2/6th Battalion (Australia)

The 2/6th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army that served during the Second World War. It was raised at Puckapunyal, Victoria on 25 October 1939 as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, and was attached to the 17th Brigade of the 6th Division. The 2/6th fought in Libya, Greece and Crete before serving as an occupation force in Syria. In 1942 the battalion returned to Australia to meet the threat of the Japanese advance in New Guinea and subsequently undertook two campaigns there. The first of these campaigns was undertaken in 1943 when they were involved in the defence of Wau and the advance on Salamaua and then again in 1944–45 when they took part in the Aitape–Wewak campaign. Following the end of the war the battalion embarked to return to Australia on 13 December 1945 and disbanded at Puckapunyal on 18 February 1946.

During the war, the battalion lost 179 men killed and 335 wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: 4 DSOs, 15 MCs, 5 DCMs, 35 MMs, and 63 MIDs.

Battle honours

 * Second World War : North Africa, Bardia 1941, Capture of Tobruk, Greece 1941, South-West Pacific 1942–1945, Wau, Lababia Ridge, Bobdubi II, Mubo II, Komiatum, Liberation of Australian New Guinea, Maprik, Yamil–Ulupu, Kaboibus–Kiarivu.

Commanding officers

 * LTCOL Arthur Harry Langham Godfrey;
 * LTCOL Hugh Wrigley;
 * LTCOL Frederick George Wood;
 * LTCOL David Arion Collingwood Jackson.