2/32nd Australian Infantry Battalion

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Brief History

Raised at Tidworth, Wiltshire in June 1940 as part of the 25th Infantry Brigade from infantry reinforcements and technical troops that had been diverted tot eh UK in the Third Convoy, and that were retained in the UK to assist with its defence. The unit name was changed in October to 2/32nd Australian Infantry Battalion when it relocated to Colchester in Essex. Initially it only had three rifle companies, with 'D' Company not formed until November in Palestine. In March 1941 the rest of the battalion joined 'D' Company at Kilo 89. Initially formed as part of what became the 9th Infantry Division, it was transferred to the 7th Infantry Division when it arrived in Palestine.

In April 1941 the 2/32nd Battalion moved to Ikingi Maryut near Alexandria to prepare to move to Greece. However, with the rapid German advances in both Greece and North Africa, it was retained in Egypt and sent to man the Mersa Matruh Fortress area instead. With the 24th Infantry Brigade (9th Division) a battalion short and engaged in the defence of Tobruk's eastern sector, the 2/32nd Battalion was transferred to them and moved to join them in Tobruk. Relieved in September 1941 the 24th Infantry Brigade including the 2/32nd Battalion moved to Kilo 89, to rest and retrain. The 9th Infantry Division moved to Syria in January 1942 to relieve the 7th Infantry Division which had been recalled to Australia.

The 2/32nd Battalion took up position at El Ayoun before moving to Ramlieh in March. In May the Brigade moved to Bech Mezzine for collective training. With the continued German advance on Egypt from the west, the 9th Division was sent to Egypt in late June. Initially occupying defensive positions between Alexandria