2/6th Armoured Regiment (Australia)

Armoured regiment of the Australian Army 2/6th Armoured Regiment Australian infantry and armour at Buna (AWM 014008).jpg A 2/6th Armoured Regiment tank supporting infantry during the final assault on Buna 1941–1946 Australia 23px Australian Army Armoured M3 Stuart and M3 Grant tanks World War II Battle of Buna–Gona 100px Unit colour patch The 2/6th Armoured Regiment was an armoured regiment of the Australian Army that served during World War II. Raised in 1941 the Regiment took part in the Battle of Buna–Gona in 1942–43, however, it did not see further action during the war and was disbanded in September 1945. History The 2/6th Armoured Regiment was formed in August 1941Handel 2003, p. 155. as part of the 1st Armoured Brigade of the 1st Armoured Division.http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_13769second_world_war.asp 2/6th Armoured Regiment Australian War Memorial Second World War, 1939–1945 units 25 December 2009http://www.australian-armour.com/2-6th%20AAR.html 2nd/6th Australian Armoured Regiment Australian-armour.com 1 April 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070831112149/http://www.australian-armour.com/2-6th%20AAR.html 31 August 2007 dead Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel C.R Hodgson, the regiment recruited mainly from the state of New South Wales. It was initially located at Greta, New South Wales, and was equipped with Universal Carriers for training purposes, due to the shortage of other armoured vehicles. Following the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941, the regiment was deployed to defend Coffs Harbour against a feared Japanese attack. In May 1942 the 2/6th Armoured Regiment was moved to Singleton, New South Wales, and was equipped with M3 Stuart light tanks. Later they moved to Narrabri, New South Wales, where they took part in large-scale divisional exercises with the rest of the 1st Armoured Division. In September 1942, the regiment's 'A' Squadron was deployed to Port Moresby in New Guinea, making the 2/6th the first Australian armoured regiment to be deployed to an operational area in the Pacific theatre.Hopkins 1978, pp. 115–116. Subsequently, the regimental headquarters and 'C' Squadron were also deployed to Port Moresby, while 'B' Squadron was deployed to Milne Bay in November 1942. During 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 December, seven tanks were dispatched to take part in the fighting around Cape Endaiadere. Three Stuarts were lost on 18 December, while the other four were knocked out on 24 December when they were engaged by Japanese anti-aircraft artillery from point blank range. Reinforcements were brought up, though, and an attack was put in at Giropa Point on 29 December, although difficult terrain prevented a link up with the infantry. Further attacks occurred in January 1943 around the Sananada Track.Handel 2003, pp. 155–156. In April 1943 the regiment was relieved and returned to Australia.Hopkins 1978, p. 128. 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.Hopkins 1978, p. 130. The regiment was transferred to the 1st Armoured Brigade Group in Western Australia in early 1943, however, and did not see further combat.Handel 2003, p. 156. After the 1st Armoured Brigade Group was disbanded in September 1944 due to manpower shortages and the decreasing strategic need for armour, the regiment operated as an independent formation until it rejoined the 4th Armoured Brigade in July 1945. Following the end of hostilities, the 2/6th Armoured Regiment was disbanded in February 1946.Hopkins 1978, p. 177. During the course of its service it lost 15 men killed in action or died on active service, while members of the regiment received the following awards: one Military Cross, one Military Medal and seven Mention in Despatches. Commanding officers Charles Ralph Hodgson (July 1941 – December 1942) Norman Lewis Moss (December 1942 – January 1943) James Baker McBean (January 1943 – February 1945) John Frederick Page Burt (February 1945 – September 1945).http://www.australian-armour.com/COs_2-6AAR.html Commanding Officers of the 2/6th Armoured Regiment Australian-armour.com 25 December 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20110721181556/http://www.australian-armour.com/COs_2-6AAR.html 21 July 2011 dead Battle honours For its service during World War II the 2/6th Armoured Regiment received three battle honours, these were: South-West Pacific 1942–43, Buna–Gona, Cape Endaiadere–Sinemi Creek. Notes 2 References Handel Paul Dust, Sand & Jungle: A History of Australian Armour During Training and Operations, 1927–1948 2003 RAAC Memorial and Army Tank Museum Puckapunyal, Victoria 978-1-876439-75-0 Handel Paul The Vital Factor: A History of the 2/6th Australian Armoured Regiment, 1941–1946 2004 Australian Military History Publications Loftus, New South Wales 1-876439-61-0 Hopkins Ronald Australian Armour. A History of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps 1927–1972 1978 Australian Government Publishing Service Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 978-0-642-99414-1 June 2017 6th Armoured Regiment Category:Military units and formations established in 1941 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946 Category:1946 disestablishments in Australia