Who served where, and when ? Major campaigns and battles of WW2 that involved Australian forces and the Units that participated 1. ADVANCE to BENGHAZI - DEC 1940 to JAN 1941 RAN HMAS Stuart HMAS Vampire HMAS Vendetta HMAS Voyager HMAS Waterhen AIF-6th Australian Division 16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions) 17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions) 19th Brigade (2/4th, 2/8th, 2/11th Battalions) 6th Cavalry Regiment 2/1st Field Regiment 2/2nd Field Regiment 2/3rd Field Regiment 16th Anti-Tank Company 17th Anti-Tank Company 19th Anti-Tank Company 2/1st Field Company 2/2nd Field Company 2/8th Field Company RAAF No.3 Squadron (Gladiators and Lysanders) 2. SIEGE OF TOBRUK-APRIL TO NOVEMBER 1941 RAN HMAS Napier HMAS Nizam HMAS Stuart HMAS Vampire HMAS Vendetta HMAS Voyager HMAS Waterhen HMAS Parramatta HMAS Yarra AIF-9th Australian Division 18th Brigade Detached from 7th Division (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions) 20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions) 24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions) 26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions) 2/1st Pioneer Battalion 2/12th Field Regiment 2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment 24th Anti-Tank Company 26th Anti-Tank Company 2/3rd Field Company 2/4th Field Company 2/7th Field Company 2/13th Field Company 2/11th Field Ambulance 3. GREECE, MARCH, APRIL 1941 RAN HMAS Perth HMAS Stuart HMAS Vendetta HMAS Voyager HMAS Waterhen AIF-6th Australian Division 16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions) 17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions) 19th Brigade (2/4th, 2/8th, 2/11th Battalions) 2/1st Machine-Gun Battalion 2/1st Field Regiment 2/2nd Field Regiment 2/3rd Field Regiment 2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment 2/1st Field Company 2/2nd Field Company 2/8th Field Company 2/5th Australian General Hospital 2/6th Australian General Hospital 2/1st Field Ambulance 2/2nd Field Ambulance 2/7th Field Ambulance 4. CRETE-MAY, JUNE 1941 RAN HMAS Perth HMAS Napier HMAS Nizam HMAS Stuart HMAS Vampire HMAS Vendetta HMAS Voyager HMAS Waterhen AIF 19th Brigade (2/1st, 2/7th, 2/8th, 2/11th Battalions) 16th Brigade Composite Battalion (2/2nd & 2/3rd Battalions) 17th Brigade Composite Battalion (2/5th & 2/6th Battalions) 2/4th Battalion 2/1st Machine-Gun Battalion 2/2nd Field Regiment 2/3rd Field Regiment 7th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery 2/8th Field Company 2/7th Field Ambulance 5. SYRIA-JUNE & JULY 1941 RAN HMAS Perth HMAS Nizam HMAS Stuart AIF-7th Australian Division 17th Brigade' (2/3rd, 2/5th Battalions, 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion) Detached from 6th Division 21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th Battalions) 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions) 6th Cavalry Regiment 9th Cavalry Regiment 2/4th Field Regiment 2/5th Field Regiment 2/6th Field Regiment 2/9th Field Regiment 2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment (1 troop) 2/2nd Anti-Tank Regiment 2/3rd Machine-Gun Battalion 2/5th Field Company 2/6th Field Company 2/9th Field Company RAAF No.3 Squadron (Tomahawks) 6. MALAYA SINGAPORE-DECEMBER 1941 to FEBRUARY 1942 RAN HMAS Vampire HMAS Yarra HMAS Bendigo HMAS Burnie HMAS Goulburn HMAS Maryborough HMAS Woollongong AIF 8th Australian Division (less 29th Brigade) 22nd Brigade (2/18th, 2/19th, 2/20th Battalions) 27th Brigade (2/26th, 2/29th, 2/30th Battalions) 2/10th Field Regiment 2/15th Field Regiment 2/4th Anti-Tank Regiment 2/4th Machine-Gun Battalion 2/10th Field Company 2/12th Field Company 2/6th Field Park Company 10th Australian General Hospital 2/4th Casualty Clearing Station 2/9th Field Ambulance 2/10th Field Ambulance Hygiene, Dental, Supply, Motor Transport, Workshops, Ordnance, Cash, Provost and Postal Units RAAF No.1 Squadron (Hudsons) No.8 Squadron (Hudsons) No.21 Squadron (Buffalos) No.453 Squadron (Buffalos) 7. KOKODA TRACK-JULY TO NOVEMBER 1942 AIF & Militia 'Maroubra Force' 16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions) 21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th Battalions) 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions) 30th Brigade (39th, 53rd Battalions) 3rd Battalion 2/1st Pioneer Battalion 2/6th Independent Company 14th Field Regiment ANGAU (Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit) Papuan Infantry Battalion 2/6th Field Company 2/14th Field Company 2/9th Australian General Hospital 2/4th Field Ambulance 2/6th Field Ambulance 8. EL ALAMEIN-JULY TO NOVEMBER 1942 AIF-9th Australian Division 20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions) 24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions) 26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions) 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion 9th Cavalry Regiment 2/2nd Machine-Gun Battalion 2/7th Field Regiment 2/8th Field Regiment 2/12th Field Regiment 2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 2/3rd Field Company 2/7th Field Company 2/13th Field Company 2/11th Field Ambulance RAAF No.3 Squadron (Kittyhawks) No.450 Squadron (Kittyhawks) 9. MILNE BAY-AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 1942 AIF & Militia 'Milne Force' 7th Brigade (9th, 25th, 61st Battalions) 18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions) 2/5th Field Regiment 4th Battery, 101st Anti-Tank Regiment 6th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery 9th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery 24th Field Company RAAF No.6 Squadron (Hudsons) No.32 Squadron (Hudsons) NO.75 Squadron (Kittyhawks) No.76 Squadron (Kittyhawks) Detachment of No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters) Detachment of No.100 Squadron (Beauforts) 10. BUNA-NOVEMBER 1942 TO JANUARY 1943 AIF 18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions) 2/6th Independent Company 2/6th Armoured Regiment 2/1st Field Regiment 2/5th Field Regiment 13th Field Regiment 1st Mountain Battery 2/4th Field Company RAAF No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways) No.22 Squadron (Bostons) No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters) 11. GONA-NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 1942 AIF-7th Australian Division 21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th, 39th Battalions) 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd, 3rd Battalions) 'Chaforce' (1 Coy from each of 2/14, 2/16, 2/27 Bns) 2/1st Field Regiment 2/4th Field Ambulance RAAF No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways) No.22 Squadron (Bostons) No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters) 12. SANANANDA-NOVEMBER 1942 TO JANUARY 1943 AIF & Militia-7th Australian Division 16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions) 18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions) 30th Brigade (36th, 49th, 55th/53rd Battalions) 39th Battalion 2/7th Cavalry Regiment 2/6th Armoured Regiment 2/1st Field Regiment 2/5th Field Regiment 2/6th Field Company 2/4th Field Ambulance RAAF No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways) No.22 Squadron (Bostons) No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters) 13. WAU VALLEY-JANUARY & FEBRUARY 1943 AIF- 'Kanga Force' 17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions) 2/3rd Independent Company 2/5th Independent Company 2/7th Independent Company 7th Machine-Gun Battalion 2/1st Field Regiment 2/8th Field Company 2/16th Field Company RAAF No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways) No.22 Squadron (Bostons) No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters) 14. WAU TO MUBO-APRIL TO AUGUST 1943 AIF & Militia 17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions) 29th Brigade (15th, 42nd, 47th Battalions) 58th/59th Battalion 2/3rd Independent Company 2/1st Field Regiment 2/6th Field Regiment 162nd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery RAAF No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways) No.22 Squadron (Bostons) No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters) 15. WAU TO MARKHAM VALLEY-APRIL TO SEPTEMBER 1943 AIF & Militia 2/6th Battalion 24th Battalion 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion 1st Mountain Battery 2/6th Field Company 16. SALAMAUA-AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 1943 AIF & Militia-5th Australian Division 15th Brigade (24th & 58/59th Battalions, 2/3rd Independent Company) 17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions) 29th Brigade (15th, 42nd, 47th Battalions) Papuan Infantry Battalion 2/6th Field Regiment 1st Mountain Battery 11th Field Company RAAF No.22 Squadron (Bostons) No.24 Squadron (Vengeances) No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters) 17. LAE-NADZAB-SEPTEMBER 1943 AIF-7th Australian Division 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions) 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion 2/4th Field Regiment 2/5th Field Company 2/6th Field Company -9th Australian Division 20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions) 24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions) 26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions) 2/4th Independent Company 2/6th Field Regiment 2/12th Field Regiment 14th Field Regiment 2/7th Field Company RAAF No.22 Squadron (Bostons) No.24 Squadron (Vengeances) No.30 Squadron (Beaufighters) 18. FINSCHAFEN and SATTELBERG-SEPTEMBER to NOVEMBER 1943 AIF-9th Australian Division 20th Brigade (2/13th. 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions) 24th Brigade (2/28th. 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions) 26th Brigade (2/23rd. 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions) 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion 2/4th Commando Squadron 2/2nd Machine-Gun Battalion 1st Tank Battalion 2/6th Field Regiment 2/12th Field Regiment 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 2/3rd Field Company 2/7th Field Company 2/13th Field Company 19. NADZAB TO MADANG-SEPTEMBER 1943 TO APRIL 1944 RAN HMAS Vendetta HMAS Bundaberg AIF & Militia-7th Australian Division 15th Brigade (24th. 57/60th, 58/59th Battalions) 18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions) 21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th Battalions) 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions) 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion 2/2nd Independent Company 2/6th Independent Company 2/7th Independent Company 2/4th Field Regiment 2/4th Field Company 2/5th Field Company 2/6th Field Company RAAF No.77 Wing (Nos.21, 23, 24 Squadrons-Vengeances) No.78 Wing (Nos.75, 78, 80 Squadrons-Kittyhawks) No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways) 20. WAREO-GUSIKA-NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 1943 AIF-9th Australian Division 20th Brigade (2/15th Battalion) 24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions) 26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th Battalions) 2/4th Commando Squadron 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion 2/6th Field Regiment (11th, 12th, 56th Batteries) 2/12th Field Regiment (23rd, 24th, 62nd Batteries) 11th Battery, 2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment V Heavy Battery 2nd Mountain Battery 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (10th, 12th Batteries) 2/3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery (Airborne) 2/3rd Field Company 2/7th Field Company 2/13th Field Company 18th Field Company 2/24th Field Park Company RAAF No.4 Squadron (Wirraways) 21. GUSIKA TO FORTIFICATION POINT-DECEMBER 1943 AIF & Militia 4th Brigade (22nd, 29th/46th, 37th/52nd Battalions) W Company, 2/2nd Machine-Gun Battalion 'W' Squadron, 1st Tank Battalion 'C' Squadron, 1st Tank Battalion 56th Battery, 2/6th Field Regiment 2/7th Field Company 4th Field Ambulance RAAF No.4 Squadron (Wirraways) 22. ADVANCE TO SIO-DECEMBER 1943, JANUARY 1994 AIF 20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions) 26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions) 'C' Squadron, 1st Tank Battalion 2/6th Field Regiment 2/12th Field Regiment 2/3rd Field Company 2/13th Field Company RAAF No.4 Squadron (Wirraways) 23. RAI COAST-JANUARY, FEBRUARY 1944 AIF & Militia 8th Brigade (4th, 30th, 35th Battalions) 23rd Battery, 2/12th Field Regiment 64th Battery, 2/14th Field Regiment Section of 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 2/13th Field Company 8th Field Company Detachment of 2/8th Field Ambulance RAAF No.77 Wing (Nos.21, 23, 24 Squadrons-Vengeances) No.78 Wing (Nos.75, 78, 80 Squadrons-Kittyhawks) No.4 Squadron (Wirraways) 24. BOUGAINVILLE-OCTOBER 1944 TO AUGUST 1945 RAN HMAS Diamantina HMAS Colac HMAS Dubbo HMAS Kiama HMAS Lithgow ML-808, ML-816 ML-818 ML-820 AIF & Militia-3rd Australian Division 7th Brigade (9th, 25th, 61st Battalions) 11th Brigade (26th, 31st/51st, 55th/53rd Battalions) 15th Brigade (24th, 57th/60th, 58th/59th Battalions) 23rd Brigade (7th, 8th, 27th Battalions) 29th Brigade (15th, 42nd, 47th Battalions) 2/1st Guard Regiment 2/8th Commando Squadron 'M' Special Unit Papuan Infantry Battalion New Guinea Infantry Battalion 2/4th Armoured Regiment 2/11th Field Regiment 2nd Field Regiment 4th Field Regiment 7th Field Company 15th Field Company 16th Field Company 23rd Field Company 42nd Landing Craft Company 42nd Watercraft Company 11th Field Ambulance 19th Field Ambulance RAAF No.5 Squadron (Boomerangs, Wirraways) 25. AITAPE TO WEWAK-NOVEMBER 1944 TO AUGUST 1945 RAN HMAS Hobart HMAS Arunta HMAS Warramunga HMAS Swan HMAS Warrego HMAS Colac HMAS Deloraine AIF-6th Australian Division 8th Brigade (30th, 35th Battalions) 16th Brigade (2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/3rd Battalions) 17th Brigade (2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th Battalions) 19th Brigade (2/4th, 2/8th, 2/11th Battalions) 2/6th Commando Regiment (2/7th, 2/9th, 2/10th Squadrons) Z Force Special Unit 2nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion 2/3rd Machine-Gun Battalion 2/4th Armoured Regiment 2/1st Field Regiment 2/2nd Field Regiment 2/3rd Field Regiment 2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment 2/1st Field Company 2/2nd Field Company 2/8th Field Company 43rd Landing Craft Company 2/11th General Hospital 2/7th Field Ambulance 2/14th Field Ambulance RAAF No.71 Wing (Nos.6, 7, 8, 100 Squadrons-Beauforts) No.4 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways) No.5 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways) 26. NEW BRITAIN-NOVEMBER 1944 TO AUGUST 1945 RAN HMAS Vendetta HMAS Barcoo HMAS Swan HMAS Kiama ML-802 ML-807 AIF & Militia-5th Australian Division 4th Brigade (37th/52nd Battalion) 6th Brigade (14th/32nd, 19th, 36th Battalions) 13th Brigade (11th, 16th, 28th Battalions) 2/2nd Commando Squadron B' & 'D' Coys, 1st New Guinea Infantry Battalion 2/14th Field Regiment 4th Field Company 12th Field Company 41st Landing Craft Company RAAF No.5 Squadron (Boomerangs and Wirraways) No.6 Squadron (Beauforts) 27. TARAKAN-MAY TO AUGUST 1945 RAN HMAS Hobart HMAS Warramunga HMAS Manoora HMAS Westralia AIF 26th Brigade (2/23rd, 2/24th, 2/48th Battalions) 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion 2/4th Commando Squadron 'C' Squadron, 2/9th Armoured Regiment 'D' Company, 2/2nd Machine Gun Battalion 2/7th Field Regiment 53rd Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment 2/11th Field Company 2/13th Field Company 2nd Field Company 2/11th Field Ambulance 110th Casualty Clearing Station RAAF No.77 Wing (Nos.22, 30, 31 Squadrons-Beaufighters) No.21 Squadron (Liberators) No.24 Squadron (Liberators) No.76 Squadron (Kittyhawks) 28. BRUNEI, LABUAN, SARAWAK and BRITISH BORNEO-JUNE TO AUGUST 1945 RAN HMAS Hobart HMAS Arunta HMAS Barcoo HMAS Hawkesbury HMAS Lachlan HMAS Kanimbla HMAS Manoora HMAS Westralia AIF-9th Australian Division 20th Brigade (2/13th, 2/15th, 2/17th Battalions) 24th Brigade (2/28th, 2/32nd, 2/43rd Battalions) 2/11th Commando Squadron 2/12th Commando Squadron 2/4th Pioneer Battalion 2/8th Field Regiment 2/12th Field Regiment 2/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment 2/3rd Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment Detachment of 2/9th Armoured Regiment Detachment of 2/2nd Machine-Gun Battalion 2/3rd Field Company RAAF No.77 Wing (Nos.22. 30, 31 Squadrons-Beaufighters) No.81 Wing (Nos.76, 77, 82 Squadrons-Kittyhawks) No.457 Squadron (Spitfires) 29. BALIKPAPAN-JULY, AUGUST 1945 RAN HMAS Shropshire HMAS Hobart HMAS Arunta HMAS Gascoyne HMAS Warrego HMAS Kanimbla HMAS Manoora HMAS Westralia AIF-7th Australian Division 18th Brigade (2/9th, 2/10th, 2/12th Battalions) 21st Brigade (2/14th, 2/16th, 2/27th Battalions) 25th Brigade (2/25th, 2/31st, 2/33rd Battalions) 2/7th Commando Regiment (2/3rd, 2/5th, 2/6th Squadrons) 2/1st Pioneer Battalion 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion 2/1st Machine-Gun Battalion 1st Armoured Regiment 2/4th Field Regiment 2/5th Field Regiment 2/6th Field Regiment 2/2nd Anti-Tank Regiment 2/1st Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment 2/4th Field Company 215th Field Company 2/6th Field Company 2/9th Field Company 2/11th Field Company 2/25th Field Park Company 2/12th General Hospital 2/6th Field Ambulance RAAF No.78 Wing (Nos.75, 78, 80 Squadrons-Kittyhawks) No.82 Wing (Nos.21, 23, 24 Squadrons-Liberators) No.452 Squadron (Spitfires) these details are as recorded in the book "A Chronology of Australian Armed Forces At War 1939/45" by Bruce T Swain; Allen and Unwin, ISBN 1 86508 352 6
From the end of 1940 till the end of the war, our armed forces (Land - Sea - Air) were not out of the firing line for very long. From the worst of Desert conditions to the very worst jungle environments. They adapted, they overcame and they certainly did their share.
Yep Spidge like most peoples after twelve (12) months training they become decent yet unbloodied soldiers. And like others they; when the time comes have enough training to put up a decent fight. Shows just how under prepared Aust was for IJA, they had been at war for over two years yet non AIF troops had had very little if any training. I believe that the RAAF was fighting from close to start of war to end. Mainly at first in flying boats in Coastal Command, then slowly but surely into RAF & RAAF units of Bomber and Fighter Commands, in Europe etc. This is of course not the total Or Bat, as many support troops, don't get a mention.
