2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion (Australia)

2/1st Machine Gun Battalion

A Vickers machine-gun team from the 2/3rd in Syria, October 1941
Active 1940–46
Country Australia
Branch Australian Army
Type Infantry
Role Direct fire support
Part of 7th Division
6th Division
Engagements

World War II

Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Arthur Blackburn
Insignia
Unit Colour Patch

The 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on June 1940 as part of the 7th Division and served in Egypt, Syria and Netherland East Indies. Raised in 1940 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Blackburn, the battalion embarked for the Middle East the following year and in June/July saw action against Vichy French forces during the Syria–Lebanon campaign. Following Japan's entry into the war, the decision was made to transfer a large number of Australian troops from the Middle East to the Pacific region. In early 1942, as the Japanese advanced through the Netherlands East Indies, the majority of the battalion was captured during the Battle of Java. A small number of the battalion's personnel returned to Australia and the battalion was subsequently re-raised in mid-1942. It was later attached to the 6th Division and served in Papua New Guinea during the Aitape–Wewak campaign in 1944–45. The battalion was disbanded in January 1946.[1]

References

  1. ↑ "2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion". Second World War units, 1939–1945. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 17 July 2015.

Further reading

External links

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