The history of the No. 2 Independent Commando Company and 2/2 Commando Squadron during World War II – scarce as a 1st edition dated 1986. Having completed its training at Foster, on Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, the 2nd Independent Company was raised and travelled north to Katherine, in the Northern Territory. However, following Japan’s entry into the war, as with the other independent companies that were sent to the islands off Australia, the 2nd was sent to Timor, where it joined the 2/40th Battalion and the rest of Sparrow Force. Sparrow Force divided itself between west Timor, part of the Netherlands East Indies, and east Timor, which belonged to Portugal. The 2/40th Battalion defended the capital of west Timor, Koepang, and the airfield at Penfui. Most of the independent company moved to the airfield at Dili, in east Timor, and the nearby mountains. Portugal was opposed to the stationing of a Dutch or Australian garrison in case this provoked the Japanese, but despite this opposition, on 17 December 1941, elements of the 2nd Independent Company and Dutch troops landed near Dili. On 20 February 1942 the Japanese invaded the island, attacking east and west Timor simultaneously. The 2/40th Battalion held out for three days, but were overrun and were killed or captured. Similarly, the 2nd could not hold the airfield and were also driven back. But they were not captured and instead retreated to the mountains where they conducted a very successful and pursued a guerrilla war against the Japanese which lasted for over a year. Following the capture of Timor, the 2nd occupation the company was listed as “missing”, the company’s signallers were able to build a wireless transmitter, nicknamed ‘Winnie the War Winner’, and on 18/19 April were able to contact Darwin. At the end of May RAN vessels began landing supplies for the Australians on the south coast of east Timor. These supply runs were very dangerous but they allowed the Australians on Timor to continue fighting. In September the guerillas were reinforced with the 2/4th Independent Company. However, this could not go on indefinitely. In August the Japanese lunched a major offensive against the guerrillas and Japanese reprisals against the civilian population of east Timor reduced their support for the Australians. The 2nd (now named the 2/2nd Independent Company) and 2/4th were withdrawn in December and January 1943 respectively. Although the 2/2nd Independent Company is best known for its time on Timor, it also saw extensive service in New Guinea and New Britain. The independent company reformed at the army’s training centre at Canungra, Queensland, where it was reinforced and reequipped. The company then moved to the Atherton Tableland, where it briefly became part of the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. Due to this reorganisation, in October, the 2/2nd Independent Company was renamed the 2/2nd Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. When this happened though, the 2/2nd was back in action. In June 1943 the 2/2nd sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby and was subsequently flown to Bena Bena, in the Bismark Range in New Guinea’s highlands. Here they supported the 2/7th Independent Company in patrolling the Ramu River area. In the second week of July the 2/2nd moved into position, with its headquarters at Bena Bena and with its platoons’ occupying neighbouring positions. By the end of the month their patrols were skirmishing with the Japanese. The 2/2nd remained in New Guinea until October 1944. After 90 days leave, the squadron reformed at Strathpine in Queensland before sailing to New Britain in April 1945. The 2/2nd landed at Jacquinot Bay on 17 April. The squadron then moved to Wide Bay, in order to support the 13th Brigade of the 5th Division, and was based at Lamarien. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or transferred to other units. For those who were left, they returned to Australia and in early 1946 the 2/2nd Commando Squadron was disbanded. Includes Nominal Roll Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 270 pages

Mounted photo of Air Vice Marshall Townsend visiting No2 Squadron to open the Phan Rang "Sydney Harbour Bridge" over monsoon drain at No2 HeadquartersAWM VN69-73-1 (6)air vice marshall townsend, monsoon, phan rang bridge, 2 squadron, 2 sqn

Demobilization book for Corporal Curly Papworth, 2/10 Commando SquadronThis item because of its connection to Papworth and WW2.Printed booklet consisting of 26 pages with hand written entries.Corporal Papworthworld war 2, commando, 2/10 commando squadron, ww2, papworth

Nominal roll of a small Australian Armoured Corps unit of World War Two (WWII). Raised at Puckapunyal, Victoria in January 1942 from members of the 2nd Armoured Brigade Group for service in Malaysia, but with the fall of Singapore before they could embark, they were restructured as the 2/2nd Australian Armoured Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron in February 1942. In July they moved to Greta, and in August to Narrabri to participate in large scale exercises by 1st Armoured Division. In October 1942 they were combined with the 2/1st Australian Armoured Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron and D Squadron 2/11th Australian Armoured Car Regiment to form the new 2/4th Australian Armoured Regiment. Yellow soft cover booklet, " 2/2nd Independent Light Tank Squadron Australian Imperial Force Nominal Roll " Six pages, staple bound.tank, roll, wwii, world war two, armour

Photos taken by Charles Dix 119700 RAAF 2 SQN. at Darwin Adelaide River Morotai and Balikpapan during WWII and 2 photos of later dateCharles Dix 119700 RAAF 2 Sqn. was a member of RSL Waverley Sub Branch for many years. He Joined the RAAF on 8th October 1942 and was discharged from the 83rd. Operational base unit on 30th. January 1946. During WWII and served at Darwin, Adelaide River Morotai Island and made a "beach Landing" under fire at Balikpapan to set up RAAF signals station at the newly captured airstrip Vic Morgan is thought to be MORGAN, Victor Allen - (Leading Aircraftman); Service Number - 88726; File type - Casualty - Repatriation; Aircraft - Mitchell A47-37; Place - Arafura Sea; Date - 14 August 1945Photo Album of mainly black and white photos from WWII Darwin Morotai Island and Balikpapancharles harold dix, darwin wwii, adelaide river wwii, frognal air base, raaf, balikpapan, dix, photos wwii, darwin hospital, jeep, morotai island, 2 squadron r.a.a.f., 2nd squadron raaf, wwii

Wood (Red Ironbark)/Aluminium/Brass commemorative plaque in memory of all those who lost their lives with RAAF in Vietnam 1962-1975.(List of 14 names of those who died) Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Badge RAAFVVA Lest we Forgetplaque, 9 squadron raaf, 2 squadron raaf

Colour Photos.1. Farewell The Last Flight 2. Ground crew with Pilot of The Last FlightCo 2 SQN and his Navigator - Farewell The Last Flight / Ground crew with Dave Smith - Pilot of The Last Flight.2 squadron raaf

Black and white photo in black frame. Aircraft dropping three bombs.2 Sqn, Vietnam 1970.2 squadron raaf, bombs

Dreadful Lady over the Mekong Delta looks at the men of No: 2 Squadron and the operations they flew in the Vietnam War in their Canberra bombers.mekong delta, raaf, 2 squadron raaf, canberra bomber

Dreadful Lady over the Mekong Delta looks at the men of No: 2 Squadron and the operations they flew in the Vietnam War in their Canberra bombers.australia - royal australian airforce, raaf, 2 squadron raaf, canberra bomber

Black and white photograph of Tony Bowden2 squadron raaf, behind the wire, tony bowden, sas

Storyboard of Brian Richards, Clerk Equipment Accounts, Phan Rang, March 1969 - March 1970. Service Number A56800. No 2 Swuadron, RAAF. Attached to 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, USAFstoryboard, behind the wire, brian richards, phan rang, 2 squadron raaf, 35 tac fighter wing, us forces

Black and white photograph of Brian richards wearing his Military medals.behind the wire, brian richards, 2 squadron raaf, 35 tac fighter wing

This object belonged to William Donald Alsop who served in the 2/10 Commando Squadron during the Second World War.This object has historic significance through it's connection to William Donald Alsop.Rectangular green cardboard card folded in half. Front cover: RETURNED SERVICES/ LEAGUE S.A. BRANCH/ MEMBER Back cover: MOTTO:/ "The Price of Liberty/ is Eternal Vigilance" Interior: W. D. ALSOP/ MEMBER'S NAME/ Col. Light Gons (?)/ SUB-BRANCH/ MEMBER'S SIGNATURE/ CLUB NIGHTS/ MONTHLY MEETINGS/ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS/ (signature)/ ISSUING OFFICERcommando squadron, 2/10, alsop, rsl

This badge belonged to William Donald Alsop who served in the 2/10 Commando Squadron during World War Two. This beret badge has historic significance through it's connection to William Donald Alsop and World War Two. It displays strong provenance because we have a deed of gift.Brass badge in the shape of a World War 2 era small rising sunworld war two, ww2, second world war, australian commandos, 2/10 commando squadron

A small A5 size 35 page booklet.

non-fictionThe detailed history of the No.8 Independent Commando Company during World War II. Plastic protective cover over the book. The 2/8th Independent Company was formed at Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, in July 1942 and travelled to Yandina, in Queensland, in September. While the other seven independent companies saw action in the islands off Australian and in New Guinea, the 2/8th spent most of the next two years based at Adelaide River, in the Northern Territory. While it was in the Territory, the independent companies underwent a series of reorganisations and the name of the 2/8th was changed from the 2/8th Independent Company to the 2/8th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. In July 1944, after years of waiting, the squadron left the Territory and sailed from Townsville to Lae, via Milne Bay. While at Lae, the squadron received an intake of 70 men from the 2/8th from the 2/3rd, 2/5th and 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Squadrons, many of whom were veterans of the earlier New Guinea campaigns. Their experience was no doubt a useful reserve that would have been called upon during the 2/8th’s subsequent campaign in Bougainville. Others though, were able to implement some of their commando training when a small group from the 2/8th they made a secret landing on New Britain. Towards the end of the 1944 the 5th Division was preparing to make a landing at Jacquinot Bay in New Britain. Part of these preparations included landing a small group of officers from the division at Jacquinot Bay to make a secret reconnaissance of the potential landing site. As Jacquinot Bay was still in Japanese controlled territory, ‘C’ Troop from the 2/8th provided the protection for the reconnaissance party by establishing a position on the beach and by patrolling the surrounding country. Everything went well and the 5th Division later landed at Jacquinot Bay in November. The squadron too was on the move, and in October it sailed to Torokina, the main Australian base on Bougainville, where it joined the II Australian Corps. The campaign on Bougainville was dived into three areas, the Central, Northern and Southern Sectors. The 2/8th served in the latter two areas. The 2/8th made the first move of the Australian campaign in the Northern Sector, by patrolling from Torokina to Kuraio Mission and Amun once a week. The squadron did this from the second week of November unit the second week of December. The 2/8th was then transferred to the Southern Sector. The main battle for Bougainville was fought in the Southern Sector, as the 3rd Division advanced towards Buin – the main Japanese base on the island. As the division’s infantry brigades advanced along the coast, the 2/8th’s task was to protect their flank by conducting forward reconnaissance patrols, harassing the Japanese with raids and ambushes and conducting a form of guerrilla warfare. The squadron had a long campaign. For nine months, from the end of December until August 1945, the troopers were in action the whole time. After securing the Jaba River, they moved inland, first to Sovele Mission, then the villages of Opai, Nihero and Morokaimoro. They had reached Kilipaijino by the end of the war. Each village taken became a patrol base. Patrols were usually limited to two sections, although up to six sections could be operating at a time. Patrols generally lasted four to six days, but nine-day patrols were not unknown. The squadron collected and collated track information, terrain reports and located the enemy. Once patrols had gathered information, they were free to make a ‘strike’ against the Japanese by setting an ambush or taking a prisoner. These raids were very effective, as they forced the Japanese to deploy troops to their rear areas, removing men from the front created by the infantry. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or were transferred to other units. For those who were left, the squadron returned to Australia at the end of December. In mid January 1946, at Liverpool, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was disbanded.

non-fiction

Drawing done on location by Francis John " Curly" Papworth in Timor on the second day of his deployment with 2/2 Independent Company.This work of soldiers is significant as a work produced by a serving soldier on location during WWII and is a unique example of an artistic work showing the men and their surroundings at the time. Pencil drawing on white paper in landscape Diary entry of the second day on Timor with drawing of cooking with local huts in backgroundww2, world war 2, independent company, 2/2 commando squadron, francis john papworth, timor, 2/2 independent company.

This patch was created to celebrate the repatriation to Australia of the bodies of airmen Robert Carver and Michael Herbert whose Canberra bomber, callsign 'Magpie 91" crashed in Vietnam in 1970.Round white fabric patch with black border. Magpie emblem of 2 Squadron in middle with red stylised 91 beneath. Text around edge.M.I.A. SVN 3rd November 1970. Home Aust August 2009. 2 SQN. emblem in black on white cloth. MIA SVN 3rd November 1979. Home Aus 31 August 2009. R. Carver & M. Herbert.missing in action, michael herbert mia, robert carver mia, 2 sqn, vietnam, raaf

Sergeant ‘Mac’ McDermott, left, from 3 Commando Brigade and Sgt Len Holmes, Special Boat Squadron, were attached to 1 and 2 Commando Companies in the mid 1950s to conduct specialist training and provide support for the development of the newly raised Commando unitsMcDermott and Holmes were crucial in providing specialist training for the newly raised Commando units, that had almost no Commando experience within their own ranks.Black and white rectangular glossy photographSergeant ‘Mac’ McDermott, left, and Sgt Len Holmessergeant mac mcdermott - sgt len holmes - special boat squadron - 2 commando company - specialist training - commando units

In a gold frame with black matting is a black and white photograph of four soldiers John Dyson, Mick Butler, Bob Gould and Alan Jervis on a centurion tank of 2 Troop C Squandron, 1st Armoured Regiment in Vietnam 1968photograph, centurion tank, 2 troop c squadron, 1st armoured regiment, john dyson, mick butler, bob gould, alan jervis

Acquired by Clyde Marshall During his tour of duty with RAAF 2 Squadron 1967/68Obtained whilst Clyde was on duty with 2 SquadronScabbard metal French Circa 1875 embossed numbers on bayonet stock 97314 preceding the numbers is indecipherable mark that could be a maker markscabbard, metal scabbard, french scabbard

The 2/6th Commando Squadron (Australia) was one of 12 independent companies or commando squadrons raised by the Australian Army during WW2. The 2/6th served in four major campaigns - Kokoda, Buna, Markham-Ramu and Borneo and was involved in the Battle of Kaiapit. Late in the WW2 hostilities 2/6th Commando Squadron was at Balikpapan and attached to 25th Brigade to provide support to the Brigade - reconnaissance patrols, fighting patrols, ambushes and humanitarian assistance to local inhabitants. The 2/6th Commando Squadron was disbanded in 1946. The Sword returned to Australia with a member of 2/6th Commando Squadron VX132826 W G H Burrell. The Book Purple Devils was written by Syd Trigellis Smith in his retirement, he had served during WW2 with 2/2 Field Regiment in New Guinea.VX132826 W G H Burrell served with the AIF during WW2 in New Guinea and posted to 2/6th Commando Squadron and was on Borneo and at Balikpapan. George Burrell was able to being back the sword at the end of hostilities. The Book the Purple Devils is the 2/6th Commando Squadron history as interpreted by Syd Trigellis Smith.Book Purple Devils by Syd Trigellis, Smith, a Japanise Sword - steel blade encased in a leather scabbard and the military history of VX132826 W G H Burrell who served with 2/6 th Commando Squadron.The Book - Purple Devils, a History of 2/6 Australian Commando Squadron, ISBN 064607125-4. vx132826 w g h burrell, ww2, new guinea, 2/6th commando sqn, gunto sword, purple devils

Donated by Cliff Marshall the brother of Clyde Marshal who was a RAAF Medical Orderly and served with 2 Squadron in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.Australian servicemen on duty in Vietnam who smoked generally had Zippo Lighters. It was a smoking accessory that was widely known worldwide and made popular in Australia by returning veterans. Rectangular stainless steel liquid fuel cigarette lighter with flip up lid.Internally a pull out receptacle that contains cotton absorbent wad to soak up the liquid fuel, flint tube and wick. The exposed top half has the flint striker roller, exposed wick, flame shield and locking toggle.On flip up lid “CLYDE / MARSHALL” on reverse VIETNAM /67-68; on case [RAAF MEDICAL INSIGNIA]. On reverse side “map of South Vietnam and North Vietnam showing names of towns, Danang, Hue Quihon Nhatrang Camranh Phanrang, Saigon Hanoi, Haiphong, Haiman, and South Vietnam flag. The base in inscribed with manufacturers name and patent number "BRANDFORD PA/ZIPPO/PAT.2517191"zippo, cigarette lighter, smoking accessories

Print of the painting called Shooting Down Of magpie 41Direct hit on magpie 41, vietnam 14/03/1971 - presented to Wg. Cmd. Downing DFC RAAF Retired. by past and present members No 2 Squadron RAAF.print

This Edition, Published by AIF News, was printed to celebrate the end of WWII in the Pacific Region. It was kept by L.A.C. Charles Harold Dix 119700 R.A.A.F. No. 2 Squadron Stationed at Balikpapan at the time. (past member of RSL Waverley sub branch)Records the end of hostilities in the Pacific Region WWII and give an insight into how the news was communicated, as well as into other issues important at the time.4 page A4 Newspaper, pages brownish due to deterioration and fragile due to folds and rips.Print is still clear and readable Table Topsbalikpapan, pacific war, victory, charles harold dix, japan surrenders, newspaper, newsletter, 6th august 1945, table tops, tabletops, aif news, wwii

Given that the photo is 1936 the first two are possibly, F/O Joshua Roger McDONALD No 86, enlisted 15.1.35. At his death on 10.12.1941 he was Wing Commander No 13 Sqd RAAF Darwin. Flying Hudson No A16-69 himself and 3 crew members were killed when the plane crashed into the sea near Ambon Island, Indonesia. Fl/Lt Robert Frederick DALTON No 37, no details of enlistment date. When he was discharged from the RAAF on 16.12.1947 he was Wing Commander at RSTN Laverton (TD & RS) F/O Frederick Attwood WITTSCHEIBE No 89 enlisted on 15.1.1935. At discharge from the RAAF on 21.5.1946 he was Wing Commander at Station HQ East Sale. There is only one WITTSCHEIBE listed on the nominal role. Refer also Reg No 97.Black & white photo of 3 members of A Flight No 21 Squadron in rectangular black timber frame with wire hanger.Hand written on rear: F/O McDonald, FL/Lt R F Dalton, F/O F A Wittscheibe (Born Bendigo 1913, died Bendigo 1998) A Flight No 2 Squadron, circa 1936.military history, photography - group photograph, raaf