2/27th Battalion (Australia)

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2/27th Battalion
Arthur Allen
Active1940–1946
CountryAustralia
BranchArmy
TypeInfantry
Size~800–900 men[Note 1]
Part of21st Brigade, 7th Division
EngagementsWorld War II
  • North Africa Campaign
  • Syria–Lebanon Campaign
  • New Guinea Campaign
  • Borneo Campaign
Insignia
Unit colour patch
100px]

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

From September 1942 until early 1943, the 2/27th took part in the

Celebes Islands
after the end of the war, the battalion was disbanded in Australia in early 1946.

History

Formation

The 2/27th Battalion

Woodside Barracks, South Australia, on 7 May 1940. Along with the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions, it was attached to the 21st Brigade, which formed part of the 7th Division,[3] the second infantry division raised as part of the 2nd AIF.[4] With an authorised strength of 910 men of all ranks,[1] it was organised into four rifle companies designated 'A' to 'D' with a battalion headquarters, regimental aid post, and a headquarters company consisting of specialist signals, anti-aircraft, mortar, carrier, pioneer and administrative platoons.[5][6] The battalion's first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Murray Moten, a former Militia officer who had previously commanded the South Australian-based 48th Battalion.[7]

The colours chosen for the battalion's

Bombay for a week before embarking on the Takliwa for the rest of the journey to the Middle East.[10] The battalion arrived in Egypt on 24 November, making landfall at Kantara moving to Julius Camp in Palestine for further training.[3][11]

Syria and Lebanon

2/27th Battalion at bayonet practice in Palestine, December 1940

After completing its training in Palestine, the 2/27th Battalion was moved to Egypt–Libya border in April 1941. There, along with the rest of the 21st Brigade, they undertook defensive duties, occupying defensive positions around

invasion of Syria and Lebanon, which began in early June.[3] During the subsequent fighting against Vichy forces, the 2/27th took part in the drive up the Lebanon coast,[12] taking part in several engagements including fighting around Adloun on 11 June and Miye-ou-miye on 13–14 June as part of the capture of Sidon,[13] which fell on 15 June.[14] The following month, the battalion also took part in the Battle of Damour.[3] After five weeks of fighting an armistice was signed on 12 July.[15] Following the surrender of Vichy forces, the unit undertook garrison duties around Hammana, near Beirut, and Bakhaoun in the Tripoli sector, as part of the Allied occupation force, remaining there until January 1942.[3][16] At the end of the campaign, Moten was decorated and promoted;[17] he was replaced as commander of the 2/27th by Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Cooper.[18][19]

Following Japan's entry into the war in December 1941, the Australian government began pressing for some of the AIF forces in the Middle East to be returned to Australia, to help defend against the Japanese advance in the Pacific. In late January 1942, the 2/27th embarked from Egypt aboard the

Fremantle on 15 March for a brief shore leave before proceeding on to Port Adelaide, where the 2/27th disembarked.[20][3] Following a brief period of leave, the 21st Brigade concentrated in Queensland – the 2/27th being based around Caloundra – where, over the course of several months, they were prepared for deployment to the Pacific theatre.[21]

New Guinea

A Company, 2/27th Battalion cross the Surinam River in the Ramu Valley, New Guinea, October 1943

In mid-August 1942, the 2/27th battalion was deployed to New Guinea, where the Japanese were threatening to capture

Mission Ridge, on the northern face of Brigade Hill. For the next two days, the battalion held off a frontal attack by a Japanese battalion, but as a result of flanking moves a withdrawal to Menari was ordered and the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions withdrew, leaving their wounded with the 2/27th, who formed the brigade rearguard. After 'B' and 'C' Companies launched a brief, but successful local counterattack, the 2/27th was also able to break contact.[24] With the Japanese pressing hard, Potts ordered a further withdrawal from Menari before the 2/27th arrived, effectively cutting it off from the rest of the brigade. For the next two weeks, the 2/27th fought through the jungle, carrying their wounded with them, to regain contact with supporting units, eventually linking up with them at Jawarere on 22 September.[25][26]

After this, the battalion, having suffered heavily from disease, was briefly withdrawn back to Port Moresby for rest at the end of the month. In October, the 2/27th provided one company to the ad hoc

Cairns in late January, before returning to the Atherton Tablelands.[29]

Men of the 2/27th Battalion cross a valley in the Finisterre Ranges, New Guinea, 5 October 1943

In March 1943, Lieutenant Colonel John Bishop, a former staff officer,

16th Motor Regiment.[34] As part of the battalion's reorganisation under the Jungle divisional establishment, its authorised strength fell to 803 men many of its vehicles and heavy equipment were returned as the Australian Army was restructured to focus upon operations in the Pacific.[1]

In August 1943, the 2/27th returned to New Guinea and subsequently took part in the

Ramu Valley–Finisterre Range campaign, flying into Kaiapit before beginning its advance towards Dumpu in September, which was undertaken following the capture of Lae and the Huon Peninsula campaign as part of efforts to advance towards Madang.[3][35] Advancing through the Ramu Valley towards the range, the 2/27th saw heavy fighting as the 21st Brigade led the 7th Division's efforts to capture the high ground around Shaggy Ridge. In mid-October, the 2/27th helped turn back a heavy Japanese counterattack around John's Knoll and Trevor's Ridge, before the 21st Brigade was relieved.[36][37] Halfway through the campaign, in mid-November, Bishop was replaced as battalion commander by Lieutenant Colonel Keith Picken, and returned to a staff position.[30] Picken subsequently led the battalion throughout the remainder of the war.[38][39] By early January 1944, the 2/27th was withdrawn from the fighting and in March 1944 it returned to Australia.[3]

Borneo and disbandment

A further period of training and reorganisation followed before the 2/27th returned to operations late in the war when it was dispatched to

Celebes Islands as part of the occupation force. They remained there until the beginning of February 1946,[3] when they were relieved by Indian troops.[41]

After five years of war, the 2/27th battalion returned to Australia in early February 1946 aboard the transport Winchester Victory, which took them to

Mentions in Despatches.[3]

Battle honours

The 2/27th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours:

In 1961–62, the battalion's battle honours were entrusted to the 27th Battalion, and through this link are maintained by the Royal South Australia Regiment.[44]

Commanding officers

The following officers commanded the 2/27th Battalion:[3][39]

  • Lieutenant Colonel Murray Moten (1940–1941)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Cooper (1942)
  • Lieutenant Colonel John Bishop (1943)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Keith Picken (1943–1945)

Notes

Footnotes
  1. ^ At the start of World War II, the authorised strength of an Australian infantry battalion was 910 men all ranks; later, after the AIF divisions were restructured for jungle warfare, it fell to 803.[1]
  2. ^ The numerical designation of 2nd AIF units was prefixed by "2/", which was used to set them apart from Militia units with corresponding numerical designations.[2]
Citations
  1. ^ a b c Palazzo 2004, p. 94.
  2. ^ Long 1952, p. 51.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "2/27th Battalion". Second World War, 1939–1945 units. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  4. ^ Kuring 2004, p. 117.
  5. ^ Kuring 2004, p. 139.
  6. ^ "Army: Detailed Structure". Military Organisation and Structure. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  7. ^ Burns 1960, p. 3.
  8. ^ Long 1952, pp. 321–323.
  9. ^ Burns 1960, p. 20.
  10. ^ Burns 1960, pp. 24–25.
  11. ^ Burns 1960, pp. 26–27.
  12. ^ James 2017, p. 158.
  13. ^ "Capture of Sidon". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  14. ^ Dornan 1999, p. 48.
  15. ^ Kuring 2004, p. 133.
  16. ^ Burns 1960, pp. 86–99.
  17. ^ Sutton, R. (2000). "Moten, Murray John (1899–1953)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  18. ^ "SX1435 Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Day Thomas Cooper, MBE". People. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  19. ^ Brune 2004, p. 116.
  20. ^ Burns 1960, pp. 101–102.
  21. ^ Brune 2004, pp. 118–119.
  22. ^ Brune 2004, p. 120.
  23. ^ Brune 2004, pp. 189 & 195.
  24. ^ Brune 2004, pp. 208–209.
  25. ^ Anderson, Nick. "The Battle for Brigade Hill". History in Focus. Australian Army History Unit. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  26. ^ Keogh 1965, p. 211.
  27. ^ Burns 1960, pp. 134–138.
  28. ^ Burns 1960, pp. 135–141.
  29. ^ Burns 1960, pp. 157–158.
  30. ^ a b Pratten 2009, p. 230.
  31. ^ "VX35 Lieutenant Colonel John Ackland Bishop". People. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  32. ^ Burns 1960, p. 158.
  33. ^ Johnston 2005, p. 163.
  34. ^ Burns 1960, p. 162.
  35. ^ Burns 1960, p. 166.
  36. ^ Dickens 2005, p. 264.
  37. ^ Bradley 2004, pp. 51–174.
  38. ^ "VX48 Keith Sinclair Picken". People. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  39. ^ a b Pratten 2009, p. 326.
  40. ^ "Balikpapan". Digger History. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  41. ^ a b Burns 1960, p. 230.
  42. ^ Johnston 2005, p. 248.
  43. ^ "2/27th Battalion War Diary". Second World War, War Diaries. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  44. ^ Festberg 1972, pp. 31 & 87.

References

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