2/6th Independent Company (Australia)

2/6th Independent Company (Australia)

The 2/6th Independent Company (Australia) was one of eight independent or commando companies of the Australian Army and was raised in May 1942 during World War II.

Formation & Training

The 2/6th Independent Company was formed in May 1942 at the Guerilla Warfare School at No. 7 Infantry Training Centre at Tidal River, on Wilson's Promontory in Victoria. The training centres terrain consisted of a number of high rugged mountains, swift streams and swamps.

Papua

In early August 1942, the 2/6th sailed for Port Moresby. Originally set to have then been flown to Wau, to reinforce the 2/5th Independent Company, however the 2/6th was sent to the Kokoda Track to help the deteriorating situation along the track. Placed under the command of the 7th Division’s headquarters, and moved to Mount Eirama as the divisional reserve. As the situation along the track continued to worsen, the 2/6th moved to cover the Goldie River Valley to block any Imperial Japanese outflanking manoeuvre. Patrols were undertaken through the Yodda Valley, the jungle tracks around Esau Creek and Brown River and along Engineer Road in support of Honner Force.

On 14 October 1942, the 2/6th was flown from 14-Mile Drome across the mountains to Wanigela Airfield, Wangiela. From Wanigela the company moved to Pongani. With the offensive started in the Battle of Buna-Gona, the 2/6th patrolled in front of the United States Army's 126th Infantry Regiment’s, 3rd Battalion along the coast from Pongani to Buna. Arriving at the front line at Buna on 20 November 1942, the 2/6th was engaged in the heavy fighting around the airfield named New Strip until the early December 1942. In mid December, the 2/6th was withdrawn to Soputa and then Port Moresby.

The 2/6th returned to Australia in March 1943 and after some leave, reassembled at the army’s jungle warfare centre at Canugra, Queensland. The independent companies, 2/6th, along with the 2/3rd Independent Company and 2/5th Independent Company were brought together to form the 2/7th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment.

References

* [http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_13317second_world_war.asp Australian War Memorial Unit Details - 2/6th Independent Company]


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