About This Unit
30 Brigade Headquarters (WW2) 1941-43
HQ 30 Infantry Brigade was raised in Sydney in December 1941 in order to provide a command structure to lead an expanded garrison in Port Moresby following the entry of Japan into the war.
Its subordinate units initially comprised the 49 Infantry Battalion (AMF) Group and the Papuan Infantry Battalion. The Victorian 39 Battalion (AMF) had been raised in Melbourne and 53 Battalion (AMF) in Sydney to relieve the units already in Papua as well as 19 Battalion (AMF). They were augmented by 13 Field Regiment from Adelaie and 7 Field Company from Brisbane, Militia units all, arriving in January 1942. Training took a a back seat to construction tasks and work parties which had a deleterious effect on morale.
Defences were oriented towards the sea, but after the Battle of the Coral Sea and the threat of seaborne invasion dissipated, followed by the arrival of 14 Brigade Group from Newcastle, attention turned to the landward defences.
39 Battalion was initially detached to establish a defended locality at Buna, but the Japanese arrived first and 39 Battalion began the fighting withdrawal which immortalised them, as part of Maroubra Force.
The Brigade later consolidated at Isurava Ridge after 21 Brigade (AIF) had stabilised the front line and eventually was withdrawn into Port Moresby. 39 Battalion was later detached under command of 21 Brigade at Gona. In early December the 30 Brigade Group were flown to reinforce the Allied positions at Sanananda. They were reinforced by 21 Brigade and 39 Battalion after the capture of Gona. The 18 Brigade Group was also directed to Sananda after the fall of Buna. By the end of January, Sananda had fallen and the 30 Brigade Group were flown back to Port Moresby where they joined the 6th Division.
The Brigade was moved to Wondecla in north Queensland in March 1943. By June 30 Brigade was disbanded, its troops absorbed into the 2nd/1st, 2nd/2nd and 2nd/3rd Battalions. It was an ignominious end particularly for the 39th Battalion, whose young, poorly equipped and under-trained Militia men had borne the brunt of the Japanese overland advance on Port Moresby along the Kokoda Track, and played a key role in the capture of Gona.
Composition
Headquarters
49 Battalion Group (AMF) Qld
Papuan Infantry Battalion (AMF)
39 Battalion (AMF) Vic
53 Battalion (AMF) NSW
13 Field Regiment (AMF) SA
17 Field Company (AMF) Qld
Source: McKenzie-Smith, Graham R, 2018, 'The Unit Guide 1939-45' Vol 2 Headquarters, Infantry Cavalry Armoured and Intelligence Units, . Big Sky Publishing, Newport NSW Australia ISBN:978-1-925675-14-6
Compiled by Steve Larkins Jan 2026