HQ 13th Australian Infantry Brigade

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Brief History

Mobilised in Perth in December 1941 with the 11th and 28th Infantry Battalions already in camp at Melville, they were joined soon after by the 16th and 44th Infantry Battalions. In April 1942 they moved to a new camp at Chidlows, and then in May to Moora before moving back to Bellevue for a rest and then returning north to Moora in July. They remaine din the Mid-West until January 1943 when they moved to CHidlows. In February 1943 they moved to Darwin. Ther etehy occupied the central (53 km south of Darwin) of three defensive rings providing back up to the other defence rings as required.

In July 1943 the defence plan was revisited, and again in July 1944, the later freeing up the 13th Australian Infantry Division which was then sent to New Britain in August 1944 to free up US troops for the invasion of the Philipinnes. The AUstralians established a main base at Jacquinot Bay withthe 13th Division at Wunung Plantation before moving to Tol Plantation. They were continuing to advance towards the main Japanese force at Rabaul when the war ended. Following the surrender they formed part of teh occupying force in Rabaul.

Unit Personnel

• Vesey Fitzgerald ? Feb - 11 JUn 1943

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 2 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, pages 2.076 & 2.077 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018