Market2/11th Battalion (Australia)
Company Profile

2/11th Battalion (Australia)

The 2/11th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army which saw service during World War II. Raised shortly after the outbreak of war in 1939, the 2/11th was formed from Second Australian Imperial Force volunteers who were recruited mainly from the state of Western Australia. Assigned to the 6th Division, the 2/11th completed its training in Western Australia and New South Wales before deploying to the Middle East in 1940. Its first action came around Bardia in early January 1941, and this was followed by further actions in Libya, and then Greece and on Crete during which the 2/11th suffered heavy losses. After being re-formed, in late 1941 the battalion was deployed to Syria to undertake garrison duties there. In early 1942, it was brought back to Australia to help bolster the country's defences following Japanese advances in the Pacific, and it subsequently undertook defensive duties in Western Australia. The 2/11th did not see combat again until the final year of the war when it was committed to the Aitape–Wewak campaign. It was disbanded after the war in late 1945.

History
Raised at Northam, Western Australia, on 13 October 1939, During the war a total of 2,939 men served with the 2/11th Battalion which suffered 489 casualties, of whom 182 were killed. Its members received the following decorations: two Distinguished Service Orders, six Military Crosses, four Distinguished Conduct Medals, 20 Military Medals and 66 Mentions in Despatches. In addition, one member of the battalion was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and three were invested as Members of the Order of the British Empire. ==Battle honours==
Battle honours
The 2/11th received the following battle honours for its involvement in the war: • North Africa, Bardia 1941, Capture of Tobruk, Derna, Greece 1941, Brallos Pass, Middle East 1941–1944, Crete, Retimo, Matapau, Abau–Malin, Wewak, Wirui Mission, South-West Pacific 1942–1945, Liberation of Australian New Guinea. These honours were subsequently entrusted to the 11th Battalion in 1961, and through this link are maintained by the Royal Western Australia Regiment. ==Commanding officers==
Commanding officers
The following officers commanded the 2/11th Battalion: • Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Louch (1939–1941); • Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Sandover (1941–1943); • Lieutenant Colonel Hector Binks (1943–1945); • Lieutenant Colonel Charles Green (1945). ==References==
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