Papuan Infantry Battalion
Encyclopedia
The Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) 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 companies
and were all understrength and poorly equipped. PIB was soon sent forward in June 1942 to patrol the northern coast of Papua and were dispersed over a wide area, led by Australian officers
and NCOs
. The small parties were the first to make contact with the Imperial Japanese forces upon landing in Papua. The battalion would ultimately serve in many of the allied campaigns in New Guinea, with its soldiers becoming noted for their ferocity and tenacity against the Japanese during the Kokoda Trail campaign, Salamaua-Lae campaign
, Ramu Valley-Finisterre Range campaign, Bougainville campaign and Aitape-Wewak campaign
.
The battalion had an establishment of about 77 Europeans and 550 native soldiers. The 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 August 1946.
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 on 27 May 1940 in the territory of Papua, 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 the Japanese. The unit was slow in forming, with its first members posted in March 1941. By 1942 it consisted of only three companies
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
and were all understrength and poorly equipped. PIB was soon sent forward in June 1942 to patrol the northern coast of Papua and were dispersed over a wide area, led by Australian officers
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
and NCOs
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
. The small parties were the first to make contact with the Imperial Japanese forces upon landing in Papua. The battalion would ultimately serve in many of the allied campaigns in New Guinea, with its soldiers becoming noted for their ferocity and tenacity against the Japanese during the Kokoda Trail campaign, Salamaua-Lae campaign
Salamaua-Lae campaign
The Salamaua–Lae campaign was a series of actions in the New Guinea campaign of World War II. Australian and United States forces sought to capture two major Japanese bases, one in the town of Lae, and another one at Salamaua. The campaign to take the Salamaua and Lae area began with the Australian...
, Ramu Valley-Finisterre Range campaign, Bougainville campaign and 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...
.
The battalion had an establishment of about 77 Europeans and 550 native soldiers. The 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
3rd New Guinea Infantry Battalion
The 3rd New Guinea Infantry Battalion 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...
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 August 1946.
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
- Major I. Logan (1940–1942)
- Major W.T. Watson (1942–1944)
- Lieutenant Colonel E.A. Standfield (1944)
- Lieutenant Colonel S. Elliott-Smith (1944–1945)
Decorations
- 1 Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
s (DSO) - 3 Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
es (MC) - 1 George MedalGeorge MedalThe George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
s (GM) - 3 Distinguished Conduct MedalDistinguished Conduct MedalThe Distinguished Conduct Medal was an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries.The medal was instituted in 1854, during the Crimean...
s (DCM) - 15 Military MedalMilitary MedalThe Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
s (MM) - 3 Mentioned in Despatches (MID)