2/6th Armoured Regiment (Australia)

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2/6th Armoured Regiment
A 2/6th Armoured Regiment tank supporting infantry during the final assault on Buna
Active	1941-1945
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Armoured
Equipment	M3 Stuart and M3 Grant tanks
Engagements	Battle of Buna-Gona

The 2/6th Armoured Regiment was an Australian Army armoured regiment of World War II.

[edit] History

The 2/6th Armoured Regiment was formed in August 1941 as part of the 1st Armoured Brigade of the 1st Armoured Division. The Regiment was initially located at Greta, New South Wales and was equipped with Universal Carriers for training purposes. Following the outbreak of the Pacific War the Regiment was deployed to defend Coffs Harbour against a feared Japanese attack. In May 1942 the Regiment moved to Singleton, New South Wales and was equipped with M3 Stuart light tanks.

The 2/6th Armoured Regiment was deployed to Port Moresby and Milne Bay in New Guinea in September 1942, becoming the first Australian armoured regiment to be deployed to a combat zone in the Pacific Theatre. In December 1942 'B' and 'C' Squadrons were shipped to Buna on the north coast of Papua to help break the deadlock in the Battle of Buna-Gona. Although the lightly armoured Stuart tanks proved to be unsuited to jungle warfare and suffered heavy casualties, the Regiment played an important role in the eventual Australian victory at Buna. In April 1943 the Regiment was relieved and returned to Australia.

Upon its return to Australia the 2/6th Armoured Regiment was incorporated into the 4th Armoured Brigade, which was the Australian Army's specialist jungle armoured formation. The Regiment was transferred to the 1st Armoured Brigade Group in West Australia in early 1943, however, and did not see further combat. After the 1st Armoured Brigade Group was disbanded in September 1944 the Regiment operated as an independent formation until it rejoined the 4th Armoured Brigade in July 1945. The 2/6th Armoured Regiment was disbanded in September 1945.

[edit] References

• Paul Handel (2003). Dust, Sand & Jungle: A History of Australian Armour During Training and Operations, 1927-1948. RAAC Memorial and Army Tank Museum.
• Major General R.N. Hopkins (Retired) (1978). Australian Armour. A History of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps 1927-1972. Australian Government Publishing Service.
• Australian-armour.com 2nd/6th Australian Armoured Regiment. Accessed 1 April 2007.