2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment

Cavalry regiment of the Australian Army August 2014 November 2020 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment Captured Italian tanks 005042.jpg M11/39s and an M13/40 of the 6th Australian Division Cavalry Regiment at Tobruk in January 1941 1939–1945 Australia Australian Army Commando ~500 personnel all rankshttp://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/structure/army_detailed_structure.asp Military Organisation and Structure: The Light Horse/Cavalry/Armoured Regiment Australian War Memorial 23 July 2012 6 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121006063150/http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/structure/army_detailed_structure.asp dead 6th Division Second World War North African campaign Syria–Lebanon campaign New Guinea campaign Aitape–Wewak campaign September 1945 Maurice Ferguson First Commander Eric Hennessy Last Commander 100px Unit colour patch The 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment was a cavalry regiment of the Australian Army that served during the Second World War and was later converted into a commando unit. Formed at Ingleburn, New South Wales, in November 1939, it was originally raised as an armoured reconnaissance regiment attached to the 6th Division. In that role, the 2/6th saw action in the North Africa campaign and in the Middle East during 1940–41, where the regiment distinguished itself at Bardia, Tobruk and in Syria. Later, following Japan's entry into the war, the 6th Division was brought back to Australia and following a re-organisation, the regiment was converted into a cavalry commando regiment, incorporating the independent companies that had been formed at the start of the war. In late 1944, the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment was deployed to New Guinea, where it participated in one of the final Australian campaigns of the war in the Aitape–Wewak area. 2 History Formation The regiment was raised at Ingleburn, New South Wales, on 3 November 1939, as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF), which was raised from volunteers for overseas service.O'Leary 1975 9 Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Fergusson,Handel 2003 145 a First World War veteran who had previously commanded the 8th Light Horse Regiment while serving in the Militia during the inter war years, the regiment was assigned to the 6th Division and was named the "6th Division Reconnaissance Regiment".O'Leary 1975 4 The cadre of commissioned and senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) upon which the regiment was raised was drawn largely from the Militia and were selected by Fergusson or his adjutant, Captain Charles Finlay, a regular Army officer who would later go on to command the 2/24th Infantry Battalion and eventually reach the rank of major general and serve as commandant of the Royal Military College, Duntroon. The regiment's first regimental sergeant major was Eric Hennessy, who eventually rose to command the regiment.O'Leary 1975 13 & 16. Upon establishment, the regiment's personnel were drawn from all Australian states. It consisted of three fighting squadrons, 'A', 'B' and 'C'. 'A' Squadron was recruited from men from Queensland and New South Wales, while Victorians formed 'B' Squadron and 'C' Squadron consisted of troops from South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.O'Leary 1975 6. Later, a headquarters squadron was formed, as was a regimental aid post.O'Leary 1975 13. It took some time for the regiment to concentrate at Ingleburn and it was not until mid-December that the regiment's interstate recruits had arrived and training began.O'Leary 1975 14. From the outset, the regiment was set apart from others by way of its distinctive headdress as it was issued with the black armoured corps beret, upon which members of the regiment wore the large Rising Sun hat badge.Handel 2003 145 Its unit colour patch consisted of the same colours of the Royal Tank Corps – brown, red and green – which it wore in that order, in contrast to other armoured units which displayed the green followed by red and brown.O'Leary 1975 12. It took some time for the regiment to form and by the end of the first week of the regiment's existence there were only a total of 107 men on its books at Ingleburn. Initial training was only very rudimentary in nature, consisting mainly of drill and basic signals. Lacking vehicles, at the outset only limited driver training could be undertaken using private vehicles. Finally, on 13 November a quantity of weapons arrived for individual training and two days later a number of utility vehicles and lorries arrived.O'Leary 1975 9–11. More involved signals and driver training followed and on 23 November, the regiment was inspected by the divisional commander, Lieutenant General Thomas Blamey. Over the course of the next fortnight, personnel arrived from South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, however, it was not until mid-December that the regiment was fully concentrated at Ingleburn when the last troops arrived from Victoria.O'Leary 1975 12–13. By this time, the decision had been made that the troops of the 2nd AIF would be sent to the Middle East to train while they waited for transportation to Europe, and on 15 December an advanced party of eight officers and NCOs from the regiment departed.O'Leary 1975 15. Throughout December, the regiment received more advanced instruction in navigation and signals and two Vickers light tanks were received for training. Shortages prevented hands-on training on the new Bren light machine-gun and Boys anti-tank rifle, although demonstrations were provided, and live-firing was undertaken on the Vickers machine-gun before a period of leave was granted over the Christmas and New Year period.O'Leary 1975 16–17. After reforming, the regiment's dispatch to the Middle East was confirmed and it subsequently took part in a divisional march through Martin Place, Sydney, in full dress uniform on 4 January 1940, watched by over 500,000 spectators. Later that week, 10,000 civilians farewelled the regiment at a parade at Ingleburn.O'Leary 1975 19. Middle East 1940–1942 right|thumb|250px| Parade of the 6th Australian Divisional Cavalry Regiment at Casa camp, September 1941. The regiment had only been in existence for two months when it deployed overseas.Handel 2003 145 Departing Sydney on the transport Strathnaver on 10 January,O'Leary 1975 20. the 6th Division Cavalry Regiment would not make it to Europe. Instead, they would spend the best part of the next two years in the Middle East and would see action in Syria, Libya, Egypt and Lebanon against Vichy French, Italian and German forces. Arriving in Egypt on 12 February, they were initially sent to Palestine where they joined the rest of the 6th Division and began training on Bren carriers and six old Vickers light tanks. This training continued for most of the year, until December 1940 when the 6th Division moved into the Western Desert where they concentrated along with a large number of British troops in preparation for an offensive. Two days later, on 11 December 1940, the regiment – having been renamed the "6th Australian Division Cavalry Regiment" on 8 June 1940O'Leary 1975 31. – became the first unit of the 2nd AIF to see action in the war,Handel 2003 145 when elements from 'B' Squadron fought a brief but sharp encounter with the Italian garrisons at Garn el Grein and Fort Maddalina on 11/12 December.http://www.defence.gov.au/ARMY/2cav/traditions.html Traditions of Australian 2nd Cavalry Regiment Department of Defence (Australia) 2 February 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070527173040/http://www.defence.gov.au/ARMY/2cav/traditions.html 27 May 2007 In January 1941, 'A' Squadron took part in the fighting around Bardia and then assisted the 19th Brigade in capturing Tobruk, during which time they used their Bren carriers and a number of captured Italian Italian M11 tanks, which were adorned with kangaroo symbols to distinguish them from Italian tanks. The regiment's use of tanks in this fighting was significant, representing the first time that Australian forces had operated tanks in action.http://www.lancers.org.au/site/Lancers_Despatch_Feb_2004.asp https://web.archive.org/web/20110718230041/http://www.lancers.org.au/site/Lancers_Despatch_Feb_2004.asp Royal New South Wales Lancers Lancer Barracks and Museum Craven David Snippets: The First Australian Tanks Leader in War 2 February 2007 18 July 2011 After this, further actions were undertaken around Derna and Benghazi, before supporting the 18th Brigade's attack on Giarabub in March.O'Leary 1975 98–108. In April, the regiment received a number of Vickers light tanks and more Bren carriers from the 7th Division Cavalry Regiment, and the unit was re-organised at Helwan, near Cairo.O'Leary 1975 110–111. At this time, the squadrons were organised into six troops, of which two would operate tanks and four would operate carriers. Further training was undertaken before the regiment moved to Mersa Matruh in the middle of the month.O'Leary 1975 111. In mid-May, the regiment operated around Sollum in support of British troops during Operation Brevity before being moved to Palestine in May to join the 7th Division in the Syria–Lebanon campaign against the Vichy French.O'Leary 1975 113–118. After the start of the campaign in early June, the regiment took part in two main drives. The first of these was undertaken by the carrier troops from 'A' Squadron were attached to the 21st Brigade and took part in the coastal advance until being relieved by a squadron from the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment in mid-June.O'Leary 1975 121 & 144. The squadron later received four French R35 Renault light tanks, which had been captured from the Vichy French,Handel 2003 146 and on 20 June, 'A' Squadron was recommitted to the fighting, sending patrols towards Damour and to the north of Sidon.O'Leary 1975 165. The second drive came in the centre, where 'C' Squadron was attached to 25th Brigade.O'Leary 1975 121. Initially, 'B' Squadron was held back in reserve, but after 'C' Squadron's light tanks and carriers had taken part in sharp fighting around Fort Khirbe,O'Leary 1975 121 & 149. it was committed to the advance up the Rosh Pinna Road, fending off assaults by Vichy French tanks before the fighting eventually ended in an armistice on 14 July.O'Leary 1975 177. During the campaign, the regiment was responsible for making a unique contribution to Australia's involvement to the war. Due to the rugged terrain along the Merdjayoun–Banis Road, which was unsuited to armoured vehicles, a small force of about 70 men drawn mainly from 'C' Squadron – later dubbed the "Kelly Gang"http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au/stories/stories.asp?war=W2&id=209 Australians at War – Australian Horsemen at Home in the Kelly Gang 8 February 2007 1 August 2002 https://web.archive.org/web/20060819232330/http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au/stories/stories.asp?war=W2&id=209 19 August 2006 – were used to form a horse troop.Hopkins 1993 85–86Handel 2003 146 Conducting patrols through the hills using horses that they had captured from the French, they were active until the armistice, and gathered important intelligence information and harassed the French by calling down artillery strikes.O'Leary 1975 158–161 & 173. Re-organisation 1942–1944 Following the completion of the Syrian campaign in July, the regiment returned to Palestine in August, where a period of leave followed before the 6th Division Cavalry Regiment returned to Syria to undertake occupation duties around Aleppo and mount patrols along the Turkish border and the Euphrates.O'Leary 1975 187–188. In November, the regiment was moved to Labboue, 15 mi km north of Baalbek where they endured harsh winter conditions while working to dig defensive positions as part of the Djedeide line. They remained there until March 1942, when the regiment was ordered to move to Palestine to return to Australia, following the outbreak of the Pacific War with Japan.O'Leary 1975 189–196Hopkins 1993 93 The regiment embarked on the United States Navy troop transport USS West Point at Suez and landed at Port Adelaide on 30 March, with a strength of just over 500 men of all ranks.O'Leary 1975 198–200 After entraining, the regiment was moved to Tanunda in the Barossa Valley where it was billeted with the local population before concentrating at Warradale in mid-April. From there, a short period of inter-state leave followed. The following month, the regiment reformed at Ingleburn where the regiment undertook exercises using its Bren carriers.O'Leary 1975 200–201 The 2/6th remained in New South Wales until June 1942, when the regiment was transported by train up the east coast of Australia to Townsville and then west to Mount Isa. From there, the regiment's vehicles were transferred to trucks for the remainder of the journey to the Northern Territory.O'Leary 1975 202–203. left|thumb|250px| A parade on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, 11 September 1944. B Troop salutes during the march past. Upon arrival in the Northern Territory, the regiment was sent to the Adelaide River,Handel 2003 146 as part of "Northern Territory Force" where it was stationed in anticipation of a possible Japanese advance on mainland Australia. During this time, the regiment undertook further training. They also manned defensive positions and undertook long-range patrols from the Daly River to its confluence with Anson Bay,O'Leary 1975 206. and undertook search and rescue operations for downed pilots.O'Leary 1975 221–222. The regiment was re-designated the "2/6th Australian Cavalry Regiment" in early 1943, at which point the regiment's link to the 6th Division was broken.O'Leary 1975 209. In July 1943, the regiment was relieved of its duties in the Northern Territory by the 8th Cavalry Regiment, and after being transported to Adelaide, a month of inter-state leave was granted.O'Leary 1975 223–224. The regiment reassembled in Murgon, Queensland, north of Brisbane, where they occupied the lines previously vacated by the 8th Cavalry Regiment.O'Leary 1975 225. The change of location failed to provide the men with further opportunities for combat, though, and the lack of action resulted in poor morale amongst the regiment's personnel. Steadily the unit's strength fell as men sought transfer to units that were taking part in the fighting elsewhere; by November 1943 the regiment consisted of 26 officers and 254 other ranks. On 2 December 1943, the unit's name was changed to the "2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment".O'Leary 1975 226. This was part of an Army-wide re-organisation as the focus of Australian land operations moved away from the Middle East towards the jungles of the Pacific and fighting the Japanese.Palazzo 2004 91. As a result of this, it was decided to convert three 2nd AIF divisions – the 6th, 7th and 9th – into light infantry Jungle Divisions, equipped and trained especially for combat in the South-West Pacific. It was found that the armoured reconnaissance units of these divisions were not suited to serving in the Pacific and as such it was decided to disband these units and use their headquarters units to amalgamate the independent companies of commandos that had been raised at the start of the war.Horner 1989 26. At this time, the regiment's armoured vehicles were handed back to the Army and it was used as the administrative headquarters for three commando squadrons, the 2/7th, 2/9th and 2/10th Commando Squadrons.http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_13634second_world_war.asp 6th Division Cavalry Regiment Second World War, 1939–1945 units Australian War Memorial 24 August 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20080925203335/http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_13634second_world_war.asp 25 September 2008 liveJohnston 2008 193. Shortly after this, the regiment moved to the Atherton Tablelands, taking up residence in a camp near Ravenshoe, where they began training for their new role.O'Leary 1975 227. South West Pacific 1944–1945 After undertaking infantry and specialised jungle training for more than a year, the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment finally received orders for overseas in October 1944. Once again the regiment was attached to the 6th Division. Initially it had been believed that the division would take part in the fighting in the Philippines, however, inter-Allied politics prevented this and the division was sent to New Guinea instead,O'Leary 1975 240. where the individual squadrons, some of them having earlier distinguished themselves during previous campaigns in the South West Pacific as independent units, fought against the Japanese until the end of the war in the Aitape–Wewak campaign.Long 1963 271–387. right|thumb|250px| Karawop, New Guinea, 18 September 1945. Embarking in Brisbane on the transport Katoomba, the regiment arrived at Aitape on 22 October 1944.Long 1963 274.O'Leary 1975 242. Almost immediately the regiment began patrolling operations in the surrounding area and began the task of relieving the Americans as they awaited for the rest of the 6th Division to arrive.Long 1963 276. Once the 6th Division had concentrated in the area and completed the task of taking over from the American garrison, the regiment began reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering operations in the Torricelli Mountains, some 20 km south of Aitape, throughout November, in preparation for the coming offensive. During this time the regiment had a number of contacts with the enemy, the most notable of which occurred on 30 November 1944 when, for the loss of just one Australian, 73 Japanese were killed and seven were captured. While the Americans that had previously held the area had undertaken a defensive campaign maintaining a series of standing patrols,O'Leary 1975 245. the Australians decided to employ more aggressive tactics.Long 1963 279. The offensive began in mid-December and as the Australians advanced eastwards over the course of the following months, elements from the 2/6th found themselves involved in a number of roles, patrolling ahead of the rest of the 6th Division.Long 1963 280–281. Where necessary they were also used in a traditional infantry role to seize and hold ground, such as during the landings around Dove Bay in May, when the regiment was tasked with capturing the village of Sauri.Long 1963 345. This was achieved by the 2/7th Commando Squadron on 11 May when an attack was put in by two troops with artillery support, which resulted in two Australians and 16 Japanese killed and five Australians wounded.Long 1963 347–348. In June and July, the fighting began to draw to a close, and the regiment was used mainly in "mopping up" operations in the Boiken area, where Japanese raiding parties continued to cause havoc amongst the Australian forces right up until the end of the war.Long 1963 380–381. The danger continued after the war had officially come to an end. The regiment's final fatality came on 18 August when a trooper triggered a booby trap while on a patrol.O'Leary 1975 347. The regiment's casualties in this final campaign were high. There were 29 killed in action, nine died of wounds, four died in accidents, and 99 wounded in action. This is a total of 141 casualties. When this is compared with the overall total of 204 for the regiment for the entire war, it can be seen that the final campaign was the most costly.Johnston 2008 244. Against this, 778 Japanese were killed and 23 were captured by the 2/6th. Following the cessation of hostilities in the Pacific, the regiment undertook guard duties at Boiken where a Japanese prisoner of war centre was established. While the men awaited transfer, educational programs were instituted to prepare the soldiers to return to civilian employment.O'Leary 1975 350. The regiment was disbanded in September 1945,http://www.australian-armour.com/2-6DivCav.html 2/6th Division Cavalry Regiment Royal Australian Armoured Corps https://web.archive.org/web/20110721180927/http://www.australian-armour.com/2-6DivCav.html 21 July 2011 18 July 2010 and the individual squadrons were slowly depleted of their manpower, as they were deemed surplus to requirements, their personnel either repatriated back to Australia for discharge, or used to fill gaps in other units that would be used later for occupation and garrison duties in Japan and elsewhere, before they were finally disbanded in early 1946.Trigellis-Smith 1992 259. Commanding officers The following officers served as the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment's commanding officer:Johnston 2008 6.Hopkins 1993 317 Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Fergusson (October 1939 – March 1941) (wounded in action); Major Stewart Morrison (March 1941 – June 1941); Lieutenant Colonel Denzil Macarthur-Onslow (June 1941 – April 1942); Lieutenant Colonel John Abbott (May 1942 – January 1944); and Lieutenant Colonel Eric Hennessy (January 1944 – September 1945).Long 1963 275 Decorations Members of the regiment received the following decorations:Johnston 2008 247. 3 Distinguished Service Order; 9 Military Crosses; 1 Distinguished Conduct Medal; 12 Military Medals; and 57 Mentions in Despatches. Casualties Throughout the entire war, out of a total of 2,051 personnel the 2/6th suffered a total of 204 casualties. These were: 40 were killed in action, 12 died of wounds, five died from accidents, 141 were wounded in action and six became prisoners of war.Johnston 2008 242. Battle honours The regiment received the following battle honours for their service during the Second World War: 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.http://www.defence.gov.au/army/ahu/HISTORY/Battle%20Honours/Battle_Honours_WWII_CavalryArmdRifles_Units.htm Battle honours Department of Defence (Australia) 2 February 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070705155720/http://www.defence.gov.au/army/ahu/HISTORY/Battle%2BHonours/Battle_Honours_WWII_CavalryArmdRifles_Units.htm 5 July 2007 liveMaitland 1999 139–145. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment was chosen by the past members of the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment to hold and preserve these battle honours and on 9 October 1971 at a ceremonial parade the regiment was presented with a scroll and bronze plaque affiliating the two regiments.http://www.army.gov.au/2cav/Unit_History.asp https://web.archive.org/web/20110608173348/http://www.army.gov.au/2cav/Unit_History.asp Unit History – 2nd Cavalry Regiment Department of Defence (Australia) 20 February 2009 8 June 2011 Notes References Paul Handel 2003 Dust, Sand & Jungle: A History of Australian Armour During Training and Operations, 1927–1948 RAAC Memorial and Army Tank Museum Puckapunyal, Victoria 1-876439-75-0 Ronald Hopkins Ronald Hopkins 1978 1993 Australian Armour: A History of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps 1927–1972 Royal Australian Armoured Corps Tank Museum Puckapunyal, Victoria 0-642-99414-5 Horner David David Horner SAS: Phantoms of the Jungle – A History of the Australian Special Air Service 1989 1st Allen & Unwin St Leonards, New South Wales 1-86373-007-9 Johnston Mark Mark Johnston (historian) The Proud 6th: An Illustrated History of the 6th Australian Division 1939–46 2008 Cambridge University Press Cambridge 978-0-521-51411-8 Long Gavin Gavin Long The Final Campaigns 1963 Australia in the War of 1939–1945 Official History Series Series 1 – Army. Volume VII Australian War Memorial Canberra, Australian Capital Territory https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070206/ 1297619 Maitland Gordon The Second World War and its Australian Army Battle Honours 1999 Kangaroo Press East Roseville, New South Wales 0-86417-975-8 O'Leary Shawn To the Green Fields Beyond: The Story of the 6th Division Cavalry Commandos 1975 Sixth Division Cavalry Unit History Committee Sydney, New South Wales 978-0-9598256-0-2 Palazzo Albert Organising for Jungle Warfare The Foundations of Victory: The Pacific War 1943–1944 2004 Dennis, Peter Grey, Jeffrey Army History Unit Canberra, Australian Capital Territory http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Army-History-Unit/Chief-of-Army-History-Conference/Previous-Conference-Proceedings/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/Conference%20Papers%20and%20Images/2003/2003-The_Pacific_War_1943-1944_Part_1.ashx 86–101 0-646-43590-6 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160309213301/http://army.gov.au/our-history/army-history-unit/chief-of-army-history-conference/previous-conference-proceedings/~/media/files/our%20history/aahu/conference%20papers%20and%20images/2003/2003-the_pacific_war_1943-1944_part_1.ashx 9 March 2016 Trigellis-Smith Syd Purple Devils: History of 2/6 Australian Commando Squadron 1992 2/6 Commando Squadron Association Melbourne, Victoria 0-646-07125-4 External links 2/6 Cavalry Commando Regiment Association (Vic.) Website Anzac Steel, Australian Armour in the Middle East, 1940–1942: Use of tanks by 6th Australian Division Cavalry Regiment 6 6 6 6 6 Category:Armoured and cavalry regiments of the Australian Army