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 The 2nd (now named the 2/2nd Independent Company) and 2/4th were withdrawn in December and January 1943 respectively.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

1789 Corporal Walter Thomas West was recommended for Military Medal 13th May 1917. Citation: For conspicous gallantry in action at the Hindenburg Line on 3rd May 1917. When he attacked with few bob=mbers an enemy post using MG fire against the right brigade. Having taken up the post he moved down the first trench and with 6 men engaged an enemy party who were resisting the 2nd attack of the tight brigade. Recommended by GOC 6th Australian Infantry Brigade. Lieutenant Walter Thomas West was recommended for MC 21st Ocrober 1918. Citation: During the attack on Montebrehain, east of Peronne on 5th Ocober, 1918, Lt West acted in a skilful and courageous manner when his platoon was held up by an enemy strong post, he rushed forward alone under heavy machine gun fire, threw a bomb at the post and captured the gun and crew of three. Later his flank was being held up by a strong post manned by the German guns in cemetary. Lt. West crawled round to the right and rushed the post. One ran he killed 3 of the nemy and took 3 prisoners. The men in the other post ran off with their gun and so escaped. Throughout the day he led his platoon with skil and when the company commander was killed assumed charge and supervised the consolidation of the line with great activity and courage. A framed black and white photgraph of Lieutenant West in dress uniform, showing Unit Insignia (colour Flash) service ribbons.Photo clearly shows unit insignia, ranks pips, service and valour ribbons.of, 1919, australia, 1917, ww1, commonwealth, gazette, london, walter, thomas, west, mm, mc, page, 2, collection, july, w t west, gazettte, 9, location, 6839, 8th, nov, 2937, position, 104, april, 4337, 12, 23, 1163, 45

non-fictionThis book brings to life for many Australians, the close connection between Australia and East Timor. In 1941-42, Archie Campbell was a lieutenant in the 'Sparrow Force' the 300 men of the 2/2nd Independent Company in a 14-month campaign of ambushes and hit-and-run tactics which effectively pinned down more than 15,000 Japanese troops in East Timor. This book recounts the bloodless Australian landing in Portuguese East Timor, military actions against the Japanese, and eventual evacuation to Darwin. Central to Campbell's experience is the ambush and execution of a section from his platoon, shortly after the Japanese landing in Dili. In 1973, Archie returned to East Timor to meet Barana, the East Timorese man who, as a 12-year-old boy, helped and protected him during the campaign. Each Timorese boy who helped a commando and guarded him while he slept, was called that commando's Criado. Ken White accompanied Archie in the 1973 journey to East Timor to find Barana. He has used excerpts from Archie's own diary to tell the heart-warming story of their first meeting after 30 years. Historical background on the centuries of Portuguese rule, the Japanese occupation and the more recent Indonworld war ii, independent companies, australian commando, timor

Letters. Four letters from Pte Ernest Barker addressed to 'Dear Auntie'. 2 written in pencil and 2 in ink. No envelopes to substantiate name, but is probably Miss Lillie Prout of 290 Williamson St Bendigo. (a) Dated 1 March 1940 'A' Company 2/23 Battalion, AIF, from Palestine (date has been corrected on letter to 1941). (b) Dated 30 June 1940, 'A' Company, No.1 Platoon, No8 Military Camp, AIF, Albury, NSW. © Dated 25 August 1940 , written on 'Albury & District Patriotic and War Fund' letter head, 2 pages. (d) Dated 21 April 1941, 'A' Company, 2/23 Battalion, AIF, from Libia (sic) 2 pages.Ernest C Barkerperson, individual, personal, ernest c barker, ww2 letters, lillie prout, aif, 'a' company 2/23 battalion

Article, Clippings and Photographs. Borneo. Twenty Photographs, 1 News, 1 Comp Photo3 Platoon A Company 3 RAR about to leave Borneo. 3 Platoon casulties in Borneo. 4 KIA, 4 wounded 3 EVAC with Illing 35. 2 others KIA, 2 wounded Vietnamphotographs, newspaper, 3 rar, borneo

We know about the politics that got us into and out of the war. We know about the big battles Long Tan, Coral, Balmoral, Binh Ba.. We know about the soial issues, conscription, drugs, moratotiums, the uneasy returns home... And we know about the legacy: the trauma. the PTSD. the divorces, the suicides.....nui dat, vietnam, 1 rar, 161 recce flight, 2 rar, aattv, binh ba, propaganda, battle of long tan

During his tour in vietnam with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, Lieutenant Lee Lanning walked the booby-trapped rice paddies of the Mekong Delta, searching for elusive Viet Cong, and later macheted his way through the triple-canopy jungle fighting North Vietnamese Army regulars.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, american, 199th light infantry brigade, mekong delta, lieutenant lee lanning

In October 1966 a group of 28 soldiers was chosen to form Australia's first specialist Reconnaissance Platoon in the vietnam War. One of this platoon's section commanders was a 20 year old regular soldier called Bob Kearney, who led a series of deadly patrols while the First Australian Task Force established its headquarters in South Vietnam. 1961-1975 - reconnaissance operations, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, australian, cpl bob kearney, 1st australian tast force

This book is a recollection depicting aspects of the life of a soldier and in particular men serving in 86 Transport Platoon during their time of active service in Vietnam.vietnamese conflict, 1961-1971 - personal narratives, australia. army. royal australian army service corps. 86 transport platoon, 86 transport platoon, peter (sharky) whale, national ser, national service

A Storyborad on Bob Brett MC (Military Cross), Platoon Commander - 1st tour, Troop Commander - 2nd tour. Nui Dat January 1969 - March 1970, May 1971 - August 1971. Service Number 217210. 5 RAR, 2 Squadron SASstoryboard, military cross, nui dat, bob brett, 5 rar, 2 squadron, sas

A coloured photograph of Bob Brett MC (Military Cross), holding a black and white photograph of himself in uniform. Platoon Commander - 1st tour, Troop Commander - 2nd tour. Nui Dat January 1969 - March 1970, May 1971 - August 1971. Service Number 217210. 5 RAR, 2 Squadron SASphotograph, bob brett, military cross, nui dat, behind the wire, 5 rar, 2 squadron, sas

Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white photograph of all aboriginal unit on paradeAttached to rear - Changing of the Guard at Wangaratta end of 1940 - J A Wright 1940no 9 camp wangaratta, ww2, aboriginal soldiers, 1940

Article One - Charge! - image of members of the aboriginal group carrying out a baton charge Article Two - Officer's Tribute - image of aborigines at Wangaratta carry out ceremony of changing of the guard Article Three - Two Australians - image of Shirley Anderson, 8, of Wangaratta frequently entertains Diggers, singing and dancing. She visits camp nearly every day to chat with guard on duty. Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Samuel Richard RANKIN VX48201 DOB 23/7/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Stewart HOOD VX47351 DOB 23/1/1903 Enlisted 18/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 William GORRIE VX48208 DOB 22/11/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 David John MULLETT VX48195 DOB 10/6/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Arthur Alexander (Tom?) MULLETT VX48198 DOB 25/11/1914 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Images relates to the "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria. In addition to normal army training they performed guard duty at the Army Hospital and Camp. They formed the Gum Leaf Band and led the troops at community singing and assisted in Methodist Church services. Three black and white newspaper articles adhered to cream paperWarrior Tradition Written in blue ink 28/12/1940no 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon

Photograph taken of 2nd Platoon on the banks of the Ovens River, Wangaratta. After completing training at Wangaratta they marched to the railway station headed by the Town Band prior to travelling to Broadmeadows Army Camp.Reproduction of black and white photograph of soldiers standing in two rows along riverbank lined with trees. There is a small white dog in foreground. Wangaratta's 2nd Platoon of Australia's New Army March 19161916, second platoon, wangaratta, ww1

WWII historical significancePlatoon photo of 30 men with their names on the photo1 Platoon 'C' Company, 2/14 Infantry Training Battalion. Writing on the back - to Cliff Hill with my compliments

More than likely used by members of Engineer Platoons etc. during WW2Length of chain with teeth used as a chainsaw in WW2? Comes with two wooden handles, one original with a brass band, and contained in a leather pouch with two belt loops.SN & DY 1C on the inside of the leather pouchchainsaw, ww2, world war 2, wwii, world war 11, engineers, wood cutting

Military Cross Citation; Military Cross; photographs x 2 This object relates to Douglas Ewart HARRIS. Douglas Ewart served in the Commander 11 Platoon 'B' COY The South Wales Borderers SRN 324910 before being discharged from duties as a Army Commissioned Lieutenant (LT). Douglas Ewart HARRIS was not a prisoner of war. Douglas Harris was awarded the Military Cross.collectables, ballarat rsl, ballarat

Two photographs on a page from an albumNo 9 Platoon 8th A.I.F. Mena camp Cairo Egypt Feb 1915 No 9 Platoon bivouac on the Suez canal feb 1915ww1, world war 1, soldiers, camp, bivouac, february, 1915, a.i.f., australia, mena, suez canal, egypt

Two photographs on a page from an albumno 9 platoon 8th a.i.f. in the trenches on the Suez canal Ismailia Feb 1915 no 9 platoon 8th a.i.f. in the trenches on the Suez canal Ismailia Feb 1915 world war 1, anzac, ww1, soldiers, australian, australian imperial force, 8th aif, 1915, trenches, suez canal, ismailia

Captured by 2/6 BN Signals in Benghazi Libya in February 1941Captured by 2/6 BN Signals in Benghazi Libya in February 1941Captured Italian Fascist flag mad of green, white and red cotton with black felt tip pen inscriptions on its white stripe." Taken at Bengasi Libya February 1941 By 2/6 BN. Signals VX3810 W.R. ANDERSON VX5124 CPL F. THOMPSON VX9552 O. HUTCHINS VX14051 Sig D.S. Beckwith VX 3900 RON. MERRY VX2418 R.F. PAIGE A. CLARKE VX3530 W.D. Whipp VX11631 Adelaide H.G. HOWARD VX1134 H.T. FRANCIS VX 5095 E. MOLESWORTH VX 14605 BRUNSWICK V. LUNN VX 3412 GEELONG WX 3588 X.A. HIGGINS VX 5037 S.A. PEMBERTON A.A.S. CAMERON GEELONG VX 4498 T. DOWNS VX15556 T.C. PETERSEN VX3661 B.W. SULLIVAN CARLTON PTE A.LONGHEED VX7589 St. Arnaud I.M. Cunningham VX 8416 ww2, 2/6 battalion, signals platoon, wark vc club

Presented to the Wark VC club by the now company CSM. Several members of the company are in the photo.Square, wooden frame containing a photo of 40 members of the Army, 3 civilians, 2 police officers and 2 police dogs. At the base of the frame is an engraved brass plaque.Presented to Wark VC Club from Lt Ebert & Sgt Condon

Agray colour cover with red details. there are seven punch holes down the left hand side. Also there are two rusty staples down the left hand side. At the top of the booklet the name Sgt Hodder is written in black ink.australia - armed forces - service manuals, drill manual, infantry training, infantry platoon weapons, fieldcraft, sgt hodder