3rd New Guinea Infantry Battalion
Encyclopedia
The 3rd New Guinea Infantry Battalion (3NGIB) was a battalion of the Australian Army
formed in June 1945 in the territory of New Guinea, during World War II
, in order to fight against the Japanese. Its soldiers were primarily natives of New Guinea, under the command of Australian officers and NCOs. Formed late in the war the battalion took no part in the allied campaigns in New Guinea, although a few of its members saw service with 2NGIB during the Aitape-Wewak campaign
, suffering a number of casualties. 3NGIB had an establishment of about 77 Europeans and 550 native soldiers.
The Papuan Infantry Battalion
(PIB) along with the 1st
and 2nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion
were amalgamated to form the Pacific Islands Regiment in November 1944. The 3rd and 4th New Guinea Infantry Battalion
joined the regiment in 1945, although 4NGIB was soon disbanded, whilst the 5th New Guinea Infantry Battalion—although authorised—was never raised. The battalion was disbanded in November 1947.
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
formed in June 1945 in the territory of New Guinea, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in order to fight against the Japanese. Its soldiers were primarily natives of New Guinea, under the command of Australian officers and NCOs. Formed late in the war the battalion took no part in the allied campaigns in New Guinea, although a few of its members saw service with 2NGIB during the Aitape-Wewak campaign
Aitape-Wewak campaign
The Aitape–Wewak campaign was one of the final campaigns of the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Between November 1944 and the end of the war in August 1945, the Australian 6th Division, with air and naval support, fought the Imperial Japanese 18th Army in northern New Guinea...
, suffering a number of casualties. 3NGIB had an establishment of about 77 Europeans and 550 native soldiers.
The Papuan Infantry Battalion
Papuan Infantry Battalion
The Papuan Infantry Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army formed on 27 May 1940 in the territory of Papua, during World War II, in order to fight the Japanese. The unit was slow in forming, with its first members posted in March 1941. By 1942 it consisted of only three...
(PIB) along with the 1st
1st New Guinea Infantry Battalion
The 1st New Guinea Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the Australian Army formed in March 1944 in the territory of New Guinea, during World War II, in order to fight against the Japanese. Its soldiers were primarily natives of New Guinea, under the command of Australian officers and NCOs...
and 2nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion
2nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion
The 2nd New Guinea Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the Australian Army formed in 26 September 1944 in the territory of New Guinea, during World War II, in order to fight against the Japanese. Its soldiers were primarily natives of New Guinea, under the command of Australian officers and NCOs...
were amalgamated to form the Pacific Islands Regiment in November 1944. The 3rd and 4th New Guinea Infantry Battalion
4th New Guinea Infantry Battalion
The 4th New Guinea Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the Australian Army formed in August 1945 in the territory of New Guinea, during World War II, in order to fight against the Japanese. Its soldiers were primarily natives of New Guinea, under the command of Australian officers and NCOs...
joined the regiment in 1945, although 4NGIB was soon disbanded, whilst the 5th New Guinea Infantry Battalion—although authorised—was never raised. The battalion was disbanded in November 1947.
Battle honours
- World War II: South West Pacific 1942–45, Kokoda Trail, Kokoda-Deniki, Nassau Bay, Tambu Bay, Finschhafen, Scarlet Beach, Liberation of Australian New Guinea, Sio-Sepik River, Kaboibus-Kiarivu and Bonis-Porton.
Commanding officers
- Lieutenant Colonel T.F. MacAdie (1945–1946)
- Lieutenant Colonel A.C. Cameron (1946)