3rd Australian Field Regiment

AWM 078071 - A Short 25-pounder near Danmap, New Guinea, Jan 1945

Brief History

Formed at Karrakatta (WA) in 1921 as the 3rd Field Brigade, it was restructured as the 3rd Australian Field Regiment in February 1941 with two batteries, the 7th and the 8th. The Regiment mobilised at Narrogin in December 1941 and it moved to Northam in January 1942 where the 9th Battery was raised in March. With the return of troops from th Middle East, the reorganisation of troops in WA saw the 3rd Australian Field Regiment move to Moora in May before returning to the metro area for leave in June.

In July the Regimen moved to Dandaragan to support patrols along the coast between Lancelin and Dongara. In January 1943 they moved to Chidlows, and in February to Rockingham where they were training on he range. In March 1943 the Regiment moved to Bellevue and then to Mingenew in April and in July back to Dandaragan all the while supporting 1st Armoured Division elements. By January 1944 units in Western Australia were either running down or transferring east to prepare for roles in New Guinea and the islands. Followng another stint at Rockingham in January, the regiment moved to Chidlows where they were disbanded in June 1944.

Unit Personnel

• Arthur John Saw 2 Feb - 16 Jun 1944
• Albert Edward New 29 Jun 1941 - ?? 1943

9th Battery

• Joseph Slavko Marian 13 Feb 1942 - 12 Jun 1944

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 3 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 3.043 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018