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<li id="toc-Formation" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Formation"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.1</span> <span>Formation</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Formation-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-First_actions:_North_Africa,_1941" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#First_actions:_North_Africa,_1941"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.2</span> <span>First actions: North Africa, 1941</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-First_actions:_North_Africa,_1941-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Reverses_in_Greece_and_Crete,_1941" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Reverses_in_Greece_and_Crete,_1941"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.3</span> <span>Reverses in Greece and Crete, 1941</span> </div> </a> <ul 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href="#Fighting_in_New_Guinea,_1942–1943"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.6</span> <span>Fighting in New Guinea, 1942–1943</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Fighting_in_New_Guinea,_1942–1943-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Final_campaign:_Aitape–Wewak,_1944–1945" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Final_campaign:_Aitape–Wewak,_1944–1945"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.7</span> <span>Final campaign: Aitape–Wewak, 1944–1945</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Final_campaign:_Aitape–Wewak,_1944–1945-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Disbandment" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Disbandment"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.8</span> <span>Disbandment</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Disbandment-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li 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Click here for more information." src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/94/Symbol_support_vote.svg/19px-Symbol_support_vote.svg.png" decoding="async" width="19" height="20" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/94/Symbol_support_vote.svg/29px-Symbol_support_vote.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/94/Symbol_support_vote.svg/39px-Symbol_support_vote.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="180" data-file-height="185" /></a></span></div></div> </div> <div id="siteSub" class="noprint">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</div> </div> <div id="contentSub"><div id="mw-content-subtitle"></div></div> <div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Former infantry battalion of the Australian Army</div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236090951">.mw-parser-output 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screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme)>div:not(.notheme)[style]{background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme) div:not(.notheme){background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media(min-width:640px){body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table{display:table!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>caption{display:table-caption!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>tbody{display:table-row-group}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table tr{display:table-row!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table th,body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table td{padding-left:inherit;padding-right:inherit}}</style><table class="infobox" style="width:25.5em;border-spacing:2px;"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above" style="background-color:#C3D6EF;color:inherit;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;font-size:110%;">2/3rd Battalion</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image" style="text-align:center;border-bottom:1px solid #aaa;line-height:1.5em;"><span class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Frameless"><a href="/wiki/File:Australian_2-3_Bn_memorial_service_New_Guinea_1945_(AWM_098631).jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="Soldiers formed up around a parade ground" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Australian_2-3_Bn_memorial_service_New_Guinea_1945_%28AWM_098631%29.jpg/220px-Australian_2-3_Bn_memorial_service_New_Guinea_1945_%28AWM_098631%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="156" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Australian_2-3_Bn_memorial_service_New_Guinea_1945_%28AWM_098631%29.jpg/330px-Australian_2-3_Bn_memorial_service_New_Guinea_1945_%28AWM_098631%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Australian_2-3_Bn_memorial_service_New_Guinea_1945_%28AWM_098631%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="434" data-file-height="308" /></a></span><div class="infobox-caption">Members of the 2/3rd Battalion during a memorial service held for members of the unit who were killed in the Aitape–Wewak campaign</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Active</th><td class="infobox-data">24 October 1939 – 8 February 1946</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Country</th><td class="infobox-data">Australia</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Branch</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Australian_Army" title="Australian Army">Australian Army</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Type</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Infantry" title="Infantry">Infantry</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Size</th><td class="infobox-data">~800–900 men<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>Note 1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Part of</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/16th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="16th Brigade (Australia)">16th Brigade</a>, <a href="/wiki/6th_Division_(Australia)" title="6th Division (Australia)">6th Division</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Colours</th><td class="infobox-data">Brown over green</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Engagements</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Second_World_War" class="mw-redirect" title="Second World War">Second World War</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/North_African_campaign" title="North African campaign">North African campaign</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Greece" class="mw-redirect" title="Battle of Greece">Greece</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Crete" title="Battle of Crete">Crete</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Syria-Lebanon_Campaign" class="mw-redirect" title="Syria-Lebanon Campaign">Syrian campaign</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kokoda_Track_campaign" title="Kokoda Track campaign">Kokoda Track campaign</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Aitape%E2%80%93Wewak_campaign" title="Aitape–Wewak campaign">Aitape–Wewak campaign</a></li></ul> </td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color:#C3D6EF;color:inherit;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;font-size:110%;">Insignia</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;"><a href="/wiki/Unit_colour_patch" class="mw-redirect" title="Unit colour patch">Unit colour patch</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:2-3rd_Bn_6th_Div_2nd_AIF_v2.png" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="A two-toned rectangular organisational symbol" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/2-3rd_Bn_6th_Div_2nd_AIF_v2.png/100px-2-3rd_Bn_6th_Div_2nd_AIF_v2.png" decoding="async" width="100" height="58" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/2-3rd_Bn_6th_Div_2nd_AIF_v2.png/150px-2-3rd_Bn_6th_Div_2nd_AIF_v2.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/2-3rd_Bn_6th_Div_2nd_AIF_v2.png/200px-2-3rd_Bn_6th_Div_2nd_AIF_v2.png 2x" data-file-width="234" data-file-height="135" /></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Military unit</div> <p>The <b>2/3rd Battalion</b> was an <a href="/wiki/Infantry" title="Infantry">infantry</a> <a href="/wiki/Battalion" title="Battalion">battalion</a> of the <a href="/wiki/Australian_Army" title="Australian Army">Australian Army</a>. Raised for service during the <a href="/wiki/Second_World_War" class="mw-redirect" title="Second World War">Second World War</a> as part of the <a href="/wiki/Second_Australian_Imperial_Force" title="Second Australian Imperial Force">Second Australian Imperial Force</a> (2nd AIF), it was formed in October 1939 in Sydney and was attached to the <a href="/wiki/16th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="16th Brigade (Australia)">16th Brigade</a>, <a href="/wiki/6th_Division_(Australia)" title="6th Division (Australia)">6th Division</a>, 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 <a href="/wiki/North_African_campaign" title="North African campaign">North Africa</a>, <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Greece" class="mw-redirect" title="Battle of Greece">Greece</a>, <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Crete" title="Battle of Crete">Crete</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Syria-Lebanon_Campaign" class="mw-redirect" title="Syria-Lebanon Campaign">Syria</a> 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 <a href="/wiki/Vichy_France" title="Vichy France">Vichy French</a>. </p><p>In 1942–1943, the battalion took part in fighting along the <a href="/wiki/Kokoda_Track_campaign" title="Kokoda Track campaign">Kokoda Track</a> 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 <a href="/wiki/Aitape%E2%80%93Wewak_campaign" title="Aitape–Wewak campaign">Aitape–Wewak campaign</a> and remained there until the war ended. Following the end of hostilities, the battalion was disbanded on 8 February 1946 in <a href="/wiki/Brisbane,_Queensland" class="mw-redirect" title="Brisbane, Queensland">Brisbane</a>. The battalion's <a href="/wiki/Battle_honour" title="Battle honour">battle honours</a> are perpetuated by the <a href="/wiki/Royal_New_South_Wales_Regiment" title="Royal New South Wales Regiment">Royal New South Wales Regiment</a>. </p> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r886046785">.mw-parser-output .toclimit-2 .toclevel-1 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-3 .toclevel-2 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-4 .toclevel-3 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-5 .toclevel-4 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-6 .toclevel-5 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-7 .toclevel-6 ul{display:none}</style><div class="toclimit-2"><meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: History"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Formation">Formation</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Formation"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Upon the outbreak of the <a href="/wiki/Second_World_War" class="mw-redirect" title="Second World War">Second World War</a> the Australian government decided to raise an all-volunteer force for service overseas, due to the provisions of the <i>Defence Act (1903)</i> which restricted the deployment of the part-time <a href="/wiki/Australian_Army_Reserve" title="Australian Army Reserve">Militia</a> to only those areas considered to be Australian territory. This force was known as the <a href="/wiki/Second_Australian_Imperial_Force" title="Second Australian Imperial Force">Second Australian Imperial Force</a> (2nd AIF), and the <a href="/wiki/6th_Division_(Australia)" title="6th Division (Australia)">6th Division</a> was the first to be raised.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston20075–6_4-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston20075–6-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> As a unit of this formation, the 2/3rd Battalion was formed at <a href="/wiki/Victoria_Barracks,_Sydney" title="Victoria Barracks, Sydney">Victoria Barracks</a>, Sydney, on 24 October 1939.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Along with the <a href="/wiki/2/1st_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/1st Battalion (Australia)">2/1st</a>, <a href="/wiki/2/2nd_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/2nd Battalion (Australia)">2/2nd</a> and <a href="/wiki/2/4th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/4th Battalion (Australia)">2/4th Battalions</a>, the 2/3rd<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>Note 2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> was assigned to the <a href="/wiki/16th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="16th Brigade (Australia)">16th Brigade</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift19801_8-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift19801-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Although initially the infantry battalions of the 6th Division adopted the Australian battalion structure of two rifle companies, a support company, a light machine gun <a href="/wiki/Platoon" title="Platoon">platoon</a> and an administrative headquarters, they soon switched to the British structure with four rifle <a href="/wiki/Company_(military_unit)" title="Company (military unit)">companies</a> – each consisting of three platoons with three <a href="/wiki/Section_(military_unit)" title="Section (military unit)">sections</a> – and a headquarters company consisting of signals, carrier, <a href="/wiki/Pioneer_(military)" title="Pioneer (military)">pioneer</a>, anti-aircraft, transport, administrative and <a href="/wiki/Mortar_(weapon)" title="Mortar (weapon)">mortar</a> platoons.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston20083_9-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston20083-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong195252_10-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong195252-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The battalion's first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Vivian England, an officer who had fought in the <a href="/wiki/First_World_War" class="mw-redirect" title="First World War">First World War</a> and had continued to serve in the Militia after the war, commanding the <a href="/wiki/55th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="55th Battalion (Australia)">55th Battalion</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift19801_8-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift19801-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Personnel for the battalion were raised from an area around <a href="/wiki/New_South_Wales" title="New South Wales">New South Wales</a> that is known by the Aboriginal name of "The Werriwa". This area is bounded by a line from Sydney to <a href="/wiki/Bega,_New_South_Wales" title="Bega, New South Wales">Bega</a> in the south, and from Bega, west to the <a href="/wiki/Snowy_Mountains" title="Snowy Mountains">Snowy Mountains</a>, <a href="/wiki/Cooma,_New_South_Wales" class="mw-redirect" title="Cooma, New South Wales">Cooma</a>, <a href="/wiki/Canberra" title="Canberra">Canberra</a>, <a href="/wiki/Yass,_New_South_Wales" title="Yass, New South Wales">Yass</a>, then north to Sydney through the <a href="/wiki/Goulburn,_New_South_Wales" class="mw-redirect" title="Goulburn, New South Wales">Goulburn</a> and <a href="/wiki/Liverpool,_New_South_Wales" title="Liverpool, New South Wales">Liverpool</a> areas. The men were enlisted from 20 October onwards, and by 3 November 1939 the battalion was formed.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift19801–3_11-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift19801–3-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The colours chosen for the <a href="/wiki/Unit_colour_patch" class="mw-redirect" title="Unit colour patch">unit colour patch</a> (UCP) were the same as those of the <a href="/wiki/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)" title="3rd Battalion (Australia)">3rd Battalion</a>, a unit which had served during the First World War before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were chocolate over green, in a horizontal rectangle, although a 3 mm border of gray was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart, which would also go on to serve with distinction during the war.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEInfantry_Battalions_of_the_2nd_AIF_12-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEInfantry_Battalions_of_the_2nd_AIF-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDennis_et_al1995168_13-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEDennis_et_al1995168-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Following a brief period of training at Liverpool and <a href="/wiki/Ingleburn,_New_South_Wales" title="Ingleburn, New South Wales">Ingleburn</a>, the battalion took part in a farewell march through Sydney.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift198016_14-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift198016-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The <i>Sydney Morning Herald</i> of 4 January 1940 gave an account of their farewell march: "The long khaki columns thrilled the hearts of Sydney as it had not been so moved for a quarter of a century since that still, spring day in 1914 when the first A.I.F. marched through the same streets on its way to Anzac and imperishable glory; the marching was magnificent."<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift198016_14-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift198016-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Afterwards, the battalion sailed in the first troop convoy to leave Australia on 9–10 January 1940, embarking upon the transport <a href="/wiki/SS_Orcades_(1936)" title="SS Orcades (1936)"><i>Orcades</i></a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPearson19988_15-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPearson19988-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAWM52_8/3/3/2:_January_1940_16-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAWM52_8/3/3/2:_January_1940-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They disembarked at <a href="/wiki/El_Kantara" title="El Kantara">El Kantara</a> on the <a href="/wiki/Suez_Canal" title="Suez Canal">Suez Canal</a> on 14 February 1940,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and from there they were trucked to their camp at <a href="/wiki/Julis" title="Julis">Julis</a> in <a href="/wiki/Palestine_(region)" title="Palestine (region)">Palestine</a>, where they undertook further training.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift198024_17-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift198024-17"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="First_actions:_North_Africa,_1941"><span id="First_actions:_North_Africa.2C_1941"></span>First actions: North Africa, 1941</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: First actions: North Africa, 1941"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-left" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Bardia_AWM006083.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="Soldiers wearing greatcoats and steel helmets with fixed bayonets run past whitewashed buildings damaged by shellfire" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Bardia_AWM006083.jpg/220px-Bardia_AWM006083.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="157" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Bardia_AWM006083.jpg/330px-Bardia_AWM006083.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Bardia_AWM006083.jpg/440px-Bardia_AWM006083.jpg 2x" data-file-width="640" data-file-height="457" /></a><figcaption>Troops from the 6th Division enter Bardia, January 1941</figcaption></figure> <p>The first engagement that Australian troops were involved in during the Second World War came at <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Bardia" title="Battle of Bardia">Bardia</a>, a major Italian military outpost in the north of <a href="/wiki/Libya" title="Libya">Libya</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston200832_18-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston200832-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The 16th Brigade broke through Bardia's western defensive perimeter at dawn on 3 January 1941, when the 2/1st Battalion breached the wire defences and swung left before advancing. The 2/2nd Battalion followed suit, swinging to the right, and the 2/3rd then moved straight through the breach. Late in the day, a counter-attack by Italian tanks threatened the 2/3rd Battalion's headquarters, until a hastily organised defensive action led by the commanding officer, England, and a platoon of anti-tank guns restored the situation.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPratten200995_19-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPratten200995-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Meanwhile, the <a href="/wiki/17th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="17th Brigade (Australia)">17th Brigade</a> led a diversion to the south. Although the 16th Brigade was able to capture Bardia in the late afternoon of 4 January, resistance continued, and fighting did not cease until the next morning. Over 40,000 Italians were captured along with significant amounts of equipment and material – including food and ammunition – which was in short supply.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMaitland200233_20-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMaitland200233-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>18<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> A significant amount of alcohol was also captured by the Australians in Italian dugouts inside the 2/3rd's position around Wadi-el-Ghereida.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEStockings2009168_21-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEStockings2009168-21"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> During this period, the 2/3rd lost five officers and 56 men killed or wounded.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952203_22-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952203-22"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>20<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>After this, the Allied forces advanced to the fortified naval outpost of <a href="/wiki/Tobruk" title="Tobruk">Tobruk</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952207_23-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952207-23"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>21<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The 6th Division attacked the perimeter defences early on 21 January, following a week of continuous bombardment from both land and sea. The 2/3rd Battalion was tasked with breaching the outer Italian defences for the 2/1st Battalion to pass through.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952216_24-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952216-24"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>22<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Following the initial breakthrough, the 2/3rd then advanced west along the inner ring of defences, attacking a number of Italian posts as they went.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952224_25-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952224-25"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>23<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Tobruk fell the next day, with the Italians surrendering to Brigadier <a href="/wiki/Horace_Robertson" title="Horace Robertson">Horace Robertson</a>, the commander of the <a href="/wiki/19th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="19th Brigade (Australia)">19th Brigade</a>. The Italian flag was taken down and in the absence of an Australian flag, a signaler from the 2/4th Battalion tied his <a href="/wiki/Slouch_hat" title="Slouch hat">slouch hat</a> to the flag staff and hauled it up to the top.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952237_26-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952237-26"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>24<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The battalion's losses during the fighting for Tobruk were seven officers and 50 men killed or wounded.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952238_27-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952238-27"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>25<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Following the capture of the town, the 2/3rd garrisoned Tobruk, although B Company was detached to the 19th Brigade for its assault on <a href="/wiki/Derna,_Libya" title="Derna, Libya">Derna</a>, and remained there after its capture on 30 January.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Prime Minister <a href="/wiki/Robert_Menzies" title="Robert Menzies">Robert Menzies</a> interrupted his journey from Australia to England to address the troops after the capture of Tobruk.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFreudenberg2008251_28-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFreudenberg2008251-28"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>26<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> On 7 March 1941, the battalion left Tobruk, along with the rest of the 6th Division, to bolster the Allied defences in <a href="/wiki/Greece" title="Greece">Greece</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> On the eve of the battalion's next campaign, Lieutenant Colonel Donald Lamb assumed command from England, who had been criticised for his handling of the battalion during the fighting around Bardia.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPratten200995_&_323_29-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPratten200995_&_323-29"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>27<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Reverses_in_Greece_and_Crete,_1941"><span id="Reverses_in_Greece_and_Crete.2C_1941"></span>Reverses in Greece and Crete, 1941</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Reverses in Greece and Crete, 1941"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>On 18 March 1941, the 2/3rd Battalion sailed from <a href="/wiki/Alexandria" title="Alexandria">Alexandria</a> aboard <a href="/wiki/HMS_Gloucester_(62)" title="HMS Gloucester (62)">HMS <i>Gloucester</i></a>, arriving in Greece and landing in the port of Piraeus on the following day,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> after a 22-hour voyage during which their convoy had been attacked numerous times by Axis aircraft.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980119_30-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980119-30"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>28<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> After the <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Greece" class="mw-redirect" title="Battle of Greece">invasion of the country</a> on 6 April, they were moved north to attempt to turn back the German forces. The following day they occupied Veria,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and on 12 April the 6th Division was grouped together with the <a href="/wiki/2nd_Division_(New_Zealand)" class="mw-redirect" title="2nd Division (New Zealand)">2nd New Zealand Division</a> and a lone British brigade to form an Anzac Corps.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980123_31-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980123-31"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>29<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> This formation did not last long, however, as the Greek government requested Allied forces withdraw from Greece on 16 April before ceasing organised resistance on 18 April.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980135_32-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980135-32"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>30<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Due to a series of withdrawals elsewhere, the battalion was forced to pull back from its positions at Veria and did not come into contact with the Germans until 18 April when they attempted to block passage of the Tempe Gorge. Fighting alongside the 2/2nd Battalion and New Zealanders, the rearguard action was successful and enabled the Allies to withdraw to the south.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Brigadier <a href="/wiki/Arthur_Samuel_Allen" class="mw-redirect" title="Arthur Samuel Allen">Arthur Allen</a>, commander of the 16th Brigade, later wrote of this encounter: "it was a fantastic battle. Everyone was on top, with no time to dig in, and all in the front line, including artillery, Bren carriers and infantry, as well as headquarters, with transport only yards in the rear. Some confusion could be expected in the circumstances, with every weapon firing and aircraft almost continually strafing from above. If you saw it in the cinema you would say the author had never seen battle."<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980139–140_33-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980139–140-33"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>31<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>With the Germans enjoying numerical superiority on the ground, and with the <a href="/wiki/Luftwaffe" title="Luftwaffe">Luftwaffe</a> in total control of the skies, they then captured the township of Tempe. Although fierce rearguard fighting continued while the Australian and New Zealand forces withdrew to a new defensive line at <a href="/wiki/Thermopylae" title="Thermopylae">Thermopylae</a>, the situation deteriorated. An official evacuation plan was issued on 21 April, and on 25 April – <a href="/wiki/Anzac_Day" title="Anzac Day">Anzac Day</a> – parties of evacuating Allied troops marched through <a href="/wiki/Athens" title="Athens">Athens</a> on their way to the coast.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980145_34-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980145-34"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>32<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The 2/3rd Battalion embarked from <a href="/wiki/Kalamata" title="Kalamata">Kalamata</a> on 27 April.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The 2/3rd's casualties during the campaign amounted to 14 killed, 31 wounded and 62 captured.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008243_35-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008243-35"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>33<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>While the majority of the 2/3rd Battalion was successfully evacuated to Egypt, a small force of 141 men were evacuated to the island of <a href="/wiki/Crete" title="Crete">Crete</a> instead, after the transport ship they were on was sunk. Having formed the rearguard during the withdrawal from Greece, they had embarked separately from the main body, being taken aboard the <i>Costa Rica</i>. During the voyage to Alexandria, the transport had been attacked by German aircraft, and as it sank, they were ordered to abandon ship. After being rescued by Royal Navy destroyers, the troops were transported to Crete, where they were formed into a composite battalion with men from other units of the 16th Brigade, and together the unit became known as the 16th Brigade Composite Battalion.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>With only limited small arms and ammunition they moved to positions above Kalives on the shores of <a href="/wiki/Suda_Bay" class="mw-redirect" title="Suda Bay">Suda Bay</a> to undertake garrison duties in anticipation of a German attack on the island.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980164_36-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980164-36"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>34<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Following the <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Crete" title="Battle of Crete">German invasion</a> on 20 May 1941, some of these troops saw direct action against German paratroopers. After the Allied evacuation from the island a week later, they undertook active patrols around the island before being evacuated on 31 May 1941 aboard <a href="/wiki/HMS_Phoebe_(43)" title="HMS Phoebe (43)">HMS <i>Phoebe</i></a>. They arrived in Alexandria on 1 June 1941.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980168_37-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980168-37"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>35<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Two 2/3rd Battalion men were killed during the fighting on Crete, and one was wounded. Fifty became prisoners of war.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008243_35-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008243-35"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>33<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Meanwhile, the rest of the battalion had concentrated in Palestine, where it was rebuilt in advance of its next campaign.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Securing_Syria_and_Lebanon,_1941–1942"><span id="Securing_Syria_and_Lebanon.2C_1941.E2.80.931942"></span>Securing Syria and Lebanon, 1941–1942</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Securing Syria and Lebanon, 1941–1942"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:AWM_023150_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_in_Syria_1942.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="Men clearing snow with shovels" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/AWM_023150_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_in_Syria_1942.jpg/220px-AWM_023150_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_in_Syria_1942.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/AWM_023150_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_in_Syria_1942.jpg/330px-AWM_023150_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_in_Syria_1942.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/AWM_023150_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_in_Syria_1942.jpg/440px-AWM_023150_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_in_Syria_1942.jpg 2x" data-file-width="636" data-file-height="424" /></a><figcaption>Troops from the 2/3rd clearing snow in Syria, January 1942</figcaption></figure> <p>Australian troops from the <a href="/wiki/7th_Division_(Australia)" title="7th Division (Australia)">7th Division</a> were already fighting in the <a href="/wiki/Syria-Lebanon_Campaign" class="mw-redirect" title="Syria-Lebanon Campaign">Syria–Lebanon Campaign</a> when the re-formed 2/3rd Battalion, along with the <a href="/wiki/2/5th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/5th Battalion (Australia)">2/5th Battalion</a> and the <a href="/wiki/6th_Division_Cavalry_Regiment_(Australia)" class="mw-redirect" title="6th Division Cavalry Regiment (Australia)">6th Division Cavalry Regiment</a>, were committed as reinforcements, to help bring the 7th Division up to strength.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953335–336_38-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953335–336-38"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>36<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In a bitter campaign that lasted 28 days, <a href="/wiki/Vichy_France" title="Vichy France">Vichy French</a> forces attempted to resist the Allied invasion, which had been launched to deny the Germans the use of Vichy territory to launch attacks against Egypt. Against a modest Allied force with only limited armour and artillery, the well-equipped French force outnumbered the attackers and had the advantage of holding the mountainous terrain.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008106–107_39-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008106–107-39"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>37<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980191_40-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980191-40"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>38<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Having contributed a company to garrison duties around <a href="/wiki/Sidon" title="Sidon">Sidon</a> in Lebanon, and provided 100 men to help re-form the shattered 2/1st Battalion,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953336_41-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953336-41"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>39<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> the 2/3rd was understrength – consisting of only 21 officers and 385 other ranks<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953419_42-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953419-42"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>40<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> – when it entrained at Majdal in Palestine on 18 June 1941 to join the campaign.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMaitland2002118_43-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMaitland2002118-43"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>41<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Initially, after arriving from Palestine, the battalion was committed to forming a block on the road between Damascus and Deraa; they were later committed to an attack to sever the Beirut road around Mezze, as part of wider fighting around <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Damascus_(1941)" title="Battle of Damascus (1941)">Damascus</a> on 20–21 June. On the evening of 20 June, the battalion advanced to help relieve the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade which had become surrounded, and during a series of confused night-time actions, captured several forts to the west of Mezze.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJames2017256–259_44-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJames2017256–259-44"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>42<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> After a French counterattack on Fort Sarrail, most of the battalion's headquarters company was briefly captured, including the 2/3rd's commanding officer, Lamb, who was wounded in the action. An Australian counterattack early on 21 June freed the captured personnel, though, and together with a successful defensive action in the Barada Gorge, helped force the Vichy defenders in Damascus to surrender.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTECoulthard-Clark1998192–193_45-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTECoulthard-Clark1998192–193-45"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>43<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953419–426_46-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953419–426-46"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>44<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The following week, with Major <a href="/wiki/John_Rowlstone_Stevenson" title="John Rowlstone Stevenson">John Stevenson</a>, the battalion's second-in-command, in charge, the 2/3rd was transferred to the British 16th Brigade. Operating with British and Indian forces on the right flank, the 2/3rd launched an unsuccessful action at Jebel Mazar on 24–28 June, where they were tasked with capturing the high ground overlooking the main road, along which the Australians were advancing.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953430–439_47-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953430–439-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980193–223_48-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980193–223-48"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>46<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>After this, the battalion came under command of the re-formed 17th Brigade, which was reconstituted to bring the 7th Division up to full strength as it operated along the coast.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDennis_et_al1995581_49-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEDennis_et_al1995581-49"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>47<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Despite being well below strength – consisting of just two companies with a total of 300 men<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953300_50-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953300-50"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>48<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> – it joined the fighting at <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Damour" title="Battle of Damour">Damour</a> on 6–10 July,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> advancing along the Darmour River and leading the 17th Brigade's advance.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953491_51-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953491-51"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>49<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Amidst heavy fighting the Allied forces slowly advanced simultaneously along the coast and inland, finally overcoming the Vichy French defences.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDennis_et_al1995578–581_52-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEDennis_et_al1995578–581-52"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>50<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Following the armistice on 14 July, the troops remained in Syria until January 1942 preparing defences and undertaking other garrison duties.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The battalion's casualties during the short campaign amounted to 16 killed and 77 wounded.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008243_35-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008243-35"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>33<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Garrison_duties_in_Ceylon,_1942"><span id="Garrison_duties_in_Ceylon.2C_1942"></span>Garrison duties in Ceylon, 1942</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Garrison duties in Ceylon, 1942"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Following Japan's entry into the war in December 1941 the decision was made to bring the 6th Division back to bolster the Allied defences in the Pacific, and the 2/3rd Battalion left the Middle East on 10 March 1942,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> aboard the steamer <i>Orontes</i>. The original intention was that they would be sent to reinforce <a href="/wiki/Java" title="Java">Java</a>;<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980268_53-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980268-53"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>51<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> however, while they were at sea concerns about a Japanese attack on <a href="/wiki/Ceylon" class="mw-redirect" title="Ceylon">Ceylon</a> (now Sri Lanka) prompted the diversion of the 16th and 17th Brigades to <a href="/wiki/Colombo" title="Colombo">Colombo</a>, and they arrived there on 21 March. The freighter <i>Ben Rennies</i>, carrying the battalion's vehicles, arrived shortly afterwards and the 2/3rd took up defensive positions in the southeast part of the island, which was considered to be the most likely location for a Japanese invasion force to land.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980268_53-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980268-53"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>51<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On 5 April, a Japanese naval force sortied from the recently captured <a href="/wiki/Andaman_Islands" title="Andaman Islands">Andaman Islands</a> and launched a series of attacks by carrier-based aircraft on Colombo and <a href="/wiki/Trincomalee" title="Trincomalee">Trincomalee</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTERoskill1998187_54-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTERoskill1998187-54"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>52<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Another attack occurred on 9 April.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980268_53-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980268-53"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>51<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Little damage was done on land, but both the British and Australian navies suffered losses.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980269_55-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980269-55"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>53<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Regardless, the Japanese failed to sustain their initial momentum and the expected invasion did not occur. Nevertheless, men from the 2/3rd Battalion were kept busy for the remainder of their time preparing defences, manning anti-aircraft positions and undertaking jungle training, while receiving instruction in lessons learned from operations in <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Malaya" class="mw-redirect" title="Battle of Malaya">Malaya</a> and <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Singapore" class="mw-redirect" title="Battle of Singapore">Singapore</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980270_56-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980270-56"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>54<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The men were taught how to use the jungle according to author Paul Ham "...to 'melt' into the foliage; to retrace their steps at night; to use camouflage properly; to detect human presence by crushed twigs and disturbed leaf mould; to move silently over undergrowth. To build shelters; and to discern human from animal sounds."<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHam2004320_57-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEHam2004320-57"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>55<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In July, British forces were sent from India to relieve the Australian troops in Ceylon. Preparations were made for the 2/3rd Battalion to return to Australia, and after embarking upon the <a href="/wiki/SS_Westernland" title="SS Westernland">SS <i>Westernland</i></a>,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980274_58-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980274-58"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>56<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> they arrived in <a href="/wiki/Melbourne" title="Melbourne">Melbourne</a> on 8 August 1942,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> having returned via the southern route away from the Japanese submarines patrolling the east coast. After this, the troops all received two weeks home leave, staggered from the time of their arrival. The final group had their leave cut short after only three days, however, when they were recalled by urgent telegram.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980284_59-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980284-59"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>57<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The 16th Brigade was again on the move, this time to <a href="/wiki/Port_Moresby" title="Port Moresby">Port Moresby</a> in <a href="/wiki/New_Guinea" title="New Guinea">New Guinea</a>, where the fighting against the Japanese along the <a href="/wiki/Kokoda_Track" title="Kokoda Track">Kokoda Track</a> was reaching a critical stage. After a short voyage, the brigade arrived at Port Moresby on 21 September 1942.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965229_60-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965229-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Fighting_in_New_Guinea,_1942–1943"><span id="Fighting_in_New_Guinea.2C_1942.E2.80.931943"></span>Fighting in New Guinea, 1942–1943</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Fighting in New Guinea, 1942–1943"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Following their arrival at Port Moresby, the 16th Brigade along with the <a href="/wiki/25th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="25th Brigade (Australia)">25th Brigade</a>, prepared to relieve the forces on the Kokoda Track. With the Australians having finally halted the Japanese advance, the fresh troops would be tasked with launching a counterattack to drive the Japanese back to Buna in the north. Consequently, throughout October, November and into December, the 2/3rd Battalion took part in three major actions: <a href="/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Eora_Creek_%E2%80%93_Templeton%27s_Crossing" class="mw-redirect" title="Second Battle of Eora Creek – Templeton's Crossing">Eora Creek</a> (22–28 October), <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Oivi%E2%80%93Gorari" title="Battle of Oivi–Gorari">Oivi</a> (5–12 November), and an action on the Sanananda Track (21 November – 19 December).<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On 3 October, General <a href="/wiki/Douglas_MacArthur" title="Douglas MacArthur">Douglas MacArthur</a> spoke to the 16th Brigade's commander, Brigadier John Lloyd, at Ower's Corner, at the foot of the Kokoda Track: "Lloyd, by some act of God your Brigade has been chosen for this job. The eyes of the Western world are upon you. I have every confidence in you and your men. Good luck and don't stop."<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980285_61-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980285-61"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>59<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The 16th Brigade arrived at <a href="/wiki/Templeton%27s_Crossing" title="Templeton's Crossing">Templeton's Crossing</a> on 19 October, just three days behind the <a href="/wiki/2/25th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/25th Battalion (Australia)">2/25th</a> and <a href="/wiki/2/33rd_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/33rd Battalion (Australia)">2/33rd Battalions</a>, whom they relieved.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965236_62-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965236-62"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>60<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The following day the 16th Brigade continued the advance but found that the Japanese had withdrawn to Eora Creek, where they had established a strong defensive position.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965236–237_63-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965236–237-63"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>61<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Here the Japanese held the high ground in well-concealed positions that had clear fields of fire into the narrow gorge below.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965237_64-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965237-64"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>62<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> With no other options, the 16th Brigade was forced to assault the Japanese defences frontally, advancing straight up the gorge. Amidst torrential rain and stiff defence, progress was slow as each defensive position had to be dealt with individually. As the water level in the creek rose steadily, the troops came under heavy mortar fire and were attacked with grenades lobbed from the heights above. The supply situation grew desperate too, but by 28 October the 2/3rd Battalion had managed to work its way around the Japanese right flank in preparation for an attack.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965237_64-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965237-64"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>62<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In the afternoon, the battalion launched its attack, breaking through the Japanese outposts and into the main position. The defenders were overwhelmed and many of them abandoned their weapons as they fled. That night, the remaining Japanese withdrew from the position.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965238_65-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965238-65"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The 16th Brigade lost 72 killed and 154 wounded in this action.<sup id="cite_ref-66" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>64<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:AWM_027052_16th_Brigade_Owen_Stanleys_Oct_1942.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="Soldiers march along a jungle track" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/AWM_027052_16th_Brigade_Owen_Stanleys_Oct_1942.jpg/220px-AWM_027052_16th_Brigade_Owen_Stanleys_Oct_1942.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="228" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/AWM_027052_16th_Brigade_Owen_Stanleys_Oct_1942.jpg/330px-AWM_027052_16th_Brigade_Owen_Stanleys_Oct_1942.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/AWM_027052_16th_Brigade_Owen_Stanleys_Oct_1942.jpg 2x" data-file-width="434" data-file-height="450" /></a><figcaption>Troops from the 16th Brigade, including the 2/3rd, cross the Owen Stanleys, October 1942</figcaption></figure> <p>Despite the successful action, the superiors of the 7th Division's commander, Major-General <a href="/wiki/Arthur_Samuel_Allen" class="mw-redirect" title="Arthur Samuel Allen">Arthur Allen</a>, were dissatisfied by the counter-offensive's rate of progress, and he was relieved of his command the day before the Australian forces won through at Eora Creek.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965238_65-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965238-65"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Japanese resistance decreased after that battle, and by 31 October the 16th Brigade was advancing along the eastern fork of the Track through Missima without opposition.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239_67-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239-67"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>65<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> On 2 November they passed through the recently abandoned village of <a href="/wiki/Kokoda" title="Kokoda">Kokoda</a>. Three days later, as the Australians advanced towards the Kumusi River, the 2/3rd Battalion went into battle at Oivi, after coming up against an entrenched force holding the high ground from Oivi to Gorari.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239_67-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239-67"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>65<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Japanese counter-attacked the next day, and as fighting continued through to 6 November, Major General <a href="/wiki/George_Alan_Vasey" title="George Alan Vasey">George Vasey</a>, the new divisional commander, sent the 25th Brigade and the 2/1st Battalion on a successful attack against the Japanese rear at Gorari.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239_67-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239-67"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>65<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Japanese at Oivi, their supply and withdrawal route cut, were then forced to retreat.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239–240_68-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239–240-68"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>66<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The 2/3rd Battalion's final involvement in the campaign came as the 16th Brigade advanced towards <a href="/wiki/Sanananda" title="Sanananda">Sanananda</a> in November.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-15" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965249_69-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965249-69"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>67<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They left the <a href="/wiki/Wairopi" title="Wairopi">Wairopi</a> area on 16 November, with the battalion second in order of march. Tired and drained from the exertions of the last two months, the advance across the swamps of the coastal plain proved heavy work.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965251_70-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965251-70"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>68<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> On the first day they made 6 miles (9.7 km), but after heavy rains the following day and failures in the resupply effort, a large number of men fell behind due to exhaustion. On 19 November, the 2/3rd spearheaded the brigade's advance to the coast. Several Japanese stragglers were taken prisoner and a number of minor contacts followed, but the Japanese defenders withdrew before the Australians could shake out to conduct an assault.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965251_70-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965251-70"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>68<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The following morning, the brigade reached the junction of the Sananada and Cape Killerton trails, about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the coast. After the 2/1st Battalion was attacked, the 2/3rd Battalion took part in a brigade flanking attack around the Japanese position to the right, forcing the Japanese to fall back. The action, however, had severely depleted the brigade to the point where, with less than 1,000 fit men, it was unable to continue offensive operations.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965252_71-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965252-71"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>69<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Thereafter activity was limited to patrolling and maintaining a defensive perimeter. In early December the 16th Brigade was relieved by the <a href="/wiki/30th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="30th Brigade (Australia)">30th Brigade</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965260_72-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965260-72"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>70<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The 2/3rd Battalion itself was relieved on 6 December, returning to Poppondetta with a strength of just six officers and 67 other ranks, before being evacuated back to Port Moresby by plane on 23 December 1942.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980344_73-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980344-73"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>71<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They were returned to Australia shortly afterwards for leave and to reorganise.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980356_74-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980356-74"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>72<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> During the fighting along the Kokoda Track and the advance north to the sea, the 2/3rd lost 69 men killed and 103 wounded.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008244_75-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008244-75"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>73<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Final_campaign:_Aitape–Wewak,_1944–1945"><span id="Final_campaign:_Aitape.E2.80.93Wewak.2C_1944.E2.80.931945"></span>Final campaign: Aitape–Wewak, 1944–1945</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: Final campaign: Aitape–Wewak, 1944–1945"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>After a short period of leave the 6th Division came together again in late January 1943 on the <a href="/wiki/Atherton_Tablelands" class="mw-redirect" title="Atherton Tablelands">Atherton Tablelands</a><sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> to begin training, and to convert to the more austere <a href="/wiki/Jungle_Division" class="mw-redirect" title="Jungle Division">jungle establishment</a>. Under this structure, the size of the battalion was reduced by one officer and 106 other ranks, giving the 2/3rd Battalion a total of 803 men of all ranks.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPalazzo2001183_76-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPalazzo2001183-76"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>74<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> At this time, a camp was built from scratch at Wondecla, but it was 12 months before the battalion's ranks were brought to full strength by the return of sick and wounded soldiers. As the battalion began to reform, some who had performed well in the preceding campaigns were recommended for <a href="/wiki/Officer_(armed_forces)" title="Officer (armed forces)">commissioning</a> and were sent to an Officer Training Unit at <a href="/wiki/Woodside_Barracks" title="Woodside Barracks">Woodside</a>, in <a href="/wiki/South_Australia" title="South Australia">South Australia</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980358_77-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980358-77"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>75<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Along with training there was time for recreation including swimming carnivals, boxing tournaments and a 6th Division rugby league championship in which the 2/3rd Battalion was victorious, beating the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion in the final.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980362_78-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980362-78"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>76<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The team captain, <a href="/wiki/Colin_Windon" title="Colin Windon">Col Windon</a>, later went on to play for and captain the <a href="/wiki/Australia_national_rugby_union_team" title="Australia national rugby union team">Wallabies</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJenkins200439–40_79-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJenkins200439–40-79"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>77<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>During this time the battalion received a number of reinforcements from its associated Militia unit, the 3rd Battalion (The Werriwa Regiment). This unit had been fighting in New Guinea as part of the 30th Brigade, with whom it had served on the Kokoda Track alongside the 2/3rd as well as the <a href="/wiki/39th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="39th Battalion (Australia)">39th</a> and <a href="/wiki/49th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="49th Battalion (Australia)">49th Battalions</a>, before being returned to Australia, where it had been disbanded.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Other reinforcements also arrived from the <a href="/wiki/16th_Battalion_(Australia)" class="mw-redirect" title="16th Battalion (Australia)">16th Battalion</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980369_80-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980369-80"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>78<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and a new commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Hutchison took over in April 1943, having temporarily commanded the battalion during the fighting around Eora Creek in the previous campaign.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPratten2009192323_81-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPratten2009192323-81"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>79<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:AWM_090565_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_New_Guinea_1945.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="Military officers review maps in a jungle setting" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/AWM_090565_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_New_Guinea_1945.jpg/220px-AWM_090565_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_New_Guinea_1945.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="154" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/AWM_090565_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_New_Guinea_1945.jpg/330px-AWM_090565_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_New_Guinea_1945.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/AWM_090565_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_New_Guinea_1945.jpg/440px-AWM_090565_Australian_2-3rd_Infantry_Bn_New_Guinea_1945.jpg 2x" data-file-width="450" data-file-height="316" /></a><figcaption>Officers from 'D' Company in New Guinea, 7 April 1945 </figcaption></figure> <p>Due to a combination of political and strategic decisions, it was almost two years before the battalion went into combat again. In late 1944, to free up American troops for operations in the <a href="/wiki/Philippines" title="Philippines">Philippines</a>, Australian forces were directed to take over responsibility for operations around <a href="/wiki/Aitape" title="Aitape">Aitape</a> in New Guinea.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965396_82-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965396-82"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>80<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The 6th Division returned to New Guinea in November 1944, with the final brigade arriving on 31 December 1944.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965402_83-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965402-83"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>81<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Although basically cut off from resupply, there were around 35,000 Japanese troops in the area,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965401_84-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965401-84"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>82<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> holding the coast past <a href="/wiki/Wewak" title="Wewak">Wewak</a> and into the interior. Supported by food supplies from native gardens in the Torricelli Mountains, the Japanese put up heavy resistance to the Australians' primary tactic of aggressive patrolling.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOdgers1988179–180_85-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEOdgers1988179–180-85"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>83<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Tasked with reducing the Japanese, while remaining available to support operations elsewhere, the 6th Division began a limited offensive in the Wewak area. The 16th Brigade was initially held in divisional reserve, occupying a defensive position west of the Raihu River,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965403–404_86-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965403–404-86"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>84<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> until in February 1945 it was tasked with securing a forward supply base near <a href="/w/index.php?title=Dogreto_Bay&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Dogreto Bay (page does not exist)">Dogreto Bay</a> and clearing up to the Anumb River, about 8 miles (13 km) to the east of the river.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405_87-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405-87"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>85<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They came up against only minor opposition and by 23 February they had crossed the Anumb; less than a month later they had progressed 6 miles (9.7 km) east, occupying the coastal town of But and removing the Japanese from the Dagua area.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405_87-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405-87"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>85<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>During this time, contact with the Japanese was limited to small-scale actions rather than a large general action; nevertheless, these actions caused heavy casualties as the Japanese defended stubbornly. Casualties among the Australians were, according to author <a href="/wiki/Eustace_Keogh" class="mw-redirect" title="Eustace Keogh">Eustace Keogh</a>, "heavy in relation to the size of...the numerous small actions the Japanese forced them to fight".<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405_87-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405-87"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>85<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In addition, the strenuous nature of the campaign reduced the troops' resistance and ability to undertake proper medical precautions and as a result there were large numbers of sickness casualties. Malaria took a particularly heavy toll,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405–408_88-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405–408-88"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>86<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> with troops being affected by a particularly strong strain that proved resistant to the normal doses of atebrine.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWalker1957364–367_89-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWalker1957364–367-89"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>87<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Accidents also resulted in losses. In one incident, seven men from the 2/3rd drowned when the Danmap River flooded amidst a torrential downpour.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOdgers1988179_90-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEOdgers1988179-90"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>88<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Wewak was captured on 10 May 1945, and the 16th Brigade began pursuing the Japanese defenders that had withdrawn inland.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965407_91-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965407-91"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>89<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They continued until 11 August, when offensive operations ceased after word was received that the Japanese had entered into ceasefire talks.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965407_91-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965407-91"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>89<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The battalion was in the Mount Shiburangu area on 15 August when news came that the Japanese had surrendered following the <a href="/wiki/Atomic_bombing_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki" class="mw-redirect" title="Atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki">atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAWM52_8/3/3/32:_July&nbsp;–_December_1945_92-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAWM52_8/3/3/32:_July&nbsp;–_December_1945-92"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>90<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The battalion's losses during its final campaign were 51 killed and 76 wounded.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008244_75-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008244-75"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>73<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Disbandment">Disbandment</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: Disbandment"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>After the cessation of hostilities, the battalion remained in the Aitape–Wewak area undertaking occupation duties. Its strength was slowly reduced as personnel were repatriated to Australia for demobilisation or transferred to other units for further service. Eventually, the remaining cadre of personnel returned to Australia,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAWM52_8/3/3/32:_July&nbsp;–_December_1945_92-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAWM52_8/3/3/32:_July&nbsp;–_December_1945-92"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>90<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and on 8 February 1946 the 2/3rd Battalion disbanded in <a href="/wiki/Brisbane,_Australia" class="mw-redirect" title="Brisbane, Australia">Brisbane</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-18" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> as one of the most decorated battalions of the 2nd AIF. They had fought all the major Axis powers: the Italians, Germans, Vichy French and Japanese. Alongside the Australian 2/5th Battalion, they were the only Allied troops able to make this claim.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPearson19987_93-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPearson19987-93"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>91<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift19805_94-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift19805-94"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>92<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOff_Orbat_Units_of_the_Royal_New_South_Wales_Regiment_95-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEOff_Orbat_Units_of_the_Royal_New_South_Wales_Regiment-95"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>93<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> During its service a total of 3,303 men served with the 2/3rd Battalion<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008242_96-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008242-96"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>94<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> of whom 203 were killed and 432 wounded. Members of the 2/3rd received four <a href="/wiki/Distinguished_Service_Order" title="Distinguished Service Order">Distinguished Service Orders</a>, 16 <a href="/wiki/Military_Cross" title="Military Cross">Military Crosses</a>, 12 <a href="/wiki/Distinguished_Conduct_Medal" title="Distinguished Conduct Medal">Distinguished Conduct Medals</a>, 30 <a href="/wiki/Military_Medal" title="Military Medal">Military Medals</a>, two <a href="/wiki/British_Empire_Medal" title="British Empire Medal">British Empire Medals</a> and 73 <a href="/wiki/Mentioned_in_Despatches" class="mw-redirect" title="Mentioned in Despatches">Mentions in Despatches</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-19" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 1948, the Militia units that had fought during the war were re-raised as part of the <a href="/wiki/Citizens_Military_Force" class="mw-redirect" title="Citizens Military Force">Citizens Military Force</a> (CMF),<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGrey2008200_97-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEGrey2008200-97"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>95<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and it was decided to entrust the <a href="/wiki/Battle_honour" title="Battle honour">battle honours</a> of the 2nd AIF units to their associated CMF units. As a result, the 2/3rd Battalion's battle honours were passed to the 3rd Battalion (The Werriwa Regiment), which was reformed around Canberra.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFestberg197260–61_98-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFestberg197260–61-98"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>96<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In 1960, with the introduction of the <a href="/wiki/Pentropic_organisation" title="Pentropic organisation">Pentropic division</a> into the Australian Army, the CMF was reorganised and the 3rd Battalion (The Werriwa Regiment) was reduced to company strength, forming 'C' Company, 3rd Battalion, <a href="/wiki/Royal_New_South_Wales_Regiment" title="Royal New South Wales Regiment">Royal New South Wales Regiment</a> (3 RNSWR). In 1965, following the abandonment of the Pentropic divisional structure,<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGrey2008239_99-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEGrey2008239-99"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>97<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> the 3rd Battalion was reformed in its own right as the individual companies were split up to form new battalions with the old regionally based numerical designations.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFestberg197260–61_98-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFestberg197260–61-98"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>96<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In 1987, however, following another reorganisation of the Army Reserve which saw a reduction in the number of the infantry battalions across Australia, 3 RNSWR was linked with 4 RNSWR to become <a href="/wiki/4th/3rd_Battalion,_Royal_New_South_Wales_Regiment" title="4th/3rd Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment">4th/3rd Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment</a> (4/3 RNSWR).<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEStanley20012_100-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEStanley20012-100"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>98<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Battle_honours">Battle honours</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: Battle honours"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The 2/3rd Battalion received the following battle honours for its service during the war:<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-20" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/North_African_campaign" title="North African campaign">North Africa</a>, <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Bardia" title="Battle of Bardia">Bardia 1941</a>, <a href="/wiki/Siege_of_Tobruk" title="Siege of Tobruk">Capture of Tobruk</a>, <a href="/wiki/Syria-Lebanon_Campaign" class="mw-redirect" title="Syria-Lebanon Campaign">Syria 1941</a>, <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Damascus_(1941)" title="Battle of Damascus (1941)">Damascus 1941</a>, <a href="/wiki/Syria-Lebanon_Campaign" class="mw-redirect" title="Syria-Lebanon Campaign">Dimas</a>, <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Damour" title="Battle of Damour">Damour</a>, <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Greece" class="mw-redirect" title="Battle of Greece">Greece 1941</a>, <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Greece" class="mw-redirect" title="Battle of Greece">Mount Olympus</a>, <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Greece" class="mw-redirect" title="Battle of Greece">Tempe Gorge</a>, <a href="/wiki/Pacific_War" title="Pacific War">South-West Pacific 1942–1945</a>, <a href="/wiki/Kokoda_Track_Campaign" class="mw-redirect" title="Kokoda Track Campaign">Kokoda Trail</a>, <a href="/wiki/Kokoda_Track_Campaign" class="mw-redirect" title="Kokoda Track Campaign">Eora Creek–Templeton's Crossing II</a>, <a href="/wiki/Kokoda_Track_Campaign" class="mw-redirect" title="Kokoda Track Campaign">Oivi–Gorari</a>, <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Buna-Gona" class="mw-redirect" title="Battle of Buna-Gona">Buna–Gona</a> and <a href="/wiki/Battle_of_Sanananda" class="mw-redirect" title="Battle of Sanananda">Sanananda Road</a>.</li></ul> <p>These battle honours are now carried by the <a href="/wiki/Royal_New_South_Wales_Regiment" title="Royal New South Wales Regiment">Royal New South Wales Regiment</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFestberg197260–61_98-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFestberg197260–61-98"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>96<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Commanding_officers">Commanding officers</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Commanding officers"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The following officers commanded the 2/3rd Battalion:<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-21" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <ul><li>Lieutenant Colonel Vivian England (1939–1941);</li> <li>Lieutenant Colonel Donald Lamb (1941);</li> <li>Lieutenant Colonel <a href="/wiki/John_Rowlstone_Stevenson" title="John Rowlstone Stevenson">John Stevenson</a> (1941–1943); and</li> <li>Lieutenant Colonel Ian Hutchison (1943–1946).</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Notes">Notes</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: Notes"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <dl><dt>Footnotes</dt></dl> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The establishment of a standard Australian infantry battalion was 35 officers and 875 other ranks at the start of the Second World War. Under the jungle organisation each battalion was reduced by one officer and 106 other ranks.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKuring200447_1-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKuring200447-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPalazzo200494_2-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPalazzo200494-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-7">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The numerical designation of 2nd AIF units was prefixed by "2/", which was used to set them apart from Militia units with corresponding numerical designations.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong195251_6-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTELong195251-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </span> </li> </ol></div></div> <dl><dt>Citations</dt></dl> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239543626"><div class="reflist reflist-columns references-column-width" style="column-width: 30em;"> <ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKuring200447-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKuring200447_1-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKuring2004">Kuring 2004</a>, p. 47.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEPalazzo200494-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPalazzo200494_2-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFPalazzo2004">Palazzo 2004</a>, p. 94.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston20075–6-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston20075–6_4-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFJohnston2007">Johnston 2007</a>, pp. 5–6.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-5"><sup><i><b>f</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-6"><sup><i><b>g</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-7"><sup><i><b>h</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-8"><sup><i><b>i</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-9"><sup><i><b>j</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-10"><sup><i><b>k</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-11"><sup><i><b>l</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-12"><sup><i><b>m</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-13"><sup><i><b>n</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-14"><sup><i><b>o</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-15"><sup><i><b>p</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-16"><sup><i><b>q</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-17"><sup><i><b>r</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-18"><sup><i><b>s</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-19"><sup><i><b>t</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-20"><sup><i><b>u</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAustralian_War_Memorial_5-21"><sup><i><b>v</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFAustralian_War_Memorial">Australian War Memorial</a>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong195251-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong195251_6-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1952">Long 1952</a>, p. 51.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift19801-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift19801_8-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift19801_8-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston20083-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston20083_9-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFJohnston2008">Johnston 2008</a>, p. 3.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong195252-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong195252_10-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1952">Long 1952</a>, p. 52.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift19801–3-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift19801–3_11-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, pp. 1–3.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEInfantry_Battalions_of_the_2nd_AIF-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEInfantry_Battalions_of_the_2nd_AIF_12-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFInfantry_Battalions_of_the_2nd_AIF">Infantry Battalions of the 2nd AIF</a>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEDennis_et_al1995168-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDennis_et_al1995168_13-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFDennis_et_al1995">Dennis et al 1995</a>, p. 168.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift198016-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift198016_14-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift198016_14-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 16.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEPearson19988-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPearson19988_15-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFPearson1998">Pearson 1998</a>, p. 8.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEAWM52_8/3/3/2:_January_1940-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAWM52_8/3/3/2:_January_1940_16-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFAWM52_8/3/3/2:_January_1940">AWM52 8/3/3/2: January 1940</a>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift198024-17"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift198024_17-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 24.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston200832-18"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston200832_18-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFJohnston2008">Johnston 2008</a>, p. 32.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEPratten200995-19"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPratten200995_19-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFPratten2009">Pratten 2009</a>, p. 95.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEMaitland200233-20"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMaitland200233_20-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFMaitland2002">Maitland 2002</a>, p. 33.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEStockings2009168-21"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEStockings2009168_21-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFStockings2009">Stockings 2009</a>, p. 168.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952203-22"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952203_22-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1952">Long 1952</a>, p. 203.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952207-23"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952207_23-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1952">Long 1952</a>, p. 207.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952216-24"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952216_24-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1952">Long 1952</a>, p. 216.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952224-25"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952224_25-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1952">Long 1952</a>, p. 224.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952237-26"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952237_26-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1952">Long 1952</a>, p. 237.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1952238-27"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1952238_27-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1952">Long 1952</a>, p. 238.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEFreudenberg2008251-28"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFreudenberg2008251_28-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFFreudenberg2008">Freudenberg 2008</a>, p. 251.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEPratten200995_&_323-29"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPratten200995_&_323_29-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFPratten2009">Pratten 2009</a>, pp. 95 & 323.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980119-30"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980119_30-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 119.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980123-31"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980123_31-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 123.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980135-32"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980135_32-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 135.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980139–140-33"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980139–140_33-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, pp. 139–140.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980145-34"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980145_34-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 145.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008243-35"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008243_35-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008243_35-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008243_35-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFJohnston2008">Johnston 2008</a>, p. 243.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980164-36"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980164_36-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 164.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980168-37"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980168_37-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 168.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953335–336-38"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953335–336_38-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1953">Long 1953</a>, pp. 335–336.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008106–107-39"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008106–107_39-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFJohnston2008">Johnston 2008</a>, pp. 106–107.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980191-40"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980191_40-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 191.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953336-41"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953336_41-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1953">Long 1953</a>, p. 336.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953419-42"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953419_42-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1953">Long 1953</a>, p. 419.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEMaitland2002118-43"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMaitland2002118_43-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFMaitland2002">Maitland 2002</a>, p. 118.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEJames2017256–259-44"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJames2017256–259_44-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFJames2017">James 2017</a>, pp. 256–259.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTECoulthard-Clark1998192–193-45"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECoulthard-Clark1998192–193_45-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFCoulthard-Clark1998">Coulthard-Clark 1998</a>, pp. 192–193.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953419–426-46"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953419–426_46-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1953">Long 1953</a>, pp. 419–426.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTELong1953430–439-47"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELong1953430–439_47-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFLong1953">Long 1953</a>, pp. 430–439.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980193–223-48"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980193–223_48-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, pp. 193–223.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEDennis_et_al1995581-49"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDennis_et_al1995581_49-0">^</a></b></span> <span 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href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980268_53-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980268_53-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 268.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTERoskill1998187-54"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERoskill1998187_54-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFRoskill1998">Roskill 1998</a>, p. 187.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980269-55"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980269_55-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 269.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980270-56"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980270_56-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 270.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEHam2004320-57"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHam2004320_57-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFHam2004">Ham 2004</a>, p. 320.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980274-58"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980274_58-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 274.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980284-59"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980284_59-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 284.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965229-60"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965229_60-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 229.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980285-61"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980285_61-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 285.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965236-62"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965236_62-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 236.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965236–237-63"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965236–237_63-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, pp. 236–237.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965237-64"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965237_64-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965237_64-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 237.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965238-65"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965238_65-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965238_65-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 238.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-66"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-66">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 309</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239-67"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239_67-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239_67-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239_67-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 239.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239–240-68"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965239–240_68-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, pp. 239–240.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965249-69"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965249_69-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 249.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965251-70"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965251_70-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965251_70-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 251.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965252-71"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965252_71-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 252.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965260-72"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965260_72-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 260.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980344-73"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980344_73-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 344.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980356-74"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980356_74-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 356.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008244-75"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008244_75-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnston2008244_75-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFJohnston2008">Johnston 2008</a>, p. 244.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEPalazzo2001183-76"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPalazzo2001183_76-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFPalazzo2001">Palazzo 2001</a>, p. 183.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980358-77"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980358_77-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 358.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980362-78"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980362_78-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 362.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEJenkins200439–40-79"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJenkins200439–40_79-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFJenkins2004">Jenkins 2004</a>, pp. 39–40.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift1980369-80"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEClift1980369_80-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFClift1980">Clift 1980</a>, p. 369.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEPratten2009192323-81"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPratten2009192323_81-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFPratten2009">Pratten 2009</a>, pp. 192323.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965396-82"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965396_82-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 396.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965402-83"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965402_83-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 402.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965401-84"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965401_84-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 401.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEOdgers1988179–180-85"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOdgers1988179–180_85-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFOdgers1988">Odgers 1988</a>, pp. 179–180.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965403–404-86"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965403–404_86-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, pp. 403–404.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405-87"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405_87-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405_87-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405_87-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 405.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405–408-88"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965405–408_88-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, pp. 405–408.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEWalker1957364–367-89"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWalker1957364–367_89-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFWalker1957">Walker 1957</a>, pp. 364–367.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEOdgers1988179-90"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOdgers1988179_90-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFOdgers1988">Odgers 1988</a>, p. 179.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965407-91"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965407_91-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKeogh1965407_91-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKeogh1965">Keogh 1965</a>, p. 407.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEAWM52_8/3/3/32:_July&nbsp;–_December_1945-92"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAWM52_8/3/3/32:_July&nbsp;–_December_1945_92-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEAWM52_8/3/3/32:_July&nbsp;–_December_1945_92-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFAWM52_8/3/3/32:_July_–_December_1945">AWM52 8/3/3/32: July – December 1945</a>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEPearson19987-93"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPearson19987_93-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFPearson1998">Pearson 1998</a>, p. 7.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEClift19805-94"><span 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mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239549316">.mw-parser-output .refbegin{margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul{margin-left:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{margin-left:0;padding-left:3.2em;text-indent:-3.2em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul,.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul li{list-style:none}@media(max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{padding-left:1.6em;text-indent:-1.6em}}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns ul{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .refbegin{font-size:90%}}</style><div class="refbegin refbegin-columns references-column-width" style="column-width: 30em"> <ul><li><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFAustralian_War_Memorial" class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080727082422/http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11254.asp">"2/3rd Battalion"</a>. <i>Second World War, 1939–1945 units</i>. Australian War Memorial. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11254.asp">the original</a> on 27 July 2008<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 April</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Second+World+War%2C+1939%E2%80%931945+units&rft.atitle=2%2F3rd+Battalion&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.awm.gov.au%2Funits%2Funit_11254.asp&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAWM52_8/3/3/2:_January_1940" class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1367735?image=2">"AWM52 8/3/3/2: January 1940"</a>. <i>2nd AIF (Australian Imperial Force) and CMF (Citizen Military Forces) unit war diaries, 1939–45 War</i>. Australian War Memorial<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 May</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=2nd+AIF+%28Australian+Imperial+Force%29+and+CMF+%28Citizen+Military+Forces%29+unit+war+diaries%2C+1939%E2%80%9345+War&rft.atitle=AWM52+8%2F3%2F3%2F2%3A+January+1940&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.awm.gov.au%2Fcollection%2FC1367735%3Fimage%3D2&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAWM52_8/3/3/32:_July_–_December_1945" class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1027053/">"AWM52 8/3/3/32: July – December 1945"</a>. <i>2nd AIF (Australian Imperial Force) and CMF (Citizen Military Forces) unit war diaries, 1939–45 War</i>. Australian War Memorial<span class="reference-accessdate">. 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Brookvale, New South Wales: Steamlined Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9594879-0-9" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-9594879-0-9"><bdi>978-0-9594879-0-9</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=War+Dance%3A+The+Story+of+the+2%2F3rd+Australian+Infantry+Battalion%2C+16+Brigade%2C+6+Division&rft.place=Brookvale%2C+New+South+Wales&rft.pub=Steamlined+Press&rft.date=1980&rft.isbn=978-0-9594879-0-9&rft.aulast=Clift&rft.aufirst=Ken&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCoulthard-Clark1998" class="citation book cs1">Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1998). <i>Where Australians Fought: The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles</i> (1st ed.). St Leonards, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-86448-611-2" title="Special:BookSources/1-86448-611-2"><bdi>1-86448-611-2</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Where+Australians+Fought%3A+The+Encyclopaedia+of+Australia%27s+Battles&rft.place=St+Leonards%2C+New+South+Wales&rft.edition=1st&rft.pub=Allen+%26+Unwin&rft.date=1998&rft.isbn=1-86448-611-2&rft.aulast=Coulthard-Clark&rft.aufirst=Chris&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFDennis_et_al1995" class="citation book cs1">Dennis, Peter; Grey, Jeffrey; Morris, Ewan; Prior, Robin (1995). <i>The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History</i> (1st ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-553227-9" title="Special:BookSources/0-19-553227-9"><bdi>0-19-553227-9</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Oxford+Companion+to+Australian+Military+History&rft.place=Melbourne%2C+Victoria&rft.edition=1st&rft.pub=Oxford+University+Press&rft.date=1995&rft.isbn=0-19-553227-9&rft.aulast=Dennis&rft.aufirst=Peter&rft.au=Grey%2C+Jeffrey&rft.au=Morris%2C+Ewan&rft.au=Prior%2C+Robin&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFFestberg1972" class="citation book cs1">Festberg, Alfred (1972). <i>The Lineage of the Australian Army</i>. Melbourne, Victoria: Allara Publishing. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-85887-024-6" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-85887-024-6"><bdi>978-0-85887-024-6</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Lineage+of+the+Australian+Army&rft.place=Melbourne%2C+Victoria&rft.pub=Allara+Publishing&rft.date=1972&rft.isbn=978-0-85887-024-6&rft.aulast=Festberg&rft.aufirst=Alfred&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFFreudenberg2008" class="citation book cs1">Freudenberg, Graham (2008). <i>Churchill and Australia</i>. Sydney, New South Wales: Macmillan. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781742623672" title="Special:BookSources/9781742623672"><bdi>9781742623672</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Churchill+and+Australia&rft.place=Sydney%2C+New+South+Wales&rft.pub=Macmillan&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=9781742623672&rft.aulast=Freudenberg&rft.aufirst=Graham&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFGrey2008" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Jeffrey_Grey" title="Jeffrey Grey">Grey, Jeffrey</a> (2008). <i>A Military History of Australia</i> (3rd ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Cambridge University Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-69791-0" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-521-69791-0"><bdi>978-0-521-69791-0</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=A+Military+History+of+Australia&rft.place=Melbourne%2C+Victoria&rft.edition=3rd&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-0-521-69791-0&rft.aulast=Grey&rft.aufirst=Jeffrey&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHam2004" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Paul_Ham" title="Paul Ham">Ham, Paul</a> (2004). <i>Kokoda</i>. Pymble, New South Wales: HarperCollins. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7322-7693-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-7322-7693-5"><bdi>978-0-7322-7693-5</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Kokoda&rft.place=Pymble%2C+New+South+Wales&rft.pub=HarperCollins&rft.date=2004&rft.isbn=978-0-7322-7693-5&rft.aulast=Ham&rft.aufirst=Paul&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFInfantry_Battalions_of_the_2nd_AIF" class="citation web cs1">Harris, Ted. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100909163623/http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-badges/patches/2aif.htm">"Infantry Battalions of the 2nd AIF"</a>. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 April</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Off+Orbat+Units+of+the+Royal+New+South+Wales+Regiment&rft.pub=Digger+History&rft.aulast=Harris&rft.aufirst=Ted&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diggerhistory.info%2Fpages-army-today%2Fstate-regts%2Frnswr-off-orbat.htm%233%2520RNSWR&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJames2017" class="citation book cs1">James, Richard (2017). <i>Australia's War with France: The Campaign in Syria and Lebanon, 1941</i>. Newport, New South Wales: Big Sky Publishing. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-925520-92-7" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-925520-92-7"><bdi>978-1-925520-92-7</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Australia%27s+War+with+France%3A+The+Campaign+in+Syria+and+Lebanon%2C+1941&rft.place=Newport%2C+New+South+Wales&rft.pub=Big+Sky+Publishing&rft.date=2017&rft.isbn=978-1-925520-92-7&rft.aulast=James&rft.aufirst=Richard&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJenkins2004" class="citation book cs1">Jenkins, Peter (2004). <i>The Top 100 Wallabies</i>. Milsons Point, New South Wales: Random House Australia. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-7405-1340-1" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-7405-1340-1"><bdi>978-1-7405-1340-1</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Top+100+Wallabies&rft.place=Milsons+Point%2C+New+South+Wales&rft.pub=Random+House+Australia&rft.date=2004&rft.isbn=978-1-7405-1340-1&rft.aulast=Jenkins&rft.aufirst=Peter&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJohnston2007" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Mark_Johnston_(historian)" title="Mark Johnston (historian)">Johnston, Mark</a> (2007). <i>The Australian Army in World War II</i>. Botley, Oxford: Osprey Publishing. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84603-123-6" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-84603-123-6"><bdi>978-1-84603-123-6</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Australian+Army+in+World+War+II&rft.place=Botley%2C+Oxford&rft.pub=Osprey+Publishing&rft.date=2007&rft.isbn=978-1-84603-123-6&rft.aulast=Johnston&rft.aufirst=Mark&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJohnston2008" class="citation book cs1">Johnston, Mark (2008). <i>The Proud 6th: An Illustrated History of the 6th Australian Division 1939–1945</i>. Port Melbourne, Victoria: Cambridge University Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-51411-8" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-521-51411-8"><bdi>978-0-521-51411-8</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Proud+6th%3A+An+Illustrated+History+of+the+6th+Australian+Division+1939%E2%80%931945&rft.place=Port+Melbourne%2C+Victoria&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-0-521-51411-8&rft.aulast=Johnston&rft.aufirst=Mark&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKeogh1965" class="citation book cs1">Keogh, Eustace (1965). <i>South West Pacific 1941–45</i>. 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Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military History Publications. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-876439-99-8" title="Special:BookSources/1-876439-99-8"><bdi>1-876439-99-8</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Redcoats+to+Cams%3A+A+History+of+Australian+Infantry+1788%E2%80%932001&rft.place=Loftus%2C+New+South+Wales&rft.pub=Australian+Military+History+Publications&rft.date=2004&rft.isbn=1-876439-99-8&rft.aulast=Kuring&rft.aufirst=Ian&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLong1952" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Gavin_Long" title="Gavin Long">Long, Gavin</a> (1952). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070200/"><i>To Benghazi</i></a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. <a href="/wiki/Australia_in_the_War_of_1939-1945" class="mw-redirect" title="Australia in the War of 1939-1945">Australia in the War of 1939–1945</a>. Series 1 – Army. Vol. I (1st ed.). Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: <a href="/wiki/Australian_War_Memorial" title="Australian War Memorial">Australian War Memorial</a>. <a href="/wiki/OCLC_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="OCLC (identifier)">OCLC</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/18400892">18400892</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=To+Benghazi&rft.place=Canberra%2C+Australian+Capital+Territory&rft.series=Australia+in+the+War+of+1939%E2%80%931945.+Series+1+%E2%80%93+Army&rft.edition=1st&rft.pub=Australian+War+Memorial&rft.date=1952&rft_id=info%3Aoclcnum%2F18400892&rft.aulast=Long&rft.aufirst=Gavin&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.awm.gov.au%2Fcollection%2FRCDIG1070200%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLong1953" class="citation book cs1">Long, Gavin (1953). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070201/"><i>Greece, Crete and Syria</i></a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 1 – Army. Vol. II (1st ed.). Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial. <a href="/wiki/OCLC_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="OCLC (identifier)">OCLC</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/3134080">3134080</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Greece%2C+Crete+and+Syria&rft.place=Canberra%2C+Australian+Capital+Territory&rft.series=Australia+in+the+War+of+1939%E2%80%931945.+Series+1+%E2%80%93+Army&rft.edition=1st&rft.pub=Australian+War+Memorial&rft.date=1953&rft_id=info%3Aoclcnum%2F3134080&rft.aulast=Long&rft.aufirst=Gavin&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.awm.gov.au%2Fcollection%2FRCDIG1070201%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMaitland2002" class="citation book cs1 cs1-prop-long-vol">Maitland, Gordon (2002). <i>The Battle History of the Royal New South Wales Regiment</i>. Vol. II: 1939–1945. East Roseville, New South Wales: Kangaroo Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7318-1160-7" title="Special:BookSources/0-7318-1160-7"><bdi>0-7318-1160-7</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Battle+History+of+the+Royal+New+South+Wales+Regiment&rft.place=East+Roseville%2C+New+South+Wales&rft.pub=Kangaroo+Press&rft.date=2002&rft.isbn=0-7318-1160-7&rft.aulast=Maitland&rft.aufirst=Gordon&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFOdgers1988" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/George_Odgers" title="George Odgers">Odgers, George</a> (1988). <i>Army Australia: An Illustrated History</i>. Frenchs Forest, New South Wales: Child & Associates. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-86777-061-9" title="Special:BookSources/0-86777-061-9"><bdi>0-86777-061-9</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Army+Australia%3A+An+Illustrated+History&rft.place=Frenchs+Forest%2C+New+South+Wales&rft.pub=Child+%26+Associates&rft.date=1988&rft.isbn=0-86777-061-9&rft.aulast=Odgers&rft.aufirst=George&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFPalazzo2001" class="citation book cs1">Palazzo, Albert (2001). <i>The Australian Army: A History of its Organisation 1901–2001</i>. South Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-551507-2" title="Special:BookSources/0-19-551507-2"><bdi>0-19-551507-2</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Australian+Army%3A+A+History+of+its+Organisation+1901%E2%80%932001&rft.place=South+Melbourne%2C+Victoria&rft.pub=Oxford+University+Press&rft.date=2001&rft.isbn=0-19-551507-2&rft.aulast=Palazzo&rft.aufirst=Albert&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFPalazzo2004" class="citation book cs1">Palazzo, Albert (2004). "Organising for Jungle Warfare". In Dennis, Peter; Grey, Jeffrey (eds.). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160309213301/http://army.gov.au/our-history/army-history-unit/chief-of-army-history-conference/previous-conference-proceedings/~/media/files/our%20history/aahu/conference%20papers%20and%20images/2003/2003-the_pacific_war_1943-1944_part_1.ashx"><i>The Foundations of Victory: The Pacific War 1943–1944</i></a>. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Army History Unit. pp. <span class="nowrap">86–</span>102. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-646-43590-9" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-646-43590-9"><bdi>978-0-646-43590-9</bdi></a>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Army-History-Unit/Chief-of-Army-History-Conference/Previous-Conference-Proceedings/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/Conference%20Papers%20and%20Images/2003/2003-The_Pacific_War_1943-1944_Part_1.ashx">the original</a> on 9 March 2016.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.atitle=Organising+for+Jungle+Warfare&rft.btitle=The+Foundations+of+Victory%3A+The+Pacific+War+1943%E2%80%931944&rft.place=Canberra%2C+Australian+Capital+Territory&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E86-%3C%2Fspan%3E102&rft.pub=Army+History+Unit&rft.date=2004&rft.isbn=978-0-646-43590-9&rft.aulast=Palazzo&rft.aufirst=Albert&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.army.gov.au%2FOur-history%2FArmy-History-Unit%2FChief-of-Army-History-Conference%2FPrevious-Conference-Proceedings%2F~%2Fmedia%2FFiles%2FOur%2520history%2FAAHU%2FConference%2520Papers%2520and%2520Images%2F2003%2F2003-The_Pacific_War_1943-1944_Part_1.ashx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFPearson1998" class="citation journal cs1">Pearson, Ross (1998). "The 2/3rd Australian Infantry Battalion, 16th Brigade, 6th Division, Australian Imperial Force". <i>Despatch</i>. <b>XXXIII</b> (2: March/April). Military Historical Society of New South Wales: <span class="nowrap">6–</span>15. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0046-0079">0046-0079</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Despatch&rft.atitle=The+2%2F3rd+Australian+Infantry+Battalion%2C+16th+Brigade%2C+6th+Division%2C+Australian+Imperial+Force&rft.volume=XXXIII&rft.issue=2%3A+March%2FApril&rft.pages=%3Cspan+class%3D%22nowrap%22%3E6-%3C%2Fspan%3E15&rft.date=1998&rft.issn=0046-0079&rft.aulast=Pearson&rft.aufirst=Ross&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFPratten2009" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Garth_Pratten" title="Garth Pratten">Pratten, Garth</a> (2009). <i>Australian Battalion Commanders in the Second World War</i>. Port Melbourne, Victoria: Cambridge University Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-76345-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-521-76345-5"><bdi>978-0-521-76345-5</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Australian+Battalion+Commanders+in+the+Second+World+War&rft.place=Port+Melbourne%2C+Victoria&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=978-0-521-76345-5&rft.aulast=Pratten&rft.aufirst=Garth&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRoskill1998" class="citation book cs1">Roskill, Stephen (1998) [1960]. <i>The Navy at War 1939–1945</i>. Ware, Hertfordshire: Wordsworth Editions. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85326-697-3" title="Special:BookSources/1-85326-697-3"><bdi>1-85326-697-3</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Navy+at+War+1939%E2%80%931945&rft.place=Ware%2C+Hertfordshire&rft.pub=Wordsworth+Editions&rft.date=1998&rft.isbn=1-85326-697-3&rft.aulast=Roskill&rft.aufirst=Stephen&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFStanley2001" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Peter_Stanley" title="Peter Stanley">Stanley, Peter</a> (2001). "Broken Lineage: The Australian Army's Heritage of Discontinuity". <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110321213145/http://www.army.gov.au///AHU/docs/A_Century_of_Service_Stanley.pdf"><i>A Century of Service: 100 Years of the Australian Army. The 2001 Chief of Army's History Conference</i></a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. Army History Unit. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-64270-822-9" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-64270-822-9"><bdi>978-0-64270-822-9</bdi></a>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.army.gov.au/AHU/docs/A_Century_of_Service_Stanley.pdf">the original</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> on 21 March 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">21 November</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.atitle=Broken+Lineage%3A+The+Australian+Army%27s+Heritage+of+Discontinuity&rft.btitle=A+Century+of+Service%3A+100+Years+of+the+Australian+Army.+The+2001+Chief+of+Army%27s+History+Conference&rft.pub=Army+History+Unit&rft.date=2001&rft.isbn=978-0-64270-822-9&rft.au=Stanley%2C+Peter&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.army.gov.au%2FAHU%2Fdocs%2FA_Century_of_Service_Stanley.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFStockings2009" class="citation book cs1">Stockings, Craig (2009). <i>Bardia: Myth, Reality and the Heirs of Anzac</i>. Sydney, New South Wales: University of New South Wales Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-9214-1025-3" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-9214-1025-3"><bdi>978-1-9214-1025-3</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Bardia%3A+Myth%2C+Reality+and+the+Heirs+of+Anzac&rft.place=Sydney%2C+New+South+Wales&rft.pub=University+of+New+South+Wales+Press&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=978-1-9214-1025-3&rft.aulast=Stockings&rft.aufirst=Craig&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFWalker1957" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Allan_S._Walker" title="Allan S. Walker">Walker, Allan S.</a> (1957). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070220/"><i>The Island Campaigns</i></a>. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 5 – Medical. Vol. III (1st ed.). Canberra: <a href="/wiki/Australian_War_Memorial" title="Australian War Memorial">Australian War Memorial</a>. <a href="/wiki/OCLC_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="OCLC (identifier)">OCLC</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1293257">1293257</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Island+Campaigns&rft.place=Canberra&rft.series=Australia+in+the+War+of+1939%E2%80%931945.+Series+5+%E2%80%93+Medical&rft.edition=1st&rft.pub=Australian+War+Memorial&rft.date=1957&rft_id=info%3Aoclcnum%2F1293257&rft.aulast=Walker&rft.aufirst=Allan+S.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.awm.gov.au%2Fcollection%2FRCDIG1070220%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3A2%2F3rd+Battalion+%28Australia%29" class="Z3988"></span></li></ul> </div> <div class="navbox-styles"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist 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4em">Infantry formations of the Second Australian Imperial Force</div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;background-color:#DCDCDC;color:inherit;"><a href="/wiki/6th_Division_(Australia)" title="6th Division (Australia)">6th Division</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/16th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="16th Brigade (Australia)">16th Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/1st_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/1st Battalion (Australia)">2/1st Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/2nd_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/2nd Battalion (Australia)">2/2nd Bn</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">2/3rd Bn</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/17th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="17th Brigade (Australia)">17th Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/5th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/5th Battalion (Australia)">2/5th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/6th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/6th Battalion (Australia)">2/6th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/7th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/7th Battalion (Australia)">2/7th Bn</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/19th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="19th Brigade (Australia)">19th Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/4th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/4th Battalion (Australia)">2/4th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/8th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/8th Battalion (Australia)">2/8th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/11th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/11th Battalion (Australia)">2/11th Bn</a></li></ul></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;background-color:#DCDCDC;color:inherit;"><a href="/wiki/7th_Division_(Australia)" title="7th Division (Australia)">7th Division</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/18th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="18th Brigade (Australia)">18th Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/9th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/9th Battalion (Australia)">2/9th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/10th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/10th Battalion (Australia)">2/10th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/12th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/12th Battalion (Australia)">2/12th Bn</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/21st_Brigade_(Australia)" title="21st Brigade (Australia)">21st Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/14th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/14th Battalion (Australia)">2/14th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/16th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/16th Battalion (Australia)">2/16th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/27th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/27th Battalion (Australia)">2/27th Bn</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/25th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="25th Brigade (Australia)">25th Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/25th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/25th Battalion (Australia)">2/25th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/31st_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/31st Battalion (Australia)">2/31st Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/33rd_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/33rd Battalion (Australia)">2/33rd Bn</a></li></ul></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;background-color:#DCDCDC;color:inherit;"><a href="/wiki/8th_Division_(Australia)" title="8th Division (Australia)">8th Division</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/22nd_Brigade_(Australia)" title="22nd Brigade (Australia)">22nd Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/18th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/18th Battalion (Australia)">2/18th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/19th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/19th Battalion (Australia)">2/19th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/20th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/20th Battalion (Australia)">2/20th Bn</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/23rd_Brigade_(Australia)" title="23rd Brigade (Australia)">23rd Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/21st_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/21st Battalion (Australia)">2/21st Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/22nd_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/22nd Battalion (Australia)">2/22nd Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/40th_Battalion_(Australia)" class="mw-redirect" title="2/40th Battalion (Australia)">2/40th Bn</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/27th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="27th Brigade (Australia)">27th Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/26th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/26th Battalion (Australia)">2/26th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/29th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/29th Battalion (Australia)">2/29th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/30th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/30th Battalion (Australia)">2/30th Bn</a></li></ul></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;background-color:#DCDCDC;color:inherit;"><a href="/wiki/9th_Division_(Australia)" title="9th Division (Australia)">9th Division</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/20th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="20th Brigade (Australia)">20th Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/13th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/13th Battalion (Australia)">2/13th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/15th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/15th Battalion (Australia)">2/15th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/17th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/17th Battalion (Australia)">2/17th Bn</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/24th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="24th Brigade (Australia)">24th Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/28th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/28th Battalion (Australia)">2/28th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/32nd_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/32nd Battalion (Australia)">2/32nd Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/43rd_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/43rd Battalion (Australia)">2/43rd Bn</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/26th_Brigade_(Australia)" title="26th Brigade (Australia)">26th Bde</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/23rd_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/23rd Battalion (Australia)">2/23rd Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/24th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/24th Battalion (Australia)">2/24th Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/48th_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/48th Battalion (Australia)">2/48th Bn</a></li></ul></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;background-color:#DCDCDC;color:inherit;">Machine Gun Battalions</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/1st_Machine_Gun_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia)">2/1st Machine Gun Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/2nd_Machine_Gun_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/2nd Machine Gun Battalion (Australia)">2/2nd Machine Gun Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/3rd_Machine_Gun_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion (Australia)">2/3rd Machine Gun Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/4th_Machine_Gun_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/4th Machine Gun Battalion (Australia)">2/4th Machine Gun Bn</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;background-color:#DCDCDC;color:inherit;">Pioneer Battalions</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/2/1st_Pioneer_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/1st Pioneer Battalion (Australia)">2/1st Pioneer Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/2nd_Pioneer_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/2nd Pioneer Battalion (Australia)">2/2nd Pioneer Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/3rd_Pioneer_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/3rd Pioneer Battalion (Australia)">2/3rd Pioneer Bn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2/4th_Pioneer_Battalion_(Australia)" title="2/4th Pioneer Battalion (Australia)">2/4th Pioneer Bn</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?useformat=desktop&type=1x1&usesul3=0" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&oldid=1268919838">https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2/3rd_Battalion_(Australia)&oldid=1268919838</a>"</div></div> <div id="catlinks" class="catlinks" data-mw="interface"><div id="mw-normal-catlinks" class="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="/wiki/Help:Category" title="Help:Category">Categories</a>: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Australian_World_War_II_battalions" title="Category:Australian World War II 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