About
Biography
The 2/3rd Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Raised for service during the Second World War as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF), it was formed in October 1939 in Sydney and was attached to the 16th Brigade, 6th Division, the first formation raised as part of the 2nd AIF during the war. Deploying to the Middle East in early 1940, it saw action in North Africa, Greece, Crete, and Syria in 1941–1942 before returning to Australia following Japan's entry into the war, and was one of only two Australian infantry battalions to fight against all the major Axis powers of the war: the Germans, Italians, Japanese and Vichy French. In 1942–1943, the battalion took part in fighting along the Kokoda Track before returning to Australia where it spent over a year training and being rebuilt. In December 1944, the 2/3rd returned to New Guinea to take part in the Aitape–Wewak campaign and remained there until the war ended. Following the end of hostilities, the battalion was disbanded on 8 February 1946 in Brisbane. The battalion's battle honours are perpetuated by the Royal New South Wales Regiment.
Events
- North Africa Campaign 1940-41
- Battle of Bardia
- Capture of Tobruk
- Syria 1941
- Greece 1941
- South West Pacific 1942-45
- Kokoda Trail Campaign
- Aitape-Wewak Campaign
- Liberation of Australian New Guinea
Battle Honours
- Bardia 1941
- Buna-Gona
- But-Dagua
- Capture ofTobruk
- Damascus 1941
- Damour
- Dimas
- Eora Creek-Templetons Crossing II
- Hawain River
- Kokoda Trail
- Mount Olympus
- Nambut Ridge
- Oivi-Gorari
- Sanananda Road
- Syria 1941
- Tempe Gorge
Descendants Group
The 2/3rd Battalion Descendants Group exists for descendants to stay connected and to have the freedom to participate in commemorative events through out the year so that the memory of the 2/3rd battalion men can be honoured and not forgotten. This website has been created to give the 2/3rd Battalion an online presence and to honour the legacy of those who served in the Battalion. Feel free to contact us and please check out our Facebook page.