Portal:Military history of Australia/Units/March

Units

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Please follow the unit sequence of Navy, Army, Airforce when creating Daily Unit pages

The first HMAS Anzac (D-59) was a Battle-class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy, laid down by the Williamstown Naval Dockyard at Melbourne in Victoria on 23 September 1946, launched on 20 August 1948 by Mrs. J. A. Collins, wife of the Chief of the Naval Staff and commissioned on 14 March 1951 but not accepted by the Royal Australian Navy until 22 March. Anzac paid off at Sydney on 4 October 1974, was sold to the Hifirm Corporation Limited of Hong Kong on 24 November 1975, and departed Sydney on 30 December 1975 under tow by a Japanese tug.

The 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment was an Australian Army regiment of World War II. The regiment was formed as part of the Australian 6th Division in October 1939 and saw action in the North African campaign and Syria-Lebanon campaign as an armoured reconnaissance unit. During these campaigns the Regiment fought in Libya, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon against Italian, German and Vichy French forces. The Regiment returned to Australia in 1942 and was converted to a non-armoured commando unit in 1943. In this role the regiment and fought in New Guinea against the Japanese. The 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment was disbanded September 1945.

No. 78 Wing is the Royal Australian Air Force's fast jet training wing. The Wing was first formed in 1943 and operated Kittyhawk fighters in the Pacific theatre of World War II. Comprising No. 75, No. 78 and No. 80 Squadrons, it formed part of the First Tactical Air Force. Following the war No. 78 Wing became the first wing in the RAAF to equip with jet aircraft when it took delivery of Vampire fighters. No. 78 Wing was based at RAAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia from 1958 until the Wing's disbandment in 1967. No. 78 Wing was reformed in 2000 as a training wing and currently comprises No. 76 Squadron, No. 79 Squadron, and No. 2 Operation Conversion Unit and No. 278 Squadron.

The second HMAS Diamantina is a Huon-class minehunter laid down by Australian Defence Industries at Newcastle, New South Wales on 4 August 1998, launched on 2 December 2000, and commissioned on 4 May 2002. Diamantina is based at HMAS Waterhen in Sydney.

The 27th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was initially raised in March 1915 as part of the First Australian Imperial Force for service during World War I. During the conflict, the battalion saw action briefly at Gallipoli before later fighting on the Western Front between 1916 and 1918. It was disbanded in 1919, but was re-raised in 1921 as part of the Citizens Force, and later adopted the territorial designation of the "South Australian Scottish Regiment". During World War II the battalion was used mainly in a garrison role until the last year of the war when it was committed to the fighting against the Japanese during the Bougainville campaign. Following the end of hostilities it was disbanded in May 1946. Between 1948 and 1965 the battalion was re-raised and disbanded a number of times before eventually becoming part of the Royal South Australia Regiment. It was disbanded for a final time in 1987, when it was amalgamated with the 10th Battalion, Royal South Australia Regiment to form the 10th/27th Battalion, Royal South Australia Regiment.

No. 93 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force ground attack squadron of World War II. The Squadron was formed in January 1945 and was equipped with Bristol Beaufighter aircraft. While No. 67 Squadron completed its training in April 1945, delays resulted in it not deploying to participate in the Borneo Campaign until July. Following the end of the war No. 93 Squadron was primarily used to provide navigation support to single engined fighter aircraft, and operated in this role until being disbanded in August 1946.

HMAS Newcastle (FFG 06), named for the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, is an Adelaide class guided missile armed frigate. Newcastle was laid down by AMECON at Williamstown in Victoria, launched on 21 February 1992 and commissioned on 11 December 1993. Since commissioning Newcastle has completed operational deployments to the Persian Gulf and was part of a three ship task force which was sent to international waters off Fiji during the leadup to the 2006 Fijian coup d'état.

The 3rd Army Tank Brigade was an Australian Army brigade of World War II. The Brigade was formed in May 1942 by bringing together three armoured regiments which had previously formed part of the 1st Cavalry Division. As with all British Commonwealth Tank Brigades, the primary role of the 3rd Army Tank Brigade was to provide armoured support to infantry formations and the Brigade was initially equipped with Matilda II infantry support tanks. Some of the Brigade's Matildas were later replaced with M3 Grants. While the 3rd Army Tank Brigade was gradually disbanded between August and September 1943 two of its two tank battalions were retained as independent battalion groups until they were also disbanded in September 1944.

Air Command is the operational arm of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Its role is to manage and command the RAAF's Force Element Groups (FEGs), which contain the operational capability of the Air Force. The Air Commander Australia is the Air Component Commander within Headquarters Australian Theatre. The Commander is responsible for all operational Air Force tasks, and reports to the Commander Australian Theatre. Similar arrangements exist with Land Command (Australian Army) and Fleet Headquarters (Royal Australian Navy).

HMAS Pioneer was a Pelorus class light cruiser built for the Royal Navy which later served in the Royal Australian Navy. She was laid down at HM Dockyard Chatham in 1897 and was completed in 1900. Pioneer was transferred to the RAN in November 1912 and was commissioned into the RAN on 1 March 1913. During World War I she saw action against the German cruiser Königsberg off the east coast of Africa. Pioneer was ordered home from east Africa in August 1916 and was moved to the reserve upon her return. Pioneer paid off in November 1916 and served as an accommodation vessel at Garden Island in Sydney until she was sold for scrap in 1924.

The 2/1st North Australia Observer Unit (2/1 NAOU) was an Australian Army reconnaissance unit of World War II. 2/1 NAOU was formed in May 1942 to patrol remote areas of northern Australia and provide warning to the Northern Territory Force of any Japanese landings. As the threat of Japanese landings declined 2/1 NAOU patrols were reduced in July 1943 and the unit was disbanded in March 1945.

No. 40 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force flying boat transport squadron. No. 40 Squadron was formed at Townsville on 31 March 1944. Equipped with Short Sunderland flying boats the Squadron flew transport flights between Townsville and New Guinea. After re-locating to Port Moresby in July 1944 the Squadron also flew transport fights to other islands in the South-West Pacific. In addition to its primary transport role, aircraft from No. 40 Squadron performed occasional air sea rescue tasks. Following the end of the war No. 40 Squadron assisted in the repatriation of Australian personnel back to Australia before moving to Rathmines in March 1946 where it was disbanded on 19 June 1946.

HMAS Mildura (J-207/M-207), named for the city of Mildura in Victoria, was a Bathurst-class corvette laid down at Balmain, New South Wales on 23 September 1940, launched on 15 March 1941 and commissioned on 23 July 1941. In August 1945, the ship was the first Allied vessel to enter Hong Kong. She swept for mines that allowed the Allied fleet to safely enter for the official Japanese surrender. She was paid off to reserve at Fremantle on 21 May 1948 but recommissioned on 20 February 1951 as a training ship for National Service trainees. HMAS Mildura paid off at Melbourne on 11 September 1953, arrived at Brisbane under tow on 8 December 1954 where she served as an immobilised reserve training ship, and was sold for scrap to Brisbane Non-Ferrous on 8 September 1965.

The 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) is a regular infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 7 RAR was formed in September 1965 at Puckapunyal in Victoria during the expansion of the regular infantry that occurred because of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War. The battalion served two operational tours in Vietnam between 1967 and 1971, with 33 men killed and 220 wounded, receiving 31 awards for gallantry. In 1973 7 RAR was amalgamated with 5 RAR to form 5/7 RAR. It was announced in 2006 that 5/7 RAR would be de-amalgamated into two separate battalions and this occurred in December 2006.

No. 102 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force heavy bomber squadron of World War II. No. 102 Squadron was formed at Cecil Plains on 31 May 1945 and the Squadron's B-24 Liberator bombers arrived in July. While the Squadron began training on these aircraft, the war ended before it reached operational status. Following the end of the war the Squadron operated in the transport role before being disbanded in March 1946.

HMAS Onslow at the Australian National Maritime Museum — HMAS *Onslow* at the Australian National Maritime Museum

HMAS Onslow (S-60), named for Onslow in Western Australia, was an Oberon class submarine laid down by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company at Greenock in Scotland on 26 May 1967. On 17 July 1968, she was slightly damaged by fire, delaying her launch until 3 December 1968. Onlsow commissioned on 22 December 1969 and served in the 1st Submarine Squadron, based at HMAS Platypus at Neutral Bay in Sydney. HMAS Onslow paid off in 1997 and is preserved at the Australian National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour in Sydney.

The Royal Queensland Regiment (RQR) is a reserve infantry formation in the Australian Army based in the state of Queensland. The regiment consists of four separate battalions; the 9th, 25th/49th, 31st and 42nd Battalions. Today, two battalions each serve with 7 Brigade and 11 Brigade, part of 1st Division. The RQR was formed in 1960 as part of the reorganisation of the Citizen's Militia Force, which saw all CMF battalions in each state amalgamated into state regiments. Units of the regiment have seen action in the Boer War, First World War and Second World War. The regimental motto is Pro Aris Et Focis (For Altars and Hearths).

No. 20 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron of World War II. The Squadron was established at Port Moresby in August 1941. Following the outbreak of war in the Pacific the squadron conducted anti-submarine patrols and bombing raids against Japanese bases. As the Japanese advanced into the South West Pacific the Squadron was also responsible for evacuating white civilians from areas threatened by invasion. In June 1943, No. 20 Squadron's role changed when it commenced mine laying operations over the Netherlands East Indies and Philippines. Following the end of the war, No. 20 Squadron operated in the transport role until being disbanded at RAAF Base Rathmines in March 1946.

MSA (Minesweeper Auxiliary) Brolga was a minesweeper operated by the Royal Australian Navy between 1988 and 2003. She was constructed in 1975, and first served as a lighthouse tender for the Australian Department of Transport. She was purchased by the RAN on February 10, 1988 and entered service as a Minesweeper Auxiliary (Small). Brolga was one of three Minesweeper Auxiliaries operating as part of the Craft of Opportunity (COOP) Program. MSA Brolga saw operational service off Bougainville, supporting the Peace Monitoring Group during Operation Belisi. Brolga was retired from the RAN in 2003 and sold at auction.

The 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse is a regiment of the Australian Army. Part of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, it is a reserve regiment serving in the light cavalry role. The regiment was formed in 1948 as the 4th/19th Armoured Regiment (Prince of Wales's Light Horse) through the amalgamation of three other regiments: 4th (Corangamite) Light Horse the 17th (Prince of Wales's) Light Horse and the 19th Light Horse (Yarrowee Light Horse). The regiment is currently based in Melbourne and is a part of 4th Brigade. The motto of the regiment is Ich Dein (I Serve).

No. 1 Airfield Operations Support Squadron (1AOSS) is a Royal Australian Air Force non-flying squadron. 1AOSS was formed in January 2007 by merging No. 1 Air Terminal Squadron and No. 1 Combat Communications Squadron and is based at RAAF Base Richmond. 1AOSS is responsible for loading and unloading cargo from aircraft and providing temporary and tactical communications electronics facilities to support deployed air operations both within Australia and abroad.

The third HMAS Perth (FFH 157) is the last of ten Anzac class frigates to be built for the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy. She was laid down by Tenix Defence Systems at Williamstown in Victoria 24 July 2003, launched 20 March 2004, and commissioned on 26 August 2006 in Fremantle, Western Australia. Since her commissioning Perth has been based at Fleet Base West. In mid-2007, Commander Michele Miller assumed command of Perth, becoming the first woman to assume command of a major fleet unit of the Royal Australian Navy.

An Australian S-70 Blackhawk of the type operated by the 171st Aviation Squadron

The 171st Aviation Squadron is an Australian Army helicopter squadron. The 171st Aviation Squadron was formed in 1971 as a command and liaison squadron and later formed part of the Australian 1st Aviation Regiment where it was equipped with UH-1 Iroquois helicopters and flew in the operational support role. The 171st Aviation Squadron is currently equipped with S70A Blackhawk helicopters and provides support to Special Operations Command (Australia). While the Squadron is currently based at RAAF Base Townsville it will relocate to Holsworthy Barracks near Sydney by 2008.

No. 457 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron of World War II. The Squadron was formed in England in June 1941 and began flying operational patrols in August. The Squadron first saw action in March 1942 when it began conducting operations over northern France. No. 457 Squadron was redeployed to Australia in August 1942 and was deployed to Darwin in January 1943 where it formed part of the force which protected the town from Japanese air attacks. Due to the collapse of Japanese air power in the Netherlands East Indies the Squadron mainly operated in the ground attack role from April 1944 until the end of the war and was disbanded in November 1945.

The first HMAS Adelaide was a Town-class light cruiser which was operated by the Royal Australian Navy between 1922 and 1946. Adelaide was laid down in November 1915 and was commissioned in August 1922. Although Adelaide was decommissioned and placed into reserve in May 1939 so her crew could transfer to the new HMAS Perth she was reactivated upon the outbreak of war. Adelaide remained on the Australia Station throughout the war where she provided protection against German and Japanese raiders. In September 1940 her presence at New Caledonia was instrumental in ensuring that the island passed to the control of the Free French. HMAS Adelaide was decommissioned in May 1946 and was later sold for scrap.

Men of Z Special Unit train with canoes in Refuge Bay

Z Special Unit was a joint Australian, British and New Zealand commando unit, which saw action against the Empire of Japan during World War II. Z Special Unit was formed in June 1942 and carried out 284 covert operations in the South West Pacific theatre. The best known of these are a canoe raid on Singapore Harbour, and the subsequent Operation Rimau, in which all 23 participants were either killed in action or executed. Z Special Unit was disbanded following the end of the war.

No. 4 Forward Air Control Flight was a Royal Australian Air Force forward air control training unit. The Flight was formed in April 1970 and was equipped with four CAC Winjeel aircraft. The Flight was responsible for training RAAF, Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army pilots and participated in most Australian military exercises. No. 4 Forward Air Control Flight was disbanded on 1 January 1989 and became 'C' Flight of the newly reformed No. 76 Squadron.

The first HMAS Ballarat (J 184) was a Bathurst-class corvette, built by the Williamstown Dockyard in Melbourne, launched on 10 December 1940 by Mrs. A. A. Dunstan, wife of the Premier of Victoria and commissioned on 30 August 1941. Ballarat served throughout the second half of World War II, and was present in Tokyo Bay on Victory over Japan Day (2 September 1945), when the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed.

HMAS Ballarat paid off on 27 September 1946 and was sold on 10 July 1947. It was intended to operate the ship as Carmencita under the Honduran flag, but she was not released due to the Korean War and was instead broken up at Iron Cove in Sydney in November 1953.

The 10th Battalion was an infantry battalion raised for the First Australian Imperial Force during the First World War. The battalion was completely recruited from South Australia and formed part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. The 3rd Brigade was the covering force for the Anzac landing on 25 April 1915, and went ashore at around 4.30 am. The battalion served at Gallipoli until the evacuation in December. In March 1916, it sailed to France and served out the war on the Western Front. The battalion returned to Australia in November on 5 February 1919, the 9th and 10th Battalions were amalgamated. The battalion lives on today as the 10th/27th Battalion part of the Royal South Australia Regiment.

No. 324 Combat Support Squadron (324CSS) is a Royal Australian Air Force ground support squadron based at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth in Penang. 324CSS was formed in January 1999 and is responsible for providing support to Australian Defence Force exercises and deployments in South-East Asia. 324CSS's day to day responsibilities focus on supporting the ADF units and personnel at RMAF Base Butterworth, which include a detachment of AP-3C Orion aircraft from No. 92 Wing RAAF and the Australian Army's Rifle Company Butterworth. In January 2014, the squadron was renamed "No. 19 Squadron".

HMAS Supply (AO-195) was a Tide class fleet oiler laid down by Harland and Wolff Limited at Belfast in Northern Ireland in August 1952, launched in September 1954 and operated by the British Admiralty with a civilian crew as the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tide Austral. The ship was purchased by the Royal Australian Navy and commissioned as HMAS Tide Austral at Southampton on 15 August 1962, but was renamed HMAS Supply at Portsmouth on 7 September 1962. HMAS Supply paid off on 16 December 1985 after a career in which she provided important logistical support to RAN operations.