Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

World War 2, Papua New Guinea, CALDWELL DSO, OBE, MC, 2/2 Battalion, 1944

« Prev Item Next Item »

1944

Overview

Informal portrait of NX92 Lieutenant Colonel William Blythe Caldwell, 2/2 Battalion

Historical information

The 2/2nd Battalion was formed in Sydney on 24 October 1939 as part of the 16th Brigade, 6th Australian Division. After initial training at Ingleburn, the unit sailed for overseas service in January 1940, arriving in Egypt in February. The battalion’s first campaign came in early 1941, advancing from Egypt into Libya, capturing Bardia and Tobruk. In March, they were sent to Greece, where they resisted the German invasion, notably fighting at Tempe Gorge. Despite being overwhelmed, some members managed to escape through the Greek islands.

After rebuilding in Palestine, the 2/2nd manned defences in Syria before being diverted to defend Ceylon (Sri Lanka) from a potential Japanese attack in 1942. The battalion returned to Australia in August 1942 and later fought in the Kokoda Trail campaign in New Guinea. Suffering heavy losses from combat and illness, they went from 670 men to just 88 by the end of the campaign in December 1942.

In their final campaign from 1944 to 1945, the 2/2nd cleared Japanese forces from the Aitape-Wewak region in New Guinea. During these operations, Lieutenant Albert Chowne was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery at Dagua. The battalion was disbanded in Brisbane on 15 February 1946.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-P1981.152.1h

Item type

Photographs

Themes

War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 2

Year

1944

Links to additional resources

Service Records

Australian Dictionary of Biography