18th Australian Operating Section

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Brief History

With the return in early 1942 of most of the AIF from Egypt to Australia, the signals detachment left behind in Gaza, Palestine to work with the 9th Australian Infantry Division was titled 'X' Operating Section (AIF). This unit was renamed 18th Australian Operating Section in May 1942. In July they moved to Kilo 89 and after the successful offensive at El Alamein, the 9th Division and its associated units were withdrawn to Australia.

Post their home leave, the members of the unit assembled at Bonegilla in Victoria to await assignment. In July they joined '2' Company, 19th Line of Communication Signals in Port Moresby to develop a signals network on the north west coast of New Guinea. In September they moved to Nadzab waiting for Lae to be captured. In December they were working from Yalu, with a detachment at Dumpu. In March they moved to Lae with a detachment at Nadzab, and then following the capture of Madang they were amongst the troops released back to Australia to await another role/

In May 1944 they assembled at Balcombe before moving to Strathpine in September 1944 to join the 22nd Line of Communication Signals in servicing units attached to the base units of the 1st Australian Corps then readying for a role north of New Guinea. A detachment of the unit moved to Morotai in March 1945, with the rest of the unit arriving there in May. A detachment landed at Tarakan in May with the 26th Infantry Brigade Group, and another detachment landed at Labuan in British North Borneo during June with the 9th Australian Infantry Division. The remainder of the unit then moved to Labuan in July and this disposition of sub units remained until the end of the war.

Unit Personnel

Notes

• Alexander Rhone 10 Nov 1944 - 27 Aug 1945