Major campaigns and battles of WW2 that
involved Australian forces and the Units that participated
1. ADVANCE to BENGHAZI - DEC 1940 to JAN
1941
- RAN
- HMAS Stuart
- HMAS Vampire
- HMAS Vendetta
- HMAS Voyager
- HMAS Waterhen
- AIF-6th Australian Division
- 16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions)
- 17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions)
- 19th Brigade (2/4th, 2/8th, 2/11th Battalions)
- 6th Cavalry Regiment
- 2/1st Field Regiment
- 2/2nd Field Regiment
- 2/3rd Field Regiment
- 16th Anti-Tank Company
- 17th Anti-Tank Company
- 19th Anti-Tank Company
- 2/1st Field Company
- 2/2nd Field Company
- 2/8th Field Company
- RAAF
- No.3 Squadron (Gladiators and Lysanders)
2. SIEGE OF TOBRUK-APRIL TO NOVEMBER
1941
- RAN
- HMAS Napier
- HMAS Nizam
- HMAS Stuart
- HMAS Vampire
- HMAS Vendetta
- HMAS Voyager
- HMAS Waterhen
- HMAS Parramatta
- HMAS Yarra
- AIF-9th Australian Division
- 18th Brigade Detached from 7th Division (2/9th,
2/10th, 2/12th Battalions)
- 20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions)
24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd
Battalions)
- 26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions)
- 2/1st Pioneer Battalion
- 2/12th Field Regiment
- 2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment
24th Anti-Tank Company
- 26th Anti-Tank Company
- 2/3rd Field Company
- 2/4th Field Company
- 2/7th Field Company
- 2/13th Field Company
- 2/11th Field Ambulance
3. GREECE, MARCH, APRIL 1941
- RAN
- HMAS Perth
- HMAS Stuart
- HMAS Vendetta
- HMAS Voyager
- HMAS Waterhen
- AIF-6th Australian Division
- 16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions)
- 17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions)
- 19th Brigade (2/4th, 2/8th, 2/11th Battalions)
- 2/1st Machine-Gun Battalion
- 2/1st Field Regiment
- 2/2nd Field Regiment
- 2/3rd Field Regiment
- 2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment
- 2/1st Field Company
- 2/2nd Field Company
- 2/8th Field Company
- 2/5th Australian General Hospital
- 2/6th Australian General Hospital
- 2/1st Field Ambulance
- 2/2nd Field Ambulance
- 2/7th Field Ambulance
4. CRETE-MAY, JUNE 1941
- RAN
- HMAS Perth
- HMAS Napier
- HMAS Nizam
- HMAS Stuart
- HMAS Vampire
- HMAS Vendetta
- HMAS Voyager
- HMAS Waterhen
- AIF
- 19th Brigade (2/1st, 2/7th, 2/8th, 2/11th
Battalions)
- 16th Brigade Composite Battalion (2/2nd &
2/3rd Battalions)
- 17th Brigade Composite Battalion (2/5th &
2/6th Battalions)
- 2/4th Battalion
- 2/1st Machine-Gun Battalion
- 2/2nd Field Regiment
- 2/3rd Field Regiment
- 7th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
- 2/8th Field Company
- 2/7th Field Ambulance
5. SYRIA-JUNE & JULY 1941
- RAN
- HMAS Perth
- HMAS Nizam
- HMAS Stuart
- AIF-7th Australian Division
- 17th Brigade' (2/3rd, 2/5th Battalions, 2/2nd
Pioneer Battalion)
- Detached from 6th Division
- 21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th Battalions)
- 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions)
- 6th Cavalry Regiment
- 9th Cavalry Regiment
- 2/4th Field Regiment
- 2/5th Field Regiment
- 2/6th Field Regiment
- 2/9th Field Regiment
- 2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment (1 troop)
- 2/2nd Anti-Tank Regiment
- 2/3rd Machine-Gun Battalion
- 2/5th Field Company
- 2/6th Field Company
- 2/9th Field Company
- RAAF
- No.3 Squadron (Tomahawks)
6. MALAYA SINGAPORE-DECEMBER 1941
to FEBRUARY 1942
- RAN
- HMAS Vampire
- HMAS Yarra
- HMAS Bendigo
- HMAS Burnie
- HMAS Goulburn
- HMAS Maryborough
- HMAS Woollongong
- AIF
- 8th Australian Division
- 22nd Brigade (2/18th, 2/19th, 2/20th Battalions)
- 27th Brigade (2/26th, 2/29th, 2/30th Battalions)
- 2/10th Field Regiment
- 2/15th Field Regiment
- 2/4th Anti-Tank Regiment
- 2/4th Machine-Gun Battalion
- 2/10th Field Company
- 2/12th Field Company
- 2/6th Field Park Company
- 10th Australian General Hospital
- 2/4th Casualty Clearing Station
- 2/9th Field Ambulance
- 2/10th Field Ambulance
- Hygiene, Dental, Supply, Motor Transport,
Workshops, Ordnance, Cash,
- Provost and Postal Units
- RAAF
- No.1 Squadron (Hudsons)
- No.8 Squadron (Hudsons)
- No.21 Squadron (Buffalos)
- No.453 Squadron (Buffalos)
7. KOKODA TRACK-JULY TO NOVEMBER 1942
- AIF & Militia
- 'Maroubra Force'
- 16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions)
- 21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th Battalions)
- 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions)
- 30th Brigade (39th, 53rd Battalions)
- 3rd Battalion
- 2/1st Pioneer Battalion
- 2/6th Independent Company
- 14th Field Regiment
- ANGAU (Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit)
- Papuan Infantry Battalion
- 2/6th Field Company
- 2/14th Field Company
- 2/9th Australian General Hospital
- 2/4th Field Ambulance
- 2/6th Field Ambulance
8. EL ALAMEIN-JULY TO NOVEMBER 1942
- AIF-9th Australian Division
- 20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions)
- 24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions)
- 26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions)
- 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion
- 9th Cavalry Regiment
- 2/2nd Machine-Gun Battalion
- 2/7th Field Regiment
- 2/8th Field Regiment
- 2/12th Field Regiment
- 2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment
- 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
- 2/3rd Field Company
- 2/7th Field Company
- 2/13th Field Company
- 2/11th Field Ambulance
- RAAF
- No.3 Squadron (Kittyhawks)
- No.450 Squadron (Kittyhawks)
9. MILNE BAY-AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 1942
- AIF & Militia
- 'Milne Force'
- 7th Brigade (9th, 25th, 61st Battalions)
- 18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions)
- 2/5th Field Regiment
- 4th Battery, 101st Anti-Tank Regiment
- 6th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
- 9th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
- 24th Field Company
- RAAF
- No.6 Squadron (Hudsons)
- No.32 Squadron (Hudsons)
- NO.75 Squadron (Kittyhawks)
- No.76 Squadron (Kittyhawks)
- Detachment of No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)
- Detachment of No.100 Squadron (Beauforts)
10. BUNA-NOVEMBER 1942 TO JANUARY 1943
- AIF
- 18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions)
- 2/6th Independent Company
- 2/6th Armoured Regiment
- 2/1st Field Regiment
- 2/5th Field Regiment
- 13th Field Regiment
- 1st Mountain Battery
- 2/4th Field Company
- RAAF
- No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
- No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
- No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)
11. GONA-NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 1942
- AIF-7th Australian Division
- 21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th, 39th
Battalions)
- 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd, 3rd
Battalions)
- 'Chaforce' (1 Coy from each of 2/14, 2/16, 2/27
Bns)
- 2/1st Field Regiment
- 2/4th Field Ambulance
- RAAF
- No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
- No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
- No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)
12. SANANANDA-NOVEMBER 1942 TO JANUARY
1943
- AIF & Militia-7th Australian Division
- 16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions)
- 18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions)
- 30th Brigade (36th, 49th, 55th/53rd Battalions)
- 39th Battalion
- 2/7th Cavalry Regiment
- 2/6th Armoured Regiment
- 2/1st Field Regiment
- 2/5th Field Regiment
- 2/6th Field Company
- 2/4th Field Ambulance
- RAAF
- No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
- No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
- No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)
13. WAU VALLEY-JANUARY & FEBRUARY
1943
- AIF-
- 'Kanga Force'
- 17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions)
- 2/3rd Independent Company
- 2/5th Independent Company
- 2/7th Independent Company
- 7th Machine-Gun Battalion
- 2/1st Field Regiment
- 2/8th Field Company
- 2/16th Field Company
- RAAF
- No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
- No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
- No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)
14. WAU TO MUBO-APRIL TO AUGUST 1943
- AIF & Militia
- 17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions)
- 29th Brigade (15th, 42nd, 47th Battalions)
- 58th/59th Battalion
- 2/3rd Independent Company
- 2/1st Field Regiment
- 2/6th Field Regiment
- 162nd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
- RAAF
- No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
- No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
- No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)
15. WAU TO MARKHAM VALLEY-APRIL TO
SEPTEMBER 1943
- AIF & Militia
- 2/6th Battalion
- 24th Battalion
- 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
- 1st Mountain Battery
- 2/6th Field Company
16. SALAMAUA-AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 1943
- AIF & Militia-5th Australian Division
- 15th Brigade (24th & 58/59th Battalions,
2/3rd Independent Company)
- 17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions)
- 29th Brigade (15th, 42nd, 47th Battalions)
- Papuan Infantry Battalion
- 2/6th Field Regiment
- 1st Mountain Battery
- 11th Field Company
- RAAF
- No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
- No.24 Squadron (Vengeances)
- No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)
17. LAE-NADZAB-SEPTEMBER 1943
- AIF-7th Australian Division
- 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions)
- 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
- 2/4th Field Regiment
- 2/5th Field Company
- 2/6th Field Company
- -9th Australian Division
- 20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions)
- 24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions)
- 26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions)
- 2/4th Independent Company
- 2/6th Field Regiment
- 2/12th Field Regiment
- 14th Field Regiment
- 2/7th Field Company
- RAAF
- No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
- No.24 Squadron (Vengeances)
- No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)
18. FINSCHAFEN and SATTELBERG-SEPTEMBER
to NOVEMBER 1943
- AIF-9th Australian Division
- 20th Brigade (2/13th. 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions)
- 24th Brigade (2/28th. 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions)
- 26th Brigade (2/23rd. 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions)
- 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion
- 2/4th Commando Squadron
- 2/2nd Machine-Gun Battalion
- 1st Tank Battalion
- 2/6th Field Regiment
- 2/12th Field Regiment
- 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
- 2/3rd Field Company
- 2/7th Field Company
- 2/13th Field Company
19. NADZAB TO MADANG-SEPTEMBER 1943 TO
APRIL 1944
- RAN
- HMAS Vendetta
- HMAS Bundaberg
- AIF & Militia-7th Australian Division
- 15th Brigade (24th. 57/60th, 58/59th Battalions)
- 18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions)
- 21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th Battalions)
- 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions)
- 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
- 2/2nd Independent Company
- 2/6th Independent Company
- 2/7th Independent Company
- 2/4th Field Regiment
- 2/4th Field Company
- 2/5th Field Company
- 2/6th Field Company
- RAAF
- No.77 Wing (Nos.21, 23, 24 Squadrons-Vengeances)
- No.78 Wing (Nos.75, 78, 80 Squadrons-Kittyhawks)
- No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
20. WAREO-GUSIKA-NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
1943
- AIF-9th Australian Division
- 20th Brigade (2/15th Battalion)
- 24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions)
- 26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th Battalions)
- 2/4th Commando Squadron
- 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion
- 2/6th Field Regiment (11th, 12th, 56th Batteries)
- 2/12th Field Regiment (23rd, 24th, 62nd
Batteries)
- 11th Battery, 2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment
- V Heavy Battery
- 2nd Mountain Battery
- 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (10th, 12th
Batteries)
- 2/3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery (Airborne)
- 2/3rd Field Company
- 2/7th Field Company
- 2/13th Field Company
- 18th Field Company
- 2/24th Field Park Company
- RAAF
- No.4 Squadron (Wirraways)
21. GUSIKA TO FORTIFICATION POINT-DECEMBER 1943
- AIF & Militia
- 4th Brigade (22nd, 29th/46th, 37th/52nd
Battalions)
- W Company, 2/2nd Machine-Gun Battalion
- 'W' Squadron, 1st Tank Battalion
- 'C' Squadron, 1st Tank Battalion
- 56th Battery, 2/6th Field Regiment
- 2/7th Field Company
- 4th Field Ambulance
- RAAF
- No.4 Squadron (Wirraways)
22. ADVANCE TO SIO-DECEMBER 1943,
JANUARY 1994
- AIF
- 20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions)
- 26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions)
- 'C' Squadron, 1st Tank Battalion
- 2/6th Field Regiment
- 2/12th Field Regiment
- 2/3rd Field Company
- 2/13th Field Company
- RAAF
- No.4 Squadron (Wirraways)
23. RAI COAST-JANUARY, FEBRUARY 1944
- AIF & Militia
- 8th Brigade (4th, 30th, 35th Battalions)
- 23rd Battery, 2/12th Field Regiment
- 64th Battery, 2/14th Field Regiment
- Section of 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
- 2/13th Field Company
- 8th Field Company
- Detachment of 2/8th Field Ambulance
- RAAF
- No.77 Wing (Nos.21, 23, 24 Squadrons-Vengeances)
- No.78 Wing (Nos.75, 78, 80 Squadrons-Kittyhawks)
- No.4 Squadron (Wirraways)
24. BOUGAINVILLE-OCTOBER
1944 TO AUGUST 1945
25. AITAPE TO
WEWAK-NOVEMBER 1944 TO AUGUST 1945
26. NEW BRITAIN-NOVEMBER
1944 TO AUGUST 1945
27. TARAKAN-MAY TO AUGUST
1945
-
RAN
-
HMAS Hobart
-
HMAS Warramunga
-
HMAS Manoora
-
HMAS Westralia
-
AIF
-
26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th,
2/48th Battalions)
-
2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
-
2/3rd Pioneer Battalion
-
2/4th Commando Squadron
-
'C' Squadron, 2/9th Armoured
Regiment
-
'D' Company, 2/2nd Machine Gun
Battalion
-
2/7th Field Regiment
-
53rd Composite Anti-Aircraft
Regiment
-
2/11th Field Company
-
2/13th Field Company
-
2nd Field Company
-
2/11th Field Ambulance
-
110th Casualty Clearing Station
-
RAAF
-
No.77 Wing (Nos.22, 30, 31
Squadrons-Beaufighters)
-
No.21 Squadron (Liberators)
-
No.24 Squadron (Liberators)
-
No.76 Squadron (Kittyhawks)
28. BRUNEI, LABUAN, SARAWAK
and BRITISH BORNEO-JUNE TO
AUGUST 1945
29. BALIKPAPAN-JULY, AUGUST
1945
-
RAN
-
HMAS Shropshire
-
HMAS Hobart
-
HMAS Arunta
-
HMAS Gascoyne
-
HMAS Warrego
-
HMAS Kanimbla
-
HMAS Manoora
-
HMAS Westralia
-
AIF-7th Australian Division
-
18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th
Battalions)
-
21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th,
2/27th Battalions)
-
25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st,
2/33rd Battalions)
-
2/7th Commando Regiment (2/3rd,
2/5th, 2/6th Squadrons)
-
2/1st Pioneer Battalion
-
2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
-
2/1st Machine-Gun Battalion
-
1st Armoured Regiment
-
2/4th Field Regiment
-
2/5th Field Regiment
-
2/6th Field Regiment
-
2/2nd Anti-Tank Regiment
-
2/1st Composite Anti-Aircraft
Regiment
-
2/4th Field Company
-
215th Field Company
-
2/6th Field Company
-
2/9th Field Company
-
2/11th Field Company
-
2/25th Field Park Company
-
2/12th General Hospital
-
2/6th Field Ambulance
-
RAAF
-
No.78 Wing (Nos.75, 78, 80
Squadrons-Kittyhawks)
-
No.82 Wing (Nos.21, 23, 24
Squadrons-Liberators)
-
No.452 Squadron (Spitfires)
these details are as recorded in the
book "A Chronology of Australian Armed Forces At War
1939/45" by Bruce T
Swain; Allen and Unwin, ISBN 1 86508 352 6
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