The 25th Brigade was raised in June 1940 from
Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) personnel
in the United Kingdom. Upon formation, the brigade's headquarters was opened at
Tidworth, in
Wiltshire. The brigade was created following the
Fall of France, initially as a temporary formation that would defend southern England, in the event of an
invasion by German forces. Upon formation, the brigade consisted of only three infantry battalions instead of the four that had been the usual Australian establishment up to that time, due to manpower shortages and its component units were the 70th, 71st and 72nd Battalions, although these were later re-designated as the
2/31st,
2/32nd and
2/33rd Battalions. and was composed of the
2/25th, 2/31st and 2/33rd Battalions, with the 2/32nd having been transferred to the
24th Brigade and the 2/25th being re-assigned to the 25th in its stead as part of a re-organisation of the 2nd AIF as the more combat ready units were shifted to the 7th Division in preparation for operations, while those still forming were transferred to the 9th Division. After this the brigade took part in the
Syria–Lebanon campaign in June–July 1941, fighting against the
Vichy French. During this campaign, the brigade was allocated to the centre of the Allied advance, with the
21st Brigade advancing on its flank along the coast. The campaign was short, but hard fought and the brigade's major actions during this time included an attack on
Merdjayoun and fighting around
Jezzine. After the
armistice was signed in July, the 25th Brigade moved to
Beirut where they undertook garrison duties. A further move took place in September, when the brigade was transferred to
Tripoli to construct defensive positions. They remained there until January 1942, when the 25th Brigade was withdrawn to Julius, in Palestine. In early 1942, following
Japan's entry into the war and concerns about the strategic situation in the Pacific, the 25th Brigade—along with the rest of the 7th Division—were brought back to Australia to help reinforce the
Militia units that were trying to hold back the Japanese advance in New Guinea. As the situation was dire for the Australians, upon arrival at Port Moresby, the 25th Brigade was committed to the
Kokoda Track campaign, and was sent up the track to
Ioribaiwa, where they reinforced the heavily depleted
21st Brigade. After heavy fighting, a withdrawal was undertaken to Imita Ridge, and by the end of the month the Japanese advance towards Port Moresby had reached its limit. After this, the Japanese began to withdraw north, and the Australians began a tentative pursuit. This saw the 25th Brigade involved in heavy fighting around
Eora Creek and Templeton's Crossing in October, which was followed by the recapture of Kokoda on 2 November. Following the occupation of Kokoda, the 25th Brigade began the advance towards Wairopi. The Japanese had established strong defences around
Oivi and Gorari, and while the 21st Brigade carried out a frontal assault, the 25th Brigade advanced further to the south and then attacked the Japanese rear. The Japanese then withdrew across the
Kumusi River, after which the 25th Brigade continued towards the coasts, joining the fighting around
Gona. At Gona they came up against a well entrenched force, and suffered heavy casualties. As a result, the brigade was withdrawn to Donadabu in December 1942 and then flown back to Australia the following month. In September 1943, the brigade was committed to the
capture of Lae, Following the capture of Lae, the brigade was flown to
Kaiapit and the took part in the
advance through the Finisterre Range, culminating in the
Battle of Shaggy Ridge. After being relieved in early 1944 by the
15th Brigade, the 25th was withdrawn to Port Moresby in January 1944 and returned to Australia the following month. After this, the 25th Brigade did not see action for over a year. During this period, the brigade was located initially at
Strathpine, Queensland, before moving to
Kairi as they undertook training in Queensland before taking part in the final western Allied amphibious operation of the war—the
landing at Balikpapan in July 1945. This operation was part of the wider
Borneo campaign. The strategic value of this campaign has since been questioned, however, ultimately the 25th Brigade's involvement in it was successful and it proved their last involvement in the war. Staging out of
Morotai, the brigade landed at Balikpapan in July, following the
18th and 21st Brigades ashore. Advancing up the Milford Highway, the brigade advanced towards Batuchampar, and by the end of the month the Australians began mopping up operations. The Japanese surrendered in August 1945, after which the brigade served as occupation troops in Dutch Borneo until civilian authorities could be re-established. The brigade was disbanded shortly thereafter in 1946. ==Notes==