25th Brigade (Australia)
| 25th Brigade (Australia) | |
|---|---|
Second World War
| |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Kenneth Eather |
| Insignia | |
| Headquarters unit colour patch |  |
The 25th Brigade was a
Syria–Lebanon campaign fighting several actions around Merdjayoun and Jezzine
.
Following Japan's entry into the war, the 25th Brigade was transferred back to Australia and subsequently took part in the fighting in
Borneo campaign, carrying out an amphibious landing at Balikpapan
in July 1945 before being disbanded in 1946.
History
The 25th Brigade was raised in June 1940 from
invasion by German forces.[2] It had an foundational establishment of 1,759 personnel; a majority were drawn from service support corps of the 6th Division, although roughly a quarter of this number were diverted from infantry reinforcements bound initially for AIF units in the Middle East.[3] Upon formation, the brigade consisted of only three infantry battalions instead of the four that had been the usual Australian establishment up to that time,[2] due to manpower shortages and its component units were the 70th, 71st and 72nd Battalions, although these were later re-designated as the 2/31st, 2/32nd and 2/33rd Battalions.[3] When formed, each of these battalions consisted of only three companies, instead of the usual four, although these companies were later added when the brigade deployed to the Middle East after January 1941.[1]
Originally, the 25th Brigade was part of the newly established
Greece, in support of the 6th Division. However, in response to German moves in North Africa, the brigade was deployed to Mersa Matruh in the Western Desert, remaining there until relieved in May.[1] By this time, the brigade's establishment was completed, and it consisted of 3,500 men[4] and was composed of the 2/25th, 2/31st and 2/33rd Battalions, with the 2/32nd having been transferred to the 24th Brigade and the 2/25th being re-assigned to the 25th in its stead as part of a re-organisation of the 2nd AIF as the more combat ready units were shifted to the 7th Division in preparation for operations, while those still forming were transferred to the 9th Division.[5]
After this the brigade took part in the
Syria–Lebanon campaign in June–July 1941, fighting against the Vichy French.[6] During this campaign, the brigade was allocated to the centre of the Allied advance, with the 21st Brigade advancing on its flank along the coast. The campaign was short, but hard fought and the brigade's major actions during this time included an attack on Merdjayoun and fighting around Jezzine.[7][8][9] After the armistice was signed in July, the 25th Brigade moved to Beirut where they undertook garrison duties. A further move took place in September, when the brigade was transferred to Tripoli to construct defensive positions. They remained there until January 1942, when the 25th Brigade was withdrawn to Julius, in Palestine.[10]
In early 1942, following
Militia units that were trying to hold back the Japanese advance in New Guinea.[7] Arriving in Adelaide, in South Australia, the 25th Brigade's personnel were granted a brief period of leave before the brigade reconstituted around Casino, New South Wales, where they took over the defences from the 15th Motor Regiment amidst concerns of a Japanese invasion. In May, the brigade moved to Caboolture, Queensland, and assumed a defensive role around the beaches of the Sunshine Coast. As the fighting between Japanese and Australian forces along the Kokoda Track intensified, the brigade received orders to deploy to New Guinea, and they subsequently arrived in Port Moresby in September 1942.[11]
As the situation was dire for the Australians, upon arrival at Port Moresby, the 25th Brigade was committed to the
Gona. At Gona they came up against a well entrenched force, and suffered heavy casualties. As a result, the brigade was withdrawn to Donadabu in December 1942 and then flown back to Australia the following month.[11]
A six month period of home service in Australia followed, during which intensive training was carried out around
advance through the Finisterre Range, culminating in the Battle of Shaggy Ridge.[14][15] After being relieved in early 1944 by the 15th Brigade, the 25th was withdrawn to Port Moresby in January 1944 and returned to Australia the following month.[16]
After this, the 25th Brigade did not see action for over a year. During this period, the brigade was located initially at
Borneo campaign. The strategic value of this campaign has since been questioned, however, ultimately the 25th Brigade's involvement in it was successful and it proved their last involvement in the war.[3][17] Staging out of Morotai, the brigade landed at Balikpapan in July, following the 18th and 21st Brigades ashore. Advancing up the Milford Highway, the brigade advanced towards Batuchampar, and by the end of the month the Australians began mopping up operations. The Japanese surrendered in August 1945, after which the brigade served as occupation troops in Dutch Borneo until civilian authorities could be re-established.[16] The brigade was disbanded shortly thereafter in 1946.[3]
Notes
- ^ a b c McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2104.
- ^ a b Dickens 2005, p. 367.
- ^ a b c d e "25th Brigade". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
- ^ Dickens 2005, p. xiii.
- ^ Johnston 2007, p. 43.
- ^ James 2017
- ^ a b Johnston 2007, p. 44.
- ^ Crooks 1971, pp. 120–125.
- ^ Johnston 2005, p. 60.
- ^ McKenzie-Smith 2018, pp. 2104–2105.
- ^ a b c McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2105.
- ^ Draydon 2000, pp. 109–199.
- ^ Keogh 1965, pp. 308–310.
- ^ Bradley 2004.
- ^ Johnston 2007, pp. 44–46.
- ^ a b McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2016.
- ^ a b Johnston 2007, p. 32.
- ^ Draydon 2000, p. 237.
References
- ISBN 0-19-555100-1.
- Crooks, William (1971). The Footsoldiers: The Story of the 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion, A.I.F. in the War of 1939–45. Brookvale, New South Wales: Printcraft Press. OCLC 563965537.
- Dickens, Gordon (2005). Never Late: The 2/9th Australian Infantry Battalion 1939–1945. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military History Publications. ISBN 1-876439-47-5.
- Draydon, Allan (2001) [2000]. Men of Courage: A History of 2/25 Australian Infantry Battalion 1940–1945. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military History Publications. ISBN 0-646-38663-8.
- James, Richard (2017). Australia's War With France: The Campaign in Syria and Lebanon, 1941. Newport, New South Wales: Big Sky Publishing. ISBN 978-1-925520-92-7.
- ISBN 978-1-84603-123-6.
- Johnston, Mark (2005). The Silent 7th: An Illustrated History of the 7th Australian Division 1940–46. Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-74114-191-5.
- OCLC 7185705.
- ISBN 978-1-925675-146.
External links