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2nd / 7th Australian Infantry BattalionPrint Page Print this page

02-April-2011
02-April-2011

Photographs supplied by Glen Yeomans

The plaque commemorates those who served in the 2nd / 7th Australian Infantry Battalion during World War Two.

The plaque location is indicated by a red poppy in the second image. 

Formed as part of the 6th Division shortly after the outbreak of the war as part of the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force, the Battalion's initial personnel were recruited primarily from the state of Victoria, although later reinforcements were drawn from most other Australian states. Basic training was completed in Australia, after which the battalion embarked for the Middle East as part of the first batch of Australian troops to deploy overseas. Further training was undertaken in Palestine before the Battalion went into action against the Italians in January 1941. After participating in the successful capture of Bardia and Tobruk, it was committed to the disastrous Battles of Greece and Crete, where the Battalion was essentially destroyed after the majority of its personnel were captured.

Rebuilt in Palestine, it undertook garrison duties in Syria and then Ceylon before being transported back to Australia in August 1942. In January 1943, it was deployed to New Guinea, taking part in the fighting against the Japanese in the Salamaua-Lae campaign until October 1943. Following a period of over a year training in northern Queensland, the Battalion's final campaign began in the Aitape-Wewak area of New Guinea in 1944–1945 during which it was used mainly in a mopping-up role. The Battalion was disbanded in Australia in early 1946 after the conclusion of hostilities.

 

Location

Address:Fairbairn & Limestone Avenues, Captain Reg Saunders Courtyard, Australian War Memorial, Campbell, 2612
State:ACT
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -35.280488
Long: 149.148446
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Plaque
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:WW2
Actual Event Start Date:03-September-1939
Actual Event End Date:15-August-1945

Dedication

Front Inscription

2 /  7th Australian Infantry Battalion
6th Division AIF
1939 - 1945

North Africa 1940-41,       Greece - Crete 1941,  
Middle East 1940-41,       Ceylon 1942,               Wau-Salamaua 1943,
 Aitape-Wewak 1944-45,  New Guinea 1942-45

Dedicated to the memory of 216 comrades who died on active service, and to all who served in our battallion.  

Lest We Forget

 

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au