2/7th Battalion (Australia)

The 2/7th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Raised on 25 October 1939 at Puckapunyal, Victoria, it was raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for service during the Second World War. Attached to the 17th Brigade, 6th Division the 2/7th fought in Egypt, Libya, Greece and Crete during 1940–41 before returning to Australia to fight the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–45. After the end of the war, the battalion embarked to return to Australia on 18 December 1945 and disbanded at Puckapunyal in February 1946. For most of the war, the battalion's commanding officer was Colonel Henry Guinn, who led the 2/7th from its escape from Greece to the Pacific theatre. During the war the battalion suffered 699 casualties, of which 226 were killed.

Battle honours

 * North Africa, Bardia 1941, Capture of Tobruk, Greece 1941, Middle East 1941–1944, Crete, Canea, 42nd Street, Withdrawal to Sphakia, South-West Pacific 1942–1945, Wau, Mubo I, Bobdubi II, Komiatum, Liberation of Australian New Guinea, Maprik, Yamil–Ulupu, Kaboibus–Kiarivu.