2/4th Australian Infantry Battalion

Heraklion, Crete, site of former 2/4th Battalion positions. AWM Photo 130949

October 1941 Bren Carriers of the 2/4th Battalion on manoeuvres near Ras Baalbek, Syria AWM photo 021259

17 Nov 1944 Aitape, New Guinea. A Company 2/4th Battalion cross the Nigia River. AWM photo 083419

Brief History

Formed at Victoria Barracks in Paddinton (NSW) in October 1939, the 2/4th Battalion's first drafts of recruits arrived at Ingleburn Camp on 3 Nov 1939. Part of the 16th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division, the battalion departed Sydney on the first convoy for service overseas on 10 Jan 1940. While enroute for the Middle East, Australian infantry brigades were re-organised with three battalions instead of four, resulting in the 2/4th being transferred to the 19th Brigade, but still within the 6th Division.

They arrived at Julis in Palestine on 14 Feb 1940, and undertook training in both Palestine and Egypt before being committed into action against the Italians in eastern Libya. It played only a small role at Bardia between 3rd and 5th January 1941 but was more active during the battle for Tobruk which took place between 21-22 Jan 1941. Between 26th and 30th Jan 1941 they had to fight particularly hard to secure the Wadi Derna. The 2/4th Battalion was the first Australian unit to enter Benghazi, on 6 Feb 1941, garrisoning the town until 22 February.

In early April 1941, the 2/4th, with the rest of the 6th Division, deployed to Greece to resist the anticipated German invasion. It fought a fierce battle at Vevi in northern Greece on 11 and 12 April and then withdrew through a series of rearguard positions until evacuated, by sea, from Megara on 26 April. The battalion landed on Crete the next day and eventually joined the force defending Heraklion airfield. When German paratroops landed on 20 May, some were able to gain a foothold outside the area defended by the 2/4th, and this, combined with German successes elsewhere on Crete, brought about the evacuation of Heraklion by sea on 29 May 1941. Many members of the battalion were captured and spent the rest of the war in German POW camps.

After a period rebuilding in Palestine, the 2/4th joined the force garrisoning Syria, before embarking for home on 12 Feb 1942, reaching Adelaide on 27 March. In June, the 19th Brigade was deployed to defend Darwin and the 2/4th remained there until June 1943 when they rejoined the rest of the 5th Division in north Queensland. Another 18 months would pass before it saw action again, this time at Aitape in New Guinea where they landed on 2 Nov 1944. Its heaviest fighting took place between April and July. Landed at But, the battalion advanced along the coast, capturing Wewak on 10 May, and then swung inland to clear the foothills of the Prince Alexander Range. For his actions during the attack on Wirui Mission on 14 May, Private Edward Kenna was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Following the Japanese surrender on 15 August, drafts of 2/4th men began returning to Australia for discharge. The remainder of the battalion itself arrived home on 26 Oct 1945 and the unit was disbanded on 12 Nov 1945 at Chermside. One hundred and forty one mem died while they were a member of this Battalion.

Battalion Personnel

• Edward James (Jim) Lawrence

Battle Honours

• Crete
• Greece 1941
• Liberation of Australian New Guinea
• Middle East 1941-1944
• North Africa
• South-West Pacific 1942-1945

Individual Honours

• 1 x Victoria Cross
• 1 x Distinguish Service Order
• 2 x Member of the Order of the British Empire
• 9 x Military Cross
• 6 x Distinguished Conduct Medal
• 11 x Military Medal
• 53 x Mentioned in Despatches