35th Australian Infantry Battalion
From Our Contribution
 Soldier on patrol near Alexishafen, May 1944 | |
Brief History
This unit was a Militia continuation of a 1st World War Unit, that was mobilised in December 1941 as part of the 8th Australian Infantry Brigade to act as part of Sydney's defence. As part of the 2nd Australian Infantry Divisionlarger they moved to Western Australia in July 1942 and camped at Chidlows before moving to Gingin in August. In November they moved to Geraldton and after completing an amphibious landing course moved to Moora and then on to Dandaragan in May 1943. Followong some jungle training in Collie, and leave in Perth they move back to NSW during September 1943. From there they moved to the Atherton Tableland to prepare for their move to New Guinea in January 1944.
They were sent to follow up the capture of Lae and the landing at Finschhafen, advancing along the Ria coast to connect with US troops that had landed at Saidor. The battalion then moved to Madong in April/May 1944 and occupied Alexishafen before continuing along the coast, reaching Dugumar Bay by June. As teh US soldiers left to participate in the invasion of the Phillippines, the Australian troops remained in New Guinea gradually clearing it of Japanese and when the war ended they were active around Wewak. Following the end of hostilities many of the battalion's personnel were either transferred to other units or left for AUstralia, with the remainder undertaking Garrison duties around Wewak. The reaining personnel embarked for Australia on 24 Jan 1946 aboard the SS Ormiston. the battalion was disbanded soon after arriving back in Australia.
During the war, 17 men posted to this unit lost their life., and another 18 were wounded.
Battle Honours
- South West Pacific 1944-45
- Liberation of Australian new Guinea
- Sio-Sepik River
Unit personnel
- Edward James (Jim) Lawrence 6 Oct 1945 - 4 Jan 1946
Notes
Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 2 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, pages 2.233 & 2.234 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018