'M' Australian Heavy Battery (Coast)

105mm Gun as used by 'M' Battery

Brief History

'M' Australian Heavy battery was formed in December 1942 when I Heavy Regiment at Glenfield in NSW was broken up into 5 batteries ('M' to 'Q') that were then trained for a coastal defence role. 'M' Heavy Battery then moved to Beaudesert, Queensland in January 1943 and then to Moreton Island to establish the Bandicoot Battery at Combyuro Point on Moreton Island. Here they were joined by sappers from 'M' CASL Sec. These sappers became part of the battery in May 1943.

In July 1943, along with 'N' and 'O' heavy Batteries they assembled at Lytton and departed for Buna in New Guinea during August to be ready to defend areas recaptured during the coming Lae Campaign. (During the assault on Lae the 2/6th Field Regiment 'borrowed' their 155mm guns.) IN November the battery moved forward to Finschhafen where they initially engaged land targets before reverting to coastal defense in December 1943. By July 1944 their role at Finschhafen had reduced to the point that they were withdrawn, returning to Brisbane aboard SS William Luckenbach on 8 Aug 1944 before travelling on to Sydney.

With no further need for coastal defence in New Guinea, only three mobile batteries were retained and 'M' Heavy Battery (Coast) was disbanded in November 1944.

Battery Personnel

• Donald James Anderson 1 May 1943 - 30 Jul 1944
• John Blair 1 May - 12 Sep 1943

Individual Honours

Notes

Primary source of information is The Unit Guide Volume 3 - The Australian Army 1939-1945 by R McKenzie-Smith.