About This Unit
12/40 (previously 12/50) Infantry Battalion AMF
Formed on 2 May 1945, 12/40 Infantry Battalion served throughout Australia until 29 May 1946 when it was officially disbanded. It saw no active service overseas, as after mid-1943, the threat level posed to Australia by Japan was minimal.
The 40th Infantry Battalion had been a Tasmanian Militia unit assigned to both the 4th and 12th Divisions at various times. 12 Infantry Battalion had being linked with 50 Infantry Battalion since December 1936 (The 50th Battalion had been an SA-based Battalion prior to 1936).
12/50 Infantry Battalion had served since the start of World War Two and for the most part had been part of York Force - a group of Militia units used for the defence of the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland.
Just prior to 2 May 1945, however, 50 Infantry Battalion was 'de-linked' and disbanded. Subsequently 12 and 40 Infantry Battalion were re-linked.