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Home » Themes » Conflict » World War Two
2nd / 1st Australian Infantry BattalionPrint Page 
The plaque commemorates those who served in the 2nd / 1st Australian Infantry Battalion during World War Two.
The 2/1st Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Formed as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force at the start of World War II, the battalion was deployed to the Middle East in early 1940 and subsequently took part in the early fighting in the North African campaign, taking part in battles around Bardia and Tobruk before later being sent to Greece in early 1941. A lightning German advance quickly pushed the Allies back and forced them to evacuate after a very short campaign and the 2/1st was landed on Crete where they subsequently fought unsuccessfully to repel a German invasion in May. The majority of the battalion was captured on Crete, but the 2/1st was subsequently re-built from survivors in Palestine and returned to Australia in early 1942 following Japan's entry into the war. They then fought two campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea , fighting in the Kokoda Track campaign during 1942–43 and the Aitape-Wewak campaign in 1944–45. Following the war, the 2/1st was disbanded.
Location
| Address: | Fairbairn & Limestone Avenues, Australian War Memorial Sculpture Garden, Campbell, 2612 |
|---|---|
| State: | ACT |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -35.280169 Long: 149.147612 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
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
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Wednesday 12th March, 2008 |
|---|
2 / 1st AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION
6th DIVISION, AIF
1939-1945
Primus agot primas
Bardia Tobruk
Greece Crete
Kokoda Trail Aitape-Wewak
Dedicated To Those Who Served And In Memory Of All Who Died
We Will Remember Them
Dedicated On 12 March 2008 By The First Battalion Association
