2/5th Cavalry Commando Squadron (Australia)
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The 2/5th Independent Company of Commandos was formed in March 1942. It was an independent unit of the Australian Army that served in New Guinea in WW2. The company began training at a secret Jungle Warfare training camp at Forster, in Wilson's Promontory, Victoria, Australia. Training began in January 1942 and ended on 9th April 1942. It was later incorporated into the 2/5th Cavalry Commando Squadron, serving in Borneo.
On 13 April 1942 the Company departed Townsville, Queensland on the SS Taroona commanded by Major T.P. Kneen and "very heavily armed". They arrived in Port Moresby, New Guinea on the 17th, during an air raid. They were deployed on 24th May to Wau, in a valley high inland from Lae and Salamaua [1]. They were part of "Kanga Force" [2] commanded by the controversial Colonel N.L. Fleay, that consisted mainly of the 2/5th and the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles[3]and were to observe the Japanese at Lae and Salamaua. They were the first allied force in WW2 to be flown into action as a complete unit, but their kit bags never arrived. Despite appalling conditions, enduring soaking rain, pests, diseases, lack of supplies food and medication, they terrorized the Japanese in the area from the Markham to the Bitol rivers [4]for one year. Notable were the attack on Salamaua [5], the first Allied attack on Japanese land forces anywhere. They were led by Major Paul Kneen (later killed in action at Heath's Plantation) and Capt. Norman Winning, after initial careful reconnaissance by by Sgt Jim McAdam's NGVR scouts. Capt Winning planned the assault with Capt. Umphelby of the NGVR. Later, further attacks were made on Heath's Plantation [6], Wau [7], Wandumi [8] and Mubo (twice during which Sergeants Malcolm Bishop [later Colonel] and Bill O'Neill won Military Medals rescuing badly injured Lt. Drysdale under heavy fire). Other M.M. winners were Sergeant W.T. Hulcup, and Privates C.B. Beitz and P.T. Robertson. Lt. W.A. Chaffey won the USA Bronze Star, while Sgts R.C. McLaughlin and W. O'Neill won the DCM in this heavily decorated small unit also won the USA Bronze Star]. Finally in February 1943, exhausted from starvation, illness and injury, and beset by atrocious weather, they were withdrawn for rest, leaving by native canoe and by foot across the range, and returned to Port Moresby, and their kit bags. Many who returned had been posted "Missing in action".
The Squadron departed New Guinea for Australia on the M.V. Duntroon on 13 May 1943. The 2/5th was redesignated the 2/5th Cavalry Commando Squadron and later saw action in Borneo during the Borneo Campaign of 1945.
[edit] References
- Pirie, Andy A. (1996). Commando, Double Black. Sydney: 2/5th Commando Trust. ISBN 9780646153674.
