2/5th Field Regiment

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2/5th Field Regiment
Members of the 2/5th Field Regiment unloading a 25 Pounder at Buna
Active1940–1946
CountryAustralia
BranchAustralian Military Forces
TypeRegiment
RoleArtillery
Part of7th Division
EngagementsWorld War II
Insignia
Unit colour patch

The 2/5th Field Regiment was an

Borneo campaign, taking part landing at Balikpapan
. The regiment was disbanded in early 1946.

History

The 2/5th Field Regiment was formed in May 1940, as part of the all volunteer

Greece; however, they were diverted to Ikingi Maryut, in Egypt, before moving into defensive positions around Mersa Matruh.[2]

In June 1941, the regiment was committed to the

Er Rama, although the 9th Battery was detached to support the 5th Indian Brigade,[5] seeing action around El Kuneitra. Following this, the regiment supported the capture of Merdjayoun, along with the 2/6th Field Regiment. After this, the 10th Battery remained around Merdjayoun, while the rest of the regiment was assigned to support the 25th Brigade as it attacked Jezzine. After a French counter-attack recaptured Merdjayoun, the 2/5th supported Berryforce, the ad hoc force established to retake it. Later, they supported the British 23rd Infantry Brigade, until July when the regiment moved to the coastal sector and supported the advance on Damour and Beirut, assigned to the 17th Brigade,[2] which had been detached from the 6th Division.[6] For his actions during the fighting around Merdjayoun and Damour, one member of the regiment, Lieutenant Roden Cutler, received the Victoria Cross.[7]

25-pounder field guns from the 2/5th firing a practise shoot at Baalbek, Syria, September 1941

The campaign concluded in mid-July with an armistice, after which the regiment undertook occupation duties for the remainder of 1941. During this time, the 2/5th detached one battery to

Brisbane.[2]

In August 1942, the regiment's first battery, the 9th, deployed to Milne Bay in support of the 18th Brigade, as Japanese forces advanced along the Kokoda Track towards Port Moresby. They subsequently took part in the Battle of Milne Bay, while the rest of the regiment was preparing for deployment around Woodford, arriving in October. The 55th Battery subsequently took part in the capture of Buna, being moved by sea from Oro Bay aboard several luggers. During the move, the vessels were attacked and two guns were lost, as well as several personnel killed.[9] They subsequently supported the 18th Brigade and US 32nd Infantry Division. Meanwhile, the 10th Battery undertook defensive duties around Porlock Harbour and on Goodenough Island. The regiment's batteries were progressively relieved between February and April 1943, after which it concentrated around Port Moresby, remaining there until January 1944, when they returned to Brisbane having spent the remainder of its time in New Guinea carrying out garrison duties.[10]

A period of leave followed for the regiment's personnel, after which they rejoined the unit at

Morotai Island in June 1945, the 9th Battery led the regiment ashore in the first wave on 1 July, along with regimental headquarters, which temporarily commanded the divisional fire support assets until the divisional headquarters could land. After the remainder of the regiment arrived, they provided support to the 21st Brigade as advanced to capture the Manggar airstrip.[11] Major combat operations were concluded by 22 July.[14] After this, the regiment sent out patrols, assisting the infantry with local security operations.[11]

Following the war, the regiment's personnel were

Mentions in Despatches.[17]

Commanders

The following officers commanded the 2/5th Field Regiment during the war:[18][19]

  • Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Ingate (1940–1941)
  • Lieutenant Colonel
    John William Alexander O'Brien
    (1941–1942)
  • Lieutenant Colonel William Courtney (1942–1944)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Frank Richardson (1944–1945)

References

Citations

  1. ^ McKenzie-Smith 2018a, p. 3065.
  2. ^ a b c d e McKenzie-Smith 2018a, p. 3066.
  3. ^ Horner 1995, p. 226.
  4. ^ Horner 1995, p. 275.
  5. ^ Horner 1995, p. 276.
  6. ^ McKenzie-Smith 2018b, p. 2085.
  7. ^ "No. 35360". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 November 1941. p. 6825.
  8. ^ Johnston 2005a, p. 77.
  9. ^ Horner 1995, p. 344.
  10. ^ McKenzie-Smith 2018a, pp. 3066–3067.
  11. ^ a b c McKenzie-Smith 2018a, p. 3067.
  12. ^ Johnston 2005b, p. 14.
  13. ^ Horner 1995, p. 418.
  14. ^ Keogh 1965, p. 463.
  15. ^ a b O'Brien 1950, p. 243.
  16. ^ "Chapter 1 Order of Battle – Army: Section 2: The 7th Australian Division". Consolidated Library of Information and Knowledge. Department of Veterans' Affairs. Archived from the original on 24 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  17. ^ Johnston 2005a, pp. 248 & 253.
  18. ^ "2/5th Field Regiment: Appointments". Orders of Battle. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  19. ^ Johnston 2005a, p. xx.

Bibliography

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