Thread: Australian order Of Battle 1939-1945

Who served where, and when ?

Major campaigns and battles of WW2 that involved Australian forces and the Units that participated


1. ADVANCE to BENGHAZI - DEC 1940 to JAN 1941

RAN
HMAS Stuart
HMAS Vampire
HMAS Vendetta
HMAS Voyager
HMAS Waterhen
AIF-6th Australian Division
16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions)
17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions)
19th Brigade (2/4th, 2/8th, 2/11th Battalions)
6th Cavalry Regiment
2/1st Field Regiment
2/2nd Field Regiment
2/3rd Field Regiment
16th Anti-Tank Company
17th Anti-Tank Company
19th Anti-Tank Company
2/1st Field Company
2/2nd Field Company
2/8th Field Company
RAAF
No.3 Squadron (Gladiators and Lysanders)

2. SIEGE OF TOBRUK-APRIL TO NOVEMBER 1941

RAN
HMAS Napier
HMAS Nizam
HMAS Stuart
HMAS Vampire
HMAS Vendetta
HMAS Voyager
HMAS Waterhen
HMAS Parramatta
HMAS Yarra
AIF-9th Australian Division
18th Brigade Detached from 7th Division (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions)
20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions)
24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions)
26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions)
2/1st Pioneer Battalion
2/12th Field Regiment
2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment
24th Anti-Tank Company
26th Anti-Tank Company
2/3rd Field Company
2/4th Field Company
2/7th Field Company
2/13th Field Company
2/11th Field Ambulance

3. GREECE, MARCH, APRIL 1941

RAN
HMAS Perth
HMAS Stuart
HMAS Vendetta
HMAS Voyager
HMAS Waterhen
AIF-6th Australian Division
16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions)
17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions)
19th Brigade (2/4th, 2/8th, 2/11th Battalions)
2/1st Machine-Gun Battalion
2/1st Field Regiment
2/2nd Field Regiment
2/3rd Field Regiment
2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment
2/1st Field Company
2/2nd Field Company
2/8th Field Company
2/5th Australian General Hospital
2/6th Australian General Hospital
2/1st Field Ambulance
2/2nd Field Ambulance
2/7th Field Ambulance

4. CRETE-MAY, JUNE 1941

RAN
HMAS Perth
HMAS Napier
HMAS Nizam
HMAS Stuart
HMAS Vampire
HMAS Vendetta
HMAS Voyager
HMAS Waterhen
AIF
19th Brigade (2/1st, 2/7th, 2/8th, 2/11th Battalions)
16th Brigade Composite Battalion (2/2nd & 2/3rd Battalions)
17th Brigade Composite Battalion (2/5th & 2/6th Battalions)
2/4th Battalion
2/1st Machine-Gun Battalion
2/2nd Field Regiment
2/3rd Field Regiment
7th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
2/8th Field Company
2/7th Field Ambulance

5. SYRIA-JUNE & JULY 1941

RAN
HMAS Perth
HMAS Nizam
HMAS Stuart
AIF-7th Australian Division
17th Brigade' (2/3rd, 2/5th Battalions, 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion)
Detached from 6th Division
21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th Battalions)
25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions)
6th Cavalry Regiment
9th Cavalry Regiment
2/4th Field Regiment
2/5th Field Regiment
2/6th Field Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment (1 troop)
2/2nd Anti-Tank Regiment
2/3rd Machine-Gun Battalion
2/5th Field Company
2/6th Field Company
2/9th Field Company
RAAF
No.3 Squadron (Tomahawks)

6. MALAYA SINGAPORE-DECEMBER 1941 to FEBRUARY 1942

RAN
HMAS Vampire
HMAS Yarra
HMAS Bendigo
HMAS Burnie
HMAS Goulburn
HMAS Maryborough
HMAS Woollongong
AIF
8th Australian Division
(less 29th Brigade)
22nd Brigade (2/18th, 2/19th, 2/20th Battalions)
27th Brigade (2/26th, 2/29th, 2/30th Battalions)
2/10th Field Regiment
2/15th Field Regiment
2/4th Anti-Tank Regiment
2/4th Machine-Gun Battalion
2/10th Field Company
2/12th Field Company
2/6th Field Park Company
10th Australian General Hospital
2/4th Casualty Clearing Station
2/9th Field Ambulance
2/10th Field Ambulance
Hygiene, Dental, Supply, Motor Transport, Workshops, Ordnance, Cash,
Provost and Postal Units
RAAF
No.1 Squadron (Hudsons)
No.8 Squadron (Hudsons)
No.21 Squadron (Buffalos)
No.453 Squadron (Buffalos)

7. KOKODA TRACK-JULY TO NOVEMBER 1942

AIF & Militia
'Maroubra Force'
16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions)
21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th Battalions)
25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions)
30th Brigade (39th, 53rd Battalions)
3rd Battalion
2/1st Pioneer Battalion
2/6th Independent Company
14th Field Regiment
ANGAU (Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit)
Papuan Infantry Battalion
2/6th Field Company
2/14th Field Company
2/9th Australian General Hospital
2/4th Field Ambulance
2/6th Field Ambulance

8. EL ALAMEIN-JULY TO NOVEMBER 1942

AIF-9th Australian Division
20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions)
24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions)
26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions)
2/3rd Pioneer Battalion
9th Cavalry Regiment
2/2nd Machine-Gun Battalion
2/7th Field Regiment
2/8th Field Regiment
2/12th Field Regiment
2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment
2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
2/3rd Field Company
2/7th Field Company
2/13th Field Company
2/11th Field Ambulance
RAAF
No.3 Squadron (Kittyhawks)
No.450 Squadron (Kittyhawks)

9. MILNE BAY-AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 1942

AIF & Militia
'Milne Force'
7th Brigade (9th, 25th, 61st Battalions)
18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions)
2/5th Field Regiment
4th Battery, 101st Anti-Tank Regiment
6th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
9th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
24th Field Company
RAAF
No.6 Squadron (Hudsons)
No.32 Squadron (Hudsons)
NO.75 Squadron (Kittyhawks)
No.76 Squadron (Kittyhawks)
Detachment of No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)
Detachment of No.100 Squadron (Beauforts)

10. BUNA-NOVEMBER 1942 TO JANUARY 1943

AIF
18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions)
2/6th Independent Company
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/1st Field Regiment
2/5th Field Regiment
13th Field Regiment
1st Mountain Battery
2/4th Field Company
RAAF
No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)

11. GONA-NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 1942

AIF-7th Australian Division
21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th, 39th Battalions)
25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd, 3rd Battalions)
'Chaforce' (1 Coy from each of 2/14, 2/16, 2/27 Bns)
2/1st Field Regiment
2/4th Field Ambulance
RAAF
No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)

12. SANANANDA-NOVEMBER 1942 TO JANUARY 1943

AIF & Militia-7th Australian Division
16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions)
18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions)
30th Brigade (36th, 49th, 55th/53rd Battalions)
39th Battalion
2/7th Cavalry Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/1st Field Regiment
2/5th Field Regiment
2/6th Field Company
2/4th Field Ambulance
RAAF
No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)

13. WAU VALLEY-JANUARY & FEBRUARY 1943

AIF-
'Kanga Force'
17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions)
2/3rd Independent Company
2/5th Independent Company
2/7th Independent Company
7th Machine-Gun Battalion
2/1st Field Regiment
2/8th Field Company
2/16th Field Company
RAAF
No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)

14. WAU TO MUBO-APRIL TO AUGUST 1943

AIF & Militia
17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions)
29th Brigade (15th, 42nd, 47th Battalions)
58th/59th Battalion
2/3rd Independent Company
2/1st Field Regiment
2/6th Field Regiment
162nd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
RAAF
No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)

15. WAU TO MARKHAM VALLEY-APRIL TO SEPTEMBER 1943

AIF & Militia
2/6th Battalion
24th Battalion
2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
1st Mountain Battery
2/6th Field Company

16. SALAMAUA-AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 1943

AIF & Militia-5th Australian Division
15th Brigade (24th & 58/59th Battalions, 2/3rd Independent Company)
17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions)
29th Brigade (15th, 42nd, 47th Battalions)
Papuan Infantry Battalion
2/6th Field Regiment
1st Mountain Battery
11th Field Company
RAAF
No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
No.24 Squadron (Vengeances)
No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)

17. LAE-NADZAB-SEPTEMBER 1943

AIF-7th Australian Division
25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions)
2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
2/4th Field Regiment
2/5th Field Company
2/6th Field Company
-9th Australian Division
20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions)
24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions)
26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions)
2/4th Independent Company
2/6th Field Regiment
2/12th Field Regiment
14th Field Regiment
2/7th Field Company
RAAF
No.22 Squadron (Bostons)
No.24 Squadron (Vengeances)
No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters)

18. FINSCHAFEN and SATTELBERG-SEPTEMBER to NOVEMBER 1943

AIF-9th Australian Division
20th Brigade (2/13th. 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions)
24th Brigade (2/28th. 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions)
26th Brigade (2/23rd. 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions)
2/3rd Pioneer Battalion
2/4th Commando Squadron
2/2nd Machine-Gun Battalion
1st Tank Battalion
2/6th Field Regiment
2/12th Field Regiment
2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
2/3rd Field Company
2/7th Field Company
2/13th Field Company

19. NADZAB TO MADANG-SEPTEMBER 1943 TO APRIL 1944

RAN
HMAS Vendetta
HMAS Bundaberg
AIF & Militia-7th Australian Division
15th Brigade (24th. 57/60th, 58/59th Battalions)
18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions)
21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th Battalions)
25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions)
2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
2/2nd Independent Company
2/6th Independent Company
2/7th Independent Company
2/4th Field Regiment
2/4th Field Company
2/5th Field Company
2/6th Field Company
RAAF
No.77 Wing (Nos.21, 23, 24 Squadrons-Vengeances)
No.78 Wing (Nos.75, 78, 80 Squadrons-Kittyhawks)
No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)

20. WAREO-GUSIKA-NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1943

AIF-9th Australian Division
20th Brigade (2/15th Battalion)
24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions)
26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th Battalions)
2/4th Commando Squadron
2/3rd Pioneer Battalion
2/6th Field Regiment (11th, 12th, 56th Batteries)
2/12th Field Regiment (23rd, 24th, 62nd Batteries)
11th Battery, 2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment
V Heavy Battery
2nd Mountain Battery
2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (10th, 12th Batteries)
2/3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery (Airborne)
2/3rd Field Company
2/7th Field Company
2/13th Field Company
18th Field Company
2/24th Field Park Company
RAAF
No.4 Squadron (Wirraways)

21. GUSIKA TO FORTIFICATION POINT-DECEMBER 1943

AIF & Militia
4th Brigade (22nd, 29th/46th, 37th/52nd Battalions)
W Company, 2/2nd Machine-Gun Battalion
'W' Squadron, 1st Tank Battalion
'C' Squadron, 1st Tank Battalion
56th Battery, 2/6th Field Regiment
2/7th Field Company
4th Field Ambulance
RAAF
No.4 Squadron (Wirraways)

22. ADVANCE TO SIO-DECEMBER 1943, JANUARY 1994

AIF
20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions)
26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions)
'C' Squadron, 1st Tank Battalion
2/6th Field Regiment
2/12th Field Regiment
2/3rd Field Company
2/13th Field Company
RAAF
No.4 Squadron (Wirraways)

23. RAI COAST-JANUARY, FEBRUARY 1944

AIF & Militia
8th Brigade (4th, 30th, 35th Battalions)
23rd Battery, 2/12th Field Regiment
64th Battery, 2/14th Field Regiment
Section of 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
2/13th Field Company
8th Field Company
Detachment of 2/8th Field Ambulance
RAAF
No.77 Wing (Nos.21, 23, 24 Squadrons-Vengeances)
No.78 Wing (Nos.75, 78, 80 Squadrons-Kittyhawks)
No.4 Squadron (Wirraways)

24. BOUGAINVILLE-OCTOBER 1944 TO AUGUST 1945

RAN

HMAS Diamantina
HMAS Colac
HMAS Dubbo
HMAS Kiama
HMAS Lithgow
ML-808,
ML-816
ML-818
ML-820
AIF & Militia-3rd Australian Division
7th Brigade (9th, 25th, 61st Battalions)
11th Brigade (26th, 31st/51st, 55th/53rd Battalions)
15th Brigade (24th, 57th/60th, 58th/59th Battalions)
23rd Brigade (7th, 8th, 27th Battalions)
29th Brigade (15th, 42nd, 47th Battalions)
2/1st Guard Regiment
2/8th Commando Squadron
'M' Special Unit
Papuan Infantry Battalion
New Guinea Infantry Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
2nd Field Regiment
4th Field Regiment
7th Field Company
15th Field Company
16th Field Company
23rd Field Company
42nd Landing Craft Company
42nd Watercraft Company
11th Field Ambulance
19th Field Ambulance

RAAF
No.5 Squadron (Boomerangs, Wirraways)


25. AITAPE TO WEWAK-NOVEMBER 1944 TO AUGUST 1945
RAN
HMAS Hobart
HMAS Arunta
HMAS Warramunga
HMAS Swan
HMAS Warrego
HMAS Colac
HMAS Deloraine
AIF-6th Australian Division
8th Brigade (30th, 35th Battalions)
16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions)
17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions)
19th Brigade (2/4th, 2/8th, 2/11th Battalions)
2/6th Commando Regiment (2/7th, 2/9th, 2/10th Squadrons)
Z Force Special Unit
2nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion
2/3rd Machine-Gun Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/1st Field Regiment
2/2nd Field Regiment
2/3rd Field Regiment
2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment
2/1st Field Company
2/2nd Field Company
2/8th Field Company
43rd Landing Craft Company
2/11th General Hospital
2/7th Field Ambulance
2/14th Field Ambulance

RAAF

No.71 Wing (Nos.6, 7, 8, 100 Squadrons-Beauforts)
No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
No.5 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)


26. NEW BRITAIN-NOVEMBER 1944 TO AUGUST 1945

RAN
HMAS Vendetta
HMAS Barcoo
HMAS Swan
HMAS Kiama
ML-802
ML-807

AIF & Militia-5th Australian Division
4th Brigade (37th/52nd Battalion)
6th Brigade (14th/32nd, 19th, 36th Battalions)
13th Brigade (11th, 16th, 28th Battalions)
2/2nd Commando Squadron
B' & 'D' Coys, 1st New Guinea Infantry Battalion
2/14th Field Regiment
4th Field Company
12th Field Company
41st Landing Craft Company
RAAF
No.5 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways)
No.6 Squadron (Beauforts)

27. TARAKAN-MAY TO AUGUST 1945

RAN
HMAS Hobart
HMAS Warramunga
HMAS Manoora
HMAS Westralia
AIF
26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions)
2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
2/3rd Pioneer Battalion
2/4th Commando Squadron
'C' Squadron, 2/9th Armoured Regiment
'D' Company, 2/2nd Machine Gun Battalion
2/7th Field Regiment
53rd Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment
2/11th Field Company
2/13th Field Company
2nd Field Company
2/11th Field Ambulance
110th Casualty Clearing Station

RAAF
No.77 Wing (Nos.22, 30, 31 Squadrons-Beaufighters)
No.21 Squadron (Liberators)
No.24 Squadron (Liberators)
No.76 Squadron (Kittyhawks)


28. BRUNEI, LABUAN, SARAWAK and BRITISH BORNEO-JUNE TO
AUGUST 1945
RAN
HMAS Hobart
HMAS Arunta
HMAS Barcoo
HMAS Hawkesbury
HMAS Lachlan
HMAS Kanimbla
HMAS Manoora
HMAS Westralia

AIF-9th Australian Division
20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions)
24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions)
2/11th Commando Squadron
2/12th Commando Squadron
2/4th Pioneer Battalion
2/8th Field Regiment
2/12th Field Regiment
2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment
2/3rd Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Detachment of 2/9th Armoured Regiment
Detachment of 2/2nd Machine-Gun Battalion
2/3rd Field Company

RAAF
No.77 Wing (Nos.22. 30, 31 Squadrons-Beaufighters)
No.81 Wing (Nos.76, 77, 82 Squadrons-Kittyhawks)
No.457 Squadron (Spitfires)

29. BALIKPAPAN-JULY, AUGUST 1945

RAN
HMAS Shropshire
HMAS Hobart
HMAS Arunta
HMAS Gascoyne
HMAS Warrego
HMAS Kanimbla
HMAS Manoora
HMAS Westralia

AIF-7th Australian Division
18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions)
21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th Battalions)
25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions)
2/7th Commando Regiment (2/3rd, 2/5th, 2/6th Squadrons)
2/1st Pioneer Battalion
2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
2/1st Machine-Gun Battalion
1st Armoured Regiment
2/4th Field Regiment
2/5th Field Regiment
2/6th Field Regiment
2/2nd Anti-Tank Regiment
2/1st Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment
2/4th Field Company
215th Field Company
2/6th Field Company
2/9th Field Company
2/11th Field Company
2/25th Field Park Company
2/12th General Hospital
2/6th Field Ambulance

RAAF

No.78 Wing (Nos.75, 78, 80 Squadrons-Kittyhawks)
No.82 Wing (Nos.21, 23, 24 Squadrons-Liberators)
No.452 Squadron (Spitfires)

these details are as recorded in the book "A Chronology of Australian Armed Forces At War 1939/45"

by Bruce T Swain; Allen and Unwin, ISBN 1 86508 352 6

Yep Spidge like most peoples after twelve (12) months training they become decent yet unbloodied soldiers. And like others they; when the time comes have enough training to put up a decent fight.
Shows just how under prepared Aust was for IJA, they had been at war for over two years yet non AIF troops had had very little if any training.

I believe that the RAAF was fighting from close to start of war to end. Mainly at first in flying boats in Coastal Command, then slowly but surely into RAF & RAAF units of Bomber and Fighter Commands, in Europe etc.

This is of course not the total Or Bat, as many support troops, don't get a mention.