Aust order of Battle - Milne Bay 1942

**spidge** · 03-04-2008, 06:33 AM

An American said to me once that their forces were also instrumental in the victory at Milne Bay and we wanted to take all the glory ourselves. "We had troops there too"!

They did, however they were not front line troops. They were an engineer battalion constructing the three airfields.

One was killed by action, the other three due to an Air Raid. Even Macarthur couldn't claim this an American victory however he reported it as an "Allied" victory.

adam · 03-15-2008, 11:59 PM

Thank you Spidge for the pdf files which I am assuming is the war diary of Milne Force.
There are quite a few references to the AA units and the days around late August seem especially busy. The light and heavy anti-aircraft units claim quite a few destroyed aircraft and notes of near misses are included.
I see on page 5 the only reference to the 33rd HAA that I could find noting that it is the HQ company. Would this be the scenario, that a HQ company could be deployed and other HAA units in the force would be attached to that HQ? I note there are 2nd AIF HAA units as well as some American AA. How would those units go coming under command of a militia unit or any idea how the command structure would go? What about the LAA?
Thanks again
Adam

**Antipodean Andy** · 03-19-2008, 01:36 AM

Adam, Spidge is currently in Perth but will be back home tomorrow so should be able to answer your question then.

**Antipodean Andy** · 04-27-2009, 05:54 PM

A very, very well put together video of the Battle of Milne Bay. Features extensive commentary from one of the Australian engineers and New Guinea expert Peter Brune. Prepare to spend a wonderful 16 minutes! I'll try to post this in the video album as well.

Remembering the Battle of Milne Bay - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)