2/9th Armoured Regiment (Australia)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=2/9th Armoured Regiment


caption=A 2/9th Armoured Regiment Matilda II firing its three inch howitzer at Japanese positions during the Battle of Tarakan
dates=1941-1945
country=Australia
allegiance=
branch=Australian Army
type=Armoured
role=
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command_structure=
garrison=
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equipment=M3 Stuart, M3 Grant and Matilda II tanks
equipment_label=
battles=
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commander1=
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commander2=
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commander3=
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identification_symbol=
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identification_symbol_2=
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aircraft_attack=
aircraft_bomber=
aircraft_electronic=
aircraft_fighter=
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aircraft_patrol=
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aircraft_transport=The 2/9th Armoured Regiment was an Australian Army armoured regiment of World War II. The Regiment was formed in August 1941 and was disbanded in August 1945 after seeing action in the Borneo Campaign.

History

The 2/9th Armoured Regiment was formed in August 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.

From 15 November 1942 the 2nd Armoured Brigade and the 2/9th Armoured Regiment formed part of the 3rd Armoured Division. However, the 2/9th was transferred to the new independent 4th Armoured Brigade in February 1943. As part of this brigade the regiment undertook training in joint infantry-tank tactics and was re-equipped with Matilda II tanks in early 1944.

In March 1945 the 2/9th Armoured Regiment embarked for Morotai in the Netherlands East Indies. The regiment was attached to the 9th Division during the Borneo Campaign to provide this division with armoured support. The first element of the regiment to see action was 'C' Squadron, which supported the 26th Brigade during the Battle of Tarakan in May and June. The remainder of the regiment landed with the 9th Division at Brunei and Labuan during Operation Oboe Six in June. The 2/9th Armoured Regiment was disbanded in August 1945.

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/2-9th%20AAR.html 2nd/9th Australian Armoured Regiment] . Accessed 30 September 2007.