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Category: Army History/WW2

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WW2 Theatre & Battle Honours & the Units that earned them
  • Honours for units in WW2 take two forms; Theatre Honours and Battle Honours.
  • Theatre Honours are awarded to all units who have performed creditably in the theatre in the time referred to in the name of the theatre honour. One example is South West Pacific 1943-45
    • It is possible for a unit to be awarded a Theatre Honour without a Battle Honour, BUT, the award of a Battle Honour automatically attracts the Theatre Honour.
  • A Battle Honour is a public commemoration of a battle, action or engagement of which a unit can be proud. One example is Kokoda Trail 22 Jul -13 Nov 1942. 
    • A Battle Honour will not be awarded merely because a unit was present at a battle; the unit must have taken an active and creditable part in it. 
    • To earn a Battle Honour the engagement must be with enemy ground troops and the HQ and 50% of the unit to be honoured was engaged.
    • honours may be emblazoned on the units Colours, Guidons, Standards and on things like drums and memorials.
  • Only certain units are able to be considered for honours. They are . . .
    • Armoured Regiments
    • Cavalry Regiments including Cavalry (Commando) Regiments
    • Motor Regiments
    • Tank Battalions
    • Infantry Battalions
    • Machine Gun Battalions
    • Pioneer Battalions
  • When tracking a unit, please keep in mind that
    • where there is only a number that is an Infantry Battalion
    • if the unit has the prefix 2/ it is a re-raised AIF Unit (e.g. 2/1 is the Second First Battalion, AIF)
    • if it has no prefix it is a CMF unit
    • the suffix MG stands for Machine Gun, Armd for Armoured, Cav (Cdo) for Cavalry Commando and Pnr for Pioneer.
    • Where a linked battalion was engaged (e.g. the 57/60th Battalion) you will find them listed separately as 57 and 60
    • Theatre Honours are on a light blue background

1940-1941

NORTH AFRICA
North Africa 1940-41  6 Div. Cav. 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7, 2/8, 2/11
North Africa 1941  7 Div. Cav. 2/9, 2/10, 2/12, 2/14, 2/16, 2/25, 2/27, 2/33, 2/1 Pnr
North Africa 1941-42  2/13, 2/15, 2/17, 2/23, 2/24, 2/28, 2/32, 2/43, 2/48, 2/2 MG
Bardia 1941 3-5 Jan. 6 Div. Cav. 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7, 2/8, 2/11
Capture of Tobruk 21-22 Jan. 6 Div. Cav. 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7, 2/8, 2/11
Derna 27-30 Jan.  6 Div. Cav, 2/4, 2/8, 2/11
Giarabub 19-21 Mar.  6 Div. Cav. 2/9
Er Regima 4 Apr.  2/13
Defence of Tobruk 8 Apn-10 Dec.  2/9, 2/10, 2/12, 2/13, 2/15, 2/17, 2/23, 2/24, 2/28, 2/32, 2/43, 2/48, 2/1 Pnr
El Adem Road 13-14 Apr.  2/13, 2/15, 2/17, 2/48
The Salient 1941 30 Apn-4 May  2/9, 2/10, 2/12, 2/15, 2/23, 2/24, 2/48, 2/1 Pnr
Tobruk 1941 18 Nov,10 Dec.  2/13
Belhamed 25 Nov.-1 Dec.  2/13

GREECE
Greece 1941 10-29 Apr.  2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7, 2/8, 2/11, 2/1 MG
Veve 10-12 Apr.  2/4, 2/8
Mt Olympus 10-18 Apr.  2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/8, 2/1 MG
Soter 13 Apr.  2/4
Servia Pass 13-18 Apr  2/1 MG
Tempe Gorge 18 Apr.  2/2, 2/3
Brallos Pass 22-24 Apr.  2/1, 2/4, 2/11
CRETE
Crete 20 May-1 Jun. 2/1, 2/4, 2/7, 2/8, 2/11, 2/1MG
Canea 20-27 May 2/7, 2/8
Heraklion 20-29 May  2/4
Retimo 20-30 May  2/1, 2/11
42nd Street 27 May  2/7, 2/8
Withdrawal to Sphakia 8 May-1 Jun. 2/7, 2/8

MIDDLE EAST (This theatre honour awarded for the defence of and withdrawal from Crete.)
Middle East 1941 20 May-1 Jun.  2/1, 2/4, 2/7, 2/8, 2/11, 2/1MG

SYRIA
Syria 1941 17 Jun.-12 Jul.  6 Div. Cav. 9 Div. Cav. 2/3, 2/5, 2/14, 2/16, 2/25, 2/27, 2/31, 2/33, 2/3 MG, 2/2 Pnr
Syrian Frontier 7-8 Jun.  2/14, 2/16, 2/31, 2/33
The Litani 9-10 Jun.  2/16, 2/27
Merjaytun 9-27 Jun.  6 Div. Cav. 2/5, 2/25, 2/31, 2/33, 2/2 Pnr
Adlun 10-12 Jun.  6 Div. Cav. 2/14, 2/27
Sidon 13-15 Jun.  6 Div. Cav. 9 Div. Cav., 2/16, 2/27, 2/3 MG
Jezzine 14-24 Jun.  2/14, 2/31, 2/3 MG
Damascus 16-21 Jun.  2/3
Wadi Zeini 19 Jun. 9 Div. Cav., 2/16
Dimas 22-28 Jun.  2/3
Chehim & Rharife 26 jun.-3 Jul.  2/25
Damour 6-12 Jul.  6 Div. Cav., 2/3, 2/5, 2/14, 2/16, 2/25, 2/27, 2/31, 2/3 MG, 2/2 Pnr
Mazraat ech Chouf 7-8 Jul.  2/25, 2/2 Pnr
Hill 1069 8 Jul.  2/31
Badarene 9-10 Jul.  2/31
Jebel Mazar 10-12 Jul.  9 Div. Cav., 2/3 MG
1942

MALAYA
Malaya 8 Dec. 1941-15 Feb. 1942 2/18, 2/19, 2/20, 2/26, 2/29,  2/30, 2/4 MG
Gemas 14-15 Jan.  2/30
Johore 14-31 Jan.  2/18, 2/19, 2/20, 2/26, 2/29, 2/30
The Muar 16-23 Jan.  2/19, 2/29
Jemaluang 26-27 Jan.  2/18
Singapore Island 8-15 Feb.  2/18, 2/19, 2/20, 2/26, 2/29, 2/30, 2/4 MG

SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC
South-West Pacific 1942  2/21, 2/22, 2/40, 2/3 MG
South-West Pacific 1942-3  2/6 Armd., 7 Div. Cav. 3, 39, 49, 2/1 Pnr
South-West Pacific 1942-4  62
South-West Pacific 1942-5  9, 25, 36, 53, 55, 61, 2/1, 212, 2/3, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7, 2/9, 2/10, 2/12, 2/14, 2/16, 2/25, 2/27, 2/31, 2/33, 2/2 Pnr
Rabaul 23 Jan.  2/22
Ambon 30 Jan.-3 Feb. 2/21
Laha 30 Jam-3 Feb.  2/21
Koepang 20-23 Feb.  2/40
Java 1942 28 Feb.-12 Mar.  2/3 MG, 2/2 Pnr

NORTH AFRICA
North Africa 1942  9 Div. Cav. 2/3 Pnr
Defence of Alamein Line 1-27 Jul.  9 Div. Cav. 2/13, 2/23, 2/24, 2/28, 2/32, 2/43, 2/48, 2/2 MG
Tell el Eisa 10-11 Jul.  9 Div. Cav. 2/24, 2/48
Ruwweisat Ridge 14-16 Jul.  2/2 MG
Tell el Makh Khad 17-18 Jul.  9 Div. Cav. 2/28, 2/32, 2/43
Sanyet el Miteirya 21-23 Jul.  9 Div. Cav. 2/28, 2/32, 2/2 MG
Qattara Track 26-27 Jul.  2/28
Alam el Halfa 30 Aug.-7 Sep.  2/15, 2/17
West Point 2 31 Sep.  9 Div. Cav. 2/15
EI Alamein 23 Oct.-4 Nov.  9 Div. Cav. 2/13, 2/15, 2/17, 2/23, 2/24, 2/28, 2/32, 2/43, 2/48, 2/2 MG, 2/3 Pnr

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Wau 8 Mar-26 Feb. 1943  2/5, 2/6, 2/7
Kokoda Trail 22 JuL-13 Nov.  3, 39, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/14, 2/16, 2/25, 2/27, 2/31, 2/33 
Kokoda Deniki 25 JuL-14 Aug.  39
Isurava 15-30 Aug. 39, 2/14, 2/16
Milne Bay 26 Aug.-7 Sep. 9, 25, 61, 2/9, 2/10, 2/12
Eora Creek-Templeton's Crossing 1; 31 Aug.-5 Sep. 39, 2/14, 2/16
Efogi-Menari 6-9 Sep.  2/14, 2/16, 2/27
loribaiwa 10-28 Sep. 3, 2/14, 2/16, 2/25, 2/31, 2/33
Eora Creek-Templeton's Crossing 2; 8-30 Oct. 3, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/25, 2/31, 2/33
Goodenough Island 22-26 Oct. 2/12
Oivi-Gorarl 4-13 Nov. 3, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/25, 2/31, 2/33
Buna-Gona 16 Nov.-22 Jan. 1943 2/6 Armd., 7 Div. Cav. 3, 36, 39, 49, 53, 55, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/9, 2/10, 2/12, 2/14, 2/16, 2/25, 2/27, 2/31, 2/33 
Gona 19 Nov.-9 Dec. 3, 39, 2/14, 2/16, 2/25, 2/27, 2/31, 2/33
Sanananda Road 19 Nov.-14 Jan. 1943 7 Div. Cav. 36, 39, 49, 53, 55, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/12
Amboga River 10-21 Dec. 39, 2/14
Cape Endaiadere-Sinemi Creek 18 Dec.-2 Jan. 1943
 2/6 Armd., 2/9, 2/10, 2/12
1943
South-West Pacific 1943 7 MG
South-West Pacific 1943-4 1 Tank, 8 Armd.
South-West Pacific 1943-5 14, 15, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31, 32, 37, 42, 46, 47, 51, 52, 57, 58, 59, 60, 2/13, 2/15, 2/17, 2/23, 2/24, 2/28, 2/32, 2/43, 2/48, 2/2 MG, 2/3 Pnr

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Sanananda-Cape Killerton 15-22 Jan.  2/9, 2/10, 2/12
Mubo 1 22 Apr-29 May  2/7
Bobdubi 22 Apn-29 May  24
Lababia Ridge 20-23 Jun.  2/6
Bobdubi2 30 Jum-19 Aug.  24, 58, 59, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7
Mubo 2 7-14 Jul.  2/5, 2/6
Mt Tambu 16 Jul.-19 Aug. 42, 2/5
Tambu Bay 17 Jul.-29 Aug.  15, 42, 47
Komiatum 16-21 Aug.  42, 58, 59, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7
Lae-Nadzab 4-16 Sep.  24, 2/13, 2/14, 2/15, 2/17, 2/23, 2/24, 2/25, 2/28, 2/31, 2/32, 2/33, 2/43, 2/48, 2/2 MG, 2/2 Pnr
Busu River 8-12 Sep.  2/23, 2/24, 2/28, 2/43
Lae Road 11-15 Sep.  24, 2/25, 2/31, 2/33, 2/2 Pnr
Liberation of Australian New Guinea; 18 Sep. 1943- 8 Aug. 1945 1 Tank, 2/4 Armd., 2/6 Armd, 2/6 Cav. (Cdo), 4, 9, 14, 15, 16,19, 22, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 42, 46, 47, 51, 52, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7, 2/8, 2/9, 2/10, 2/11, 2/12, 2/13, 2/14, 2/15, 2/16, 2/17, 2/25, 2/27, 2/31, 2/33, 2/3 MG, 2/2 Pnr
Ramu Valley 21 Sep.-5 Oct.  2/14, 2/16, 2/25, 2/27, 2/31, 2/33, 2/2 Pnr
Scarlet Beach 22 Sep.  2/13, 2/15, 2/17
Finschafen 22 Sep.-8 Dec.  1 Tank, 22, 2/13, 2/15, 2/17, 2/23, 2/24, 2/28, 2/32, 2/43, 2/48, 2/2 MG, 2/3 Pnr
Bumi River 23-24 Sep.  2/13, 2/15
Jivenaneng-Kumawa 3 Oct.-3 Nov. 2/13,2/17
Shaggy Ridge 6 Oct.-31 Jan. 1944  2/9, 2/10, 2/12, 2/14, 2/16, 2/25, 2/27, 2/31, 2/33, 2/2 Pnr
Defence of Scarlet Beach 16-28 Oct.  2/13, 2/15, 2/17, 2/28, 2/32, 2/43, 2/48, 2/3 Pnr
Siki Cove 18-22 Oct.  2/28, 2/3 Prix
Sattelberg 17-25 Nov.  1 Tank, 2/23, 2/24, 2/48, 2/2 MG
Pabu 19-26 Nov.  2/32, 2/43
Gusika 29 Nov.  2/28
Wareo 1-8 Dec.  1 Tank, 2/23, 2/24
Nongora 2 Dec.  2/15
Kalueng River 3 Dec.  22
Gusika-Fortification Point 3-20 Dec.  1 Tank, 22, 29, 37, 46, 52
Wareo-Lakona 9-17 Dec.  1 Tank, 22, 2/24
Sio 21 Dec.-15 Jan. 1944  2/13, 2/15, 2/17

1944
South-West Pacific 1944-45 2/6 Cav. (Cdo), 20 Motor, 4, 7, 8, 27, 30, 35, 2/4, 2/8, 2/11, 2/3 MG

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Sio-Sepik River 25 Jan -19 Jun. 30, 35
Finisterres 1-28 Feb. 24, 57, 58, 59, 60, 2/9, 2/12
Barum 18 Mar. 58, 59
Bogadjim 57, 60
Madang 24 Apr. 30
Matapan 17 Dec.-2 Jan. 1945 2/11

BOUGAINVILLE
Artillery Hill 18 Dec.  9
Adele River 19-29 Dec.  15
Pearl Ridge 30 Dec. 25

1945
South-West Pacific 1945 1 Armd, 2/4 Armd, 2/7 Cav. (Cdo), 2/9 Armd, 2/9 Cav. (Cdo), 11, 16, 19, 28, 2/1 MG, 2/1 Pnr, 2/4 Pnr

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Perimbul 3-4 Jan.  2/5
Abau-Malin 5-7 Jan.  2/6 Cav. (Cdo), 2/8, 2/11
Balif 18 Jan.-6 Feb.  2/5
Nambut Ridge 19 Jan -19 Feb.  2/1, 2/3, 2/3 MG
Anumb River 4-9 Mar.  2/6 Cav. (Cdo), 2/3 MG
Maprik 8 Mar-24 Apr. 2/6 Cav. (Cdo), 2/6, 2/7
But-Dagua  16 Mar -5 Apr.  2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/3 MG
Hawain River 9-29 Apr.  2/4 Armd, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3
Yamil-Ulupu 3 May-14 Jul.  2/5, 2/6, 2/7
Wewak  8-11 May 2/4 Armd, 2/6 Cav. (Cdo), 2/4, 2/11
Wirui Mission 11-15 May  2/4 Armd, 2/6 Cav. (Cdo), 2/4, 2/11
Mt Shiburangu-Mt Tazaki 28 May-5 Jul.  2/4, 2/8
Kaboibus-Kiarivu 15 JuL-8 Aug. 2/5, 2/6, 2/7

BOUGAINVILLE
Mawaraka 4-17 Jan.  15, 25, 42, 47
Tsimba Ridge 17 Jan.-9 Feb.  31, 51
Puriata River 24 Jan.-26 Feb.  9, 25, 61
Mosigetta 2 -15 Feb.  9, 25, 61
Darara 16-19 Feb.  25
Slater's Knoll 28 Man-6 Apr.  2/4 Armd, 25
Hongorai River 17 Apn-7 May  2/4 Armd, 9, 24, 57, 58, 59, 60
Egan's Ridge-Hongorai Ford 13-22 May  2/4 Armd, 24, 58, 59
Commando Road 17-28 May  57, 60
Hari River 2-7 Jun. 2/4 Armd, 24, 57, 58, 59, 60
Bonis-Porton 7-11 Jun.  26, 31, 51
Ogorata River 13-16 Jun.  24, 57, 58, 59, 60
Mobiai River 16-25 Jun.  57, 58, 59, 60
Mivo River 26-30 Jun.  2/4 Armd, 24, 57, 58, 59, 60
Mivo Ford 2-9 Jul.  15, 42, 47

NEW BRITAIN
Waitavolo 5-17 Mar.  14, 16, 19, 32

BORNEO
Borneo 1 May-15 Aug. 1 Armd, 2/7 Cav. (Cdo), 2/9 Cav. (Cdo), 2/9, 2/10, 2/12, 2/13, 2/14, 2/15, 2/16, 2/17, 2/23, 2/24, 2/25, 2/27, 2/28, 2/31, 2/32, 2/33, 2/43, 2/48, 1 MG, 2/2 MG, 2/1 Pnr, 2/3 Pnr, 2/4 Pnr
Tarakan 1 May-15 Aug. 2/9 Armd, 2/23, 2/24, 2/48, 2/3 Pnr
Labuan 10-21 Jun. 2/9 Armd, 2/9 Cav. (Cdo), 2/28, 2/43, 2/2 MG
Miri 10-23 Jun.  2/13, 2/15, 2/17
Brunei 10 Jun.-8 Aug.  2/13, 2/15, 2/17, 2/2 MG
Beaufort 17-30 Jun.  2/28, 2/32, 2/43
Balikpapan 1-9 Jul. 1 Armd, 2/7 Cav. (Cdo), 2/9, 2/10, 2/12, 2/14, 2/16, 2/25, 2/27, 2/31, 2/33, 2/1 MG
Milford Highway 10-22 Jul. 1 Armd, 2/7 Cav. (Cdo), 2/25, 2/31, 2/33, 2/1 MG

END OF WORLD WAR TWO
 

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