2/6th Commando Squadron (Australia)

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2/6th Commando Squadron
Second World War
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Harry Harcourt
Insignia
Unit colour patch

The 2/6th Commando Squadron was one of 12

Borneo—and was involved in arguably one of the most spectacular small unit actions of the war during the Battle of Kaiapit
. The unit was disbanded in January 1946, following the cessation of hostilities in the Pacific.

History

Formation and training, 1942

The 2/6th Independent Company was formed in May 1942 at the

Victoria,[1] in response to recommendations made by the British Military Mission in Australia, headed by Lieutenant Colonel J.C Mawhood.[2]

The company was formed from volunteers from all branches of the Army, and like all of the Independent Companies, it was organised under the philosophy that it had to be a self-sufficient force. As such, it was to be a complete and powerful organisation with its own organic signals, engineering, transport, quartermaster and medical support.

Owen submachine guns, to the extent that in battle each platoon could provide a level of firepower equivalent to that of an infantry company.[3][4]

A panoramic view of a military camp at the base of a mountain
View over Foster training camp, Guerrilla Warfare School, towards Mount Oberon. Mount Oberon was used by members of the independent companies as part of their physical training course. (AWM photo)

The terrain surrounding the training area at Wilsons Promontory consisted of a number of high, rugged and heavily wooded mountains, swift streams and swamps. It was considered ideal for the six-week training course that the first members of the 2/6th had to endure before they were deployed operationally. Initially training stores were scarce, particularly signalling and engineering stores, and as such there was at first a large focus upon physical training. Training was conducted six days and five nights a week and it was a long, gruelling course. As a result, after the first week, 32 men from the initial intake of 300 were removed from training as being unsuitable.[5]

On 6 June 1942, Major

First World War, in the Russian Civil War and in India before he had settled in Tasmania. Although 47 years old, he was also an accomplished boxer, having been a champion in the Services competition while serving in the British Army, and was, according to author Syd Trigellis-Smith, renowned for his "...physical fitness, boundless energy and love of front-line service".[6] Harcourt set upon the task of preparing the company, although initially he too was frustrated in his efforts by the problem with insufficient training supplies and equipment. Nevertheless, through the rest of June and into July, the training was intensified and all ranks received basic infantry training (as some were not yet infantry trained), and they became proficient in fieldcraft, signalling and demolitions and a number of field exercises were carried out to test their skills.[7]

In July, the company moved north by train to Townsville in Queensland under tight security, bringing all their stores and equipment with them. During this time the company was camped at the Cluden Racecourse. Finally, the order for the company to deploy to New Guinea was received, and despite a refusal by dock workers to load their stores, by 10:30 hours on 2 August 1942, they had embarked on the MS Tasman after the company's engineer section took over the operation of the ship's loading equipment.[8]

Papua New Guinea, 1942–1943

Soldiers wearing slouch hats and shorts wade along a watercourse
Members of the 2/6th patrol near Wanigela, New Guinea, October 1942

In early August 1942, the 2/6th arrived in

Japanese outflanking manoeuvres.[10]

Long distance patrols were undertaken between 6 September and 12 October 1942 to cover wider lines of possible Japanese approach through the Yodda Valley, the jungle tracks around Esau Creek and the Brown River, and along Engineer Road in support of Honner Force.[11] The purpose of these patrols was to obtain topographical information regarding the tracks in the area which might be used by Australian forces to outflank Japanese positions, as well as to provide early warning of any infiltration attempts.[12] To this end, the patrols varied in size and duration, ranging from four or five men to 150 and from five to six days up to months. In some cases they acted as independent, long-range patrols, while others were in close contact with regular formations.[11]

On 14 October 1942, elements

Soputa and then Port Moresby, where they spent Christmas prior to returning to Australia for re-organisation and refurbishment.[17]

Re-organisation, 1943

The 2/6th returned to Australia in March 1943 and after some leave, re-assembled at the Army's

2/7th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment,[19] which had been formed from the 7th Divisional Cavalry Regiment that had served in the Middle East and New Guinea in 1941 and 1942.[20][21] This was an administrative re-organisation only, as the regiment itself had no operational role;[22] however, following this the 2/6th Independent Company became known as the "2/6th Commando Squadron".[23]

One of the main changes that occurred as a result of this re-organisation was that the engineer section was deleted from the establishment of the commando squadrons, having previously been an important part of the independent company structure.

Lutheran missionaries who were believed to have been providing information to the Japanese. This group operated in one or two man teams and were deployed for almost six months.[25]

Markham–Ramu Campaign, 1943–1944

The 2/6th sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby in August 1943, and then, in the middle of September it was flown to an area just west of the Leron River, in the Markham Valley for the upcoming

Markham–Ramu campaign.[26] Attached to the 7th Division, the squadron provided flank protection during the campaign, mainly carrying out reconnaissance and long range patrols, although they were also used to capture and hold ground in advance of the main formation at times.[27]

A soldier lies postrate on the ground at the base of a palm tree in a clearing with some huts
Japanese dead at Kaiapit; 214 were counted after the battle.

Now made up of a cadre of experienced and fully trained soldiers, the squadron performed with considerable distinction in this campaign, and was involved in arguably one of the most significant small unit actions of the campaign at the Battle of Kaiapit where, on 19–20 September 1943, it captured the village and then repelled a determined enemy counterattack by a force much larger than its own, until relieved. After the action, 214 Japanese bodies were counted, and it was estimated that another 50 or more lay dead in the tall grass. Abandoned equipment that was recovered included 19 machine guns, 150 rifles, six grenade throwers and 12 Japanese swords.[28] Against this, the Australians lost 11 killed and 23 wounded.[29] For his leadership during this action, Gordon King was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order.[30][31]

After almost seven months of service in New Guinea, the 2/6th returned to Australia in April 1944, disembarking in Sydney on 12 May 1944.

Atherton Tablelands, in Queensland, where it trained and conducted exercises with the rest of the 7th Division in preparation for renewed hostilities in 1945.[32]

This was a period of considerable boredom for many members of the squadron, and there was a rise in disciplinary problems during this time as the only outlet for the men's physical energy was sport, training and mounting ceremonial duties.

Morotai Island, from where they embarked on Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) for their final campaign of the war on late in June.[34]

Borneo, 1945

Soldiers in combat equipment with helmets and rifles advance towards a thick cloud of smoke
Members of the 7th Division at Balikpapan

One of the final Australian operations of the war occurred on the island of Borneo in mid-1945, just weeks before the Japanese capitulation. Although the necessity of the campaign has since been called into question,[35] at the time it was felt that Borneo was strategically important due to its vast oil deposits,[Note 2] and numerous airfields and harbours which made it ideal as a springboard for operations in Malaya and Java which were planned for 1946 but which did not in the end eventuate.[36]

With that goal, between May and July, the 7th and

Labuan Island later in June. The 7th Division landed at Balikpapan on 1 July 1945, having been given the tasks of securing the port, oil installations and airfields, and then destroying the Japanese forces there.[27]

At Balikpapan, that the 2/6th Commando Squadron played its final part in the conflict. For the landing, it was attached to the 25th Brigade and went ashore on the second day of the battle.[37] Over the course of the following three weeks the squadron supported the 25th Brigade in its advance along the Milford Highway. Among its other tasks, which included its normal role of conducting reconnaissance patrols, it also conducted a number of aggressive fighting patrols and successful ambushes along Pope's Track and provided humanitarian assistance to the local inhabitants.[38]

Disbandment, 1946

Following the end of hostilities in the Pacific against the Japanese, there was to be no triumphant return to Australia for the 2/6th as a formed unit. Once the fighting on Borneo had stopped, the company was moved to a camp at Manggar Beach. Here they carried out various garrison duties and settled down to await further orders. On 6 October 1945 the unit was declared surplus to the Army's requirements and slowly its numbers began to dwindle as members marched out.[39] Some 2/6th men were destined for service with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan or garrison duties elsewhere as there were still many Japanese troops at large, while others, who had earned enough points[Note 3] to do so were to be demobilised and returned to Australia.[27]

General (later Field Marshal Sir)

Louis Mountbatten who praised them for their turn out and thanked them for their service.[39] On 20 November, the "low priority" men (those who had served the least amount of time) marched out of the 2/6th to join the 2/27th Battalion, while the higher priority men (those who were eligible for discharge before the others) were sent to the 2/12th Battalion two days later.[40] This left the squadron with just two officers and 19 men. Together they returned to Australia, arriving in Brisbane on 31 December 1945, and marching to Chermside camp where they conducted the final formalities of disbandment.[40] The unit's last day of service on the Australian order of battle was 15 January 1946, when the final three members, including the acting CO, Captain Gordon Blainey, were dispersed and returned to their states of enlistment for demobilisation.[40]

Throughout the course of the war, the 2/6th lost 58 men killed in action or died of wounds, while a further 80 were wounded in action.

Mentions in Despatches and one US Silver Star.[Note 8][41] No battle honours were awarded to the squadron, as these were awarded to its parent formation, the 2/7th Cavalry Commando Regiment.[42]

Commanding officers

The following is a list of the 2/6th's commanding officers during the war:[27]

Notes

Footnotes
  1. ^ A and D Patrols were still in the Kokoda area at this time, as well as Y Patrol which was heading to Yodda River. As such, just over 100 men arrived at Wanigela at this time. See Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 82.
  2. ^ There were up to 700 oil wells in existence on Tarakan and before the war the island had produced up to six million barrels of crude oil per year. See Thompson 2008, pp. 477–478.
  3. ^ During the Second World War the Australian Army, like many others at the time, used a points system to determine a serviceman's eligibility for discharge or repatriation. These points were allocated based upon factors such as time served in a combat zone, overseas service, wounds received and any honours or awards that the serviceman might have received, as well as age and marital status. See Grey 2008, p. 198.
  4. ^ Captain G.G King, action at Kaiapit, New Guinea, 20 September 1943. See Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 276.
  5. ^ Lieutenant R.T Balderstone, action at Kaiapit, New Guinea, 20 September 1943 and Lieutenant C.H Ball, action at Balikpapan, Borneo, 15 July 1945. See Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 276–277.
  6. ^ Acting Sergeant J.McA Brammer, action at Uria River, Dumpu area, New Guinea, 8 October 1943. See Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 278.
  7. ^ Corporal J.A Wilson, action at Kaiapit, New Guinea, 19–20 September 1943 and Private S.J Graham, action at Kaiapit, New Guinea, 19–20 September 1943. See Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 278–279.
  8. ^ Major H.G Harcourt, action near Buna, New Guinea, period of 16 November – 2 December 1942. See Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 277.
  9. Legion d'Honneur and was Mentioned in Despatches three times. He had achieved his majority by age 23 and had served in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and been attached to the Machine Gun Corps
    . See Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 2–3.
  10. ^ Later Lieutenant-Colonel G.G King. King was awarded his DSO for his leadership during the action at Kaiapit on 20 September 1943, see Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 276.
Citations
  1. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 1.
  2. ^ Horner 1989, p. 21.
  3. ^ a b c Bradley 2004, p. 13.
  4. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. ix–x.
  5. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 2.
  6. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 5.
  7. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 5–10.
  8. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 10–11.
  9. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 11–12.
  10. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 14.
  11. ^ a b Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 12–16.
  12. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 12.
  13. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 81.
  14. ^ McCarthy 1959, p. 360.
  15. ^ Milner 1957, p. 176.
  16. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 97–119.
  17. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 126.
  18. ^ Horner 1989, p. 26.
  19. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 145.
  20. ^ Hopkins 1993, p. 108.
  21. ^ Handel 2003, p. 147.
  22. ^ a b Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 213.
  23. ^ Dexter 1961, pp. 565–566.
  24. ^ Triggelis-Smith 1992, p. 213.
  25. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. x.
  26. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 161.
  27. ^ a b c d e "2/6th Independent Company". Second World War, 1939–1945 units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
  28. ^ Dexter 1961, p. 422.
  29. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 181 & 184.
  30. ^ "No. 36337". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 January 1944. p. 391.
  31. ^ "Recommendation for Gordon Grimley King to be awarded a Distinguished Service Order" (PDF). Recommendations: Second World War. Australian War Memorial. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  32. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 213–223.
  33. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 223.
  34. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 224–227.
  35. ^ Thompson 2008, p. 475.
  36. ^ Thompson 2008, p. 477.
  37. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 232.
  38. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 246–249.
  39. ^ a b Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 259.
  40. ^ a b c Trigellis-Smith 1992, p. 260.
  41. ^ Trigellis-Smith 1992, pp. 276–279.
  42. ^ Maitland 1999, p. 146.

References

External links
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