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{{Other uses|12th Battalion (Australia)}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=2/12th Battalion
|unit_name=2/12th Battalion
|image=[[File:Awm_064220_shaggy.jpg|250px]]
|image=Awm 064220 shaggy.jpg
|caption=Members of "B" Company, Australian 2/12th Battalion, who helped silence a Japanese mountain gun on one of the hills known as Prothero I & II
|caption=Members of "B" Company, Australian 2/12th Battalion, who helped silence a Japanese mountain gun on one of the hills known as Prothero I & II during the [[Battle of Shaggy Ridge]]
|dates=13 October 1939–1 January 1946
|dates=13 October 1939 – 1 January 1946
|country={{flag icon|Australia}} [[Australia]]
|country=Australia
|allegiance=
|allegiance=
|branch=[[Australian Army|Army]]
|branch=[[Australian Army]]
|type=[[Infantry]]
|type=[[Infantry]]
|role=
|role=
|size= 800–900 men{{#tag:ref|The establishment of a standard Australian infantry battalion was 35 officers and 875 other ranks at the start of World War II. Under the [[Jungle division|jungle organisation]] each battalion was reduced by one officer and 106 other ranks.<ref name=Palazzo94>Palazzo 2004, p. 94.</ref>|group=Note}}
|size= Unknown
|command_structure=19th Brigade, [[6th Division (Australia)|6th Division]]
|command_structure=[[18th Brigade (Australia)|18th Brigade]], [[7th Division (Australia)|7th Division]]
|garrison=Rutherford
|garrison=[[Rutherford, New South Wales]]
|garrison_label=
|garrison_label=
|nickname=
|nickname=
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|battles=[[World War II]]
|battles=[[World War II]]
* [[North African campaign]]
* [[North African campaign]]
* [[Western Desert Campaign|Battle of Tabruk]]
* [[Western Desert Campaign|Battle of Tobruk]]
* [[Syria-Lebanon Campaign|Syrian campaign]]
* [[Syria-Lebanon Campaign|Syrian campaign]]
* [[New Guinea campaign]]
* [[New Guinea campaign]]
* [[Borneo campaign (1945)|Boreneo campaign]]
* [[Borneo campaign (1945)|Borneo campaign]]
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
|battle_honours=
|disbanded= 1 January, 1946
|disbanded=
<!-- Commanders -->
<!-- Commanders -->
|commander1=Lieutenant Colonel [[John Field (brigadier)|John Field]]
|commander1=
|commander1_label=
|commander1_label=First Commander
|commander2=
|commander2=
|commander2_label=
|commander2_label=
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|notable_commanders=
|notable_commanders=
<!-- Insignia -->
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol=[[File:2-12th Bn 6th Div 2nd AIF.png|100px]]
|identification_symbol_label=
|identification_symbol_label=[[Unit colour patch]]
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2_label=
|identification_symbol_2_label=
|identification_symbol_3=
|identification_symbol_3_label=
|identification_symbol_4=
|identification_symbol_4_label=
}}
}}
The '''2/12th Battalion''' was an [[infantry]] [[battalion]] of the [[Australian Army]] which served during [[World War II]]. Raised in late 1939 as part of the all volunteer [[Second Australian Imperial Force]], the battalion's initial recruits were drawn primarily from the states of [[Queensland]] and [[Tasmania]]. Assigned to the [[18th Brigade (Australia)|18th Brigade]], the battalion completed basic training in Australia before embarking for overseas in May 1940.


It was originally intended that the battalion would land in the Middle East; however, the strategic situation in Europe at the time resulted in it being diverted to the [[United Kingdom]] where it formed part of Australia's contribution to the defence of the island during a period when an invasion seemed likely. When this threat passed, the 2/12th was sent to North Africa, and in 1941 it took part in the [[Siege of Tobruk|defence of Tobruk]] and then undertook garrison duties in Syria, before returning to Australia in early 1942. In August 1942, the battalion fought in the [[Battle of Milne Bay]], turning back a Japanese invasion force there, before [[Battle of Goodenough Island|capturing Goodenough Island]] before returning to Australia in early 1943. The 2/12th returned to New Guinea in August 1943, and subsequently took part in the [[Finisterre Range campaign]] into early 1944. Its final campaign came in mid-1945 when it was committed to [[Borneo Campaign (1945)|re-capturing Borneo]], landing on [[Battle of Balikpapan (1945)|Balikpapan]] in July 1945. It was disbanded in January 1946.


==History==
===Formation and garrison duties in the United Kingdom===
The 2/12th Battalion was formed on 13 October 1939 as part of the [[Second Australian Imperial Force]] (2nd AIF) and was attached to the [[18th Brigade (Australia)|18th Brigade]], which was variously assigned throughout the course of the war to three of the four 2nd AIF divisions—the [[6th Division (Australia)|6th]], [[9th Division (Australia)|9th]] and finally, the [[7th Division (Australia)|7th]]. Over half of the battalion's personnel were drawn from volunteers from north [[Queensland]], while the rest came from [[Tasmania]]. A a result initial training was undertaken separately at [[Brighton, Tasmania]], and [[Redbank, Queensland]], before the battalion concentrated at [[Rutherford, New South Wales]], in December 1939,<ref name=AWM>{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11263.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315134822/http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11263.asp|title=2/12th Battalion |work=Second World War, 1939&ndash;1945 units |publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=18 November 2009|archive-date=15 March 2011}}</ref> with the Tasmanian contingent sailing from Launceston aboard the SS ''Taroona''.<ref>Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 11.</ref> Upon establishment, the battalion's [[commanding officer]] was Lieutenant Colonel [[John Field (brigadier)|John Field]],<ref name=AWM/> who had previously served in the Militia, Australia's part-time military force.<ref>Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 1.</ref> The colours chosen for the battalion's [[unit colour patch]] (UCP) were the same as those of the [[12th Battalion (Australia)|12th Battalion]], a unit which had served during World War I before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were white over light blue, in a horizontal rectangular shape, although a border of gray was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart.<ref>Long 1952, pp. 321–323.</ref>


[[File:Australian 2-12th Inf Bn in England November 1940 (AWM image P00729.001).JPG|right|thumb|Reinforcements from the 2/12th in England, November 1940]]
The 2/12th Battalion officially came into being with the appointment of its first commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Field, on 13 October 1939. Two months would pass, however, before the 2/12th paraded as a whole. Two fifths of the battalion was recruited from Tasmania and initially trained at the newly-built camp at Brighton, while the remainder were recruited from North Queensland and began their training attached to the 2/9th Battalion at Redbank. The battalion was united at Rutherford in New South Wales on 11 December. It subsequently relocated to Ingleburn on 12 January 1940 and on 5 May sailed with the 18th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division for the Middle East.


With an authorised strength of around 900 personnel,<ref name=Palazzo94/> like other Australian infantry battalions of the time, the battalion was formed around a nucleus of four rifle [[Company (military unit)|companies]]&nbsp;– designated 'A' through to 'D'&nbsp;– each consisting of three [[platoon]]s.<ref>Long 1952, p. 52.</ref> Basic training continued at Rutherford until early January 1940, when the battalion moved to [[Ingleburn, New South Wales]].<ref>Graeme-Evans 1989, pp. 13–17.</ref> Apart from a brief period of embarkation leave, the battalion remained at Ingleburn until 5 May 1940 when the 2/12th embarked upon the [[RMS Queen Mary|''Queen Mary'']],<ref>Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 25.</ref> bound for the Middle East, along with the rest of the 18th Brigade, where they were to join the 6th Division; however, due to concerns about a possible invasion of the United Kingdom following the [[Fall of France]], the 18th Brigade,<ref>Johnston 2005, p. 4.</ref> including the 2/12th Battalion, was re-routed and [[Second Australian Imperial Force in the United Kingdom|subsequently arrived]] at [[Gourock]], Scotland, on 17 June 1940.<ref name=AWM/> Later, they were moved to [[Salisbury Plain]], being stationed around Lopcombe Corner, where they undertook defensive duties. In September the battalion was re-allocated to the 9th Division and the following month it was moved to [[Colchester, Essex]].<ref name=AWM/>
En route, the 18th Brigade was diverted to the United Kingdom to bolster its defences following the fall of France. The 2/12th disembarked at Gourock in Scotland on 17 June and was subsequently based at Lopcombe Corner, near Salisbury, in England. In September, the 18th Brigade was transferred to a new Australian division – the 9th. The 18th Brigade relocated to Colchester in October and left the United Kingdom on 17 November.


===Middle East===
The 2/12th disembarked in Egypt on 31 December 1940. In February 1941, the 18th Brigade was transferred to the 9th Australian Division but it was still destined to see action with its old formation. During the first week of April the brigade moved to Tobruk to reinforce the 9th Division, then falling back on the town. The 2/12th participated in the defence of Tobruk until it was withdrawn on the night of 26 and 27 August. After Tobruk, the 2/12th initially trained in Palestine before joining the forces garrisoning Syria in late September. It returned to Palestine to join the 7th Division in early January and sailed for Australia from Suez on 12 February. The battalion disembarked at Adelaide on 28 March.
In December 1940, after the threat of invasion of the United Kingdom had diminished, the decision was made to transfer the Australian units based there to the Middle East and subsequently the battalion was dispatched to [[Egypt]], sailing aboard the transport [[RMS Empress of Canada (1928)|''Empress of Canada'']].<ref>Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 75.</ref> Sailing via South Africa to avoid the more dangerous waters of the Mediterranean, they disembarked at [[Alexandria]] on 31 December and then made camp at [[Ikingi Maryut]].<ref>Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 83.</ref> In March, the battalion's medium machine gun section and anti-aircraft platoon provided support to the [[2/9th Battalion (Australia)|2/9th Battalion]] during its attack on the [[Siege of Giarabub|Italian garrison at Giarabub]].<ref>Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 93.</ref> The battalion as a whole subsequently saw action at [[Siege of Tobruk|Tobruk]] between May and August along with the rest of the 18th Brigade,<ref>Wilmot 1993, pp. 88, 150–151 and 280.</ref> before being relieved by a Polish unit and evacuated by sea to Alexandria in August 1941 aboard the destroyer [[HMS Jackal (F22)|HMS ''Jackal'']].<ref>Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 201.</ref> After this, the battalion moved to Biet Jirja and then Kilo 89, in [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], where they undertook further training until late September. Following the completion of the [[Syria-Lebanon campaign]], the battalion was assigned to Syria to undertake garrison duties,<ref name=AWM/> being based initially around [[Aleppo]] and then Djerablous, on the banks of the Euphrates near the Turkish border.<ref>Johnston 2005, p. 71.</ref> Other outposts were established around Idlib, El Hamman, Meidane Ekbes, Azaz, and Radjou.<ref>Graeme-Evans 1989, pp. 217–235.</ref>


The battalion returned to Camp Julius in Palestine in mid-January 1942 where they were subsequently reassigned to the 7th Division.<ref name=AWM/> With the strategic situation in the Pacific worsening for the Australians after the entry of [[Empire of Japan|Japan]] into the war following the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] and the [[Malayan Campaign|invasion of Malaya]], the decision was made by the Australian government to bring some of the 2nd AIF troops back to Australia at this time.<ref>Johnston 2005, p. 77.</ref> As a result, the 2/12th embarked from [[Suez Canal|Suez]] in February 1942. Sailing aboard the transport ''Nieuw Amsterdam'', via [[Bombay]] and [[Fremantle]], they subsequently arrived at [[Adelaide, South Australia]], in late March, making camp at [[Sandy Creek, South Australia|Sandy Creek]].<ref name=AWM/><ref>Graeme-Evans 1989, pp. 236–242.</ref>
The 2/12th’s next battleground was Milne Bay in Papua, where it arrived on 17 August 1942 and mounted a successful counter-attack against Japanese invasion forces between 31 August and 4 September. It occupied Goodenough Island between 22 October and 28 December and then returned to Papua for its most bitter and costly battles of the war – Buna and Sanananda. At Buna it delivered the coup de gras to the Japanese at Giropa Point on 1 January, but suffered 63 killed and 122 wounded in the process. The battalion’s efforts, between 9 and 21 January to clear the Japanese from the torturous swamp country around Sanananda cost another 61 lives. The 2/12th returned home on 10 March 1943.


===Pacific===
By early August 1943, the 2/12th Battalion was back in Papua. It trained around Port Moresby before deploying to the Finisterre Mountains in New Guinea on 31 December. The battalion’s main effort there were its operations to capture the Prothero features on the northern end of Shaggy Ridge between 21 and 24 January. Patrolling at the head of the Ramu Valley subsequently kept the 2/12th occupied from February until April and marked the end of its service in New Guinea.
[[File:Australian 2-12th Inf Bn at Sanananda January 1943 (AWM image 014214).JPG|thumb|Troops from the 2/12th at Sanananda, January 1943]]


The battalion moved to [[Tenterfield, New South Wales]] in early May after which personnel from Queensland and New South Wales were granted home leave. Later in the month, a further move to [[Kilcoy, Queensland]], occurred after which jungle training began.<ref>Graeme-Evans 1991, pp. 19–23.</ref> In August 1942, the 2/12th Battalion was transported to Brisbane where it embarked upon the transports ''Anshun'' and ''Jacob'', bound for [[New Guinea]].<ref>Graeme-Evans 1991, p. 29.</ref> They were subsequently deployed to [[Battle of Milne Bay|Milne Bay]], where they took part in the Australian counterattack following the Japanese landing, which resulted in the first major defeat of the Japanese of the war.<ref>Johnston 2005, p. 92.</ref> In October, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Arnold, the battalion was selected to invade [[Battle of Goodenough Island|Goodenough Island]]. Transported aboard the destroyers HMAS ''Stuart'' and ''Arunta'',<ref>Gill 1968, p. 182.</ref> after a short fight the battalion secured the island. They subsequently remained on Goodenough Island until December.<ref name=AWM/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_goodenough_island.html |title=Battle of Goodenough Island, 22–24 October 1942 |publisher=History of War |access-date=30 October 2011}}</ref> In late December, they were re-committed to the fighting, as the understrength 18th Brigade was sent to [[Battle of Buna–Gona|Buna]],<ref>Johnston 2005, p. 124.</ref> where the 2/12th successfully attacked Giropa Point on New Years Day 1943, despite losing 63 men killed and 122 wounded.<ref name=AWM/> After this, the battalion took part in further actions around Sanananda, where they suffered a further 61 men killed in action. The battalion's involvement in the fighting lasted until late January 1943 when it was withdrawn to Soputa by road, and then by air to [[Port Moresby]]. In early March, the battalion returned to Australia aboard the transports ''Taroona'' and ''Maetsuycker''.<ref name=AWM/><ref>Graeme-Evans 1991, pp. 325–331.</ref>
Arriving back in Australia on 17 May, the 2/12th spent a year training before undertaking its final operation of the war. On 1 July 1945, it landed at Balikpapan in Borneo. Well supported by artillery and tanks it captured its objectives with relatively light casualties, and its active role was over by 5 July. Following the end of the war on 15 August, 2/12th personnel were progressively returned to Australia for discharge. The battalion disbanded at Balikpapan on 1 January 1946.


Disembarking in [[Cairns, Queensland]], the battalion subsequently made camp at [[Ravenshoe, Queensland]]. Following a period of rest, training and re-organisation, in July 1943 the battalion received a batch of reinforcements from the 5th Motor Regiment, which had been disbanded. A small batch of reinforcements also came from [[2/40th Battalion (Australia)|2/40th Battalion]] personnel who had evaded capture in [[Battle of Timor|Timor]].<ref>Graeme-Evans 1991, pp. 331–337 & 391.</ref> In August 1943, the 2/12th were sent to Port Moresby, where the 18th Brigade was being held in divisional reserve,<ref>Bradley 2004, p. 179.</ref> while the rest of the 7th Division defended the approaches to [[Lae]] as part of the [[Finisterre Range campaign]].<ref>Johnston 2005, p. 181.</ref> On the last day of the year,<ref name=AWM/> the battalion was committed to the fighting in [[Finisterre Mountains]]. They were subsequently joined by the rest of the brigade on 4 January 1944 when it was airlifted to [[Dumpu, Papua New Guinea|Dumpu]] to relieve the 21st Brigade.<ref>Keogh 1965, p. 352.</ref> Throughout early 1944, the 2/12th was involved in the fighting around [[Battle of Shaggy Ridge|Shaggy Ridge]], where they undertook several attacks to the north of the ridge, around the Protheroe I and II features between 21 and 24 January.<ref name=AWM/> Between February and April, they continued operations in the [[Ramu|Ramu Valley]], undertaking patrols before returning to Australia aboard the transport ''Pahud'' in May 1944.<ref>Graeme-Evans 1991, p. 395.</ref><ref>Johnston 2005, p. 207.</ref>
=====Reference=====

[http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11263.asp Australian War Memorial]
[[File:Alex Gurney-(1944).jpeg|thumb|left|War correspondent and caricaturist [[Alexander George Gurney|Alex Gurney]] (second from left) presenting the original art work of one of his [[Bluey and Curley]] comic strips to men of the 2/12th Battalion at Kesawai, Ramu Valley, New Guinea, 5 March 1944.{{#tag:ref|This photograph, held by the Australian War Museum, was taken at the same time, with the same subjects, and in the same location as [http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26015171], and [http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42028467].|group=Note}}]]

A long period of training in Queensland, around Brisbane and then on the Atherton Tablelands,<ref>Graeme-Evans 1991, pp. 398–411.</ref> followed before they were dispatched along with the rest of the 7th Division to take part in the landing on [[Battle of Balikpapan (1945)|Balikpapan]] in July 1945, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bourne.<ref>Long 1963, p. 524.</ref> The battalion's involvement in the fighting on [[Borneo]] was only brief, however.<ref name=AWM/> Despite being landed in the wrong position on 1 July,<ref>Long 1963, p. 515.</ref> the 2/12th secured its objectives with very few casualties—losing three killed and 13 wounded and inflicting 103 killed on the opposing Japanese forces on the first day—helping the 18th Brigade secure the high ground overlooking the landing beach at Klandasan before continuing on towards their main objectives. By 3 July Balikpapan had fallen,<ref>Keogh 1965, p. 462.</ref> and two days later the battalion ceased active operations.<ref name=AWM/> They remained on Borneo until the end of the war. When the [[Demobilisation of the Australian military after World War II|demobilisation process]] began, members of the battalion were progressively returned to Australia for discharge, or were transferred elsewhere for further service. Those that were not, remained with the battalion undertaking garrison duties until the 2/12th was finally disbanded on 1 January 1946.<ref name=AWM/>

During the course of the war, a total of 3,491 men served with the 2/12th Battalion<ref>Johnston 2005, p. 248.</ref> of whom 292 were killed in action or died on active service, while a further 590 were wounded. Its members received the following decorations: three [[Distinguished Service Order]]s, seven [[Military Cross]]es, three [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]]s, 18 [[Military Medal]]s and 50 [[Mentioned in Despatches|Mentions in Despatches]]. In addition, two members of the battalion were appointed as [[Order of the British Empire|Officers of the Order of the British Empire]].<ref name=AWM/>

==Battle honours==
The 2/12th received the following [[battle honour]]s:<ref name=AWM/>
* [[North African campaign|North Africa 1941]]
* [[Siege of Tobruk|Defence of Tobruk]]
* [[Siege of Tobruk#Battle of the Salient|The Salient 1941]]
* [[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|South West Pacific 1942-45]]
* [[Battle of Buna-Gona|Buna-Gona]]
* [[Battle of Buna-Gona#Battle for Sanananda|Sanananda Road]]
* [[Battle of Buna-Gona|Cape Endaiadere-Sinemi Creek]]
* [[Battle of Buna–Gona#Allies attack Japanese-held junction|Sanananda – Cape Killerton]]
* [[Battle of Milne Bay|Milne Bay]]
* [[Battle of Goodenough Island|Goodenough Island]]
* [[New Guinea campaign|Liberation of Australian New Guinea]]
* [[Battle of Shaggy Ridge|Shaggy Ridge]]
* [[Finisterre Range campaign|Finisterres]]
* [[Borneo campaign (1945)|Borneo]]
* [[Battle of Balikpapan (1945)|Balikpapan]]

In 1961, these battle honours were entrusted to the 12th Battalion, and are now maintained by the [[Royal Tasmania Regiment|12th/40th Battalion, the Royal Tasmania Regiment]].<ref>Festberg 1972, pp. 33 & 72.</ref>

==Commanding officers==
The following officers served as commanding officer of the 2/12th Battalion:<ref name=AWM/>

* Lieutenant Colonel [[John Field (brigadier)|John Field]] (13 October 1939&nbsp;– 7 May 1942);
* Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Arnold (7 June 1942&nbsp;– 1 August 1943); and
* Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bourne (1 August 1943&nbsp;– 15 August 1945).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=6860&Tab=App&Titl=2/12%20Infantry%20Battalion |title=2/12 Infantry Battalion: Appointments |publisher=Orders of Battle.com |access-date=30 October 2011}}</ref>

==Notes==
;Footnotes
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

;Citations
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Cite book|last=Bradley|first=Phillip|author-link=Phillip Bradley|title=On Shaggy Ridge—The Australian Seventh Division in the Ramu Valley: From Kaiapit to the Finisterres|year=2004|publisher=Oxford University Press| location=South Melbourne, Victoria|isbn=0-19-555100-1}}
*{{cite book |last=Festberg |first=Alfred |year=1972 |title=The Lineage of the Australian Army |location=Melbourne, Victoria |publisher=Allara Publishing |isbn=978-0-85887-024-6}}
* {{cite book | last = Gill | first = G. Hermon | year = 1968 | url = https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070208/ | title = Royal Australian Navy, 1942–1945 | series= [[Australia in the War of 1939–1945|Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 2&nbsp;– Navy]] | volume = 2 | publisher = Australian War Memorial | location = Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | oclc = 65475 }}
*{{cite book |last=Graeme-Evans |first=A.L. |title=Of Storms and Rainbows: The Story of the Men of the 2/12th Battalion AIF |volume= 1: October 1939 – March 1942 |year=1989 |publisher=Southern Holdings |location=Hobart, Tasmania |isbn=0-949089-11-7 }}
* {{cite book | last = Graeme-Evans | first = A. L. | title =Of Storms and Rainbows: The Story of the Men of the 2/12th Battalion AIF |volume= 2: March 1942 – January 1946 | year = 1991 | publisher = 12th Battalion Association | location = Hobart, Tasmania | isbn = 0-646-03981-4 }}
* {{Cite book|last=Johnston|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Johnston (historian)|title=The Silent 7th: An Illustrated History of the 7th Australian Division 1940–46|year=2005|publisher=Allen & Unwin |location=Crows Nest, New South Wales |isbn=1-74114-191-5}}
* {{Cite book|last=Keogh|first=Eustace |author-link= Eustace Graham Keogh |title=South West Pacific 1941–45|year=1965|publisher=Grayflower Publications|location=Melbourne, Victoria|oclc=7185705}}
* {{cite book|last=Long|first=Gavin|author-link=Gavin Long|title=To Benghazi|year=1952|series=Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 1&nbsp;– Army|volume= I|edition=1st|publisher=Australian War Memorial|location=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory|url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070200/|oclc=18400892}}
*{{Cite book|last=Long|first=Gavin|title=The Final Campaigns|series=Australia in the War of 1939–1945, Series 1&nbsp;– Army|volume= VII|year=1963|publisher=Australian War Memorial|location=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory|url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070206/|oclc=1297619}}
* {{cite book |last=Palazzo |first=Albert |chapter=Organising for Jungle Warfare |title=The Foundations of Victory: The Pacific War 1943–1944. Proceedings of the 2003 Chief of Army's Military History Conference |year=2004 |editor=Dennis, Peter |editor2=Grey, Jeffrey |publisher=Army History Unit |location=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |url=https://www.army.gov.au/sites/g/files/net1846/f/2003-the_pacific_war_1943-1944_part_1_0.pdf |pages=86–101 |isbn=978-0-646-43590-9 |access-date=20 July 2017 |archive-date=14 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414083928/https://www.army.gov.au/sites/g/files/net1846/f/2003-the_pacific_war_1943-1944_part_1_0.pdf |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite book|last=Wilmot|first=Chester|author-link=Chester Wilmot|title=Tobruk 1941|orig-year=1944|year=1993|publisher=Penguin Books Australia|location=Ringwood, New South Wales|isbn=0-14-017584-9}}
{{Refend}}

{{Infantry formations of the Second Australian Imperial Force |state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2 12th Battalion (Australia)}}
[[Category:Australian World War II battalions|12]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1939|12]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946|12]]
[[Category:1946 disestablishments in Australia|12]]
[[Category:1939 establishments in Australia]]

Latest revision as of 13:26, 19 August 2023

2/12th Battalion
Members of "B" Company, Australian 2/12th Battalion, who helped silence a Japanese mountain gun on one of the hills known as Prothero I & II during the Battle of Shaggy Ridge
Active13 October 1939 – 1 January 1946
CountryAustralia
BranchAustralian Army
TypeInfantry
Size800–900 men[Note 1]
Part of18th Brigade, 7th Division
Garrison/HQRutherford, New South Wales
EngagementsWorld War II
Commanders
First CommanderLieutenant Colonel John Field
Insignia
Unit colour patch

The 2/12th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army which served during World War II. Raised in late 1939 as part of the all volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force, the battalion's initial recruits were drawn primarily from the states of Queensland and Tasmania. Assigned to the 18th Brigade, the battalion completed basic training in Australia before embarking for overseas in May 1940.

It was originally intended that the battalion would land in the Middle East; however, the strategic situation in Europe at the time resulted in it being diverted to the United Kingdom where it formed part of Australia's contribution to the defence of the island during a period when an invasion seemed likely. When this threat passed, the 2/12th was sent to North Africa, and in 1941 it took part in the defence of Tobruk and then undertook garrison duties in Syria, before returning to Australia in early 1942. In August 1942, the battalion fought in the Battle of Milne Bay, turning back a Japanese invasion force there, before capturing Goodenough Island before returning to Australia in early 1943. The 2/12th returned to New Guinea in August 1943, and subsequently took part in the Finisterre Range campaign into early 1944. Its final campaign came in mid-1945 when it was committed to re-capturing Borneo, landing on Balikpapan in July 1945. It was disbanded in January 1946.

History

[edit]

Formation and garrison duties in the United Kingdom

[edit]

The 2/12th Battalion was formed on 13 October 1939 as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) and was attached to the 18th Brigade, which was variously assigned throughout the course of the war to three of the four 2nd AIF divisions—the 6th, 9th and finally, the 7th. Over half of the battalion's personnel were drawn from volunteers from north Queensland, while the rest came from Tasmania. A a result initial training was undertaken separately at Brighton, Tasmania, and Redbank, Queensland, before the battalion concentrated at Rutherford, New South Wales, in December 1939,[2] with the Tasmanian contingent sailing from Launceston aboard the SS Taroona.[3] Upon establishment, the battalion's commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel John Field,[2] who had previously served in the Militia, Australia's part-time military force.[4] The colours chosen for the battalion's unit colour patch (UCP) were the same as those of the 12th Battalion, a unit which had served during World War I before being raised as a Militia formation in 1921. These colours were white over light blue, in a horizontal rectangular shape, although a border of gray was added to the UCP to distinguish the battalion from its Militia counterpart.[5]

Reinforcements from the 2/12th in England, November 1940

With an authorised strength of around 900 personnel,[1] like other Australian infantry battalions of the time, the battalion was formed around a nucleus of four rifle companies – designated 'A' through to 'D' – each consisting of three platoons.[6] Basic training continued at Rutherford until early January 1940, when the battalion moved to Ingleburn, New South Wales.[7] Apart from a brief period of embarkation leave, the battalion remained at Ingleburn until 5 May 1940 when the 2/12th embarked upon the Queen Mary,[8] bound for the Middle East, along with the rest of the 18th Brigade, where they were to join the 6th Division; however, due to concerns about a possible invasion of the United Kingdom following the Fall of France, the 18th Brigade,[9] including the 2/12th Battalion, was re-routed and subsequently arrived at Gourock, Scotland, on 17 June 1940.[2] Later, they were moved to Salisbury Plain, being stationed around Lopcombe Corner, where they undertook defensive duties. In September the battalion was re-allocated to the 9th Division and the following month it was moved to Colchester, Essex.[2]

Middle East

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In December 1940, after the threat of invasion of the United Kingdom had diminished, the decision was made to transfer the Australian units based there to the Middle East and subsequently the battalion was dispatched to Egypt, sailing aboard the transport Empress of Canada.[10] Sailing via South Africa to avoid the more dangerous waters of the Mediterranean, they disembarked at Alexandria on 31 December and then made camp at Ikingi Maryut.[11] In March, the battalion's medium machine gun section and anti-aircraft platoon provided support to the 2/9th Battalion during its attack on the Italian garrison at Giarabub.[12] The battalion as a whole subsequently saw action at Tobruk between May and August along with the rest of the 18th Brigade,[13] before being relieved by a Polish unit and evacuated by sea to Alexandria in August 1941 aboard the destroyer HMS Jackal.[14] After this, the battalion moved to Biet Jirja and then Kilo 89, in Palestine, where they undertook further training until late September. Following the completion of the Syria-Lebanon campaign, the battalion was assigned to Syria to undertake garrison duties,[2] being based initially around Aleppo and then Djerablous, on the banks of the Euphrates near the Turkish border.[15] Other outposts were established around Idlib, El Hamman, Meidane Ekbes, Azaz, and Radjou.[16]

The battalion returned to Camp Julius in Palestine in mid-January 1942 where they were subsequently reassigned to the 7th Division.[2] With the strategic situation in the Pacific worsening for the Australians after the entry of Japan into the war following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the invasion of Malaya, the decision was made by the Australian government to bring some of the 2nd AIF troops back to Australia at this time.[17] As a result, the 2/12th embarked from Suez in February 1942. Sailing aboard the transport Nieuw Amsterdam, via Bombay and Fremantle, they subsequently arrived at Adelaide, South Australia, in late March, making camp at Sandy Creek.[2][18]

Pacific

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Troops from the 2/12th at Sanananda, January 1943

The battalion moved to Tenterfield, New South Wales in early May after which personnel from Queensland and New South Wales were granted home leave. Later in the month, a further move to Kilcoy, Queensland, occurred after which jungle training began.[19] In August 1942, the 2/12th Battalion was transported to Brisbane where it embarked upon the transports Anshun and Jacob, bound for New Guinea.[20] They were subsequently deployed to Milne Bay, where they took part in the Australian counterattack following the Japanese landing, which resulted in the first major defeat of the Japanese of the war.[21] In October, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Arnold, the battalion was selected to invade Goodenough Island. Transported aboard the destroyers HMAS Stuart and Arunta,[22] after a short fight the battalion secured the island. They subsequently remained on Goodenough Island until December.[2][23] In late December, they were re-committed to the fighting, as the understrength 18th Brigade was sent to Buna,[24] where the 2/12th successfully attacked Giropa Point on New Years Day 1943, despite losing 63 men killed and 122 wounded.[2] After this, the battalion took part in further actions around Sanananda, where they suffered a further 61 men killed in action. The battalion's involvement in the fighting lasted until late January 1943 when it was withdrawn to Soputa by road, and then by air to Port Moresby. In early March, the battalion returned to Australia aboard the transports Taroona and Maetsuycker.[2][25]

Disembarking in Cairns, Queensland, the battalion subsequently made camp at Ravenshoe, Queensland. Following a period of rest, training and re-organisation, in July 1943 the battalion received a batch of reinforcements from the 5th Motor Regiment, which had been disbanded. A small batch of reinforcements also came from 2/40th Battalion personnel who had evaded capture in Timor.[26] In August 1943, the 2/12th were sent to Port Moresby, where the 18th Brigade was being held in divisional reserve,[27] while the rest of the 7th Division defended the approaches to Lae as part of the Finisterre Range campaign.[28] On the last day of the year,[2] the battalion was committed to the fighting in Finisterre Mountains. They were subsequently joined by the rest of the brigade on 4 January 1944 when it was airlifted to Dumpu to relieve the 21st Brigade.[29] Throughout early 1944, the 2/12th was involved in the fighting around Shaggy Ridge, where they undertook several attacks to the north of the ridge, around the Protheroe I and II features between 21 and 24 January.[2] Between February and April, they continued operations in the Ramu Valley, undertaking patrols before returning to Australia aboard the transport Pahud in May 1944.[30][31]

War correspondent and caricaturist Alex Gurney (second from left) presenting the original art work of one of his Bluey and Curley comic strips to men of the 2/12th Battalion at Kesawai, Ramu Valley, New Guinea, 5 March 1944.[Note 2]

A long period of training in Queensland, around Brisbane and then on the Atherton Tablelands,[32] followed before they were dispatched along with the rest of the 7th Division to take part in the landing on Balikpapan in July 1945, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bourne.[33] The battalion's involvement in the fighting on Borneo was only brief, however.[2] Despite being landed in the wrong position on 1 July,[34] the 2/12th secured its objectives with very few casualties—losing three killed and 13 wounded and inflicting 103 killed on the opposing Japanese forces on the first day—helping the 18th Brigade secure the high ground overlooking the landing beach at Klandasan before continuing on towards their main objectives. By 3 July Balikpapan had fallen,[35] and two days later the battalion ceased active operations.[2] They remained on Borneo until the end of the war. When the demobilisation process began, members of the battalion were progressively returned to Australia for discharge, or were transferred elsewhere for further service. Those that were not, remained with the battalion undertaking garrison duties until the 2/12th was finally disbanded on 1 January 1946.[2]

During the course of the war, a total of 3,491 men served with the 2/12th Battalion[36] of whom 292 were killed in action or died on active service, while a further 590 were wounded. Its members received the following decorations: three Distinguished Service Orders, seven Military Crosses, three Distinguished Conduct Medals, 18 Military Medals and 50 Mentions in Despatches. In addition, two members of the battalion were appointed as Officers of the Order of the British Empire.[2]

Battle honours

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The 2/12th received the following battle honours:[2]

In 1961, these battle honours were entrusted to the 12th Battalion, and are now maintained by the 12th/40th Battalion, the Royal Tasmania Regiment.[37]

Commanding officers

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The following officers served as commanding officer of the 2/12th Battalion:[2]

  • Lieutenant Colonel John Field (13 October 1939 – 7 May 1942);
  • Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Arnold (7 June 1942 – 1 August 1943); and
  • Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bourne (1 August 1943 – 15 August 1945).[38]

Notes

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Footnotes
  1. ^ The establishment of a standard Australian infantry battalion was 35 officers and 875 other ranks at the start of World War II. Under the jungle organisation each battalion was reduced by one officer and 106 other ranks.[1]
  2. ^ This photograph, held by the Australian War Museum, was taken at the same time, with the same subjects, and in the same location as [1], and [2].
Citations
  1. ^ a b Palazzo 2004, p. 94.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "2/12th Battalion". Second World War, 1939–1945 units. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 15 March 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  3. ^ Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 11.
  4. ^ Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 1.
  5. ^ Long 1952, pp. 321–323.
  6. ^ Long 1952, p. 52.
  7. ^ Graeme-Evans 1989, pp. 13–17.
  8. ^ Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 25.
  9. ^ Johnston 2005, p. 4.
  10. ^ Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 75.
  11. ^ Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 83.
  12. ^ Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 93.
  13. ^ Wilmot 1993, pp. 88, 150–151 and 280.
  14. ^ Graeme-Evans 1989, p. 201.
  15. ^ Johnston 2005, p. 71.
  16. ^ Graeme-Evans 1989, pp. 217–235.
  17. ^ Johnston 2005, p. 77.
  18. ^ Graeme-Evans 1989, pp. 236–242.
  19. ^ Graeme-Evans 1991, pp. 19–23.
  20. ^ Graeme-Evans 1991, p. 29.
  21. ^ Johnston 2005, p. 92.
  22. ^ Gill 1968, p. 182.
  23. ^ "Battle of Goodenough Island, 22–24 October 1942". History of War. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  24. ^ Johnston 2005, p. 124.
  25. ^ Graeme-Evans 1991, pp. 325–331.
  26. ^ Graeme-Evans 1991, pp. 331–337 & 391.
  27. ^ Bradley 2004, p. 179.
  28. ^ Johnston 2005, p. 181.
  29. ^ Keogh 1965, p. 352.
  30. ^ Graeme-Evans 1991, p. 395.
  31. ^ Johnston 2005, p. 207.
  32. ^ Graeme-Evans 1991, pp. 398–411.
  33. ^ Long 1963, p. 524.
  34. ^ Long 1963, p. 515.
  35. ^ Keogh 1965, p. 462.
  36. ^ Johnston 2005, p. 248.
  37. ^ Festberg 1972, pp. 33 & 72.
  38. ^ "2/12 Infantry Battalion: Appointments". Orders of Battle.com. Retrieved 30 October 2011.

References

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