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| − | The '''2/11th Battalion''' was an [[infantry]] [[battalion]] of the [[Australian Army]] which saw service during [[World War II]]. Raised at [[Northam, Western Australia|Northam]], |
+ | The '''2/11th Battalion''' was an [[infantry]] [[battalion]] of the [[Australian Army]] which saw service during [[World War II]]. Raised at [[Northam, Western Australia|Northam]], Western Australia on 13 October 1939, it formed part of the [[6th Australian Division]] of the [[Second Australian Imperial Force]]. The battalion saw action in [[Egypt]], Libya, [[Greece]] and Crete in 1940–41, however, a large number of the battalion's personnel were killed or captured on Crete and as such it was rebuilt in Palestine at the end of 1941, before returning to Australia to fight the [[Japan]]ese in 1942. For a time the battalion was assigned to the [[2nd Brigade (Australia)|2nd Brigade]], a formation made up largely of soldiers from the [[Citizens Military Force|Militia]], carrying out defensive duties in Western Australia, however, it was later transferred to the [[19th Brigade (Australia)|19th Brigade]] in Queensland and in 1944–45 it took part in the [[Aitape-Wewak campaign]] before being disbanded at [[Puckapunyal]] on 7 December 1945.<ref name=AWM>{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11262.asp|title=Unit Information—2/11th Battalion|publisher=Australian War Memorial|accessdate=2009-08-16|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5jCxI4WN5|archivedate=2009-08-21|deadurl=no}}</ref> |
During the war the 2/11th Battalion suffered 489 casualties, of which 182 were killed.<ref name=AWM/> Its members received the following decorations: 2 [[Distinguished Service Order|DSOs]], 1 [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]], 3 [[Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|MBEs]], 6 [[Military Cross|MCs]], 4 [[Distinguished Conduct Medal|DCMs]], 20 [[Military Medal|MMs]] and 66 [[Mentioned in Despatches|MIDs]].<ref name=AWM/> |
During the war the 2/11th Battalion suffered 489 casualties, of which 182 were killed.<ref name=AWM/> Its members received the following decorations: 2 [[Distinguished Service Order|DSOs]], 1 [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]], 3 [[Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|MBEs]], 6 [[Military Cross|MCs]], 4 [[Distinguished Conduct Medal|DCMs]], 20 [[Military Medal|MMs]] and 66 [[Mentioned in Despatches|MIDs]].<ref name=AWM/> |
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Revision as of 17:03, 19 April 2014
| 2/11th Battalion | |
|---|---|
 Members of the 2/11th Battalion resting near the Danmap River in January 1945 | |
| Active | 13 October 1939–7 December 1945 |
| Country |
 Australia |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | ~800 officers and men |
| Part of | 19th Brigade, 6th Division |
| Colors | Brown over Light Blue |
| Engagements | |
| Insignia | |
| Unit Colour Patch |
 |
The 2/11th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army which saw service during World War II. Raised at Northam, Western Australia on 13 October 1939, it formed part of the 6th Australian Division of the Second Australian Imperial Force. The battalion saw action in Egypt, Libya, Greece and Crete in 1940–41, however, a large number of the battalion's personnel were killed or captured on Crete and as such it was rebuilt in Palestine at the end of 1941, before returning to Australia to fight the Japanese in 1942. For a time the battalion was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, a formation made up largely of soldiers from the Militia, carrying out defensive duties in Western Australia, however, it was later transferred to the 19th Brigade in Queensland and in 1944–45 it took part in the Aitape-Wewak campaign before being disbanded at Puckapunyal on 7 December 1945.[1]
During the war the 2/11th Battalion suffered 489 casualties, of which 182 were killed.[1] Its members received the following decorations: 2 DSOs, 1 OBE, 3 MBEs, 6 MCs, 4 DCMs, 20 MMs and 66 MIDs.[1]
Battle honours
- North Africa, Bardia 1941, Capture of Tobruk, Derna, Greece 1941, Brallos Pass, Middle East 1941–1944, Crete, Retimo, Matapau, Abau-Malin, Wewak, Wirui Mission, South-West Pacific 1942–1945, Liberation of Australian New Guinea.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Unit Information—2/11th Battalion". Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 2009-08-21. http://www.webcitation.org/5jCxI4WN5. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
Further reading
- Olson, Wes (2011). Battalion into Battle: The History of the 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion 1939–1945. Welshpool: Quality Press. ISBN 9780646563633.
- Ewer, Peter (2008). Forgotten Anzacs: The Campaign in Greece, 1941. Carlton North, Vic.: Scribe Publications. ISBN 978-1-921215-29-2. OCLC 457093199.
The original article can be found at 2/11th Battalion (Australia) and the edit history here.