2/6th Australian Cavalry Commando Regiment

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The 2/6th Australian Cavalry Commando Regiment were part of the Australian 6th Division.

Parade of the 6th Australian Divisional Cavalry Regiment at Casa camp, September 1941.

The Unit was originally formed as the 6th Division Reconnaissance Regiment, was renamed the 6th Australian Division Cavalry Regiment on 8th June 1940 and in November 1943 was renamed 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment. ^[1] ^[2]

1 Formation / Structure
2 Middle East / North Africa
3 South West Pacific
4 Battle Honours
5 See also
6 External links
7 References

[edit] Formation / Structure

Parade Atherton Tableland, Queensland. 1944-09-11. B Troop salute during the march past.

The Regiment was the first Australian armoured unit and formed at Ingleburn on 3 November 1939.

In early 1943 it converted to a non armoured Commando role and fought in New Guinea against the Japanese. It was was disbanded at the end of hostilities in September 1945. ^[3]

The Regiment was comprised of the following sub units :

Regimental Headquarters (RHQ)
A Squadron
B Squadron
C Squadron

As a commando unit, the regiment was organised into the 2/7, 2/9 and 2/10 Commando Squadrons.

The Commanding Officers were:^[4]

LT COL M A Fergusson 10/1939 - 3/1941 (wounded ^[5])
MAJ S A Morrison 3/1941 - 6/1941
LT COL D Macarthur Onslow 6/1941 - 4/1942
LT COL J E Abbott 5/1942 - 1/1944

[edit] Middle East / North Africa

The unit fought in Syria, Libya, Egypt and Lebanon against the Vichy French, Italian and German forces.

B Squadron made history when it attacked Port Gearnon 12 December 1940 which established it as the first AIF unit action against land forces in the war. ^[6]

70 men of the C squadron became known as the "Kelly Gang" when they fought during the Syrian campaign on horseback (the horses were captured from the French Cavalry) .^[7]

They were also the first Australians to use tanks in battle. Since Australians weren't involved with tanks in WWl, it was not until 1941, in Libya, that Australians used tanks in action for the first time. They were captured Italian Mils. ^[8]

[edit] South West Pacific

Karawop, New Guinea, 1945-09-18. The skull and cross-bone flag, the pride of regiment. On every beer issue day the boys crossed bottles before the flag.

After five months as occupation troops in Lebanon the regiment returned to Australia and served for a brief period in the Northern Territory before moving to Queensland where it was reformed into 3 Commando Squadrons.

After jungle training the 2/7, 2/9, 2/10 Cavalry Commando Squadrons moved to New Guinea where the three squadrons continued to distinguish themselves fighting the Japanese until the cessation of the War.^[9]

[edit] Battle Honours

The regiment received the following Battle honours for their outstanding courage and achievements:

North Africa 1940-41, Bardia 1941, Capture of Tobruk, Derna, Giarabub, Syria 1941, Merjayun, Adlun, Sidon, Damour, South West Pacific 1944-45, Liberation of Australian New Guinea, Abau-Malin, Anumb River, Maprik, Wewak, Wirui Mission ^[10]

The Australian 2nd Cavalry Regiment was chosen by the past members of the 2/6th Australian Cavalry Commando Regiment to hold and preserve these Battle Honours. On 9 October 1971 at a ceremonial parade the Regiment was presented with a scroll and bronze plaque affiliating the two Regiments.