2nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion
2nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion | |
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The 2nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion (2 NGIB) was a battalion of the
History
Earlier efforts by the
Upon formation, the battalion generally adopted the same organisation as a standard Australian Army infantry battalion, consisting of four rifle
Formed late in the war, the battalion ultimately played only a minor role during the Allied campaigns in New Guinea.
As the battalion entered the Prince Alexander Range, they were employed as a complete battalion, undertaking conventional operations, rather than as smaller components as originally envisaged. In early July, the battalion headquarters moved to Kwimbu, and a company captured Gisanambu in a firefight that killed 10 Japanese. A further 27 Japanese were killed around Dunbit, although the platoon sent to capture it withdrew after sustaining several casualties, including its commander. In the middle of the month, several efforts were made to secure Aoniaru, although these too were checked until 24 July when Allied air attacks forced the remaining Japanese to abandon the position. Battalion headquarters was moved to Gwalip around this time, and the battalion concentrated there prior to capturing Sigora on 27 July. Three days later, a 2 NGIB company attacked Ulama, after a heavy aerial bombardment, and in the heavy fighting that followed 16 Japanese were killed. By 2 August, the battalion had consolidated their position are Sigora, which was to become a base of operations for the 2/7th Battalion.[9] They then continued on towards Mt Irup.[2]
The war was coming to an end by this time and during this phase, large numbers of Japanese prisoners were taken. There were still large numbers of Japanese offering resistance, though, and heavy fighting took place around Miyamboara, in the final days of the war, when a 2 NGIB patrol attempted to enter the village.[10] By mid-August a ceasefire came into effect and the fighting came to an end prior to the official Japanese surrender in Wewak on 13 September 1945.[11] Following the end of the war, the battalion was disbanded in June 1946 as part of the demobilisation process.[3]
Battle honours
- World War II: Liberation of Australian New Guinea, Kaboibus and Kiarivu.[12]
Commanding officers
The following officers commanded the battalion during the war:[13]
- Lieutenant Colonel H.M. Stewart (1944–1945)
- Lieutenant Colonel A.C. Murchison (1945–1946)
- Lieutenant Colonel A.C. Cameron (1946)
Decorations
Members of the battalion received the following decorations:[14]
- 1 George Medals (GM)
- 3 Military Crosses (MC)
- 2 Military Medals (MM)
Casualties
2 NGIB's casualties during the war amounted to:[15]
- 17 killed, 5 died, 31 wounded.
Notes
- ^ a b Long 1963, p. 82.
- ^ a b c d e McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2267.
- ^ a b Sinclair 1990, p. 296.
- ^ a b Sinclair 1990, p. 273.
- ^ Dennis et al 1995, p. 449.
- ^ Sinclair 1990, p. 303.
- ^ Long 1963, p. 362.
- ^ Long 1963, p. 362.
- ^ Long 1963, pp. 362–365.
- ^ Long 1963, p. 368.
- ^ Long 1963, pp. 381–385.
- ^ McKenzie-Smith 2018 p. 2268.
- ^ Sinclair 1990, p. 305.
- ^ Figures for awards to PIR are difficult to accurately determine as most sources are incomplete, these figures are from Sinclair 1990, p. 298 and Byrnes 1989, pp. 228–246. Neither Sinclair or Byrnes seem to include complete lists, however.
- ^ Byrnes 1989, p. 269.
References
- Byrnes, G.M. (1989). Green Shadows: A War History of the Papuan Infantry Battalion, 1 New Guinea Infantry Battalion, 2 New Guinea Infantry Battalion, 3 New Guinea Infantry Battalion. Newmarket, Queensland: G.M. Byrnes. ISBN 0-7316-6716-6.
- Dennis, Peter; Grey, Jeffrey; Morris, Ewan; Prior, Robin (1995). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (First ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-553227-9.
- OCLC 1297619.
- McKenzie-Smith, Graham (2018). The Unit Guide: The Australian Army 1939–1945, Volume 2. Warriewood, New South Wales: Big Sky Publishing. ISBN 978-1-925675-146.
- Sinclair, James (1990). To Find a Path: The Life and Times of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment: Volume I – Yesterday's Heroes 1885–1950. Brisbane, Queensland: Boolarong Publications. ISBN 0-7316-9120-2. Archived from the originalon 23 September 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.