2/6th Australian Independent Company

2/6th Australian Independent Company

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Brief History

The 2/6th Independent Company formed in May 1942 and sailed for Port Moresby at the start of August. With the situation along the Kokoda Trail deteriorating, instead of moving to Wau, the 2/6th was moved to Mount Eirama as divisional reserve. The next month, as the situation along the track continued to get worse, the 2/6th moved to cover the Goldie River Valley, through which it was thought that the Japanese might try to move. During this period, the company operated as five patrols, "A, B, C, D , E and F Patrols". These patrols ranged through Papua's jungles, from the Yodda Valley, at the base of the Kokoda Trail, and the jungle tracks around Esau Creek and Brown River.

In October 1942 American troops were preparing to be used in action. On New Guinea's north coast, a battalion from the 128th US Regiment was preparing to advance from Jaure to either Wairopi or Buna, where it would meet the 7th Division's 16th and 25th Brigades who were pushing the Japanese back along the Kokoda Trail, and two battalions from the 126th US Regiment that was following the coast from Pongani to Buna. To support the later advance, in mid October the 2/6th was flown across the mountains to Wanigela. From Wanigela the company moved to Pongani, where it patrolled in front of the 126th Regiment's 3rd Battalion to Buna. The independent company led the way while the American troops followed. By 20 Nov 1942 the company and the Americans had reached the Buna front. From then until the first week of December, the 2/6th was engaged in the heavy fighting around the airfield named New Strip. In the second week of December, the 2/6th was pulled back to Soputa and then Port Moresby.

In March 1943 the company returned to Australia and after some leave, reassembled at Canugra, in Queensland. This was a period of reorganisation for the independent companies as the 2/6th, along with the 2/3rd and 2/5th Independent Companies were brought together to form the 2/7th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. The title independent company was later changed to Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. By the end of the year the 2/6th Independent Company had become the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. The 2/6th had sailed from Townsville for Moresby in August, and then, in the middle of September it was flown to Leron, in the Markham Valley. The 2/6th was to support the 7th Division in its coming Ramu-Markham Valley campaign where it provided "flank" protection for the division by carrying out reconnaissance and long range patrols, and, where necessary, capturing and holding ground. The 2/6th performed these roles well, particularly at Kaiapit, where, on 19 and 20 Sep 1943, it captured the village and then repelled a large Japanese counter attack. The 2/6th returned to Australian in April 1944.

For the remainder of 1944 and into 1945, the 2/6th was based in the Mapee/Kairi area on the Atherton Tablelands, where it trained and conducted exercises with the rest of the 7th Division. For the landing at Balikpapan, the 2/6th was attached to the 25th Brigade and went ashore on the second day of the battle. Over the next three weeks the squadron supported the brigade in its advance along the Milford Highway. Among its other tasks, the 2/6th conducted a number of successful ambushes along Pope's Track.

Following Japan's surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged, transferred to other units, or volunteered for service in Japan with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. For those who were left, the squadron returned to Australia at the end of December. In mid January 1946 the 2/6th Commando Squadron was disbanded

Individual Honours

• 1 x Distinguished Service Order
• 1 x Military Cross
• 2 x Military Medal
• 17 x Mentioned in Despatches

Unit Personnel

• Edward Maurice Trew 19 Sep 1942 - 19 Nov 1945

Notes

Material comes from the Australian War Memorial website accessed 26 Aug 2022.