Papuan Infantry Battalion

The Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army formed on 27 May 1940 in the territory of Papua, during World War II, in order to fight the Japanese. The unit was slow in forming, with its first members posted in March 1941. By 1942 it consisted of only three companies and were all understrength and poorly equipped. PIB was soon sent forward in June 1942 to patrol the northern coast of Papua and were dispersed over a wide area, led by Australian officers and NCOs. The small parties were the first to make contact with the Imperial Japanese forces upon landing in Papua. The battalion would ultimately serve in many of the allied campaigns in New Guinea, with its soldiers becoming noted for their ferocity and tenacity against the Japanese during the Kokoda Trail campaign, Salamaua-Lae campaign, Ramu Valley-Finisterre Range campaign, Bougainville campaign and Aitape-Wewak campaign.

The battalion had an establishment of about 77 Europeans and 550 native soldiers. The PIB along with the 1st and 2nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion were amalgamated to form the Pacific Islands Regiment in November 1944. The 3rd and 4th New Guinea Infantry Battalion joined the regiment in 1945, although 4NGIB was soon disbanded, whilst the 5th New Guinea Infantry Battalion—although authorised—was never raised. The battalion was disbanded in August 1946.

Battle honours

 * World War II: South West Pacific 1942–45, Kokoda Trail, Kokoda-Deniki, Nassau Bay, Tambu Bay, Finschhafen, Scarlet Beach, Liberation of Australian New Guinea, Sio–Sepik River, Kaboibus–Kiarivu and Bonis–Porton.

Commanding officers

 * Major I. Logan (1940–1942)
 * Major W.T. Watson (1942–1944)
 * Lieutenant Colonel E.A. Standfield (1944)
 * Lieutenant Colonel S. Elliott-Smith (1944–1945)

Decorations

 * 1 Distinguished Service Orders (DSO)
 * 3 Military Crosses (MC)
 * 1 George Medals (GM)
 * 3 Distinguished Conduct Medals (DCM)
 * 15 Military Medals (MM)
 * 3 Mentioned in Despatches (MID)

Casualties

 * 32 killed, 15 missing, 42 died, 25 wounded.