2/7th Commando Squadron (Australia)
2/7th Commando Squadron | |
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Active | 1942–1946 |
Country | Second World War
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Insignia | |
Unit colour patch |
The 2/7th Commando Company was one of 12 independent companies or commando squadrons raised by the Australian Army during the Second World War. Raised in May 1942, as the 2/7th Independent Company, the 2/7th served in New Guinea in 1943 during the Salamaua–Lae campaign before being redesignated as the 2/7th Commando Squadron when it was amalgamated with two other commando squadrons to become part of the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. Later at the end of 1944, it was sent to New Guinea again, where it took part in the Aitape–Wewak campaign. Following the end of the war, the squadron was returned to Australia and disbanded early in 1946.
History
Formation
In late 1940 the Australian Army began considering the issue of raising independent companies or commando units for the conduct of irregular warfare.
New Guinea 1942–1943
Following the completion of its training, the company was deployed to New Guinea in late 1942, landing at
In April, they were relieved by the 2/7th Battalion.
In October, following a re-organisation of Australian forces in New Guinea in preparation for the coming offensive around Lae, the 2/7th was temporarily placed under the command of the
Reorganisation 1943–1945
While the 2/7th Independent Company had been involved in the campaign in New Guinea, there had been a significant re-organisation of the way in which the Independent Companies were administered and organised.
Following their return from New Guinea, the newly formed 2/7th Commando Squadron concentrated on the
Aitape–Wewak 1945
Early in 1945, the 6th Division relieved the American garrison at Aitape, with a view to renewing offensive operations in the area.
The Australian advance began in December and by this time, the 2/7th had been moved to Tong, where it had been given the tasks of maintaining a base, control the surrounding area and conduct patrols to the south.[17] Now under the command of Major Goode,[17][Note 1] the squadron operated in support of the 17th Brigade, and had men stationed at Yourang and Kumbun.[18] During this time there were a number of clashes with the enemy, most notably on 11th and 13 December, as the squadron established its control over the area, resulting in a number of Japanese killed in action. Once it had been relieved by 17th Brigade, the squadron conducted a number of reconnaissance patrols south of the Torriccelli Ranges, around the Dandriwad and Danmap Rivers, and then later once it had moved to the Yasuar Mission, patrolling along the Muam River.[4] Throughout February the 2/7th began to push into enemy territory, moving along the Atop River and establishing bases at Kaumala, and at House Copper.[4]
Finally, at the end of March, the 2/7th was relieved and returned to Aitape.[4] The following month, the 2/7th was transported by landing craft to But, where they were to act as reserve for the 16th Brigade's advance to the Hawain River. While here, they were based at Banak and conducted a number of patrols in the surrounding area.[4] As the campaign progressed into May, the 2/7th was transferred to the command of the 19th Brigade, which at the time was advancing on Wewak, with its limit of exploitation being the Brandi River.[19] As it became clear that the Japanese were attempting to abandon their positions, the 2/7th were ordered to advance in a wide circle and capture the Sauri villages, where it was believed that the Japanese had established a strong rearguard to act as a blocking force.[20]
The 2/7th advanced up the Waringe River with a strength of 156 men, supported by mortar and artillery, and over the course of two days proceeded to clear the enemy from the high ground along which they would launch their assault on the villages.[20] On 11 May, two troops[Note 2] from the 2/7th launched their assault, advancing along a spur that led to Walanter where they encountered a well-established enemy position. This position was assaulted and the objective taken over the course of two and a half hours, with the assistance of close support from artillery and flamethrowers to overcome the enemy resistance.[21]
The 2/7th were then relieved by elements of the 2/8th Battalion at Sauri, before receiving orders to concentrate with the rest of the 2/6th Commando Regiment in the area around Brandi Plantation.[4] By the start of June they began "mopping up" operations, firstly at Dove Bay and then at Karawop, before they were sent to Boiken in July, where they relieved the 2/10th Commando Squadron, which had been patrolling the area around the Dagua and Hawain Rivers in an attempt to deal with the Japanese raiding parties that were still operating in the area.[4][22]
The 2/7th were still in Boiken when Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945. They were disbanded approximately six months later, early in 1946, after the last members were returned to Australia and demobilised.[4] During the course of its service, the squadron lost 30 men killed in action or died on active service.[4]
Commanding officers
Notes
- Footnotes
- ^ Long lists Goode's rank as major, but in the Australian War Memorial source it is stated that he was only a captain.
- ^ A military organisational term, roughly equivalent to an infantry platoon in size. Used for cavalry, engineers, armour instead of platoon.
- Officer of the Order of the British Empirefor service rendered to the British Empire.
- Citations
- ^ a b Horner 1998, p. 21.
- ^ Horner 1998, p. 22.
- ^ McCarthy 1959, p. 85.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "2/7th Independent Company". Second World War, 1939–1945 units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ "Recommendation for Thomas Fergus Buchanan Macadie to be awarded a Distinguished Service Order" (PDF). Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ McCarthy 1959, p. 586.
- ^ Dexter 1961, p. 238.
- ^ Dexter 1961, pp. 234–235.
- ^ Dexter 1961, p. 239.
- ^ Dexter 1961, pp. 243–244.
- ^ Horner 1989, p. 26.
- ^ Palazzo 2004, pp. 86–101.
- ^ a b Johnston 2008, p. 193.
- ^ Long 1963, p. 275.
- ^ Long 1963, p. 276.
- ^ "Aitape-Wewak Campaign: November 1944 – August 1945". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ a b Long 1963, p. 279.
- ^ Long 1963, p. 280.
- ^ Long 1963, p. 370.
- ^ a b Long 1963, p. 347.
- ^ Long 1963, p. 348.
- ^ Long 1963, p. 381.
References
- Dexter, David (1961). The New Guinea Offensives. Australia in the War of 1939–1945, Series 1—Army. Volume VII (1st ed.). Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 2028994.
- ISBN 0-04-520006-8.
- ISBN 978-0-521-51411-8.
- OCLC 1297619.
- McCarthy, Dudley (1959). South–West Pacific Area—First Year: Kokoda to Wau. Australia in the War of 1939–1945 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; ISBN 978-0-646-43590-9. Archived from the originalon 9 March 2016.
Further reading
- ISBN 978-0-521-89681-8.
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1998). Where Australians Fought: The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles. Sydney, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-611-2.
- Walker, Allan (1957). The Island Campaigns. Australia in the War of 1939–1945 Official History Series. Series 5—Medical. Volume III. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 1293257. Archived from the originalon 4 February 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2009.