2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion

Ceremonial entry into Beirut, Lebanon by 2/16th Battalion AWM - 1 28956

2/16th personnel arrive at Kaiapit by air.

Brief History

Formed in Perth on 20 Apr 1940 and underwent basic training at Northam Camp. On 25 Oct 1940 the battalion embarked for overseas at Fremantle, and with a short stop in India it arrived in Egypt on 25 November. It was then sent to Palestine to complete its training.

In April and May 1941 it was a part of the defence along the Egypt-Libya border against an expected German attack. Moving back to Palestine, it prepared to take part in the attack against French Vichy forces in the Lebanon and Syria commencing 8 Jun 1941. During this campaign against well entrenched troops the battalion suffered 264 casualties, especially when they crossed the Litani River on 9 June; their unsuccessful attack on Sidon on 13 June; and during their seizure of El Atiqa Ridge on 6 July. With the armistice, the 2/16th Battalion remained in Lebanon for a time as Garrison troops.

The battalion's return to Australia commenced on 20 Jan 1942, but despite it being a fundamentally Western Australian unit, their destination was Adelaide. Thus when the ship called at Fremantle, with no local leave permitted some 350 troops went AWOL before rejoining their unit in Adelaide. On 12 Aug 1942 the battalion was again on the move - to Port Moresby in New Guinea, rushed to assist the defence on the Kakoda track. By 29 Aug 1942 they were in action against the Japanese at Abuari. Forced to retreat they fought a series for fighting withdrawals back along the track, suffering their heaviest casualties when the fought their way out of a Japanese encirclement at Mission Ridge. Relieved at Imita Ridge, it was now so short of fighting troops that it was amalgamated with the 2/14th Battalion in order to once again be able to enter the battle. Following a short rest the 2/16th Battalion was once again a separate battalion, but when they re-entered the battle at Gona on 26 Nov 1942 it could only muster two rifle companies. When they were next relieved on 7 Jan 1943 the battalion had only 56 fit troops.

The battalion returned to Australia in January to rebuild, and having done so was sent back to Papua in early August 1943 where it spent a month training in the Port Moresby area. They were next sent to Lae where they played a minor role in operations before being airlifted to Kiapit. From here they advanced up the Ramu valley, conducting patrols and minor fights with their major action the capture of Shaggy Ridge against fierce Japanese opposition between 27 and 28 Dec 1943. Returned to Port Moresby on 4 Jan 1944, they were agaain sent back to Australia for leave and rebuilding on 20 Mar 1944.

On 3 Jun 1945 the battalion again departed Australia, this time to participate in the landing at Balikpapan on 1 July. Following the landing they undertook patrols until the end of the war on 15 Aug 1945. In mid October the battalion relocated to the Celebes where they formed part of the occupation force. On 2 Feb 1946 the battalion embarked for Australia for a final time, and was disbanded in Brisbane in late February 1946. Two hundred and fifty eight of its members died during the war, and eight others were either captured or missing in action during operations in the Pacific theatre.

Battalion Personnel

• Eric Anderson May 1940 - 6 Sep 1944

Battle Honours

• Balikpapan
• Borneo 1945
• Buna-Gona
• Damour
• Efogi-Menari
• Eora Creek-Templeton's Crossing I
• Gona
• Ioribaiwa
• Isurava
• Kokoda Trail
• Ramu Valley
• Shaggy Ridge
• Syria 1941
• Syrian Frontier
• The Litani
• Wadi Zeini

Individual Honours

• 3 x Distinguished Service Orders
• 1 x Member of the British Empire
• 6 x Military Cross & 2 bars
• 5 x Distinguished Conduct Medal
• 20 x Military Medal & 1 bar
• 63 x Mentioned in Despatches