Papuan Infantry Battalion

PIB soldiers around the Song River, March 1944

Brief History

Formed Company by Company from June 1940 until November 1941 in Port Moresby to help defend the territory in the event of a Japanese invasion, its soldiers were primarily Papuan natives led by Australian officers and non-commissioned officers. They were employed on scouting, reconnaissance and surveillance patrols against the Japanese, where the natural bushcraft of its native soldiers could be used to their advantage. Small patrties were the first to have contact with the Japanese after their landing onthe north coast.

The 'Papuan Infantry Battalion took part in the advance to Salamaua in 1943, before fighting along the Markham, Ramu, and Sepik rivers during the Ramu Valley – Finisterre Range campaign, and on the Huon Peninsula, assisting in the capture of Finschhafen and Sattelberg. The battalion withdrew from operations to reorganise in 1944, and together with several New Guinea Infantry Battalions (NGIBs) that were subsequently raised, the PIB was formed into the Pacific Islands Regiment (PIR) in November 1944. In 1945, it was deployed to Bougainville. Such was their effectiveness that the Japanese referred to the PIB as "Green Shadows" due to their ability to fade into and appear from the jungle unexpectedly, with its soldiers becoming noted for their ferocity and tenacity.

After the end of the war the battalion was used to guard Japanese prisoners of war, before being disbanded in August 1946.

Battle Honours

• Kokoda Trail
• Kokoda-Deniki
• Nassau Bay
• Tambu Bay
• Finschhaffen
• Scarlet Beach
• Sio-Sepik River
• Bonis-Porton
• Liberation of Australian New Guinea

Unit Personnel

• Donald Norrish MacDonald 6 Nov 1944 - 14 Apr 1945