2/8th Armoured Regiment (Australia)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=2/8th Armoured Regiment


caption=
dates=1941-1944
country=Australia
allegiance=
branch=Australian Army
type=Armoured
role=
size=
command_structure=
garrison=
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patron=
motto=
colors=
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march=
mascot=
equipment=M3 Stuart and M3 Grant tanks
equipment_label=
battles=
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=
commander1=
commander1_label=
commander2=
commander2_label=
commander3=
commander3_label=
notable_commanders=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label=
aircraft_attack=
aircraft_bomber=
aircraft_electronic=
aircraft_fighter=
aircraft_interceptor=
aircraft_patrol=
aircraft_recon=
aircraft_trainer=
aircraft_transport=The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was an Australian Army armoured regiment of World War II. The Regiment was formed in July 1941 and was disbanded in February 1944.

History

The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was formed in July 1941 as part of the 2nd Armoured Brigade of the 1st Armoured Division. The regiment was initially located at Puckapunyal, Victoria and was equipped with Universal Carriers for training purposes. In May 1942 the regiment was equipped with M3 Grant tanks and moved to Narrabri, New South Wales. During its time at Narrabri one of the regiment's three armoured squadrons was re-equipped with M3 Stuart light tanks.

From 15 November 1942 the 2nd Armoured Brigade and the 2/8th Armoured Regiment formed part of the 3rd Armoured Division. The regiment was separated from its brigade in April 1943 and deployed to New Guinea where it took over the 2/6th Armoured Regiment's tanks. The regiment's role was confined to the defence of major Australia bases and it did not see any action.

The 2/8th Armoured Regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and was disbanded. The regiment's personnel formed the nucleus of the 41st, 42nd and 43rd Landing Craft Companies which supported Australian forces in the South West Pacific until the end of the war.

References

* Paul Handel (2003). "Dust, Sand & Jungle: A History of Australian Armour During Training and Operations, 1927-1948". RAAC Memorial and Army Tank Museum.
* Major General R.N. Hopkins (Retired) (1978). "Australian Armour. A History of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps 1927-1972". Australian Government Publishing Service.
* Australian-armour.com [http://www.australian-armour.com/2-8AAR.html 2nd/8th Australian Armoured Regiment] . Accessed 30 September 2007.