Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

World War 2, Middle East , 2/31 Battalion, 1941

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1941

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Overview

Soldier of 2/31 Battalion looking through binoculars from his trench

Historical information

The 2/31st Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army that served during World War II. The battalion was formed in the United Kingdom on 27 June 1940 from Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) personnel that had originally been designated for service in non-infantry roles who were grouped together to form an infantry battalion. Initially designated as the "70th Battalion It was assigned to the 25th Brigade, 7th Division.

It initially served in the United Kingdom where it undertook defensive duties before being moved to the Middle East in 1941. After taking part in the fighting in Syria and Lebanon, the battalion undertook garrison duties around Tripoli before being transferred back to Australia in 1942. In late 1942 the battalion was sent to New Guinea to fight against the Japanese along the Kokoda Track. The Battalion subsequently fought a number of battles throughout 1942, 1943 and early 1944. Their last campaign came in mid-1945 when they landed on Borneo. The battalion was disbanded in March 1946.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-P2012.57.1h

Item type

Photographs

Themes

War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 2

Year

1941

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Organisation Details
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