2/18th Australian Infantry Battalion

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The 2/18th Battalion were part of the 22nd Brigade, Australian 8th Division. It was sent to Singapore to strengthen the defences of that British colony should it be attacked. The 2/18th battalion was to see action against Japanese forces in southern Malaya in January 1942 (Battle of Malaya) and the in the defence of Singapore in February 1942 (Battle of Singapore). [1] [2]

Sydney NSW. Members of the 2/18th Battalion ham it up for the camera, on board a ferry bound for their assigned ship which will transport them to Malaya
Sydney NSW. Members of the 2/18th Battalion ham it up for the camera, on board a ferry bound for their assigned ship which will transport them to Malaya

Following the fall of Singapore the men were prisoners of war.


Contents

[edit] Formation

The 2/18th battalion was raised from north western New South Wales and Sydney in June 1940 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Varley. 1227 men volunteered to fight.[3] The battalion left Sydney on 5 February 1941 bound for Singapore on the RMS Queen Mary.

[edit] Arrival in Malaya / Singapore

The men arrived in Singapore on 18 February 1941. The Battalion was garrisoned in Malaya and was involved in training (with an emphasis on Jungle warfare) until the outbreak of war on 8th December 1941.

[edit] Fighting in Malaya

The "Pig Farm" area on the Nithsdale Estate where "D" company, 2/18th made contact with the advancing Japanese forces in 1942 (photo 1945)
The "Pig Farm" area on the Nithsdale Estate where "D" company, 2/18th made contact with the advancing Japanese forces in 1942 (photo 1945)

On 26th January 1942, the 2/18th affected an ambush in the Nithsdale Estate outside of Jemaluang. 80 Australians died and the Japanese suffered heavy causalities (estimated at up to 2000 dead and wounded). [4] [5]

After the withdrawal from Nithsdale, the battalion helped the Allied withdrawal over the Johor-Singapore Causeway.

[edit] Fighting in Singapore

The Battalion took part in the defence of Singapore from the launch of the Japanese attack on the north west coast on 8 February 1942 to the surrender on 15 February 1942.

The 2/18th attempted to defend the the Tengah airfield against the Japanese 5th Division. The battalion further withdrew to Reformatory Road and came under heavy bombardment which caused many casualities.

During the nine days of its fighting history, the 2/18th lost 256 men with another 400 wounded (ie more than 50% casualty rate).

[edit] Prisoners of War

Members of the 2/18th in a hut at Changi at the end of the war
Members of the 2/18th in a hut at Changi at the end of the war


Initially, the remaining men of the 2/18th were sent to Changi. As was the Japanese practice, the units were separated, with some remaining in Changi, some sent to Japan and a large majority sent to Blakang Mati. Some members of the 2/18th were sent on the Sandakan Death Marches and others to the Thai-Burma Railway.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ James Burfitt, Against all odds: the history of the 2/18th Battalion, AIF , (Frenchs Forest, NSW: 2/18th Battalion, AIF Association, c. 1991).
  2. ^ Australian War Memorial "Australia Japan Research Project" retrieved 18 January 2007
  3. ^ 2/18th Battalion History website "History of 2/18th Battalion Part 1" retrieved 19 January 2007
  4. ^ Australian Department of Veterans Affairs "60th Anniversay of the End of WWII in South East Asia" retrieved 26 January 2007
  5. ^ ABC Four Corners "No Prisoners" a documentary on the fall of Singapore screened in 2002. website retrieved 26 January 2007


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