2/7th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Aitape–Wewak 1945
Once it had been relieved by 17th Brigade, the squadron conducted a number of reconnaissance patrols south of the Torriccelli Ranges, around the Dandriwad and Danmap Rivers, and then later once it had moved to the Yasuar Mission, patrolling along the Muam River. Throughout February the 2/7th began to push into enemy territory, moving along the Atop River and establishing bases at Kaumala, and at House Copper.


2/7th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Aitape–Wewak 1945
Finally, at the end of March, the 2/7th was relieved and returned to Aitape. The following month, the 2/7th was transported by landing craft to But, where they were to act as reserve for the 16th Brigade's advance to the Hawain River. While here, they were based at Banak and conducted a number of patrols in the surrounding area. As the campaign progressed into May, the 2/7th was transferred to the command of the 19th Brigade, which at the time was advancing on Wewak, with its limit of exploitation being the Brandi River. As it became clear that the Japanese were attempting to abandon their positions, the 2/7th were ordered to advance in a wide circle and capture the Sauri villages, where it was believed that the Japanese had established a strong rearguard to act as a blocking force.


2/7th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Aitape–Wewak 1945
The 2/7th advanced up the Waringe River with a strength of 156 men, supported by mortar and artillery, and over the course of two days proceeded to clear the enemy from the high ground along which they would launch their assault on the villages. On 11 May, two troops from the 2/7th launched their assault, advancing along a spur that led to Walanter where they encountered a well-established enemy position. This position was assaulted and the objective taken over the course of two and a half hours, with the assistance of close support from artillery and flamethrowers to overcome the enemy resistance.


2/7th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Aitape–Wewak 1945
The 2/7th were then relieved by elements of the 2/8th Battalion at Sauri, before receiving orders to concentrate with the rest of the 2/6th Commando Regiment in the area around Brandi Plantation. By the start of June they began "mopping up" operations, firstly at Dove Bay and then at Karawop, before they were sent to Boiken in July, where they relieved the 2/10th Commando Squadron, which had been patrolling the area around the Dagua and Hawain Rivers in an attempt to deal with the Japanese raiding parties that were still operating in the area.


2/7th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Aitape–Wewak 1945
The 2/7th were still in Boiken when Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945. They were disbanded approximately six months later, early in 1946, after the last members were returned to Australia and demobilised. During the course of its service, the squadron lost 30 men killed in action or died on active service.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia)
The 2/7th Field Regiment was an Australian Army field artillery regiment that served during the Second World War. Formed in mid-1940 and assigned to the 9th Division, the regiment was deployed to North Africa, where it saw action around Tobruk in 1941 and in the First and Second Battles of El Alamein in 1942. It also undertook garrison duties in Syria and Egypt. In 1943, the regiment returned to Australia, after which it did not see action again until late in the war when it was committed to the landing at Tarakan in 1945. Following the end of the war, the regiment returned to Australia and was disbanded in January 1946.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
Raised in April 1940 from volunteers for overseas service as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, the regiment's first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Eastick, who had formerly commanded the 13th Field Brigade. Upon formation, it initially consisted of a regimental headquarters and two batteries: the 13th, which was formed in South Australia, and the 14th, in Western Australia. Later, a third battery – the 57th – was added. The majority of the new regiment's initial intake of personnel – particularly its officers – were drawn from the Militia. In October, the regiment was assigned to the 9th Division.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
Initial training was split between Woodside and Northam Camps as the South Australian and Western Australian batteries remained in their respective states until November 1940 when the regiment was concentrated at Fremantle and deployed to the Middle East aboard the troopship Stratheden. Arriving there in December, the regiment moved to Qastina in Palestine, where it undertook training, albeit without any equipment or vehicles, which were in short supply in the theatre as the British sought to make up losses in home regiments following the Fall of France.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
As such, it was not until April 1941 that the regiment received a supply of vehicles and its first artillery pieces. These came in the form of a mix of antiquated 18-pounders and 4.5-inch howitzers. These were replaced in July with twenty-four 25-pounders when the regiment moved to Mersa Matruh, which it employed against German and Italian forces in defence of the garrison at Tobruk and then later around Halfaya Pass–Sidi Barrani before being withdrawn back to Cairo, in Egypt, where they undertook a training role from October 1941 to early 1942. During this time the regiment trained reinforcements for British and Commonwealth artillery units in the theatre and undertook daily shoots on the Almaza firing range.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
A move to Syria followed in February and for a while the regiment was based around Tripoli and then Aleppo where they were assigned to support the 20th Brigade as they undertook garrison duties following the successful Allied campaign against the Vichy French government. The regiment remained there until the middle part of 1942 when the regiment was committed to both the First and Second Battles of El Alamein. During this time, the regiment fired 157,847 shells of all types, including smoke, and suffered 36 killed and 73 wounded.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
In early 1943, the regiment was withdrawn back to Australia along with the rest of the 9th Division as the Australian Army's focus shifted towards fighting against the Japanese in the Pacific. Embarking upon the Dutch troopship Nieuw Amsterdam, on 18 February the men from the 14th Battery were landed in Fremantle for leave, while the rest of the regiment continued on to Port Melbourne where they were transferred to a train on 25 February and moved by rail to Adelaide for three weeks of leave.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
Upon completion of this leave, the regiment was reconstituted on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland, along with the rest of the 9th Division. In July 1943, Lieutenant Colonel William Green took over command of the regiment and as the 9th Division was re-organised and re-equipped to take part in jungle warfare, the regiment was reformed on a reduced equipment scale. Two batteries – the 13th and 57th continued to operate the standard 25-pounders, while the 14th was re-equipped with the Short version.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
Training progressed well, but in  September 1943, when the division left to take part in the Landing at Lae and the Huon Peninsula campaign, the 2/7th remained in the Australia. This was because it had deemed by Australian planners that artillery only had a limited role to play in jungle warfare and, consequently, when the 9th Division deployed it only took one field regiment with it: the 2/12th.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
As a result, the regiment spent a total of 22 months out of action on the Atherton Tablelands and it was not until late in the war, in mid-1945, that it was deployed on operations again. When it came, it was under Operation Oboe, which saw them once again fire in support of the 9th Division. Assigned to the 26th Brigade which was to capture Tarakan, in April 1945 the regiment was moved to Morotai Island.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
The day before the main landing at Lingkas on 1 May, the 57th Battery landed on Sadau Island, where they established themselves to fire on Lingkas to provide cover for engineers that were tasked with clearing the beach obstacles. For the operation, the regiment was equipped with twenty-four 25-pounder field guns.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
The following morning the battery fired in direct support of the seaborne assault; it was the first time ever that a unit of the Royal Australian Artillery was ever employed in such a role. Once the beachhead was established amidst some confusion caused by muddy conditions and congestion, both the 13th and 14th Batteries came ashore and by 4:00 pm on the first day, they were both in action, while the 57th was also moved to Tarakan from Sadau late in the day. Small parties from the 2/7th also took over control of naval gunfire support after the naval shore fire control parties were withdrawn at the end of the first month.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
Over the next three months they would fire over 37,000 rounds in support of the 26th Brigade's three infantry battalions; this included rounds from a captured Japanese 75 mm mountain gun. The regiment also provided fire control for a 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun from the 132nd Anti - Aircraft Battery that was employed to clear areas of thick jungle and which was co-located with the regiment's guns in a position that came to be known as "HMAS Margy".


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
In order to maintain ammunition supplies, the regiment was resupplied by air from Morotai, while the captured Japanese gun was resupplied as rounds were found by the advancing troops. In total 851 rounds were fired from this gun. In order to ensure accuracy in the dense jungle, forward observers were detached forward with infantry patrols and even sent aloft on board small observation aircraft. The regiment's casualties during this time amounted to seven killed and 27 wounded.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), History
Following the conclusion of hostilities in August 1945, the regiment remained on Tarakan as the demobilisation process, which had begun in early July, was ramped up. Slowly the regiment's size declined and by 30 November 28 officers and 324 other ranks had been repatriated to Australia. The following month the regiment turned in its guns and the last of its personnel left Tarakan on board Stanford Victory. The regiment was finally disbanded on 30 January 1946. During the course of its service, the 2/7th lost 45 men killed in action or died on active service. The following decorations were awarded: three Distinguished Service Orders, one Military Cross, four Military Medals and two Mentions in Despatches.


2/7th Field Regiment (Australia), Commanding officers
The following officers served as commanding officer of the 2/7th Field Regiment:


2/8th Armoured Regiment (Australia)
The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was an armoured regiment of the Australian Army. It was raised for service during World War II, being formed in July 1941. It deployed to New Guinea in 1943 but did not see any action before being disbanded in February 1944.


2/8th Armoured Regiment (Australia), History
The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was formed in July 1941 as part of the 2nd Armoured Brigade of the 1st Armoured Division. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Hopkins who had previously served in the Militia with the 13th Light Horse Regiment,  the 2/8th was initially located at Puckapunyal, Victoria, and was equipped with Universal Carriers for training purposes while more suitable platforms were acquired. In May 1942 the regiment was equipped with M3 Grant tanks and moved to Narrabri, New South Wales.


2/8th Armoured Regiment (Australia), History
During its time at Narrabri one of the regiment's three armoured squadrons was re-equipped with M3 Stuart light tanks, in order to conform with the establishment that had been set for armoured units being deployed to the Middle East. During this time, the other two squadrons' vehicles were converted from petrol engines to diesel.


2/8th Armoured Regiment (Australia), History
From 15 November 1942 the 2nd Armoured Brigade and the 2/8th Armoured Regiment formed part of the 3rd Armoured Division. The regiment was separated from its brigade in April 1943 and deployed to New Guinea where it took over the 2/6th Armoured Regiment's tanks. The regiment's role was confined to infantry co-operation training and static defence of major Australian bases. As a result, it did not see any action. Squadrons were stationed at Port Moresby, Milne Bay and Buna.


2/8th Armoured Regiment (Australia), History
The 2/8th Armoured Regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and was disbanded in May. The regiment's personnel formed the nucleus of the 41st, 42nd and 43rd Landing Craft Companies, Royal Australian Engineers, which supported Australian forces in the South West Pacific until the end of the war. The regiment did not receive any battle honours, nor did any of its personnel receive any gallantry decorations. Three of the regiment's personnel died while on active service.


2/8th Armoured Regiment (Australia), Commanding officers
The following is a list of officers that commanded the 2/8th Armoured Regiment:


2/8th Battalion (Australia)
The 2/8th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army that served during World War II. Raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force at Melbourne, Victoria on 30 October 1939, the 2/8th was initially attached to the 17th Brigade, 6th Division. It was later transferred to the 19th Brigade and with this formation the battalion saw action in Egypt, Libya, Greece and Crete before returning to Australia. A period of garrison duty in Darwin followed in 1942–1943, after which the battalion concentrated with other 6th Division units on the Atherton Tablelands, remaining there throughout 1943–1944. In late 1944, the battalion was sent to New Guinea to fight the Japanese as part of the Aitape–Wewak campaign. The battalion was disbanded at Puckapunyal on 14 December 1945.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
The 2/8th Battalion was established at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds in the period shortly after Australia declared war on Germany. Its official date of raising was 30 October 1939. Recruited as part of the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF), initially, the battalion formed part of the 17th Brigade, which was assigned to the 6th Division.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
Like other 2nd AIF infantry battalions raised at the time, the battalion had an authorised strength of around 900 personnel, and consisted of four rifle companies – designated 'A' to 'D' – under  a battalion headquarters a headquarters company consisting of signals, carrier, pioneer, anti-aircraft, transport, administrative and mortar platoons. The colours chosen for the battalion's unit colour patch (UCP) were the same as those of the 8th Battalion, a Victorian infantry battalion which had been raised for service during World War I as part of the First Australian Imperial Force, and had subsequently been re-raised as Militia battalion. These colours were white over red, in a horizontal rectangular shape, although a border of grey was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
The battalion's first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel John Mitchell, who had served in the 8th Battalion during World War I and had subsequently commanded it during the inter-war years. Like Mitchell, the majority of the battalion's recruits came from the state of Victoria, with about one in every five having previously served in the Militia. Shortly after the battalion's establishment it was moved to Puckapunyal where it began individual training.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
In early 1940, the Australian Army was reorganised to bring it in line with the British Army by reducing the size of each brigade from four infantry battalions to three. The result of this was that 2/8th, as the fourth battalion within the 17th Brigade, was transferred to a new brigade, the 19th, which was formed from the 2/4th Battalion, a New South Wales battalion from the 16th Brigade, the 2/8th from the 17th and the Western Australian 2/11th from the 18th. After the completion of basic training, the battalion marched through the streets of Melbourne before embarking for the Middle East in mid-April aboard the troopship Dunera.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece and Crete
After a month long voyage as part of a large convoy carrying Australian troops to the Middle East, the 2/8th reached El Kantara, in Egypt, on 18 May 1940. Upon arrival, the battalion concentrated at the Australian camp at Kilo 89, near Gaza, in Palestine, where it joined the rest of the 19th Brigade. It undertook further exercises and training in Egypt and Palestine prior to the Australians being committed to the fighting against the Italians in the Libyan desert in January 1941 during Operation Compass.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece and Crete
A series of actions were fought by the Australians around Bardia and Tobruk, before the 19th Brigade entered Benghazi in February. The 2/8th Battalion had only a minor role in the early battles, but was heavily involved in the fighting for Tobruk, being thrown into an attack against an Italian strong hold that was supported by armour. In April 1941, as the Allies grew concerned about a German invasion of Greece, a combined force of British, Australian and New Zealand troops were deployed there from North Africa.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece and Crete
Amidst freezing temperatures, the battalion took part in the fighting around Vevi, in northern Greece near the border with Yugoslavia, before the Australians were pushed back by a larger force. A series of withdrawals followed, during which the 2/8th lost most of its equipment and was broken up into several groups.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece and Crete
As the Germans overran the country, the 2/8th was evacuated at the end of the month via Kalamata; part of the battalion – almost 200 personnel – were moved by sea back to Egypt, while the rest – almost 400 personnel – were landed on the island of Crete from Royal Navy destroyers, having originally embarked upon the Costa Rica, which had been sunk en route by several Axis dive-bombers.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece and Crete
They subsequently took part in the fighting on Crete following the German invasion on 20 May. Allocated to the Chania region, the battalion – temporarily under the command of Major Arthur Key – reinforced the British around Perivolia and Mournies, before fighting to hold the line to the west Perivolia as the 19th Brigade was temporarily reorganised to include the 2/7th Battalion and the 2nd Greek Battalion, under the command of Brigadier George Vasey.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece and Crete
The battalion was later involved in the fighting around 42nd Street, where the 2/7th and the Maori Battalion launched a ferocious bayonet assault against a German force. As the Allies withdrew towards Sphakia where the Royal Navy was attempting an evacuation, the battalion formed part of the rearguard along with the 2/7th and some Royal Marines and artillerymen, before they were temporarily reassigned to the New Zealand 5th Infantry Brigade and with them had taken up positions around the Sphakia Gorge at the end of May as the final stage of the evacuation began. A total of 203 personnel from the 2/8th subsequently embarked on the cruiser Phoebe and destroyer Jackal in the final lift on the morning of 1 June. The 2/7th was not so lucky, with all but handful being left behind to become prisoners of war.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East, Greece and Crete
In the aftermath of the Crete campaign, the 2/8th was rebuilt in Palestine. Reinforcements were brought in at this time, and a new commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Winning, arrived in July. After this, a period of garrison duty followed in Syria, as the 2/8th was dispatched to form part of the Allied occupation force that had been established there in the wake of the Syria–Lebanon campaign to defend against a possible Axis thrust through the Caucasus. They remained there between October 1941 and January 1942 when the Australian government requested their return to fight against the Japanese.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Garrison duties in Australia and service in New Guinea
Embarking upon the troopship Aronda at Port Tewfik on 12 February 1942, the sailed for Australia. After briefly disembarking at Port Sudan, they continued on to Colombo and then to Fremantle, before continuing on to their final destination. Arriving in Adelaide on 28 March 1942, the 2/8th took over billets in Strathalbyn before subsequently deploying by train to the Northern Territory, in late May to defend against a possible Japanese invasion, that never eventuated. During this time, the battalion was based around Adelaide River, about 76 miles (122 km) to the south of Darwin.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Garrison duties in Australia and service in New Guinea
From there they were poised to deploy across a broad front in the case of invasion. In February 1943, Lieutenant Colonel W. Stace Howden assumed command of the battalion after Winning took over command of the 3rd Brigade.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Garrison duties in Australia and service in New Guinea
While other elements of the 6th Division were sent to New Guinea in late 1942 and early 1943 and saw combat against the Japanese along the Kokoda Track and around Wau, the 19th Brigade remained in Darwin until June 1943, when the 19th Brigade was moved to northern Queensland as the 6th Division's other two brigades – the 16th and 17th  – returned to Australia from New Guinea. As the division was brought back up to strength, a long period of training followed. Consequently, it was not until late in the war that the 2/8th was committed to its first, and only, campaign against the Japanese, deploying to Aitape–Wewak in November 1944, as the Australians took over from US forces in the region.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Garrison duties in Australia and service in New Guinea
Sailing aboard the US troopship Thomas Corwin, the battalion arrived off Aitape on 12 November and came ashore aboard several landing craft. After moving into a camp around Korako, they began minor patrolling operations and reconnaissance around Anamo.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Garrison duties in Australia and service in New Guinea
The 19th Brigade was initially tasked with securing the area between around the Driniumor, Danmap and Danimul Rivers, and throughout the final months of the war, the battalion took part in clearing the area around the Danmap, relieving the 2/4th Battalion around Idakaibul, which was secured as a patrol base before pushing the Australian line towards the east, capturing several features between there and Malin and fighting numerous small scale patrol actions. Throughout the final stages of 1944, the 2/8th established a battalion defensive position around Anamo and further patrols were sent out before the battalion moved to the mouth of the Danmap around Luain, with a detachment further inland around Idakaibul.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Garrison duties in Australia and service in New Guinea
Early the following year, the battalion was withdrawn back to Aitape by sea from Dogreto Bay, moving into a reserve position around Tadi plantation. Later, starting in late March they moved to But by landing craft, and from there joined the advance towards Wewak, which fell on 10 May. They subsequently pushed into the Prince Alexander Range in the interior, where the last significant Japanese forces were concentrated. In late June, the 19th Brigade advanced on the position from the north, while the 17th advanced from the west.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Garrison duties in Australia and service in New Guinea
On 10 June, the battalion began preliminary actions to secure the Japanese strong hold on Mount Shiburangu. The approaches were secured over the course of a week with artillery and flamethrowers being used to help overcome the Japanese bunkers, and on 27 June the battalion assaulted the summit. Over 3,000 rounds of artillery were fired to soften up the Japanese defences, but the Australians still came up against heavy resistance, as the Japanese defenders employed salvaged aircraft machine-guns.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Garrison duties in Australia and service in New Guinea
These were outflanked by a platoon that advanced up a steep slope, attacking the Japanese left from behind and allowing the rest of 'C' Company to secure the summit. This was the battalion's final major action of the war, and cost it three killed and seven wounded. Between 44 and 70 Japanese were killed, with over 50 bunkers being destroyed.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Disbandment
The battalion's final combat operations of the war came in late July during patrol operations around Hambrauri, to the south-east of Wewau, after which they were relieved and moved back to Wewak. The fighting came to an end in mid-August 1945, after which the 2/8th was employed making improvements to camp facilities and carrying out garrison duties. In the aftermath, the 2/8th's frontage slowly shrunk as elements were returned to Australia from demobilisation based on length of service. Others who did not qualify for discharge were transferred to other units for further service.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), History, Disbandment
Finally, in mid-November the remaining cadre of the battalion left Wewak, and the 2/8th was subsequently disbanded on 14 December 1945, while at Puckapunyal, where their service had begun six years earlier. During its service a total of 2,793 men served with the 2/8th Battalion of whom were 77 killed, 248 were wounded and 203 were captured. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one Distinguished Service Order, 11 Military Crosses, six Distinguished Conduct Medals, 11 Military Medals, and 53 Mentions in Despatches. In addition, one was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.


2/8th Battalion (Australia), Battle honours
The 2/8th received the following battle honours for its involvement in the war:


2/8th Battalion (Australia), Battle honours
These honours were subsequently entrusted to the 8th Battalion in 1961, and through this link are maintained by the Royal Victoria Regiment.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia)
The 2/8th Commando Squadron was one of 12 independent companies or commando squadrons raised by the Australian Army during the Second World War. Raised in July 1942 as the 2/8th Independent Company, the 2/8th spent the early years of the war performing garrison duties in the Northern Territory. In July 1944, the 2/8th sailed to Lae, in New Guinea from where they launched a clandestine reconnaissance operation on the island of New Britain.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia)
Later, attached to the II Corps, it participated in the Bougainville campaign, during which it was in action continuously for a period of nine months right up until the Japanese surrendered in August 1945. Following the end of hostilities, the 2/8th returned to Australia, and was disbanded at Liverpool, New South Wales in early January 1946.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Formation and home duties
The 2/8th Independent Company was formed at Wilsons Promontory, in Victoria in July 1942. Consisting of 17 officers and 256 other ranks, the company was organised into a headquarters, three infantry platoons, with attached signals, medical and engineering sections. It undertook training at the Guerilla Warfare School that had been set up there, before being sent to northern Australia to serve in a garrison role. During this time the company was stationed at Yandina, Queensland, and then later at the Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Formation and home duties
In 1943, as part of a re-organisation of the independent company concept, the 2/8th were renamed the 2/8th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron, which was later shortened to the 2/8th Commando Squadron. Despite this re-organisation, however, while other commando squadrons were amalgamated together into a regimental structure, the 2/8th remained independent and when they finally deployed overseas in mid-1944 to New Guinea, they were sent as an independent unit attached to the Australian II Corps.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, New Britain campaign
The squadron embarked from Townsville, Queensland, on 22 July 1944 and sailed to Lae, via Milne Bay, on board the SS Ormiston. While they were there they received an intake of 70 experienced men from some of the other commando squadrons as reinforcements. Following this, the squadron undertook a period of jungle warfare training. After a few months, in mid-September, a small detachment of the 2/8th participated in a small-scale reconnaissance operation at Jacquinot Bay on the island of New Britain, to collect intelligence in preparation for an assault by the 5th Division.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, New Britain campaign
As part of this operation, elements from 'C' Troop and a small detachment from 'B' Troop, from the 2/8th Commando Squadron, provided the protection force for the reconnaissance party that was put ashore from the corvette HMAS Kiama, setting up a position on the beach and conducting a number of patrols further inland. This operation was a success and later, in November, the 5th Division conducted an amphibious landing in the area unopposed.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Bougainville campaign
In October, the 2/8th was transported on the troopship Aconagua to Torokina, which was the main Australian base on Bougainville, where it joined the rest of II Corps, who were concentrating in the area for the upcoming Bougainville campaign. As the campaign progressed the squadron conducted patrols from Torokina to Kuraio Mission and Amun in the northern sector on a weekly basis throughout November and into December, before handing over responsibility of the area to the 11th Brigade and being transferred to the southern sector.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Bougainville campaign
This was where the main battle for Bougainville was being fought, and as the 3rd Division advanced along the coast towards the Japanese base at Buin, the 2/8th was tasked to provide flank protection for the division. As a part of this, they conducted a number of reconnaissance patrols, often moving part of the way by barge, as well as conducting ambushes in order to keep the enemy off balance.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Bougainville campaign
This lasted for almost nine months from December 1944 right up to the end of the war in August 1945, during which time the 2/8th was in action almost continuously. It was a long and hard campaign, and to a large extent this made up for the long periods of inactivity that the squadron had suffered while it had been garrisoned in Australia.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Bougainville campaign
Certainly the squadron was in the thick of it, with many of its members distinguishing themselves during this time, as evidenced by the rather large number of decorations 2/8th members earned in such a short space of time. The patrols during this time were conducted in small groups, usually no larger than two sections roughly 18–20 men, and they would last for between four and six days, although some lasted up to nine. Sometimes they would employ barges to move along the coast.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Bougainville campaign
Having secured the coastal regions around the Jaba River, the squadron slowly began to move inland in order to strike into the enemy's rear, securing the many villages along the way. First they cleared to Sovele Mission, then the villages of Opai, Nihero and Morokaimoro, reaching Kilipaijino by the end of hostilities. As they went, each village taken became a patrol base and from there the squadron would gather topographical information such as track and terrain reports, and locate the enemy.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Bougainville campaign
Once sufficient information had been gathered and passed on to II Corps, the patrols would then attempt to ambush the enemy or try to take a prisoner. These raids were very effective in tying down the enemy and keeping them away from the 3rd Division's flanks, as they forced the Japanese to deploy troops to their rear areas, removing men from the front against which the larger infantry forces were then be able to engage.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Disbandment
With the end of the war, as part of the large-scale demobilisation of Australian forces, the commando squadrons along with most of the other special forces units formed by the Australian Army were deemed surplus to requirements and the ranks of the squadron were slowly reduced as men who had earned enough points to do so were discharged, while others who did not were transferred to other units for further duties as part of the occupation forces that were being sent to Japan. By the time that the squadron returned to Australia in December 1945 with a very small frontage. Finally, on 10 January 1946, while at Liverpool, New South Wales, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was disbanded and removed from the Australian Order of Battle.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Disbandment
During its service, the 2/8th lost seven men killed in action and 16 men wounded. Members of the squadron received the following decorations: one Officer of the Order of the British Empire, two Distinguished Conduct Medals, four Military Medals and 12 Mentions in Despatches.


2/8th Commando Squadron (Australia), Commanding officers
The following officers served as commanding officer of the 2/8th:


2/8th Field Regiment (Australia)
The 2/8th Field Regiment was an Australian Army field artillery regiment that was raised for service during the Second World War as part of the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force.


2/8th Field Regiment (Australia)
Composed mainly of soldiers from the states of Victoria and Tasmania, the regiment was one of three field artillery regiments that were assigned to the Australian 9th Division during the war, and during its war service it saw action in North Africa in 1941–42, being heavily involved in the First and Second Battles of El Alamein between July and November 1942 before returning to Australian in 1943, as the Australian government rebalanced its land forces to face the threat in the Pacific. Nevertheless, the regiment did not see action again until mid-1945 when it was committed to the brief Borneo campaign. It was disbanded in early 1946 at the conclusion of hostilities.


2/8th Field Regiment (Australia), History
Established in May 1940 at Puckapunyal, Victoria, the 2/8th Field Regiment was assigned to the Australian 9th Division. Its first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Alan Crisp. It initially consisted of two batteries from Victorian and Tasmanian volunteers – designated the 15th and 16th – although a third, the 58th, was raised in October 1941. Later in the war, the regiment's composition would change as reinforcements would be sourced from all Australian states.


2/8th Field Regiment (Australia), History
After the initial formation of the two batteries in their home locations, it took some time for the regiment to concentrate, and it was not until November 1940, that the 15th and 16th Batteries came together concentrated at Puckapunyal, Victoria. Guns were short initially, the regiment was only able to conduct one live shoot before deploying, using borrowed weapons. Embarking upon the transport Strathmore at Port Melbourne and sailing for the Middle East. Travelling via Fremantle and crossing the Indian Ocean, they reached Palestine in the middle of December 1940.


2/8th Field Regiment (Australia), History
After training on 18-pounders and 4.5 howitzers, the regiment was equipped with 25-pound artillery pieces in early 1941. During the 9th Division's early involvement in the fighting in North Africa, the 2/8th was used to defend Mersa Matruh – a strategically important railhead on the Egyptian coast, lying between the ports of Tobruk and Alexandria – between May and September 1941, before moving to Sidi Barrani.


2/8th Field Regiment (Australia), History
In October 1941, they were moved to Palestine, before being sent to Syria in January 1942 to join the Allied garrison that had been established their following the defeat of the Vichy French forces there during the Syria–Lebanon Campaign. They remained there, establishing a position around Jdaidet on the Syria–Lebanon border to defend against a possible German invasion, until July 1942 when the 9th Division was hurriedly transferred to El Alamein, after the fall of Tobruk. By this time the regiment was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Walter Tinsley. The regiment subsequently took part in both the First and Second Battles of El Alamein between July and November, firing over 163,000 shells, mainly in support of the 26th Brigade.


2/8th Field Regiment (Australia), History
In January 1943, the 2/8th was withdrawn to Australia as the 9th Division was brought back to join the fight against Japanese forces in the Pacific. The regiment, sailing aboard the Dutch transport, Nieu Amsterdam, made landfall at Melbourne on 24 February 1943. The regiment was based at Seymour, Victoria, while personnel went on leave, but in April the 2/8th Field Regiment relocated to the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland.


2/8th Field Regiment (Australia), History
While the rest of the 9th Division was subsequently employed in New Guinea in landings around Lae and in the fighting on the Huon Peninsula, the 2/8th was not deployed as the 9th Division's artillery complement was reduced as part of its conversion to the jungle divisional establishment. As a result, the 2/8th did not see action again until late in the war, when they took part in the Borneo campaign in June 1945.


2/8th Field Regiment (Australia), History
In May 1945, the regiment sailed from Australia to Morotai Island, where the Allies had established a large base as a staging area for Operation Oboe, where they received new equipment including 75 mm howitzers, which were to complement their 25-pounders. After a brief period of preparation, the regiment joined the amphibious invasion of North Borneo. The regiment's guns came ashore around Brooketon, in Brunei Bay, and Lutong, aboard US landing vehicles where the surf allowed. For the remainder of the campaign, they fired mainly in support of the 20th Brigade.


2/8th Field Regiment (Australia), History
After the conclusion of hostilities in August 1945, the regiment was slowly disbanded, with a number of the regiment's personnel being transferred to the 2/4th Pioneer Battalion to undertake garrison duties around Kuching in November 1945. In December, the remainder of the 2/8th's personnel returned to Australia and on 30 January 1946 it was disbanded. A total of 34 members of the regiment were killed or died on active service during the war.


2/8th Field Regiment (Australia), Commanding officers
The 2/8th Field Regiment was commanded by the following officers:


2/9th Armoured Regiment (Australia)
The 2/9th Armoured Regiment was an armoured regiment of the Australian Army. Raised for service during World War II, the regiment was formed in August 1941 and spent most of the war in Australia. It was disbanded in early 1946 after seeing action in the Borneo campaign late in the war.


2/9th Armoured Regiment (Australia), History
The 2/9th Armoured Regiment was formed in August 1941 as part of the 2nd Armoured Brigade of the 1st Armoured Division. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel F.E Wells, upon formation the regiment perpetuated the 9th Light Horse Regiment which had served during World War I, drawing its personnel from volunteers for overseas service from the states of South Australia and Tasmania.


2/9th Armoured Regiment (Australia), History
Consisting of a regimental headquarters and three fighting squadrons designated 'A', 'B' and 'C', the 2/9th was initially located at Puckapunyal, Victoria, and because of a shortage of armoured vehicles in Australia at the time, the regiment was equipped with Universal Carriers for training purposes until a more suitable platform became available. In May 1942 the regiment was equipped with M3 Grant tanks and moved to Narrabri, New South Wales, where it took part in large-scale divisional exercises.


2/9th Armoured Regiment (Australia), History
In early 1943 manpower shortages and the evolving strategic situation confronting the Allies in the Pacific meant that there was no longer a need for large-scale armoured formations in the Australian Army. As a result, the decision was made to disband a number of units and reallocate their personnel to other branches of the Army. After the 1st Armoured Division was disbanded in September 1943, the 2/9th Armoured Regiment was reassigned to the 4th Armoured Brigade, which was the Australian Army's specialist jungle warfare armoured unit at the time. It was relocated to Singleton, New South Wales, but was later moved to the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland and in early 1944 it was re-equipped with Matilda II tanks. During this time it undertook infantry co-operation training in preparation for deployment overseas.


2/9th Armoured Regiment (Australia), History
In March 1945 the 2/9th Armoured Regiment embarked for Morotai in the Netherlands East Indies as part of the buildup for one of the final campaigns of the war. The regiment was attached to the 9th Division during the Borneo campaign to provide armoured support. As the 9th Division's operations would take place in a number of locations at different times, the regiment formed a number of squadron-groups which would be attached at brigade-level.


2/9th Armoured Regiment (Australia), History
The first element of the regiment to see action was 'C' Squadron, which supported the 26th Brigade during the Battle of Tarakan in May and June and taking part in the advance along the Anzac and Bourke Highways, helping to secure the airfield and the oilfields. On 10 June 1945, 'B' Squadron took part in the landing at Labuan as part of Operation Oboe Six, and supported the 24th Brigade's advance, assisting in the capture of the airfield, and various positions along the MacArthur Road. At the same time, 'A' Squadron landed on the Borneo peninsula, securing the town before being used in a defensive role due to the impenetrable terrain further inland, which was only passable on foot.


2/9th Armoured Regiment (Australia), History
Hostilities came to an end in August 1945, however the 2/9th Armoured Regiment did not return to Australia until December 1945. It was disbanded shortly afterwards in early 1946. Nine men from the regiment were killed in action or died on active service during the course of its involvement in the fighting, while a further 16 were wounded. Members of the 2/9th received the following decorations: one Military Cross and two Military Medals.


2/9th Armoured Regiment (Australia), Commanding officers
The following is a list of officers that commanded the 2/9th Armoured Regiment:


2/9th Armoured Regiment (Australia), Battle honours
The 2/9th Armoured Regiment received three battle honours for its service during the war:


2/9th Battalion (Australia)
The 2/9th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army during World War II. Raised in Queensland as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) shortly after the outbreak of the war, it formed part of the 18th Brigade and over the course of the war it was attached to the 6th, 9th and 7th Divisions due to several re-organisations.


2/9th Battalion (Australia)
It served in the United Kingdom in 1940, forming part of a small Australian garrison sent there to help defend against a possible German invasion, before being transferred to North Africa where it took part in the Siege of Tobruk and then undertook garrison duties in Syria following the Syria–Lebanon campaign in 1941.


2/9th Battalion (Australia)
In early 1942, the 2/9th was brought back to Australia where it was re-organised for jungle warfare and took part in the New Guinea campaign. Throughout 1942–1944, the battalion was committed twice to the fighting against the Japanese in New Guinea. In 1942–1943, the 2/9th fought actions at Milne Bay and Buna–Gona  before being withdrawn to Australia for rest prior to returning to New Guinea to take part in the advance through the Finisterre Range where the battalion took part in the Battle of Shaggy Ridge in 1943–1944. The battalion's final involvement in the war came during the Borneo campaign in mid-1945, when it took part in the landing at Balikpapan. It was disbanded shortly after the war in early 1946.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
Formed on 13 November 1939 at Redbank Camp, Brisbane, the 2/9th Battalion was the first of four infantry battalions raised in Queensland for the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF). Initially assigned to the 6th Division, the battalion formed part of the 18th Brigade, along with the 2/10th, 2/11th and 2/12th Battalions. Its first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel James Eric Gifford Martin, formerly of the 42nd Battalion, a Militia battalion based in Rockhampton. The majority of the battalion's officers were drawn from the Militia; although, like many of the 2nd AIF units, it was initially supplied with a Regular officer to serve in the role as adjutant.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
In terms of structure, the early months of the battalion's existence was a period of flux. The early 2nd AIF infantry battalions were established with a structure that was unique to the Australian Army; however, shortly after formation it was decided that they would adopt the British Army battalion structure. Thus, by December 1940, the 2/9th had an authorised strength of around 900 personnel and consisted of four rifle companies (each consisting of three platoons with three sections), a battalion headquarters, a support company, and a headquarters company consisting of six platoons performing specialist roles including signals, mortar, and anti-tank.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
The four rifle companies were designated 'A' through to 'D'. The colours chosen for the battalion's unit colour patch (UCP) were the same as those of the 9th Battalion, a unit which had served during World War I before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were black over light blue, in a horizontal rectangular shape, although a border of gray was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
Following training at Redbank and then later in New South Wales at Rutherford and Ingleburn, the 2/9th was among the force of 8,000 Australians sent to the United Kingdom in early 1940.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
It had been planned to send this force to France to serve alongside the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), but France had fallen by the time the Australians arrived in Scotland on 16 June 1940, so they remained in the United Kingdom to help defend against a possible German cross-Channel invasion, which was feared following the capture of part of the BEF in France and the loss of much of its equipment.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
After their arrival in the United Kingdom, the battalion was transported by rail to the south of England where it set up a camp at Lopcombe Corner, on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. Amidst the backdrop of the Battle of Britain, the battalion's personnel used their integral Vickers machine-guns and Bren guns to provide self-defence against air attack and to bolster the anti-aircraft defences of local areas. They also undertook training exercises and formed a mobile striking force tasked with rapidly responding in the event of an invasion. In September, the 18th Brigade was transferred to the 9th Division.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Formation
On 14 October the battalion moved to Meeanee Barracks in Colchester, Essex, where it took over responsibility for a defence sector from a British officer training battalion. The 2/9th remained in Colchester until 10 November when orders came for the 18th Brigade to hand over to the 25th Brigade, and the 2/9th was relieved by the 2/31st Battalion. With the threat of invasion passing as winter came, the decision was made to redeploy the Australians to North Africa where they might be actively employed in combat operations. Following this, preparations for embarkation began as orders were received for the battalion to entrain for Glasgow where, on 15 November 1940, it boarded HMT Strathaird.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
Sailing via the longer, but safer southern route, on the way to the Middle East the convoy carrying the Australians made a port call at Durban, South Africa. While there, the battalion marched through the city under arms on 13 December 1940, before re-embarking. Disembarking in Alexandria, Egypt, on 31 December 1940, the battalion went into camp at Ikingi Maryut with 33 officers and 707 men. In February 1941, the battalion was transferred once more, as the 18th Brigade was reassigned to the 7th Division.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
Around the same time, the brigade was reduced to only three infantry battalions as part of an Army-wide re-organization, and the 2/11th Battalion was transferred to the 19th Brigade. With the 7th Division the battalion fought its first major engagement of the war on 21 March 1941, when it led the 18th Brigade's assault on the Italian fortress at Giarabub, which was held by about 1,500 Italians.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
Advancing from Siwa in Egypt, the battalion, supported by elements of the 2/10th and 2/12th Battalions, attacked from the south across marshland, while cavalry from the 6th Division Cavalry Regiment feigned an attack against the strongest point of the fortress. Amidst a sandstorm that limited visibility, heavy fighting ensued and the garrison surrendered at around 2:00 pm; 250 Italians were killed, while 1,300 were taken as prisoners of war. A total of 17 Australians were killed and 77 were wounded, with the majority of these being men from the 2/9th Battalion.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
Afterwards, the battalion was sent to Ikingi Maryut and the following month the 2/9th was transported to Tobruk by road and sea to reinforce the garrison there as German forces surrounded the strategic port in an effort to capture it. The 2/9th would remain in there for the next five months as Tobruk fell under siege.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
On 3 May, the 2/9th Battalion launched a counter-attack on the German forces around "the Salient" in order to retake some of the posts that had previously been lost to the Germans. After being subjected to a heavy German artillery bombardment at their form up point, at 8:45 pm the battalion attacked from the southern flank under the cover of considerable counter-battery fire from the British artillery.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
After capturing a number of positions and inflicting heavy losses upon the defenders, the Australians were eventually forced to withdraw at around 3:00 am on 4 May when it became apparent that they would not be able to complete the advance before daylight. Having lost three men killed, three missing and 51 wounded, at dawn the 2/9th Battalion returned to the "Blue Line", where it took over a defensive position south of Bianca. Here a series of small skirmishes ensued during which time the battalion was able to extend their lines by about 0.5 miles (0.80 km).


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
For the rest of May the battalion undertook defensive construction tasks and raids into "no mans land" south-west of Bianca before being relieved by the 2/17th Battalion on the night of 4/5 June 1941. Following this, the 18th Brigade went into reserve and the battalion saw little action for the next month as it was moved back to the Bardia–El Adem Road junction. In July, the battalion returned to "the Salient", where it spent a period of time in brigade reserve in the Pilastino sector.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
Later, it was moved back up to the "Red Line" in the El Adem sector where the battalion's personnel undertook aggressive patrols into no mans' land, penetrating a number of minefields and moving booby traps. On 23 July, the battalion launched a major raid in their sector in an effort to gauge German responses, penetrating over 800 metres (870 yd) through the German lines, but after finding their objective unoccupied, the raiders withdrew.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Middle East
Following this the battalion went back into reserve for a period, before briefly returning to the "Red Line" at the start of August. This was short-lived, though, for later in the month the decision was made to withdraw the 18th Brigade from Tobruk and the 2/9th Battalion was subsequently sent to Palestine to undertake training. Later the battalion was transferred to Syria where it was employed on occupation duties following the defeat of the Vichy French forces in that country in the recently concluded Syria–Lebanon campaign.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
In February 1942, along with the majority of the 2nd AIF, the 2/9th was withdrawn to Australia in response to the threat posed by Japan's entry into the war following the attacks on Pearl Harbor and in Malaya. Returning via Bombay and Colombo, the 2/9th arrived in Australia, landing in Port Adelaide, South Australia, in March 1942 and from there proceeded to camp in Sandy Creek, near Gawler. The battalion remained there until April when it was moved to Tenterfield, New South Wales, and then Kilcoy, Queensland, where it carried out training prior to departure overseas.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
At this time, the strategic situation in the Pacific was finely balanced. In July, the Japanese had landed on the northern New Guinea coast and had begun advancing along the Kokoda Track towards Port Moresby, amidst heavy fighting. On 6 August 1942, the order to deploy came and the battalion embarked from Brisbane along with the rest of the 18th Brigade, bound for Milne Bay in New Guinea where the 2/9th arrived on 21 August to help reinforce the garrison there, due concerns about a possible Japanese landing there to secure the adjacent airfields.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
From the beginning of August the Japanese had been bombing the troops of the 7th Brigade which had initially been sent to garrison the Milne Bay area, and as a Japanese invasion force was expected, the three battalions of the 18th Brigade were quickly placed into positions where they could be most effective. The 2/9th was assigned the task of defending Milne Force Headquarters at Hagita House and the Number 1 Strip (also known as Gurney Field).


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
Upon arrival, the 2/9th Battalion was used to construct roads and lay steel matting on the airstrip as well as unloading stores from ships as they arrived, and carrying out patrolling operations. Following the Japanese landing on 25 August, the battalion was placed on alert and increased its patrolling operations around the airfield; however, for five days no contact was made. On 3 September, the battalion moved from Gili Gili to KB Mission and alongside the 2/12th Battalion, which had launched a counteroffensive along the north coast of the bay, went into battle with the Japanese for the first time.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
Over the course of the next two days the Japanese were beaten back and eventually a withdrawal was ordered by the Japanese commanders. This represented the first full-scale defeat of the Japanese on land during the war; it came at a cost for the 2/9th, though, with the battalion losing 29 men killed and a further 86 wounded in action, seven of whom later died of wounds. Disease took a far greater toll, with a further 308 men being hospitalised due to illness.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
As the tide in the New Guinea campaign began to turn in favour of the Allies, the Japanese, having reached the zenith of their advance in New Guinea, were forced to withdraw back towards Buna and Gona. Fierce fighting subsequently followed as Australian and US troops fought to reduce the Japanese beachhead. After taking part in defeating the Japanese at Milne Bay, the 18th Brigade was transferred to Buna. The 2/9th arrived at Oro Bay aboard HMAS Broome on 14 December. It was the first battalion of the brigade committed to this battle.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
Leading the attack of 18 December, with support of M3 Stuart tanks from the 2/6th Armoured Regiment, it made significant gains. The 18th Brigade (and the 2/9th) continued to fight, attached to the US 32nd Division until the fall of Buna at the start of January 1943. It was returned to command of the Australian 7th Division in time to participate in an attack on 12 January against Japanese positions on the Sanananda Track that had been holding up the Australian advance there.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
The battalion continued fighting in the Sanananda area until it concluded with an Allied victory on 22 January. By this time its strength had fallen from over 600 to just under 100 men due to the effects of tropical diseases and heavy fighting;  combat losses were recorded as 95 killed in action or died of wounds, 32 missing, and 247 wounded. These losses were offset by the arrival of 300 reinforcements during the battle, but nevertheless losses were so heavy, particularly from disease, that in February the 2/9th Battalion was transported back to Port Moresby, before returning to Australia the next month.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
Following the battalion's return, it undertook further jungle training at Ravenshoe on the Atherton Tablelands. In August 1943, after embarking at Townsville the 2/9th returned to Port Moresby, where it continued further training in the areas surrounding the port. It remained there until 31 December when the battalion deployed into the Finisterre Range, being flown into Dumpu and joining the Allied advance inland. In early January 1944, the battalion took part in the Battle of Shaggy Ridge, capturing "Green Sniper's Pimple" on 21 January as part of a brigade-level operation to carry the ridge.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
Following the conclusion of the fighting around Shaggy Ridge in February, the battalion occupied a position around the western side of the saddle before being relieved by the 57th/60th Battalion, as the 15th Brigade relieved the 18th and continued the advance on Bogadjim as the Australians linked up with US forces on the coast, prior to capturing Madang and securing the Huon Peninsula in late April. During this period the battalion occupied a defended locality about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) downstream from Dumpu, from which they conducted patrols long-range fighting patrols to prevent the Japanese from infiltrating back into the Ramu Valley over the months which followed. Training activities and work parties were also conducted.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
In May 1944, the battalion was brought back to Australia, as part of a broader plan to return the three AIF divisions to Australia for "training and rehabilitation" while the United States military assumed primary responsibility for combat operations in the Pacific. A period of operational uncertainty followed regarding the future combat role of the Australian Army, and consequently a long period of training in Australia followed for the AIF battalions. After a period of leave the battalion's personnel concentrated at Strathpine, Queensland, in July. In August, the battalion moved to the Atherton Tablelands again, establishing themselves at Kairi.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
After this, the battalion conducted exercises which included collective training up to brigade level, while amphibious training was also undertaken at Trinity Beach near Cairns aboard the British troopship HMS Glenearn, working in concert with Royal Marines. In December 1944, the battalion participated in a divisional exercise. During this period the unit was also introduced to several new weapons, including flame throwers and the PIAT anti-tank weapon, and undertook training in infantry/tank co-operation. A range of training exercises, competitions, sporting events, and recreational activities continued early in the new year to keep the men busy and combat possible feelings of "anti-climax" and "boredom" that may have been associated with the granting of limited local leave after the delay of their expected deployment overseas.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
In the final months of the war, the battalion was committed to the Borneo campaign. Embarking from Cairns in May on several tank landing ships, the battalion concentrated on Morotai Island. On 1 July 1945, the 2/9th took part in the landing at Balikpapan, the final Australian amphibious operation of the war.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
At the start of the attack, the battalion was assigned the role of being the 18th Brigade's reserve; however, by mid-morning on the opening day it was ordered forward to relieve the 2/10th Battalion, taking Klandasan before noon, and commencing house-to-house clearances in concert with a troop of tanks. From there it forced a small Japanese force off Santosa Hill, before tying in its positions at 6:00 pm and digging-in for the night. On 5 July, the 2/9th landed on the western side of Balikpapan Bay.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Pacific
Along with a small force of armour, artillery, mortars and other supporting arms, it began to clear inland from Penadjam. Over the course of the following month the battalion sent detachments south along the coast towards the Semsumpu River and north towards the Riko River and onto the Parehpareh River via Separi. By 12 August, posts had been established astride the Pamaluan–Bandjermasin Road, and a detachment from 'C' Company had reached Pamaluan, where the 2/9th linked up with elements from the 2/1st Pioneer Battalion.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Disbandment
Finally, in mid-August, the fighting on Borneo came to an end following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the subsequent surrender of Japan. After this the 2/9th Battalion carried out various garrison duties such as guarding prisoners of war and maintaining internal security while the demobilisation process took place. As personnel were repatriated back to Australia or transferred to other units for further service, the battalion's strength dropped until it was finally disbanded on 3 January 1946 while still at Balikpapan.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Disbandment
During the course of the war, a total of 4,107 men served with the 2/9th Battalion of whom 319 were killed in action or died on active service, and a further 726 wounded. One of its members, John Alexander French, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the fighting around Milne Bay in September 1942.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), History, Disbandment
Other decorations that men of the 2/9th received were: four Distinguished Service Orders, nine Military Crosses, three Distinguished Conduct Medals, nineteen Military Medals and sixty-eight mentions in despatches; in addition, one member of the battalion was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, one was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and one was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire.


2/9th Battalion (Australia), Battle honours
For their service during World War II, the 2/9th Battalion received 10 battle honours:


2/9th Battalion (Australia), Battle honours
In 1961–1962, these battle honours were entrusted to the Royal Queensland Regiment and are maintained through the 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment.


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia)
The 2/9th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment was one of three commando regiments raised by the Australian Army for service during World War II. It was originally raised in 1940 as an armoured cavalry unit as part of the 8th Division, before being transferred to the 9th Division. Between 1941 and 1942 the regiment saw action in the Middle East before being returned to Australia in early 1943. At this time the regiment was re-organised as the administrative headquarters for the 2/4th, 2/11th and 2/12th Commando Squadrons and it was converted into a commando regiment. Later in 1945 the unit saw action during the landings on Tarakan on Borneo before being disbanded upon the cessation of hostilities.


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia), History, Formation
The 2/9th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment was formed in July 1940 at Seymour, Victoria as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force of the Australian Army. Initially, it was designated the "8th Division Cavalry Regiment"; however, it was redesignated as the "9th Division Cavalry Regiment" in February 1941 when the 8th Division was sent to Malaya without its armoured elements, which were subsequently transferred to the 9th Division.


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia), History, Service in the Middle East
Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hector Bastin, training was completed at the Armoured Vehicles Fighting School, before along with the rest of the 9th Division, the regiment was sent to the Middle East, arriving in Egypt in April 1941. Equipped with Vickers light tanks and Bren carriers, the regiment then saw action in Syria where it supported the 7th Division. During this time the regiment's squadrons were detached at brigade level with 'A' Squadron being placed under the operational command of the 21st Brigade near Saida, while 'C' Squadron was allocated to the 25th Brigade, utilising a number of captured Vichy French Renault R35 tanks.


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia), History, Service in the Middle East
After this the regiment was re-equipped, receiving Crusader and Stuart tanks to replace the Vickers and captured French tanks that they had previously been using. This had been done as a response to the increased threat posed by German armour in the theatre. In July 1942, the 9th Division was sent to help rectify the situation at El Alamein, where German and Italian troops were attacking. The 9th Division Cavalry Regiment was involved in the defence of the Alamein line during this phase, defending the divisional headquarters and supporting the defending infantry units in small scale raids.


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia), History, Service in the Middle East
In October 1942, when the Allies launched an offensive, the regiment initially played only a minor part but later, after breakout had been achieved, it came into its own and led the Allied advance along the coastal plain, pursuing the withdrawing German and Italian forces and advancing over 20 miles (32 km) on 3 November alone. During the battle, Lieutenant Colonel William Muntz, who had previously served in the 7th Divisional Cavalry Regiment, took command of the regiment after Bastin fell sick, assuming command on 20 October 1942.


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia), History, Service in the Middle East
Casualties during the regiment's involvement in the Middle East amounted to six killed in action, six died of wounds and one died of other causes. Its personnel received the following decorations for service during this time: one Officer of the Order of the British Empire, three Military Crosses, seven Military Medals, and  27 Mentions in Despatches.


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia), History, Service in the Pacific
In early 1943, the regiment was returned to Australia where, in April, it began to reorganise on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland in preparation for jungle fighting against the Japanese. At this time the Australian Army was undergoing a period of restructuring as its strategic focus shifted towards concentrating upon fighting the war against the Japanese in the Pacific.


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia), History, Service in the Pacific
As a part of this there was no need for divisional cavalry regiments; however, it was decided that the independent companies should be grouped together under a regimental structure, and in response the divisional cavalry regiments were broken up and their headquarters elements were used to administer the commando squadrons. Three such units were formed at this time, with the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment adopting the title of the "2/9th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment" in January 1944. The subordinate squadrons that were attached to it were the 2/4th, 2/11th and 2/12th Commando Squadrons.


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia), History, Service in the Pacific
Following this the regiment continued to undertake training on the Atherton Tablelands in preparation for operations in the Southwest Pacific. In the end, however, it was over a year before the regiment saw action again, taking part in the landings at Tarakan, and in northern Borneo in mid-1945 in one of the final campaigns of the war.


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia), History, Service in the Pacific
During this campaign, the regiment's three squadrons were detached separately. The 2/4th was attached to the 26th Brigade, and saw heavy fighting on Tarakan, suffering a considerable number of casualties. The 2/11th was attached to the 24th Brigade and landed on Labuan Island off the northwest coast of Borneo. After clearing the island, they were transferred to the mainland and helped clear the Klias Peninsula. The 2/12th, however, was initially held back in divisional reserve, and as such did not take part in the main fighting on Labuan Island. As the Japanese resistance on the island was coming to an end and the focus of Australian operations moved towards the mainland of Borneo, the squadron was finally committed to operations when it was given the task of carrying out mopping up operations on the island.


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia), Commanding officers
The 2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment's Commanding Officers were as follows:


2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia), Battle honours
The regiment received the following battle honours for their service during World War II:


2/9th Commando Squadron (Australia)
The 2/9th Commando Squadron was a commando unit raised by the Australian Army for service in World War II. Raised in 1944, the unit saw action late in the war against the Japanese during the Aitape–Wewak campaign taking part in number of long range patrol operations across the Torricelli Range in New Guinea before being used in an amphibious landing near Wewak in May 1945. After the war the unit was disbanded.


2/9th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Formation
At the beginning of World War II, the Australian Army formed a number of independent companies which later became commando squadrons. Initially these units were formed with the intention of sending them to the Middle East to fight, however, following Japan's entry into the war and the subsequent shift in Australia's strategic focus, these units were employed in a variety of roles in the early stages of the fighting in the Pacific, serving with considerable distinction.


2/9th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Formation
In 1943–44, as part of a re-organisation of the Australian Army to prepare it for jungle warfare, these independent commando squadrons were re-organised into a regimental system underneath the headquarters of the divisional cavalry units of the 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions. As a part of this re-organisation, the 2/9th Commando Squadron was raised in January 1944, as part of the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment, attached to the 6th Division. Like the other Australian commando squadrons, it had  strength of 17 officers and 253 other ranks.


2/9th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Aitape–Wewak campaign
Following the unit's formation, the squadron began training on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland, before embarking for New Guinea in late 1944. In October 1944, the squadron was one of the first Australian combat units to relieve the American forces at Aitape. From there, it took part in the Aitape–Wewak campaign which saw the squadron undertake numerous long-range patrols across the Torricelli Range, as well as being utilised as normal line infantry when required. In this role they were utilised in May 1945 in an amphibious landing at Dove Bay, east of Wewak, as part of Farida Force.


2/9th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Aitape–Wewak campaign
During this landing, the squadron came ashore in the first wave of the assault force and was instrumental in establishing the beach head. Once the rest of Farida Force had landed, the squadron began patrolling operations along the coast to the west towards the town of Mandi. The patrol was carried out without contacting the Japanese, however, later, as they moved further west past Mandi, they came upon two stragglers. The next day, 'B' Troop's positions west of Mandi were mortared by the Japanese, and after a brief period of suppression fire from the beachhead, the troop attacked, taking the track junction and exploiting further westwards.


2/9th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Aitape–Wewak campaign
Later in May and into June 1945, the 2/9th were attached to the 19th Brigade and were given responsibility for defending the Bandi Plantation and the vital crossroads at Mandi. In late June, the infiltration of Japanese troops around Boiken threatened the security of the Australian positions and 2/9th along with the rest of the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment were engaged in operations to deal with these threats. These raids continued through July and into August, before hostilities finally came to an end on 15 August 1945.


2/9th Commando Squadron (Australia), History, Disbandment
After the cessation of hostilities, the unit was slowly reduced as personnel were marched out for demobilisation or for service with the occupation forces in Japan. The remaining members of the squadron returned to Australia in December 1945, and in early 1946 the 2/9th was finally disbanded. During the squadron's service during the war, it lost 12 men killed in action. Members of the 2/9th received the following decorations: one Military Cross, one Military Medal and five Mentions in Despatches.


2/9th Field Regiment (Australia)
The 2/9th Field Regiment was an Australian Army artillery regiment formed as part of the all volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force in July 1940 for operations during World War II. Assigned to the 1st Australian Corps, the regiment was sent to the Middle East in mid-1941, and served in Palestine, Egypt, and Syria before returning to Australia in 1942. It undertook defensive duties in south-east Queensland before deploying north to Merauke, in Dutch New Guinea, and Cape York. It returned to Australia in October 1944 and sent to the Atherton Tablelands to carry out training as it waited for further deployment. This never came and the regiment was disbanded in late 1945.


2/9th Field Regiment (Australia), History
The 2/9th was formed in July 1940, as part of the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force, the regiment was raised at Holsworthy, New South Wales, from men largely drawn from that state. Its first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel G.R.L Adams, and it was initially assigned to the 8th Division. Upon establishment, the regiment initially consisted of two batteries – the 17th and 18th – but was expanded to three in October 1941 with the addition of 59th Battery, while the regiment was deployed to Syria. Two of the regiment's troops were equipped with 4.5-inch howitzers. The remainder of the regiment used Ordnance QF 25-pounders, although the regiment's initial training took place on Ordnance QF 18-pounders and some of these vintage guns were used by the regiment later in the war while undertaking garrison duties in Dutch New Guinea.


2/9th Field Regiment (Australia), History
The regiment concentrated at Ingleburn in September, but later moved back to Holsworthy. After a reorganisation of the 2nd AIF, and the creation of the 9th Division, in November 1940, the regiment subsequently became part of the corps artillery of the 1st Australian Corps. At this time, the regiment was redesignated as the "2/9th Army Field Regiment". Training was undertaken at Holsworthy before the regiment embarked for the Middle East in April 1941.


2/9th Field Regiment (Australia), History
After concentrating in Palestine in May, the regiment was redeployed to Alexandria, in Egypt, and was used to support British troops on alert to defend against a possible German airborne invasion in the wake of Battle of Crete. The following month, the regiment was deployed to the Syria–Lebanon campaign where it was largely used to support British forces from the 23rd Infantry Brigade around Merdjayoun, although the regiment's two 4.5-inch howitzer troops supported the Australian 7th Division. The campaign concluded with an armistice in July, after which the 23rd Infantry Brigade was relieved by the Australian 18th Infantry Brigade, and as a result the regiment was reassigned to the 7th Division with which it carried out occupation duties.


2/9th Field Regiment (Australia), History
Following Japan's entry into the war, the Australian government sought to bring a large number of troops back from the Middle East to meet the new threat. In February 1942, the regiment moved to Khassa, in Palestine, and it was subsequently brought back to Australia as part of Operation Stepsister. Landing in Adelaide, South Australia, in March 1942, the regiment was slowly moved east, marrying up with their guns at Springbank the following month, and moving on to Esk, Queensland, and then Arakoon, in June.


2/9th Field Regiment (Australia), History
In October 1942, it was reassigned to the 3rd Division for defensive duties in south-east Queensland, moving between Buderim, Maroochydore and Caboolture. In mid-1943, it was allocated to Merauke Force and sent to garrison Merauke in Dutch New Guinea with the 17th and 59th Batteries, and Cape York with the 18th Battery, and was reallocated the 4th Division. While deployed, the regiment's personnel were largely used to complete construction tasks. The regiment returned to its original designation of the "2/9th Field Regiment" in June 1944. The 18th Battery was redeployed from Cape York to Wondecla on the Atherton Tablelands in September by road, while the 17th and 59th Batteries departed Merauke by sea in October 1944. After a month-long interlude on Thursday Island, they disembarked at Brisbane in November.


2/9th Field Regiment (Australia), History
A period of leave followed, after which the regiment was reconstituted at Wondecla, returning to the control of the 1st Australian Corps. There were limited combat opportunities for Australian forces around this time, as US forces had  taken over as the main combat force in the Pacific. The reduced artillery scale of the jungle converted divisions also limited the opportunities for artillery regiments. The regiment was not deployed to Borneo when 1st Corps deployed and it was subsequently reassigned to the 11th Division in April 1945.


2/9th Field Regiment (Australia), History
A further change of assignment came in July when it was transferred to the 5th Division, at which time the regiment moved to Kairi, where it remained until war's end. The regiment was disbanded in late 1945. A total of 1,458 men served in the regiment throughout the war. One member was decorated, Major A.R. Blair, who received a Mention in Despatches for service in Merauke. Three members of the regiment were killed in action while serving with other units.


2/9th Field Regiment (Australia), Commanding officers
The following officers served as commanding officer of the 2/9th:


20 (2nd Chapter of Acts album)
20 is the 1992 retrospective two-CD box set by contemporary Christian music group 2nd Chapter of Acts. It consists of their catalog of music, plus live performances and early recordings.


20 (Cunter album)
20 (also known as Some F'n A-Hole Tried to Sue Us and Made Us Change Our Name) is the second studio album by Canadian hardcore punk super group Cunter, released on June 13, 2011. Unlike their first studio album, 10, it is composed completely of new material. It received a limited physical release and continues to be available digitally. The album's full title, "Some Really Nice Guy Threatened To Sue Us And Made Us Change Our Name" (as seen on the spine of the physical release), was a reference to the band's legal battle with a local cover band over the rights to use the name "Hunter."


20 (Dragana Mirković album)
20 is the twentieth studio album by Serbian singer Dragana Mirković. It was released on 4 December 2012.


20 (Dragana Mirković album)
In the first half of 2011, Mirković released three new songs and a remake of an old song of hers. The new songs, "Drugovi", "Srce moje" and "Jedini", all became hits in the countries of the former Yugoslavia. The updated version of her 1991 song, "Umreću zbog tebe" was also well received. Those four songs, along with sixteen new ones are featured on her jubilee twentieth studio album, 20, released in December 2012.


20 (Dragana Mirković album), Music videos
Two of the music videos for songs on the album were released the year before the album was:


20 (Dragana Mirković album), Music videos
The month before the release of 20, Mirković began debuting new songs and music videos:


20 (Edmond Leung album)
#20 is a Cantopop album by Edmond Leung. It is so named because it is the 20th studio album by him (excluding compilation and concert albums). It also forms his 20th anniversary project since 2009.


20 (Harry Connick Jr. album)
20 is an album by American singer and pianist Harry Connick Jr. It was recorded when Connick was 20 years old, and released in 1988. It is his second album from Columbia Records, but his first album with vocal (on 6 of 11 tracks), from the label. As with the eponymous album that preceded it, Connick dedicated 20 "to the memory of my loving mother, Anita Connick."


20 (Kate Rusby album)
20 is a studio album by English folk musician Kate Rusby, released on 22 October 2012 on Pure Records. Produced by Rusby and her husband Damien O'Kane, the album celebrates Rusby's twentieth year as a recording artist, and features re-recordings of previously released tracks each of which features guest vocals from the likes of Nic Jones, Paul Weller, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Eddi Reader, Sarah Jarosz and others.


20 (Kate Rusby album)
Upon its release, the album entered the UK Album Chart at #22.


20 (Kate Rusby album), Background and recording
Regarding the selection of songs included, Kate Rusby noted, "It was difficult to boil down the song selection to just twenty songs, because songs are like children, aren't they – you love them all equally! I suppose I tried to choose the songs that my fans would expect to hear when they come to see me. We decided to do new versions rather than take the easy option of compiling a 'greatest hits', and I thought it would add something extra to have artists I've admired over the years helping us out."


20 (No Angels album)
20 is the sixth studio album by all-female German pop group No Angels. It was released by BMG Rights Management on 4 June 2021 in German-speaking Europe to coincide with the twentieth release anniversary of their debut single "Daylight in Your Eyes" (2001). The band's first full-length release since Welcome to the Dance (2009), 20 consists of twenty tracks, featuring four original songs and sixteen updated versions of songs that were selected from their first three studio albums Elle'ments (2001), Now... Us! (2002) and Pure (2003). Produced by Christian Geller, it marked the band's third full-length release to feature No Angels' third lineup, excluding original band member Vanessa Petruo.


20 (No Angels album)
The album received mixed reviews from critics, some of whom complimented the more cohesive, mature production as well as the modern nature of the new material, while others questioned the overall value of the project. 20 debuted at number one on the German Albums Chart, becoming No Angels' fourth non-consecutive number-one album as well as their first chart topper in nearly two decades, and reached the top ten in Austria and Switzerland. Its release was preceded by the re-recorded singles "Daylight in Your Eyes" and "Still in Love with You", both of which were accompanied by two new music videos.


20 (No Angels album), Background
Prior to the release, the complete catalogue of No Angels albums re-entered various streaming platforms on 27 November 2020 after BMG acquired the rights from Cheyenne Records. The mostly positive reception of the re-release made the band members develop an Instagram account presenting both professional as well as amateur photos dating back to their early stages as a group. Rumors regarding a possible comeback in 2021 sparked shortly after.


20 (No Angels album), Recording
Recording of 20 started with the celebration version of No Angels' 2001 debut single "Daylight in Your Eyes" for which all vocals were recorded separately in January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Nadja Benaissa and Jessica Wahls recorded their vocals at producer Christian Geller's studio in Andernach, Lucy Diakovska went into a nearby studio in Bulgaria. Sandy Mölling used the Los Angeles home studio of her boyfriend Nasri Atweh to work with Geller on the song.


20 (No Angels album), Recording
Additional recording began in Andernach in the first week of March 2021 where Mölling cut several tracks before returning to the United States. On 8 March 2021, Wahls took to Instagram to reveal that she had started work with Geller on a new version of "There Must Be an Angel." During an Instagram live stream, Mölling hinted on the absence of new renditions of material from the albums Destiny and Welcome to the Dance.


20 (No Angels album), Recording
She explained that the latter album in particular would have been ahead of its time when it was released and would therefore have a more contemporary sound. Furthermore, in contrast to the repertoire from the years 2001 to 2003, the records had already been released with the band's current line-up. Therefore, there would not have been the necessity to re-record the tracks. The master recordings of the whole album were handed in on April 16, 2021, as Geller confirmed via his Instagram the same day.


20 (No Angels album), Recording
In addition to sixteen cover versions of their own songs, including two different celebration versions of "Still in Love with You," the band recorded several new tracks for 20. While it was initially announced that five new songs would be included on the album, only four made the track listing. "We Keep the Spirit Alive," co-written by band member Sandy Mölling,  is an uptempo power pop and synth-pop song that has been compared with English singer Dua Lipa's "Physical" (2020).


20 (No Angels album), Recording
The song features several 1980s and disco tropes in its production, making use of a synthwave bassline and a techno beat. Lyrically, "We Keep the Spirit Alive" borrows from several others No Angels songs, with lines such as "awakened by the race of daylight, we cried a river full of joy" often incorporating former song titles. Mölling also co-wrote "Love You for Eternity," a power ballad that that alternates between calm verses and hymn-like choruses.


20 (No Angels album), Recording
"A New Day," a "spherical" high-energy pop track that is built upon a clapping drum pattern, was written by Mölling's husband, Canadian singer-songwriter Nasri Atweh. A song about the hope and trust in better times, it was inspired by the deleterious mental consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns and distancing measures. "Mad Wild," co-written by American-Canadian singer Sophie Simmons, is the only title that was chosen from a selection of around a dozen songs which their record company BMG had proposed for recording, being the favorite indidivual choice of every No Angels member.


20 (No Angels album), Recording
A song about a toxic relationship that always ends in bed instead of being ended for the better, it is built upon a bouncing synth bass and a 1980s-style snare sample, blending elements of funk and pop with contemporary R&B sounds. Benaissa described "Mad Wild" as a "modern, powerful [...] feel good track."


20 (No Angels album), Promotion, Singles
"Daylight in Your Eye" was released as the lead single from 20 on 12 February 2021. It debuted and peaked at number six on the German Download Chart, also prompting the original version to re-enter the German Singles Chart at number 74. On 22 April 2021, it was announced that "There Must Be an Angel (celebration version)" would be made available on streaming and downloading platforms the next day, serving as a teaser single. Another teaser single, the celebration version of "Rivers of Joy," was released on 14 May 2021.


20 (No Angels album), Promotion, Singles
Both songs were accompanied by lyric videos that were released on YouTube. On 21 May 2021, the band filmed a music video for "Still in Love with You" at the Mediterana day spa in Bergisch Gladbach. The song was made available on 4 June 2021 and served as the second single from 20. The video for "Still in Love with You" premiered on the pre-taped music show Schlagercountdown – So wird's bald wieder sein, broadcast on Das Erste on 5 June 2021, while the song peaked at number 34 on the German Download Chart in the following week. A third single, a previously unreleased version of "Mad Wild," was issued on 6 August 2021. In an interview with Antenne Radio, released on 25 June 2021, Diakovska revealed the band will film a video for a further single to be taken from 20 in October 2021.


20 (No Angels album), Promotion, Performances
On 27 February 2021, the band made their first performance in a decade on the Das Erste music show Schlagerchampions – Das grosse Fest der Besten, hosted by singer Florian Silbereisen, where they performed "Daylight in Your Eyes." Following a short hiatus, the band reunited on 28 May 2021 to perform a medley of the celebration versions of "Daylight in Your Eyes", "Rivers of Joy" and "There Must Be an Angel" at the season finale of the dance competition television series Let's Dance. The performance was largely panned by critics, who criticized the band for singing lip sync.


20 (No Angels album), Promotion, Performances
On 4 June 2021, No Angels played a live streaming concert on rtl.de. A mini-concert consisting of "There Must Be an Angel", "Still in Love with You", "Rivers of Joy", "A New Day" and "Daylight in Your Eyes," the broadcast was interrupted by a storm front across Cologne only minutes after their performance. Two days later, the band performed "Still in Love with You" and "Daylight in Your Eyes" on ZDF-Fernsehgarten, broadcast live from the grounds of the ZDF broadcasting centre at Mainz. On 17 June, No Angels appeared on Die Carolin Kebekus Show where the sung a shortened version of "Still in Love with You" and performed a girl band medley along with host Carolin Kebekus.


20 (No Angels album), Critical response
Matthias Halbig, writing for RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland, found that most on 20 is typical No Angels fare "with fresh beats and strong vocal recordings, though a handful of songs suggest that the re-docking with the music scene is future-oriented. These new songs – with the exception of the ballad 'Love You for Eternity' – don't stick out much on the lush 20-song list, which speaks for a coherent production in first place." Aida Baghernejad from daily newspaper Die Tageszeitung remarked that with 20 "the basses are fatter, the voices more mature and full, the composition more sophisticated."


20 (No Angels album), Critical response
She felt that "the new songs almost exclusively rely on a feeling of nostalgia [...] and their sound could just as well be from the rest Oeuvre." News agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur noted that new songs such "as 'Mad Wild' or 'We Keep The Spirit Alive' are fresh pop numbers that fit perfectly into today's radio landscape. Sometimes funky, sometimes with an 80s sound. It almost seems like No Angels never left."


20 (No Angels album), Critical response
Magnus-Vinzenz Franz from laut.de found that "the darker and more mature atmosphere" of the re-recordings on 20 "is a nice alternative to the sometimes wild and stormy originals," but they "just offer very little added value." Of the new material, he particularly emphasized "Mad Wild" with its "bouncing synth bass and '80s snare sample" which he compared to Ariana Grande und Dua Lipa. In his review for t-online.de Sebastian Berning wrote that the production on 20 "is more modern, but the songs are largely preserved."


20 (No Angels album), Critical response
He found that while the four new songs "are good pop goods, "Mad Wild" or the somewhat ABBA-like "We Keep the Spirit Alive" can't get out of the shadows of the big hits." Similarly, Matthias Reichel from CDStarts.de wrote that while "the magic has fallen by the wayside [...] the revised arrangements are not remotely entangled in experiments, so even non-fans [can] recognize them immediately." He felt that the "new songs have a hard time, as expected, but they don't distract.


20 (No Angels album), Critical response
In particular 'We Keep the Spirit Alive,' which incorporates a few harmonies from The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights,' can keep up quite well." In a negative review, Süddeutsche Zeitung journalist Jakob Biazza wrote that 20 "sounds as if you had chosen the pre-set 'Deutschdancepop 2000' for the automatic accompaniment of a medium-priced keyboard and would then have died of boredom and shame with your hands clutching the second inversion of a C major chord."


20 (No Angels album), Chart performance
20 debuted at number one on the German Albums Chart in the week of 11 June 2021. It became No Angels' non-consecutive fourth album to reach the top position on the chart as well as their first number one entry since Pure (2003) nearly two decades before. 20 also became the first chart topper in the country by a girl group in fifteen years, following the December 2006 peak of Temptation by fellow Popstars winners Monrose. In Austria, the album debuted at number two on the Austrian Albums Chart, becoming No Angels' third album to do so. As in Germany, this marked their highest peak since Pure. In Switzerland, 20 debuted at number six on the Swiss Albums Chart. The band's fourth top ten album on the chart, it marked their highest-charting album since the top five peak of Now... Us! (2002).


20 (TLC album)
20 is a compilation album by American girl group TLC. It was released on October 15, 2013, by Epic and LaFace Records, marking both the group's 20-plus year legacy in entertainment business and the release of their biographical VH1 original film, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, which largely inspired the track listing for 20. Many of their hits are featured, including their four number-one singles: "Creep", "Waterfalls", "No Scrubs", and "Unpretty", as well as "Meant to Be", a new track co-written by singer Ne-Yo. Most of the tracks are featured in the original radio format, like on their previous compilation album Now and Forever: The Hits, and "No Scrubs" is featured in its original radio version with an accompanying rap of Left Eye.


20 (TLC album), Commercial performance
The album peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200 the week after the premiere of the VH1 original film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, becoming the group's highest-charting greatest hits collection in the United States. The album stayed on the Billboard 200 for a total of six weeks. The album also peaked at number two on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.


20 (TV channel)
20 is an Italian free-to-air television channel, owned and operated by Mediaset. It was founded and started to broadcast in 2018.


20 (TV channel), History
Following the acquisition of channel 20 from the Television Broadcasting System Group, from 5 May 2017 to 22 March 2018, Mediaset broadcast a provisional program consisting of fiction and telenovelas from the Mediaset library, with the brand Retecapri, which, from 22 March 2018, had given way to promos advertising the new channel 20.


20 (TV channel), History, Launch
The channel officially launched at 7:30 pm on 3 April 2018 with the first round of the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League between Juventus F.C. and Real Madrid C.F. followed by the exclusive match in free-to-air, averaging 6,569,000 viewers and 23.35% ratings share. It was the most watched program that evening.


20 (TV channel), Transmission
The channel airs on digital terrestrial television (DTT) in SD on channel 20 in the Mediaset 2 multiplex and in HD on Tivù Sat. It is available with two audio tracks in Italian and original language.


20 (TV channel), Transmission
From 1 June 2018, it is available in HD also on DTT on channel 520 in La3 multiplex.


20 (TV channel), Transmission
From 12 September 2018, the channel's SD feed is also available on Tivù Sat.


20 (TV channel), Transmission
Since 2 January 2020, 20 is available on Sky Italia channel 151.


20 (Terminaator album)
20 is the eleventh album by Estonian rock band Terminaator, released in 2007. It is a greatest hits album. The title refers to the twentieth anniversary of the band. The mascot on the cover is drawn by Mart Himbek. The tracks include concert recordings, new versions and new songs. The album has a booklet with information about the songs and has many photos.