2/1st Australian Machine Gun Battalion

2 July 1945 at Balikpapan2 - AWM photo 110829

Brief History

In December 1939 the Vickers machine Gun platoons of the Infantry Battalion HQ Companies were transferred to form Machine Gun Battalions. The 6th Division's was the 2/1st Australian machine Gun Battalion. formed with men from all over Australia and concentrated at Ingleburn, NSW in January 1940. The battalion departed Australian in May 1940 on Convoy US3 for the Mediterranean, but with the entry of Italy into the war on the Axis side, the convoy was re-routed via Cape Town to Gourock in Scotland. After disembarking they moved to Tidworth Pennings near Salisbury in June, and then to Colchester in Essex in October 1940. As part of the Austral Force on standby in case of a German invasion, they were part of the restructure that produced the 9th Division, which was sent to the Middle East in late December 1940. Their initial base was at Ikingi Maryut in Egypt.

Following training the 2/1st Aust Machine Gun Battalion was transferred to the 6th Division in March 1941 and in March/April they moved to Greece where they first moved to Gerania to support Greek troops. However, they were soon forced to withdraw, frequently fighting delaying actions against the advancing troops to cover the withdrawal to Crete. Most of the battalion had arrived in Crete by the end of April 1941. However, most of their equipment including the guns were lost when SS Coata Rica was sunk. In Crete after the German invasion the 2/1 MG Battalion was evacuated to Egypt other than 'D' Company which remained to defend Canea, and a part of 'B' COmpany that was with the Retimo Force.

Those that had escaped reformed at Deir Suneid in Palestine and began the process of building a fighting unit. They moved to Hill 69 and rejoined the 6th Division before relocating to Khassa in October. Eventually, along with others they left for Australia in March 1942. After leave thy reassembled in Ingleburn during May, Before moving north to Peachester to join the 7th Division in June. With the Japanese advancing down the Kokoda Track, the 7th Division was rushed to New Guinea while the 2/1 MG Battalion was left to Move to Deception bay in September. 'A' and 'B' Companies were then included in a force designed to protect a port at Buna when it was recaptured. After some delays in Townsville the two companies moved to New Guinea in November and waited at Pari. B Coy moved to Oro Bay in December 1943 and C Company in January 1944, attached to the US Base HQ. Returned to Por Moresby in April, 'A' Company was next sent to Wau to guard the airfield, and then to Bulolo to defend that airfield. The rest of the 2/1st Australian MG Battalion moved to Port Moresby in May 1943 with 'A' Company rejoining them in November.

In February 1944 the 2/1st left for Australian in February 1944 and after leave reassembled at Tenterfield in NSW., and then moved to Strathpine in Queensland to rejoin the 7th Division. In 1945 the plans to capture Borneo meant that the 7th Division was to land at Balikpapan. To prepare, the battalion moved to Morotai in may and then landed at Balikpapan in July 1945 with 'B' Coy landing with the 21st Brigade to capture the Manggar Airfield, while 'D' Coy landed with the 18th Brigade which captured the town and port. 'A' Coy were in reserve with the 25th Brigade, and Battalion HQ and 'A' Coy secured the landing area and began to develop abase camp. At teh end of the war the battalion was concentrated at Balikpapan.

Battalion Personnel

• Walter Leonard Axford 18 Dec 1939 - 16 Jun 1940