until 23 March 1941. While the 8th Division's two other brigades – the 22nd and 27th – were deployed to Malaya in 1941 to bolster the garrison there, the Australian government decided to keep the 23rd in Australia, to deploy to the islands to Australia's immediate north – Ambon, Timor and Rabaul – if war broke out with the Japanese. Within this plan, the 2/21st was earmarked to reinforce Dutch troops on Ambon if the Japanese decided to attack and the battalion subsequently moved to Darwin in the Northern Territory as the likelihood of war with Japan grew.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), History
The battalion began arriving in Darwin on 9 April 1941 and spent the next nine months training and on garrison duties; however, the amenities were isolated and uncomfortable and preparations were hampered through a lack of equipment. Following the Japanese invasion of Malaya on 8 December the battalion prepared to move, arriving on Ambon on 17 December as part of Gull Force. Under Roach's command Gull Force consisted of the 2/21st Battalion supported by anti-tank artillery, engineers and other supporting arms with a combined strength of 1,100 men.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), History
Meanwhile, Netherlands East Indies forces on the island numbered some 2,600 men, including several companies of Indonesian troops and Dutch coastal artillery. These troops were tasked with defending the Bay of Ambon and the airfields at Laha and Liang which were being used by a small number of Dutch and some Australian aircraft from No. 13 Squadron RAAF. Yet with the small Australian and Dutch force totaling just 3,700 men, Roach believed Ambon unable to be defended with the limited military resources available and he urgently requested reinforcement. He was subsequently relieved of his command, and was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel John Scott on 17 January 1942. Just prior to the Japanese landings Scott altered the location of many of his defensive positions, which resulted in the battalion being less prepared to repel the invasion.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), History
On the evening of 30/31 January 1942 three battalions from 228th Infantry Regiment of the 38th Division and a battalion of marines from the 1st Kure Special Naval Landing Force landed at several locations on the north and south coast of the island. On the afternoon of 31 January Dutch forces around Paso had surrendered. Outnumbered and lacking air or naval support the 2/21st Battalion, which was guarding Ambon itself, was unable to prevent the advance despite determined resistance, and were pushed to the far west of the peninsula.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), History
With 24 hours of the landing Dutch forces on the island had capitulated. Meanwhile, B and C Companies of the 2/21st Battalion at Laha Airfield were attacked on 31 January. Around 150 Australian soldiers and some Indonesians and Dutch were subsequently captured and many were later massacred following a major Japanese offensive on 2 February. Meanwhile, the remainder of the battalion under Scott, located around Eri, surrendered the following day and were interned in their former barracks at Tan Tui.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), History
Gull Force lost 15 men killed during the defence of Ambon, and another 309 men at Laha who were either killed in action or murdered by the Japanese in mass executions which occurred on 6 February and between 15–20 February. Although several small parties managed to escape Ambon and return to Australia, at least 791 men of the former garrison were captured. The survivors subsequently went into captivity as prisoners of war for the remainder of the conflict.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), History
Conditions for the prisoners on Ambon were poor and they suffered the highest death rate of any group of Australian prisoners of war during the conflict. Meanwhile, some members of the battalion, including the majority of medical personnel were transferred by the Japanese to camps on Hainan Island in October 1942. Following the surrender of Japan in August 1945, the survivors began to be evacuated on 10 September 1945, with those on Hainan following two days later.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), History
The battalion was disbanded later in 1945, having lost 661 dead and 12 wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one Officer of the Order of the British Empire, three Members of the Order of the British Empire, one George Medal and 14 Mentions in Despatches. In December 2020, one of the battalion's drivers, William Doolan, was posthumously awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions around Kudamati village, on Ambon, on 1 February 1942.


2/21st Battalion (Australia), Commanding officers
The following officers commanded the 2/21st Battalion during the war:


2/22nd Battalion (Australia)
The 2/22nd Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for service during World War II, the battalion formed part of the 23rd Brigade, attached to the 8th Division. It was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Rabaul in 1942. After being captured, the battalion was not re-raised and a large number of its personnel died in captivity; those that did not were returned to Australia at the end of the war in 1945.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), History, Formation and training
Formed on 1 July 1940 at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, the 2/22nd Battalion formed part of the 23rd Brigade, attached to the 8th Division. The battalion's personnel were drawn from the state of Victoria, and included a number of veterans of the World War I. The colours chosen for the battalion's unit colour patch (UCP) were the same as those of the 22nd Battalion, a unit which had served during World War I before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were purple over red, in a diamond shape, although a border of gray in an oval shape was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart; the oval border denoted that the battalion was an 8th Division unit.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), History, Formation and training
With an authorised strength of around 900 personnel, like other Australian infantry battalions of the time, the battalion was formed around a nucleus of four rifle companies – designated 'A' through to 'D' – each consisting of three platoons. Shortly after being raised it moved to Trawool, Victoria, to undertake infantry training on 11 July. In September, the battalion was then required to march 235 kilometres (146 mi) to Bonegilla, arriving on 4 October.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), History, Formation and training
There they undertook further training before being sent to Sydney in April 1941 to begin the move to New Britain, where they were to form part of a garrison force being established in response to concerns about war with Japan in the Pacific. Upon formation, the 2/22nd's commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Howard Carr; he would remain in command of the battalion throughout its brief existence.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), History, Rabaul
Embarking upon the troopship Zealandia, on 18 April 1941, on 26 April 1941, the 2/22nd arrived at Rabaul, New Britain, where they formed the main element of Lark Force, along with a few artillery units, a field ambulance, a detachment from the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and No. 24 Squadron RAAF. They were tasked with protecting the seaplane base at Rabaul, the Lakunai and Vunakanau aerodromes and to delay any proposed Japanese advance towards Australia. Between April 1941 and January 1942, the battalion helped construct defences and acclimatised to the tropical environment.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), History, Rabaul
The Imperial Japanese started bombing Rabaul in early January 1942, in advance of an invasion. By 22 January, No. 24 Squadron had only three aircraft remaining and was forced to withdraw back to New Guinea, so the decision was made to crater both aerodromes in order to prevent the Japanese from landing aircraft.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), History, Rabaul
In anticipation of the coming invasion, the battalion withdrew from around Rabaul and set up defences on the western shores of Blanche Bay, only hours before the Japanese landings commenced at 01:00 on 23 January. A series of desperate actions followed near the beaches around Simpson Harbour, Keravia Bay and Raluana Point as the Australians attempted to turn back the attack. As they were pushed back by overwhelming Japanese forces, the commander of Lark Force, Colonel John Scanlan, issued an order to withdraw.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), History, Rabaul
Elements of the 2/22nd that had not been captured escaped along New Britain's north and south coasts, moving in groups of varying sizes up to company-strength, with about 300 men from the battalion managing to escape to Australia via New Guinea. A small number of these men were sent to Salamaua where they took part in a brief defence following the Japanese landing at Salamaua in March 1942.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), History, Rabaul
The battalion was not re-raised at this time and those personnel that made it back to Australia were absorbed into the amalgamated 3rd/22nd Battalion, which was formed from the 2/22nd survivors along with volunteers for overseas service from the 3rd Battalion, which was ordered to disband following its return from New Guinea. Later, this battalion was also disbanded and its personnel transferred to the 2/3rd Battalion.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), History, Rabaul
Some of the battalion who surrendered or were captured by the Japanese on New Britain were massacred at Tol Plantation, where around 160 Australians were killed. Their bodies would later be discovered by gunners from the 2/14th Field Regiment during the Australian campaign to secure the island in 1945. Those that were not killed at Tol were interned as prisoners of war. In June 1942 they were embarked upon the Montevideo Maru for transport to Hainan Island.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), History, Rabaul
While at sea, however, on 1 July, the ship was sunk by the submarine USS Sturgeon off the Philippines, with 1,053 prisoners and civilian internees losing their lives. Those members of the 2/22nd that had remained at Rabaul were later transported aboard the Natuno Maru to Japan where they remained in captivity until they were released in September 1945, following the end of hostilities.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), History, Rabaul
The battalion lost 608 men who died or were killed in captivity and one man wounded. Members of the 2/22nd received the following decorations: one Military Cross, one Military Medal and 16 Mentioned in Despatches.


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), Battle honours
The 2/22nd received only one battle honour during the war, that of "Rabaul 1942".


2/22nd Battalion (Australia), Commanding officers
The following officers commanded the 2/22nd Battalion during the war:


2/23/03 – Perth, Australia
2/23/03 – Perth, Australia is a two-disc live album by the American alternative rock band Pearl Jam. It was released to retail stores on June 10, 2003.


2/23/03 – Perth, Australia, Overview
The album was recorded live at the Burswood Dome in Perth, Australia on February 23, 2003. It was the only official bootleg that Pearl Jam released in stores from the Australian leg of its Riot Act Tour, and it was one of six official bootlegs released overall to retail stores. Allmusic gave it two out of a possible five stars. Allmusic staff writer Jason Birchmeier said, "Of the couple live recordings that Pearl Jam released to retail outlets in 2003, the final show of the band's Australian tour...is probably the least interesting." A video recording of "Throw Your Arms Around Me" from this show appears as a bonus feature on the band's Live at the Garden DVD.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia)
The 2/23rd Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during the Second World War. Formed in June 1940 from primarily volunteers from Albury, New South Wales, the battalion served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, Formation and establishment
Established at Victoria Barracks, in Melbourne, in June 1940, the 2/23rd Battalion was raised as part of the all volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force and assigned to the 26th Brigade. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Evans, a small cadre of experienced personnel drawn from Victorian Militia units were concentrated at Victoria Barracks prior to the battalion headquarters being relocated to Albury, New South Wales, where a large number of volunteers were completing their recruit training at the 4th Recruit Training Battalion.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, Formation and establishment
Upon the conclusion of this course, these recruits were posted to the 2/23rd and the battalion – over 900 strong – moved to Bonegilla, Victoria, just across the border, where more complex collective training was completed prior to departure overseas. A large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region and as a result, the 2/23rd became known as "Albury's Own". Upon formation, the battalion consisted of a headquarters company consisting of various specialist platoons, and four rifle companies.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, Formation and establishment
The colours initially chosen for the battalion's unit colour patch (UCP) were the same as those of the 23rd Battalion, a unit which had served during the First World War before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were brown over red, in a diamond shape, although a border of gray was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart; this was later changed, though, following the unit's involvement in the fighting at Tobruk, when it adopted a 'T'-shaped UCP.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
Embarking in November 1940 on the transport Strathmore at Port Melbourne, the 2/23rd arrived in Egypt in mid-December. The battalion's parent brigade was reassigned from the 7th Division to the 9th in early 1941 and just after this, the 2/23rd was sent to Cyrenica, in Libya. A German–Italian offensive from the west, resulted in the withdrawal of British Commonwealth forces back to the vital port of Tobruk.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
Over the course of eight months starting from early April, the 2/23rd formed part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, during which they took part in defensive actions and counter-attacks as they were moved around the perimeter; casualties were heavy, with over 200 personnel being killed, wounded or captured.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
The battalion was withdrawn from Tobruk in October 1941 when they were relieved by Polish troops. A period of reorganisation in Palestine followed before the 2/23rd was sent to Syria in January 1942 to undertake garrison duties. This came to an end in June 1942, when the 9th Division was hurriedly moved to Egypt to help bolster Allied forces fighting around El Alamein.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
The 2/23rd subsequently took part in both the First and Second Battles of El Alamein; its most significant actions came around Tel el Eisa with the battalion launching two main attacks, one on the ridge in July and another to secure a road to the west of the ridge in October. Both attacks resulted in heavy casualties, with the battalion's losses being around 400 in total; nevertheless, both resulted in some tactical gains before the battalion was withdrawn on 1 November 1942, when the 24th Brigade relieved the 26th. Lieutenant Colonel Reg Wall took over command of the battalion at this time, after Evans was promoted to brigadier to take over the 24th Brigade.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
A period of rest followed, and following a request by the Australian government to return the 9th Division to Australia to join the other two divisions that had been redeployed from the Middle East – the 6th and 7th – the 2/23rd began the journey back to Australia. Staging out of Palestine, they sailed upon the Nieuw Amsterdam, reaching Fremantle, Western Australia, on 18 February before proceeding on to Sydney, which was reached on the 25th.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
The battalion's personnel concentrated at Seymour, Victoria, after taking leave, and the 2/23rd subsequently began a period of training and re-organisation as it was converted to the jungle division establishment. This resulted in the issue of new equipment, and a decrease in the battalion's authorised strength and number of vehicles. Training was completed on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland, before the battalion moved to Milne Bay, in New Guinea, in August 1943.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
The following month, on 4 September, they took part in an amphibious landing to capture Lae, during which one of the landing craft the battalion headquarters was travelling in was bombed by a Japanese aircraft, killing the battalion's commanding officer of the time, Lieutenant Colonel Reg Wall. Major Eric McRae assumed temporary command of the battalion until Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Tucker arrived in October. The 2/23rd subsequently took part in a brief advance along the coast driving on Lae from the east through the jungle, with the battalion crossing several rivers along the way. Several minor skirmishes took place during the advance, although the most significant action was fought on the second day of the operation between an isolated platoon and the remnants of a Japanese company, during which the Japanese force was largely destroyed.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
Lae fell in mid-September, more quickly than the Allies had expected, as troops from the 7th Division entered the town from the west, but a large part of the Japanese garrison managed to escape inland towards the Huon Peninsula. Shortly afterwards, the 2/23rd took part in a second amphibious landing north of Finschhafen, at a beach designated "Scarlet Beach" by the Allies. Between 22 September and 9 December, the 2/23rd took part in the Huon Peninsula campaign, taking part in significant actions around Sattelberg and Wareo as the Australians advanced inland.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
Early in 1944, the battalion took part in the advance to Sio as the withdrawing Japanese were pursued north. Their involvement was limited mainly to patrol actions, and no significant battles were fought before the 9th Division was withdrawn from New Guinea and transported back to Australia for rest in February 1944.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
For the next year, the battalion was based around Ravenshoe, Queensland, where it was almost completely rebuilt. Strategic uncertainties and the changing war situation meant that it was not committed to a further campaign until very late in the war, when the 9th Division was assigned to Operation Oboe. Within this plan, the 26th Brigade was tasked with capturing Tarakan as part of the Borneo campaign. A preliminary move was made to Morotai Island in April and the following month, the attack was launched.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
The 2/23rd was assigned a lead role in the initial landing, and after negotiating the muddy landing beach fought its way into Tarakan town. Several actions were fought throughout the day as they came up against Japanese pill-boxes and snipers, but by the end of the first day, the 2/23rd had secured all but one of its initial objectives. The 2/23rd fought several actions to help secure the high ground around the beachhead before moving on to help secure the airfield. Throughout May and June, the fighting continued as the Australians advanced into the steep inland areas of the island. By the middle of June, the fighting had mainly subsided and the battalion began mopping up operations in the central sector of the island, conducting patrols looking for stragglers until July during which clashes continued to occur.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea and Borneo
The fighting came to an end in August 1945 following the dropping of the atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima and afterwards the 2/23rd was slowly reduced in size as personnel were sent back to Australia for demobilisation or posting. In early December, the remaining members were transported back to Australia on the Stamford Victory and on 17 February 1946, the 2/23rd was disbanded at Puckapunyal, Victoria. Over 3,000 personnel served in the battalion during the war, and casualties amounted to 320 dead from all causes and 773 wounded.


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), Commanding officers
The following officers served as commanding officer of the 2/23rd:


2/23rd Battalion (Australia), Tarakan flag
In 2018, the Australian Flag Society announced the discovery of an Australian flag believed to have used by the 2/23rd Battalion and flown at Lingkas during the invasion of Tarakan.


2/24th Battalion (Australia)
The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II. A unit of the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF), it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of battle casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion.


2/24th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation and service in the Middle East
Assigned to the 26th Brigade along with the 2/23rd and 2/48th Battalions, the 2/24th Battalion  was established in Caufield, in July 1940. The battalion's first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Allan Spowers, an Australian officer that had served in the British Army during World War I. Part of the all volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force, which was raised for overseas service during the war, the majority of the battalion's initial intake of personnel came from the state of Victoria.


2/24th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation and service in the Middle East
The colours initially chosen for the battalion's unit colour patch (UCP) were the same as those of the 24th Battalion, a unit which had served during World War I before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were white over red, in a diamond shape, although a border of gray was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart; this was later changed, though, following the unit's involvement in the fighting during the Siege of Tobruk, as a result of which it was entitled to adopted a 'T'-shaped UCP.


2/24th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation and service in the Middle East
With an authorised strength of around 900 personnel, like other Australian infantry battalions of the time, the battalion was formed around a nucleus of four rifle companies – designated 'A' through to 'D' – each consisting of three platoons. After formation, the battalion was moved to Wangaratta, where it remained until its training facilities were ready in Bonegilla. Because of its time in Wangaratta, it became colloquially known as "Wangaratta's Own". Training was undertaken at Bonegilla, before the battalion was deployed to the Middle East, departing in November 1940, aboard the transport ship HMT Strathmore.


2/24th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation and service in the Middle East
After arriving in the Middle East, the 26th Brigade was reassigned from the 7th Division to the 9th and, after completing further training in Cyrenaica, the battalion subsequently saw action for the first time around Tobruk in April 1941, after the strategically important port was placed under siege by German forces. The battalion remained there for eight months, occupying various positions around the perimeter before they were withdrawn by sea in late October 1941 along with the majority of the 9th Division.


2/24th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation and service in the Middle East
A period of garrison duties followed in Palestine and Syria before the 9th Division was hastily moved to El Alamein in response to a German advance through the desert towards Egypt. The 2/24th was subsequently heavily involved in both the First and Second Battles of El Alamein between July and November 1942. During the first battle, the battalion fought to secure Tel el Eisa where they captured a German intelligence unit; during the second battle the 2/24th advanced from Tel el Eisa towards the sea, amidst fierce fighting around a position dubbed the "Saucer".


2/24th Battalion (Australia), History, Fighting in the Pacific
In December 1942, the 9th Division was concentrated in Palestine, following a decision to return it to Australia to take part in the fighting against the Japanese. The 2/24th subsequently sailed in early January 1943, making landfall in Melbourne the following month. They subsequently moved by train to Kairi on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland. For the majority of 1943, the battalion underwent a period of intense training as it was prepared for the rigours of jungle warfare. This saw the battalion re-organised in line with the jungle division establishment.


2/24th Battalion (Australia), History, Fighting in the Pacific
In September, the 2/24th went into action again, taking part in an amphibious landing to advance on Lae, in New Guinea. The operation was quickly concluded and as the Australians sought to follow up the retreating Japanese, a further landing was made on the Huon Peninsula later in September. The 2/24th subsequently took part in actions around Finschhafen and then the assault on Sattelberg. They took part in the subsequent advance north to Wareo, during which they were mainly used to carry stores and ammunition, before being released from this task and taking part in the fighting around the Christmas Hills. They were transported back to Australia for rest in early 1944.


2/24th Battalion (Australia), History, Fighting in the Pacific
For over a year the 2/24th remained in Australia training on the Atherton Tablelands, waiting for further employment in the Pacific. During this time, the battalion received a large number of reinforcements, many of whom had previously served with the 6th Machine Gun Battalion, which had served in New Guinea prior to being disbanded. Finally, in April 1945 they were committed to Operation Oboe, the Allied campaign to retake Borneo and Java. After force concentrating the 7th and 9th Divisions on Morotai Island, the plan called for several landings around Borneo and its surrounding areas.


2/24th Battalion (Australia), History, Fighting in the Pacific
The 26th Brigade's part in the operation was to capture the island of Tarakan. The main landing came on 1 May, during which the 2/24th formed the brigade's reserve. After the success of the initial landing, the 2/24th was committed to the fighting to secure the airfield on 2 May, but heavy fighting ensued as the Japanese defenders fought to hold on to the strategically important position, and the 2/24th were held up until 5 May. Following this, the battalion pushed into the rugged terrain inland, fighting a series of actions to secure the high ground overlooking the township. This fighting lasted up until 20 June, when Hill 90 was finally taken by the 2/24th. Mopping up operations followed as the battalion worked to clear Japanese stragglers from the oilfields to the north.


2/24th Battalion (Australia), History, Disbandment
Following the end of hostilities in August 1945, the battalion's personnel were slowly transferred to other units for further service, or repatriated back to Australia for demobilisation. The remaining cadre sailed back to Australia in December 1945, and the battalion ceased to exist in early 1946, when its last remaining personnel marched out from Puckapunyal. A total of approximately 3,415 men served in the battalion throughout its existence. The battalion's casualties throughout the war amounted to 360 killed and 900 wounded; this was more than any other 2nd AIF infantry battalion.


2/24th Battalion (Australia), History, Disbandment
Decorations awarded to 2/24th personnel included: four Distinguished Service Orders with one Bar, 12 Military Crosses, eight Distinguished Conduct Medals, 21 Military Medals, one British Empire Medal, five Efficiency Decorations and 35 Mentions in Despatches. In addition, two members of the battalion were appointed Officers of the Order of the British Empire and three were invested as Members of the Order of the British Empire.


2/24th Battalion (Australia), Commanding officers
The following officers served as commanding officer of the 2/24th:


2/25th Battalion (Australia)
The 2/25th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army which served during the Second World War. Raised in 1940, from volunteers drawn primarily from the state of Queensland, after completing its training the battalion undertook garrison duties in Darwin before deploying to the Middle East in mid-1941, as part of the 24th Brigade. There, it took part in more garrison duties in the Western Desert and in Palestine before it was reassigned from the 9th Division to the 7th Division and subsequently committed to the Syria–Lebanon campaign against the Vichy French.


2/25th Battalion (Australia)
In early 1942, the 2/25th was returned to Australia to fight against the Japanese. Following this it took part in the fighting in New Guinea, undertaking two deployments there, firstly in 1942–1943 during which it took part the fighting along the Kokoda Track and around Buna–Gona, and then again in 1943–1944 when it helped to secure Lae before advancing into Finisterre Ranges. The battalion's final involvement in the war came in mid-1945, when it took part in the Borneo campaign, landing at Balikpapan. The battalion was disbanded in early 1946.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
Raised in Brisbane, Queensland on 1 July 1940 as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF), the 2/25th Battalion formed at Grovely in the western outskirts of the city with its first personnel marching into the unit a fortnight later. Its first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Norman Marshall, a veteran of the First World War who had served in the Militia prior to joining the 2/25th.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
Marshall oversaw the establishment of the battalion, which was achieved by bringing together a small number of Regular officers, volunteers from the Militia and men with no previous military experience who had enlisted following the outbreak of the war. The majority of the former militiamen were drawn from the Cavalry Brigade in Queensland and the 25th, 42nd and the 61st Battalions.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
The colours chosen for the battalion's unit colour patch (UCP) were the same as those of the 25th Battalion, a unit which had served during the First World War before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were black over light blue, in a diamond shape, although a border of gray in a circle shape was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
Consisting of a battalion headquarters, four rifle companies designated 'A' to 'D' and one training and reinforcement company (known as 'E' Company), the battalion conducted initial training at Grovely before moving to Darwin in October, where they relieved the 2/15th Battalion as part of the town's defensive garrison. Forming part of the 24th Brigade it was initially assigned to the 8th Division, before being transferred to the 9th Division in November 1940. In February 1941, the battalion returned to Brisbane aboard HMAT Zealandia, arriving in Brisbane after a nine-day voyage. For the next two months they were stationed at Redbank before they finally departed for overseas service in April 1941, moving to Sydney, New South Wales, by rail where they embarked upon the RMS Queen Mary bound for Egypt.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, North Africa and Syria
The battalion arrived at Port Tewfik on 3 May 1941 from where they entrained and were moved by rail and then road to a camp near Ikingi Maryut. They remained there for roughly a week, undertaking further training as they received the rest of their equipment and weapons—sub machine guns, anti-tank rifles and mortars—before the men entrained again and moved to Mersa Matruh on the coast, whereupon they were transferred to the 25th Brigade, swapping with the 2/32nd Battalion. Amidst concerns of a German attack along the Egypt–Libya border, the battalion carried out the tasks of building and manning defences of the brigade's inner perimeter.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, North Africa and Syria
On 25 May they entrained once again, with the original plan of joining the garrison at Tobruk. These plans were changed, however, and the 2/25th along with the rest of the 25th Brigade moved to Palestine instead where they were transferred to the 7th Division, with whom they would remain for the rest of the war.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, North Africa and Syria
In June–July 1941 the battalion took part in the fighting against the Vichy French in the Syria–Lebanon campaign, during which it was initially placed in brigade reserve during the advance into Lebanon, which saw the battalion's companies split up as they were detached to the other three battalions of the brigade as required.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, North Africa and Syria
Later they were reunited and on 19 June, after carrying out a grueling approach march over difficult terrain, the 2/25th launched its only major attack of the campaign in an effort to retake the town of Merdjayoun after a Vichy counterattack had recaptured it a few days earlier. Encountering a force of French tanks, however, the battalion's attack was ultimately unsuccessful and they suffered heavy casualties, as well as losing over 50 men captured.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, North Africa and Syria
Most of the losses had come from 'B' Company and so it became necessary to merge the company with a platoon from 'A' Company. A few days later, on 25 June, the battalion was temporarily attached to the 21st Brigade and together they carried out a series of advances inland due to concerns of a possible French counterattack around Beit ed Dine, capturing a number of towns and villages along the way before an armistice came into effect on 12 July 1941. After this the battalion carried out garrison duties in Lebanon before being brought back to Australia in February 1942 in order to meet the growing threats in the Pacific following Japan's entry into the war in December 1941.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea campaigns, 1942–1944
The 2/25th Battalion arrived in Adelaide, South Australia on 10 March 1942, having made the voyage from Egypt aboard the American troopship USS Mount Vernon. Following this they undertook training at Woodside Camp before moving north to Caboolture, Queensland in May.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea campaigns, 1942–1944
Undertaking marksmanship training at the rifle range at Enoggera in Brisbane and specific jungle training in July, later in early August the battalion carried out amphibious landing training, undertaking practice assaults on Bribie Island, before carrying out further marksmanship and physical fitness training as they prepared for the order to proceed overseas as the situation in New Guinea became quite serious. This order finally came on 31 August, following a brigade-level demonstration exercise that was viewed by General Douglas MacArthur the previous day.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea campaigns, 1942–1944
Embarking on the SS Van De Lijn and Katoomba on 1 September 1942, the battalion proceeded to Port Moresby, via Townsville. The voyage was not without incident, as the Van De Lijn was involved in a collision with the troopship Perthshire, resulting in the death of one member of the 2/25th Battalion and injuries to five others. Nevertheless, they arrived in Port Moresby on 9 September, after having put into Townsville for a couple of days before proceeding on to New Guinea.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea campaigns, 1942–1944
They spent two days at a staging camp at Murray Barracks where they were issued the new jungle green uniforms before setting out on 11 September, along with the rest of the 25th Brigade, to carry out the march towards Ioribaiwa. Arriving there on 15 September, they took part in the last Australian withdrawal of the campaign, falling back on Imita Ridge, before the Japanese themselves were forced to withdraw having exhausted their supply lines. Following this, the battalion took part in the Australian advance towards Gona, subsequently taking part in significant battles at Templeton's Crossing and Gorari throughout October and November, before taking part in the Battle of Buna–Gona in late November–early December.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea campaigns, 1942–1944
In December they move to a rest camp at Donadabu before finally, in January 1943, the battalion was withdrawn to Australia for rest and re-organisation. They remained in Australia for the next six months training on the Atherton Tablelands.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea campaigns, 1942–1944
They returned to New Guinea, however, arriving at Port Moresby on 22 July, aboard the troopship Duntroon in advance of the 25th Brigade's advance on Lae. Billeted at the Six Mile Valley camp under canvas, they carried out a number of sub-unit level exercises which culminated in a brigade-level exercise in late August and early September before being flown to Nadzab on 7 September. From there they took part in the Salamaua–Lae campaign, which saw the 7th Division to which the battalion was attached drive on Lae through the Markham Valley. Advancing through the plantations that lined the Markham Road, they encountered only light resistance and the 2/25th, in the vanguard of the Australian force, was the first to enter the town on 16 September.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea campaigns, 1942–1944
Later in September the battalion was flown to Kaipit, from where they carried out patrols in support of the Finisterre Range campaign, operating in an area that included the Markham and Ramu Valleys and the Finnisterre Range. During this time the battalion was involved in a series of relatively minor contacts, with the most significant coming on 13 September around Whittaker's Bridge, near Heath's Plantation, and then on the night of 12/13 December around the Evapia River and at Kesawai. It was during the fighting at Heath's Plantation on 13 September 1943 that Richard Kelliher, from 'B' Company performed the deeds that later led to him receiving the Victoria Cross.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, New Guinea campaigns, 1942–1944
In January 1944, the battalion handed over their area of responsibility to the 24th Battalion and was withdrawn back to Port Moresby. From there, it embarked for Australia in February 1944.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, Borneo 1945
For the next sixteen months, between February 1944 and June 1945, the battalion was stationed in various locations in Queensland, firstly at Strathpine, then later the Atherton Tablelands. On 19 July 1944, while at Strathpine, they celebrated their fourth anniversary. After sixteen months of re-organisation and training, the battalion finally received orders to proceed overseas again, embarking on the USS Cape  Mendacino at Townsville they departed Australia on 2 June 1945 to take part in one of the last Australian campaigns of the war—Borneo. Landing at Balikpapan on 2 July, the battalion took part in the last major Allied amphibious operation of the war and the subsequent fighting that followed as the Australians moved inland.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, Borneo 1945
The fighting took place mainly around Manggar airstrip as the defending Japanese employed delaying tactics of ambushes and booby traps, however, within three weeks the fighting was largely over. The battalion's involvement consisted mainly of carrying out fighting patrols and establishing observation posts along the axis of the main advance up the Milford Highway. Nevertheless, it was involved in a number of significant engagements throughout July as patrols came into contact with pockets of resistance and small Japanese force's attacked the battalion's observation posts before orders to cease aggressive actions came down from higher command in early August. Following that the battalion was involved in reconnaissance patrols as the war came to an end.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, Disbandment
Following the end of the war the battalion remained in Borneo where they carried out various garrison duties, rounding up and guarding Japanese prisoners of war, collecting enemy equipment and stores, gathering evidence of war crimes and generally keeping the peace. As the process of demobilisation began some of its longer serving personnel who possessed over 150 points were returned to Australia, while other men were transferred to the 65th Infantry Battalion that was being formed to carry out occupation duties as part of the 34th Infantry Brigade, attached to the British Commonwealth Occupation Force.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), History, Disbandment
In February 1946, the battalion finally returned to Australia, arriving in Brisbane. It was subsequently disbanded on 7 March 1946. Throughout the war, a total of 2,745 men served with the 2/25th Battalion of whom 176 were killed or died and 365 wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one Victoria Cross, two Distinguished Service Orders, four Military Crosses with one Bar, one Distinguished Conduct Medal, nine Military Medals, one British Empire Medal and 33 Mentions in Despatches; in addition one member of the battalion was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), Battle honours
For their service during the Second World War, the 2/25th Battalion received the following battle honours:


2/25th Battalion (Australia), Battle honours
In 1961, these battle honours were entrusted to the 25th Battalion, and through this link are maintained by the Royal Queensland Regiment.


2/25th Battalion (Australia), Commanding officers
The following officers commanded the 2/25th Battalion during the war:


2/26th Battalion (Australia)
The 2/26th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Raised in late 1940 for service during the Second World War, the battalion undertook garrison duties in Malaya and Singapore prior to the start of the Pacific War. In 1941–42, following the Japanese invasion of Malaya, the battalion fought during the Malayan campaign. After the fall of the island, however, many of its soldiers became prisoners of war, remaining in captivity until being liberated at the end of the war in 1945. The battalion was never re-raised.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
Formed as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for service during the Second World War, the 2/26th Battalion was raised in November 1940 at Grovely in Brisbane, Queensland. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Boyes, the battalion formed part of the 27th Brigade along with the 2/29th and 2/30th Battalions. Attached to the 8th Division, the 27th Brigade was the last AIF brigade raised during the war.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
The colours chosen for the battalion's unit colour patch (UCP) were the same as those of the 26th Battalion, a unit which had served during World War I before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were purple over blue, in a diamond shape, although a border of gray in an oval shape was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart; the oval border denoted that the battalion was an 8th Division unit.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
With an authorised strength of around 900 personnel, like other Australian infantry battalions of the time, the battalion was formed around a nucleus of four rifle companies – designated 'A' through to 'D' – each consisting of three platoons. The majority of the 2/26th's personnel were drawn from Queensland and northern New South Wales, and arrived at the battalion in December 1940 after having completed basic training elsewhere, while the officers were hand-picked by Boyes.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
In early 1941, the battalion moved to Redbank where further training was undertaken in preparation for joining the rest of the 27th Brigade. In February the 2/26th was transported to Bathurst where they joined the other two battalions assigned to the brigade along with the artillery, anti-tank and engineer units. Brigade-level exercises were conducted and the battalion paraded through the town of Bathurst before finally they received orders for embarkation. On 29 July the final movement order was received and the battalion entrained for Melbourne.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
Although initially it had been intended that the 2/26th, and indeed the entire 8th Division, would be sent to the Middle East to join the 7th and 9th Divisions in the campaign against the Germans and Italians, concerns about Japanese intentions in the Pacific led to the decision to deploy them in Southeast-Asia instead. Embarking upon the Marnix Van St Aldegonde, a Dutch ship of approximately 20,000 tons displacement, their ultimate destination was Singapore.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
Sailing via Fremantle, they arrived in Singapore on 15 August 1941. Upon landing they moved to Camp Wavell at Changi where they settled in to serve as a garrison force. As the possibility of war with Japan grew, the battalion deployed over the Strait of Johore onto the mainland, to build up defences and carry out jungle training, and undertake patrols onto the peninsula to check the accuracy of maps and locate tracks. During this time they were based at Kota Tinggi and Jasin.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
On 6 December 1941, the battalion received the code word to adopt battle stations and adopted a defensive position to the north of Kota Tinggi. In the early hours of 8 December, fighting began as the Japanese launched their invasion of Malaya, by landing troops at Kota Bharu. Nevertheless, the battalion saw no action in the first month of the fighting and on 10 January 1942 it was moved to Johore, where the 27th Brigade took up a position in the Segamat sector as part of "Westforce", alongside British and Indian troops.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
The 2/26th Battalion was located at the Paya Lang Estate between Gemas and Batu Anam. As the Japanese attempted to outflank the Allied positions west of Gemas at Muar, after the 2/30th Battalion conducted a successful ambush, Westforce began the withdrawal back to Singapore Island, during which the 2/26th Battalion took part in a number of rearguard actions. Actions were fought at the Namazi Estate, Forty-Mile Peg and the Thirty-One Mile Peg. Of these, perhaps the most significant came at the Thirty-One Mile Peg, where 16 Platoon, under Lieutenant William Magarry, conducted a bayonet charge near Ayer Hitam. They crossed the Strait on 30 January and along with the rest of the 27th Brigade took up positions in the defence of the Causeway in anticipation of the Japanese assault which came a week later on 8 February 1942.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
After being subjected to heavy aerial and artillery bombardment, the following day the battalion's commanding officer, Arthur Boyes, handed over command to Lieutenant Colonel Roland Oakes, formerly the second in command of the 2/19th Battalion. Boyes was called away to help organise the island's rear area defence and was subsequently given command of 'X' Battalion, a composite unit made up of reinforcements that had been separated from their units. Shortly after taking up this appointment, however, Boyes was killed along with a number of his men when the battalion was ambushed while attempting to fill a gap in the lines that had resulted from a Japanese breakthrough.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
On 10 February, the 2/26th Battalion moved into position on 4,000 yards (3,700 m) frontage between Bukit Mandai and Bukit Panjang, with each of its companies on top of a high feature, separated by 1,000 yards (910 m) gaps of dense bush. Over the course of the next week, the 2/26th fought to defend the island, however, by 15 February, the Allied defence had crumbled and Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, the general officer in command of British Empire troops in Malaya, announced that the garrison would surrender.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
Following this, men from the 2/26th Battalion were detained at Changi Prison until May 1942 when they were dispersed to different locations throughout the Pacific—Burma, Thailand, Borneo and Japan—where they were used as slave labour by the Japanese. They spent the next three and a half years as prisoners of war until the war came to an end, when they were liberated and repatriated back to Australia.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), History
Casualties included 432 men killed in action or died in captivity, 136 wounded and 1,157 prisoners of war. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one Military Cross, one Distinguished Conduct Medal and 15 Mentions in Despatches.


2/26th Battalion (Australia), Battle honours
For its service during the Second World War, the 2/26th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours:


2/27th Battalion (Australia)
The 2/27th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army during World War II. Raised in May 1940 as part of the 7th Division from volunteers from the state of South Australia, the battalion was assigned to the 21st Brigade. After completing training in Australia, the 2/27th deployed to the Middle East in November 1940, and in early 1941 undertook defensive duties in the Western Desert. The battalion's first combat experience came against the Vichy French during the short Syria–Lebanon campaign during which it fought major engagements around Sidon and Damour. At the conclusion of the fighting in Syria, the battalion remained in the area as part of the Allied occupation force until early 1942 when it was returned to Australia to fight against the Japanese.


2/27th Battalion (Australia)
From September 1942 until early 1943, the 2/27th took part in the Kokoda Track campaign and then the Battle of Buna–Gona, before being withdrawn to Australia where it was rebuilt. In August 1943, the 2/27th returned to New Guinea and subsequently took part in the Finisterre Range campaign, leading the 21st Brigade's effort to capture Shaggy Ridge, remaining there until early 1944. The battalion's final campaign of the war came in the final months of the conflict during the Borneo campaign when it took part in the landing at Balikpapan. Following a short stint on occupation duties in the Celebes Islands after the end of the war, the battalion was disbanded in Australia in early 1946.


2/27th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
The 2/27th Battalion  was raised as part of the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) at Woodside Barracks, South Australia, on 7 May 1940. Along with the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions, it was attached to the 21st Brigade, which formed part of the 7th Division, the second infantry division raised as part of the 2nd AIF. With an authorised strength of 910 men of all ranks, it was organised into four rifle companies designated 'A' to 'D' with a battalion headquarters, regimental aid post, and a headquarters company consisting of specialist signals, anti-aircraft, mortar, carrier, pioneer and administrative platoons. The battalion's first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Murray Moten, a former Militia officer who had previously commanded the South Australian-based 48th Battalion.


2/27th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
The colours chosen for the battalion's unit colour patch (UCP) were the same as those of the 27th Battalion, a unit which had served during World War I before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were brown over light blue, in a diamond shape, although a border of gray in an oval shape was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart. After undertaking rudimentary training, in October 1940 the battalion was moved by train to Melbourne, where it embarked for overseas aboard the transport Mauretania.


2/27th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
Sailing via India, the 2/27th briefly made camp at Deolali, outside of Bombay for a week before embarking on the Takliwa for the rest of the journey to the Middle East. The battalion arrived in Egypt on 24 November, making landfall at Kantara moving to Julius Camp in Palestine for further training.


2/27th Battalion (Australia), History, Syria and Lebanon
After completing its training in Palestine, the 2/27th Battalion was moved to  Egypt–Libya border in April 1941. There, along with the rest of the 21st Brigade, they undertook defensive duties, occupying defensive positions around Mersa Matruh and Maaten Bagush in anticipation of the German and Italian advance. The battalion remained there until April, and although they were not directly involved in ground combat, they experienced their first attacks by German aircraft. They were subsequently returned to Palestine ahead of the battalion's first combat assignment, the invasion of Syria and Lebanon, which began in early June.


2/27th Battalion (Australia), History, Syria and Lebanon
During the subsequent fighting against Vichy forces, the 2/27th took part in the drive up the Lebanon coast, taking part in several engagements including fighting around Adloun on 11 June and Miye-ou-miye on 13–14 June as part of the capture of Sidon, which fell on 15 June. The following month, the battalion also took part in the Battle of Damour. After five weeks of fighting an armistice was signed on 12 July.


2/27th Battalion (Australia), History, Syria and Lebanon
Following the surrender of Vichy forces, the unit undertook garrison duties around Hammana, near Beirut, and Bakhaoun in the Tripoli sector, as part of the Allied occupation force, remaining there until January 1942. At the end of the campaign, Moten was decorated and promoted; he was replaced as commander of the 2/27th by Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Cooper.