2/4th Commando Squadron (Australia)
| 2/4th Commando Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1941–1946 |
| Disbanded | 8 January 1946 |
| Country | Second World War
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Major Kevin Garvey Major Edward Walker |
| Insignia | |
| Unit colour patch |  |
The 2/4th Commando Squadron was one of 12
Borneo campaign. Following the end of hostilities, the 2/4th returned to Australia and was disbanded at Ingleburn, New South Wales
, on 8 January 1946.
History
The unit was initially formed as "No. 4 Independent Company" in August 1941, but it was disbanded in October due to conceptual problems within the Australian Army surrounding the role that the 4th and other such companies could fill in the strategic situation at that time.Victoria, the 2/4th was posted to the Katherine, Northern Territory, in March 1942 where it undertook garrison duties. Following the bombing of Darwin this became an operation role and during this time the 2/4th deployed a number of small groups between the McArthur and the Ord Rivers, where they were to harass any Japanese forces which might have landed there.[3] This never eventuated, though, and in August the 2/4th moved to the town of Adelaide River, Northern Territory.[3]
In September the 2/4th Independent Company returned to Darwin and from there they were deployed to
Australian Special Air Service after the war.[4]
The company returned to Australia and was reformed at the
Atherton Tablelands. It was during this time that the Australian Army began to re-organise the independent companies, as part of its larger army-wide re-organisation as it began to prepare itself for the jungle campaigns that it would fight over the next two years.[6] As a part of this re-organisation, the independent companies were amalgamated together under a regimental headquarters that would administer the companies.[7] These headquarters units were formed using the cavalry regiments of the 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions and as such, in October, although at that time currently overseas again, the 2/4th Independent Company was redesignated the "2/4th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron" as it became a part of the 2/7th Cavalry Commando Regiment, attached to the 7th Division.[3] This name would later be shortened simply to "2/4th Commando Squadron" in 1944.[3]
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In August 1943, the 2/4th was deployed to
Landing Ship Tank was attacked by Japanese dive and torpedo bombers.[8] After the landing, the 2/4th began reconnaissance and flank protection operations for the 26th Brigade until 30 October, when Lae finally fell and they were sent by barge to reinforce the 20th Brigade at Finschhafen in the clearing of the Huon Peninsula.[9][10] During this time the 2/4th conducted numerous long range patrols, often being sent ahead of the main advance, before finally being removed from the line at the end of February 1944 and being sent back to Australia for leave.[3]
Upon its return to Australia, the 2/4th regrouped at
Tarakan Island off Borneo as part of the "Oboe" operations. Throughout May and June the 2/4th played an important role in the campaign. The landing on Sadau Island was unopposed and a few days later on 3 May at Tarakan it was once again tasked to act in support of the 26th Brigade. In the coming days and weeks the 2/4th saw extensive service during the liberation of Tarakan, suffering heavy casualties with four officers and fifty-two other ranks being killed or wounded in this time.[11]
This was the squadron's last operation and following its return to Australia it was disbanded at
Mentioned in Despatches.[3]
Commanding officers
- Major Kevin Boyd Garvey
- Major Edward McDonald Walker.[3]
Notes
- ^ a b Horner 1989, p. 22
- ^ McCarthy 1959, p. 85
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "2/4th Independent Company". Second World War, 1939–1945 units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
- ^ a b Horner 1989, p. 23
- ^ Wigmore 1957, pp. 466–494
- ^ Palazzo 2004, pp. 86–101
- ^ Horner 1989, p. 26
- ^ Dexter 1961, p. 335
- ^ Dexter 1961, p. 602
- ^ Bradley 2019, pp. 158–162
- ^ Long 1963, p. 452
References
- ISBN 9781760632588.
- Dexter, David (1961). The New Guinea Offensives. OCLC 186193918.
- ISBN 1-86373-007-9.
- OCLC 1297619.
- McCarthy, Dudley (1959). South–West Pacific Area—First Year: Kokoda to Wau. Australia in the War of 1949–1945 Official History Series. Series 1—Army. Volume V. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 3134247.
- Palazzo, Albert (2004). "Organising for Jungle Warfare". In Dennis, Peter; Grey, Jeffrey (eds.). The Foundations of Victory: The Pacific War 1943–1944. Proceedings of the 2003 Chief of Army's Military History Conference. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Army History Unit. pp. 86–101. ISBN 978-0-646-43590-9. Archived from the originalon 9 March 2016.
- Wigmore, Lionel (1957). The Japanese Thrust. Australia in the War of 1939–1945 Official History Series. Series 1— Army. Volume IV. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 186194020.
Further reading
- Callinan, Bernard (1984). Independent Company: The Australian Army in Portuguese Timor 1941–43. Richmond, Victoria: Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-85859-339-8.
- Lambert, George Ernest (1994). Commando:From Tidal River to Tarakan: The Story of No 4. Australian Independent Company, AIF—Later Known as 2/4th Australian Commando Squadron, AIF: 1941–45. Melbourne, Victoria: 2nd/4th Commando Association. ISBN 978-0-646-17827-1.
- Wray, Christopher (1987). Timor 1942: Australian Commandos at War with The Japanese. Hawthorn, Victoria: Hutchinson Australia. ISBN 978-0-09-157480-2.
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