2/15th Field Regiment (Australia)
| 2/15th Field Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1940–1945 |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Artillery |
| Size | ~ 400 to 600 personnel |
| Part of | 8th Division |
| Engagements | World War II
|
Unit colour patch |  |
The 2/15th Field Regiment was an
History
Formed in November 1940 in Sydney, the regiment was assigned to the 8th Division and initially consisted of two batteries – the 29th and 30th.[1] Each battery consisted of two troops, designated 'A' to 'D', and then later – when a third battery was raised – 'A' to 'E'.[2] The regiment had an authorised strength of 42 officers and 385 other ranks in early 1941.[3] Each battery eventually consisted of eight guns.[4]
After training with antiquated
Shortly after arriving in Singapore, the regiment began training, taking up a position around Tampines in September.
A brief lull in the fighting followed, during which the regiment continued to fire support missions, attacking Japanese positions in Johore, as the Allied forces prepared for a Japanese attack on Singapore. On 8 February, the Japanese launched a strike across the Strait of Johore, concentrating several divisions on the 22nd Brigade's position in the north-west sector of the island. As the only artillery regiment positioned in support of the 22nd Brigade,[13] the 2/15th was heavily engaged, attacking Japanese barges and assaulting troops, but as the defenders were stretched thinly, their lines were soon penetrated and they were forced to withdraw to prevent encirclement. During the withdrawal, a large number of guns were lost after the 30th Battery's transport became bogged.[1] Over the course of a week, they were pushed back to Singapore city, and by 15 February, the garrison commander, Lieutenant General Arthur Percival gave the order for Allied forces to surrender.[14] A total of 556 personnel from the 2/15th were captured; they would spend three-and-a-half years in Japanese captivity, during which 294 men died. After the war ended in August 1945, the surviving members of the regiment were repatriated to Australia and the regiment was disbanded.[1]
References
- Citations
- ^ a b c d e f "2/15th Field Regiment". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- ^ Wright, John. "The Operational Story of 2/15 Fd Regt 8 Div AIF in the Malayan Campaign, December 5,1941 to February 18,1942". 2/15th Field Regiment Association. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ "Army: Detailed Structure". Military Organisation & Structure. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ "25 Pounder". 2/15th Field Regiment Association. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ Horner 1995, p. 233.
- ^ Wigmore 1957, pp. 84–86.
- ^ Wigmore 1957, pp. 51–52.
- ^ Legg 1965, p. 178.
- ^ Wigmore 1957, p. 322.
- ^ "O'Neill, John Considine". World War II Nominal Roll. Commonwealth of Australia. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ Wigmore 1957, p. 101.
- ^ Wigmore 1957, pp. 264 & 271.
- ^ a b "2/15 Field Regiment Association". Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 202–204.
- Bibliography
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1998). The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles (1st ed.). St Leonards, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1-86448-611-7.
- Horner, David (1995). The Gunners: A History of Australian Artillery. St Leonards, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 9781863739177.
- Legg, Frank (1965). The Gordon Bennett Story: From Gallipoli to Singapore. Sydney, New South Wales: Angus & Robertson. OCLC 3193299.
- Wigmore, Lionel (1957). The Japanese Thrust. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 1 – Army. Vol. 4 (1st ed.). Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 3134219.
Further reading
- Whitelocke, Cliff; O'Brien, George (1983). Gunners in the Jungle: A Story of the 2/15 Field Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, 8 Division, Australian Imperial Force. Eastwood, New South Wales: 2/15 Field Regiment Association. ISBN 978-0959212303.