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The 25th Brigade was a
brigade A brigade is a major tactical military unit, military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute ...
-sized
infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...
unit of the
Australian Army The Australian Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of Australia. It is a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army ...
that served during the
Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
. Raised in July 1940 and consisting of three infantry
battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of up to one thousand soldiers. A battalion is commanded by a lieutenant colonel and subdivided into several Company (military unit), companies, each typically commanded by a Major (rank), ...
s, the 25th Brigade initially served in the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, where it formed part of the garrison tasked with defending against a possible German invasion. In 1941, the brigade was redeployed to the
Middle East The Middle East (term originally coined in English language) is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. The term came into widespread usage by the United Kingdom and western Eur ...
where it took part in the
Syria–Lebanon campaign The Syria–Lebanon campaign, also known as Operation Exporter, was the invasion of Syria and Lebanon (then controlled by Vichy France, a vassal state of Nazi Germany) in June and July 1941 by British Empire forces, during the Second World War. ...
fighting several actions around Merdjayoun and Jezzine. Following Japan's entry into the war, the 25th Brigade was transferred back to Australia and subsequently took part in the fighting in
New Guinea New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; , fossilized , also known as Papua or historically ) is the List of islands by area, world's second-largest island, with an area of . Located in Melanesia in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the island is ...
. Throughout 1942–1943, the brigade fought in the final stages of the Kokoda Track campaign and around Buna–Gona. Later, they took part in the fighting around Lae and Shaggy Ridge, before being withdrawn to Australia for a long period of rest and reorganisation. In 1945, the 25th Brigade was committed to the Borneo campaign, carrying out an amphibious landing at Balikpapan in July 1945 before being disbanded in 1946.


History

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 Wiltshire (; abbreviated to Wilts) is a ceremonial county in South West England. It borders Gloucestershire to the north, Oxfordshire to the north-east, Berkshire to the east, Hampshire to the south-east, Dorset to the south, and Somerset to ...
.McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2104. 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. It had an foundational establishment of 1,759 personnel; a majority were drawn from service support corps of the 6th Division, although roughly a quarter of this number were diverted from infantry reinforcements bound initially for AIF units in the Middle East. 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,Dickens 2005, p. 367. 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. When formed, each of these battalions consisted of only three
companies A company, abbreviated as co., is a legal entity representing an association of legal people, whether natural, juridical or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common purpose and unite to achieve specifi ...
, instead of the usual four, although these companies were later added when the brigade deployed to the Middle East after January 1941. Originally, the 25th Brigade was part of the newly established 9th Division, however, after being dispatched to the Middle East in 1941 it was transferred to the 7th Division, with which it remained for the rest of the war. Upon arrival, the brigade was sent to Palestine, although it moved to Ikingi Maryut, in Egypt, in April 1941 as preparations were made to deploy to
Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
, in support of the 6th Division. However, in response to German moves in North Africa, the brigade was deployed to
Mersa Matruh Mersa Matruh (), also transliterated as Marsa Matruh ( Standard Arabic ''Marsā Maṭrūḥ'', ), is a port in Egypt and the capital of Matrouh Governorate. It is located west of Alexandria and east of Sallum on the main highway from the Nile ...
in the Western Desert, remaining there until relieved in May. By this time, the brigade's establishment was completed, and it consisted of 3,500 men 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 The Syria–Lebanon campaign, also known as Operation Exporter, was the invasion of Syria and Lebanon (then controlled by Vichy France, a vassal state of Nazi Germany) in June and July 1941 by British Empire forces, during the Second World War. ...
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.Johnston 2007, p. 44. After the
armistice An armistice is a formal agreement of warring parties to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, as it may constitute only a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace. It is derived from t ...
was signed in July, the 25th Brigade moved to
Beirut Beirut ( ; ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, just under half of Lebanon's population, which makes it the List of largest cities in the Levant region by populatio ...
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 Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
'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 A militia ( ) is a military or paramilitary force that comprises civilian members, as opposed to a professional standing army of regular, full-time military personnel. Militias may be raised in times of need to support regular troops or se ...
units that were trying to hold back the Japanese advance in New Guinea. Arriving in
Adelaide Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...
, in South Australia, the 25th Brigade's personnel were granted a brief period of leave before the brigade reconstituted around Casino, New South Wales, where they took over the defences from the 15th Motor Regiment amidst concerns of a Japanese invasion. In May, the brigade moved to Caboolture, Queensland, and assumed a defensive role around the beaches of the Sunshine Coast. As the fighting between Japanese and Australian forces along the Kokoda Track intensified, the brigade received orders to deploy to
New Guinea New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; , fossilized , also known as Papua or historically ) is the List of islands by area, world's second-largest island, with an area of . Located in Melanesia in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the island is ...
, and they subsequently arrived in
Port Moresby (; Tok Pisin: ''Pot Mosbi''), also referred to as Pom City or simply Moresby, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea. It is one of the largest cities in the southwestern Pacific (along with Jayapura) outside of Australia and New ...
in September 1942.McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2105. 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. A six month period of home service in Australia followed, during which intensive training was carried out around Ravenshoe, Queensland, on the Atherton Tableands. In September 1943, the brigade was committed to the capture of Lae, as the 7th Division was flown into Nadzab to begin the advance from there, while the 9th Division carried out another advance on Lae from the coast. While emplaning in Port Moresby, the 2/33rd Battalion suffered heavy losses when a Liberator bomber crashed on take off amongst trucks carrying members of the battalion. Nevertheless, the brigade arrived in Nadzab and on 9 September began their advance through the Markham Valley and after clashes around Jensen's and Heath's Plantations, the brigade entered Lae on 16 September. 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.McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2016. After this, the 25th Brigade did not see action for over a year. During this period, the brigade was located initially at
Strathpine, Queensland Strathpine is a Suburbs and localities (Australia), suburb in the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. It is home to the Pine Rivers District offices of the City of Moreton Bay, as well as many businesses, administrative, and local, state ...
, 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.Johnston 2007, p. 32.Draydon 2000, p. 237. 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


References

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External links


25th Brigade war diary, Australian War Memorial
{{Use dmy dates, date=June 2017 Brigades of Australia Military units and formations established in 1940 Military units and formations disestablished in 1946 1946 disestablishments in Australia