About This Unit
24 Infantry Battalion AMF - WW2
The 24th Infantry Battalion, AMF was split from the pre-war 24/39th Battalion as Australia mobilised after the Japanese strike on Pearl Harbour in December 1941.
The 24/39th battalion had undertaken a series of camps in late 1941. During this period, the decision was made to split the 24th/39th Battalion to reform its component units. Following Japan's entry into the war, the 39th Battalion was sent to New Guinea and would go on to play a key role in the Australian defensive actions along the Kokoda Track in July and August 1942.
Meanwhile, in May 1942, the 24th Battalion was moved to Queensland and then, in September, following the disbandment of the 10th Brigade, the 24th was transferred to the 15th Brigade. In 1943, the battalion was deployed to New Guinea aboard the transport Duntroon along with the rest of the 3rd Division, arriving in Port Moresby over the course of three months between February and April. Later, they were transported by air to the Wau Valley and sent to take part in the fighting around Bobdubi Ridge and Mount Tambu before patrolling the Wampit Valley during the Salamaua–Lae campaign.
The official war historian, Gavin Long, recognised the fundamental importance of what he called "Wampit Force", largely the 24th Battalion, in the overall prosecution by the Allies of the war in New Guinea, in particular because of its role in protecting the Allied air forces while they gained air superiority in New Guinea.
Later, in September 1943, the battalion attacked Markham Point, before being detached to the 7th Division for the Finisterre Range campaign, during which they moved from Nadzab to Dumpu and helped to clear the Ramu Valley in early 1944, securing the 15th Brigade's western flank as the Australians pushed the advance towards Madang, which was secured in April 1944 by the 57th/60th Battalion.
In August 1944, the 24th Battalion was withdrawn back to Australia, embarking aboard the transport Van Heutsz at Madang, for rest and reorganization. Disembarking in Townsville, the soldiers were sent on home leave until early October.
After the soldiers returned from leave, a period of re-organisation and training followed on the Atherton Tablelands before the 24th Battalion deployed with the rest of the 15th Brigade to Bougainville in April 1945. On Bougainville, as part of the 3rd Division, the battalion took part in the drive to Buin in the southern sector, leading the advance to the Hongorai River along the Buin Road in April and early May, during which time they were involved in several small unit actions.
Further actions were fought by the battalion around Egan's Ridge and Mayberry's Crossing in mid-May as the battalion crossed the Pororei River. The Buin Road was cleared south towards the Peperu River, while the lateral track north to Oso was also cleared. In mid-June, after bypassing Unani along a lateral track that passed behind Monoitu, the battalion was involved in actions around the Hari and the Ogorata Rivers, pushing towards Kingori and then on to Katsuwa along the Commando Road, crossing the Mobiai. Eventually they reached the Mivo River which was forded by early July. Shortly afterwards, the battalion was relieved by units of the 29th Brigade who continued the drive south after a defensive battle against a Japanese counter-attack.
The war ended shortly afterwards, but the 24th Battalion remained on Bougainville until December 1945 when they were brought back to Australia. Following demobilisation, the battalion was disbanded on 19 January 1946.
During its active service it lost 85 men killed and 184 wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: two Distinguished Service Orders, two Members of the Order of the British Empire, eight Military Crosses and one Bar, six Distinguished Conduct Medals, 16 Military Medals, one British Empire Medal, two George Medals, 10 Efficiency Medals, two Efficiency Decorations, and 33 Mentions in Despatches. In 1961 the battalion was awarded eleven battle honours for its direct involvement in the war. At the same time it was also entrusted with those awarded to the 2/24th Battalion.
Extract from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24th_Battalion_(Australia)#:~:text=The%2024th%20Battalion%20was%20raised,assigned%20to%20the%202nd%20Division. (en.wikipedia.org)