Portal:Military of Australia/Units/August

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A member of Beach Commando B during the first phase of the landing on Tarakan Island in April 1945
The Royal Australian Navy Beach Commandos were units formed by the RAN during World War II to go ashore with the first waves of amphibious assaults, to signpost the beaches, control boat traffic, and communicate with the maritime forces. The RAN's first Beach Commando unit was formed in January 1944 to support the Australian Army. Four Beach Commandos were eventually formed and they were grouped administratively as the RAN Beach Unit. All four units took part in the Australian-led Borneo Campaign in 1945 and were disbanded after the war.


16 RWAR's Unit Colour Patch
The 16th Battalion, Royal Western Australia Regiment (16 RWAR) is an Australian Army reserve infantry battalion and one of the two battalions of the Royal Western Australia Regiment. The 16th Battalion was first raised in September 1914. It was landed at Gallipoli the following year and also saw service in France. The battalion was disbanded at the end of the war, then reraised as a Citizen Military Force unit. It amalgamated with the 11th Battalion in 1930. A new 16th Battalion was raised in 1936 as the Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia. This battalion formed part of the garrison of Darwin in 1943 and took part in the New Britain Campaign from November 1944 until the end of the war. 16 RWAR currently forms part of the 13th Brigade.


Two members of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force working on a B-24 Liberator at Tocumwal in 1944
RAAF Station Tocumwal was a major Royal Australian Air Force base during World War II. Located near the town of Tocumwal, New South Wales the base was established in early 1942 to provide a secure base for United States Army Air Forces heavy bomber units. While the USAAF does not appear to have used the base, it was heavily used by the RAAF and, from 1944, was home to the RAAF's heavy bomber support and operational conversion units including No. 7 Operational Training Unit. While RAAF Station Tocumwal was closed following World War II the airfield remains in use and is a renowned gliding site.


HMAS Balikpapan during an exercise in 2007
HMAS Balikpapan (L 126) is the lead ship of the Balikpapan class of heavy landing craft and is currently in service with the Royal Australian Navy. She was built at Maryborough, Queensland and was commissioned into the Australian Army's water transport force in December 1971. She transferred to the RAN in September 1974. HMAS Balikpapan first saw active service in 1999 when she formed part of the International Force for East Timor and later UNTAET. She completed several deployments to East Timor between 1999 and 2001 and returned to East Timor in 2006 during Operation Astute.


The Royal Australian Corps of Signals Domestic Colours, representing the 3 mediums of communication: air, sea and land
The Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RASigs) is one of the 'arms' (combat support corps) of the Australian Army. It is responsible for installing, maintaining and operating all types of telecommunications equipment and information systems. RASigs traces its history to the torpedo and signals corp formed in New South Wales and Victoria in 1869. The Australian Army established a Corps of Signallers in January 1906 and the Corps assumed its current name in January 1925. RASigs units have participated in all the Australian Army's major deployments and signal regiments and squadrons form vital elements of the modern Army.


Four ACG F-111s in 2006
The Royal Australian Air Force's Air Combat Group (ACG) is the air force group which commands the RAAF's fighter and bomber aircraft. The ACG was formed in February 2002 by merging Tactical Fighter Group with Strike Reconnaissance Group. The ACG comprises No. 78, No. 81 and No. 82 Wings of the RAAF. Since the Group's formation, ACG aircraft have deployed to Diego Garcia during Operation Slipper and formed part of the Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Aircraft from the Group have also performed domestic security tasks and participated in overseas exercises. ACG's headquarters is located at RAAF Base Williamtown.


HMAS Quiberon in 1945
HMAS Quiberon (G81/F03) was a Royal Australian Navy Q-class destroyer. She was built in Britain and was commissioned in July 1942. Quiberon first served on North Atlantic convoy escort duty and supported the Allied landings in North Africa in October 1942. From 1943 to 1945 she mainly served on convoy escort duties in the Indian Ocean. In March 1945 she joined the British Pacific Fleet. Following the end of the war she served on occupation duties in Japan and was converted to an anti-submarine frigate between 1950 and 1957. Quiberon performed routine dutines in South East Asian and Australian waters until she paid off to reserve in June 1964 and was sold for scrap in 1972.


Fort Queenscliff Keep
Fort Queenscliff is an Australian Army facility located in in Victoria, Australia. The Fort was built between 1882 and 1885 by the colonial government of Victoria and was the headquarters for an extensive chain of forts around Port Phillip Heads. On orders from Fort Queenscliff, the first British Empire artillery shots of World War I were when a gun at Fort Nepean fired across the bow of a German freighter attempting to escape to sea. The same gun, with a different barrel, also fired the first Australian artillery shot of World War II. By 1946 coastal artillery was outmoded, and the fort became the home of the Army's Staff College. After three Service Staff Colleges were combined in Canberra, it became the base for Army's Soldier Career Management Agency in 2001.


Members of 459 Squadron RAAF with one of the Squadron's Lockheed Hudson aircraft in 1944
No. 459 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force squadron during World War II. It was formed in Egypt in February 1942 under the Empire Air Training Scheme. The Squadron was initially equipped with Lockheed Hudson and Bristol Blenheim aircraft and operated in the maritime reconnaissance role. During 1942 and early 1943 the Squadron operated against German shipping in the Mediterranean. In September 1943 the Squadron temporally changed roles to become a bomber unit. The Squadron was equipped with Lockheed Venturas from March to July 1944 when it was reequipped with Martin Baltimore aircraft. No. 459 Squadron continued operating around the Greek islands until March 1945 when it redeployed to the United Kingdom. No. 459 Squadron was disbanded in April 1945.


HMAS Cessnock in 1942
The first HMAS Cessnock (J175/B240/A114) was a Royal Australian Navy Bathurst class corvette during World War II. Cessnock was built in Sydney and was commissioned in January 1942. The ship served as an escort in Australian and New Guinean waters during 1942, and primarily escorted convoys travelling between Townsville and New Guinea. In December 1942 she was reassigned to the British Eastern Fleet and operated as an escort in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea during 1943 and 1944. She returned to Australia in January 1945 and became part of the British Pacific Fleet in February. The ship operated as an escort in the Pacific until the end of the war and was present in Tokyo Bay on Victory over Japan Day. HMAS Cessnock paid off in July 1946 and was sold for scrap in April 1947


Portal:Military of Australia/Units/August 11


A Supermarine Southampton at RAAF Base Point Cook in 1939
Seaplane Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force flight training squadron. Seaplane Squadron was formed in February 1934 at RAAF Base Point Cook as part of No. 1 Flying Training School. The Squadron was equipped with Supermarine Southampton flying boats and was responsible for training aircrew to operate seaplanes and supporting the Royal Australian Navy. The Squadron also frequently conducted survey flights over remote parts of Australia and mapped the Darwin to Sydney section of the British Empire Air Mail route. Seaplane Squadron was disbanded in June 1939.


HMAS Huon during her trials in December 1915
The first HMAS Huon (D-50) was a Royal Australian Navy River class torpedo boat destroyer. Huon was built in Sydney and was commissioned in December 1915. During World War I Huon first served with the British Far East Patrol at Borneo and Singapore. She later operated in the Mediterranean as part of the British 5th Destroyer Flotilla. Following the war Huon returned to Australia in May 1919 and paid off into reserve in August 1920. She was recommissioned from April 1921 to June 1922 and was based at Hobart for Naval Reserve training from September 1924 to May 1928. HMAS Huon paid off for the final time in June 1928 and was sunk as a target off Sydney in April 1931.


A VAOC observation post in 1943
The Volunteer Air Observers Corps (VAOC) was an Australian air defence organisation of World War II. The VAOC was formed in December 1941 to support the Royal Australian Air Force by sighting and observing aircraft over Australia. The VAOC swiftly established observation posts across Australia and provided information to the RAAF's regional air control posts. As the threat to Australia declined the VAOC's role was expanded to include coast watching, assisting air traffic control and weather reporting. The VAOC was staffed by civilian volunteers and reached a peak strength of 24,000 personnel and 2,656 observation posts in 1944. After the end of the war the VAOC was reduced to a cadre in December 1945 and was disbanded in April 1946.


The Australian Army Rising Sun hat badge used between 1904 and 1949
The First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from August 15, 1914, following Britain's declaration of war on Germany. The 1st AIF was a purely volunteer force for the duration of the war and was gradually expanded to a peak strength of five infantry divisions, most elements of two mounted divisions and various supporting units. The 1st AIF included the Australian Flying Corps, which was later separated to form the Royal Australian Air Force. Most units of the 1st AIF were disbanded after the war, though some were later reactivated.


Attack class boats at Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin March 1975 (after Cyclone Tracy)
HMAS Coonawarra is a Royal Australian Navy base located in the city of Darwin, Northern Territory. The first naval depot at Darwin was established in January 1935. This base, which was designated HMAS Melville, was gradually expanded and played an important role during World War II. In 1970 the RAN moved its main base in Darwin to Wireless Transmitting Station Coonawarra which was commissioned as HMAS Coonawarra, though Melville was retained until December 1974 when Cyclone Tracy destroyed it. HMAS Coonawarra is currently the Navy's main base in Northern Australia and is home to most elements of the Australian Patrol Boat Group and several other small warships.


A 105th Field Battery gun team in 1955
The 105th Medium Battery, Royal Australian Artillery is an Australian Army artillery battery. The Battery was first raised in March 1916 in Egypt as a part of the 22nd Howitzer Brigade. The Battery saw extensive action on the Western Front during World War I and was disbanded in March 1919. The 105th Battery was re-raised in 1921 as a Citizen's Military Force unit but was disbanded in 1940. The Battery was again re-raised in 1955 and was deployed to Malaya in 1955 and South Vietnam in 1965 and 1969. The 105th Battery is currently active as a regular unit and is one of three batteries that make up the 1st Field Regiment.


A group portrait of the members of two training courses conducted at No. 1 Operational Training Unit in 1942
No. 1 Operational Training Unit (1OTU) was a Royal Australian Air Force operational training unit of World War II. 1OTU was formed in December 1941 to train pilots, air observers and wireless operator/air gunners for multi-engine squadrons. The Unit was equipped with Hudson, Beaufort, Oxford and Anson aircraft. While 1OTU was primarily a training unit, it did play an active role in the war, with a detachment from the unit providing air transport in Papua and other aircraft conducting anti-submarine patrols off the Australian coast. 1OTU was disbanded in December 1945.


Portal:Military of Australia/Units/August 19


The 3rd Armoured Division's formation sign
The 3rd Armoured Division was an Australian Army division of World War II. The Division was established in November 1942 by redesignating the 1st Motor Division (which was previously the 1st Cavalry Division). As an armoured division the division was equipped with M3 Grant medium tanks and M3 Stuart light tanks. As large armoured units were not suitable for the jungle warfare the Army was engaged in, the 3rd Armoured Division was not deployed outside of Australia. The Division's 3rd Motor Brigade was gradually disbanded between March to August 1943 and the 3rd Armoured Division was disbanded in Queensland in October 1943.


RAAF Base Richmond in 1938
RAAF Base Richmond is a Royal Australian Air Force base located in the north-western fringe of Sydney. A military flying school was established at the site in August 1916 and RAAF Base Richmond was established in June 1925 as the RAAF's second base. RAAF Base Richmond was an important base during World War II, with many flying squadrons being formed at the base. Following the war Richmond became home to most of the RAAF's transport aircraft and has developed into a key logistics hub for the Australian Defence Force. The Base is currently home to all the RAAF's C-130 Hercules and Boeing 707 aircraft, Airlift Group and various non-flying units from other Groups.


The bow of HMAS Stuart in 1984
The second HMAS Stuart (F 21/DE 48) was a Royal Australian Navy River class frigate/destroyer escort. She was built at Sydney and was commissioned in June 1963. HMAS Stuart was the first RAN ship conduct trials on the Seacat short range anti-air missile system and the Ikara anti-submarine missile system. After 16 years of routine service she was extensively modernised in 1979 and was fitted with new sensors and weapons. In January 1984 Stuart became the first major RAN warship to be homeported in Western Australia. HMAS Stuart paid off in July 1991.


Members of the 6th Battalion in August 1918
The 6th Battalion was an Australian Army unit which was raised as part of the First Australian Imperial Force during World War I. The battalion was completely recruited from Victoria in August 1914 and formed part of the 1st Division. The 6th Battalion took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915 and remained at Gallipoli until the evacuation in December. Following this the Battalion served on the Western Front from March 1916 until the end of the war. During this period the battalion participated in a number of major battles. The Battalion was merged with the 7th Battalion in March 1919 and was later disbanded.


Warning sign on the road to Pine Gap
The Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap (commonly called Pine Gap) is a joint Australian and United States satellite tracking station near Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Pine Gap was established in the late 1960s and has grown from the original two antennas to about a dozen and a half in 1999. The number of staff has also increased, from around 400 in the early 1970s, to 600 in the early 1990s and then to an expected 1000 early this century. The biggest expansion occurred after the end of the Cold War. Pine Gap has at times been controversial and has attracted a number of protests.


HMAS Wagga in 1944
HMAS Wagga (J315) was a Royal Australian Navy Bathurst class corvette of World War II. She was built in Sydney and was commissioned in December 1942. During the war she escorted convoys in Australian and New Guinean waters. Following the war she was based at Hong Kong until October 1945, where she conducted mine sweeping and anti-piracy patrols. While Wagga paid off to reserve in November 1945 she was reactivated as a training ship on several occasions during the 1950s. HMAS Wagga was the last of the RAN's 56 Bathurst class corvettes in seagoing commission when she paid off for the final time in October 1960. Wagga was sold for scrap in March 1962.


Engineers from the 2/13 Field Company rest after clearing the beach defences at Tarakan in May 1945
The Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) is a Corps of the Australian Army. The RAE was formed as The Corps of Engineers in July 1902 by the amalgamation of the various engineer corps of the States and territories of Australia and assumed its current name in January 1936. RAE units have participated in all the Army's major deployments, including both world wars and numerous peacekeeping missions. The Corps currently provides combat engineering, construction and other technical support to the Australian Defence Force.


No. 464 Squadron Mosquito aircraft setting out on a mission over France in August 1944
No. 464 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force squadron during World War II. The Squadron was formed in September 1942 in the United Kingdom and was equipped with Lockheed Ventura light bombers. The Squadron conducted raids over France during 1943 and 1944 and was reequipped with superior de Havilland Mosquito aircraft in July 1943. The Squadron's reputation for highly accurate bombing led it to be selected for Operation Jericho in February 1944 and a number of other precision attacks on Gestapo targets. The Squadron continued bombing missions over Europe until the end of the war. No. 464 Squadron was disbanded in Belgium in September 1945.


HMAS Parramatta (rear) alongside USS Theodore Roosevelt
The fourth HMAS Parramatta (FFH 154) is a Royal Australian Navy Anzac class frigate. Parramatta was built by Tenix Defence Systems at Williamstown, Victoria and was commissioned in October 2003. She conducted her first deployment to the Persian Gulf between November 2005 and April 2006. During this duty period her crew carried out 186 vessel boardings and security patrols. She was also involved in training other vessels in the Iraq Coalition.


5/6 RVR marching in Melbourne on ANZAC Day 2006
The 5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment (5/6 RVR) is one of two battalions of the Royal Victoria Regiment and is an Australian Army Reserve unit. 5/6 RVR was formed in August 1982 by amalgamating 5 RVR and 6 RVR. 1 RVR was also absorbed into 5/6 RVR in November 1987. 5/6 RVR is located in Melbourne, Victoria and forms part of the 4th Brigade. Individuals from 5/6 RVR have taken part in most of the recent Australian Army domestic and overseas operations, with the Battalion contributing about 200 soldiers to provide security for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.


No. 82 Squadron Mustang aircraft in Japan in 1947
No. 82 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. The Squadron was formed in June 1943 and was equipped with P-40 Kittyhawk fighters. After a lengthy period of training the Squadron deployed to New Guinea in August 1944. No. 82 Squadron conducted ground attack missions in New Guinea until March 1945 when it moved to Morotai in the Netherlands East Indies. From Morotai the Squadron supported the liberation of Borneo. The Squadron moved to Labuan island in June and supported the Australian Army until the end of the war. Following the war No. 82 Squadron formed part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force and arrived in Japan in March 1946. No. 82 Squadron performed surveillance patrols over Japan until it was disbanded in October 1948.


HMAS Jervis Bay (rear) with HMAS Perth in 1992
The first HMAS Jervis Bay (AGT-203) was a Royal Australian Navy transport and training ship. She was built as a roll-on, roll-off passenger-cargo ship in Newcastle, New South Wales and was operated as a ferry in Bass Strait by the Australian National Line. The RAN purchased the ship in January 1977 to replace HMAS Duchess as the fleet training ship and she was commissioned in August. Jervis Bay provided navigation and seamanship training and also provided transport to the Army as required. HMAS Jervis Bay paid off in April 1994 and was sold in December. She is currently in service as a commercial passenger ferry.