55 Battalion | WWII

The 55th Battalion resumed individual unit identity on 26th October 1941, (as did the 53rd Battalion), and during the early months of 1942 mobilised on a full-time basis. While encamped at Greta it was brought up to strength by an intake of 18-year-old National Call Ups, together with approximately one company strength of A.I.F. reinforcements consisting of Officers and non-commissioned officers and other ranks, who were to have reinforced A.I.F. Battalions and were somewhat bitter at the prospect of serving with a MILITIA Battalion.

The Battalion now consisted of MILITIA volunteers, (some who had enlisted as early as 1935 who were well trained in the art of open warfare and in the training of others), A.I.F. volunteers and the confused 18-year-old conscripts. They attended training camps at Ingleburn, Bathurst and Dubbo before moving to Greta in the Hunter Valley.

This was the makeup of the Battalion when it was ordered to move to the area RAYMOND TERRACE - STOCKTON BEACH and camped at ‘Bobs Farm’ to prepare defence positions against possible invasion by the Japanese in the general NEWCASTLE area. After extensive defence work had been carried out at STOCKTON BEACH the unit was ordered back to proceed NORTH.

55th AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION WWII PAPUA NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN 1942

The Battalion embarked for PORT MORESBY in May 1942. The first batch of the 55th Battalion to arrive at Port Moresby was "Headquarters" and "A" Companies on 22nd May 1942. "A" Company was immediately moved out to relieve "A" Company of the 39th Battalion on Shell Hill. "A" Company was also the first company of the Battalion to receive attention from the Japanese bombers. On 29th May bombs were dropped through their area, but little damage was caused and no casualties inflicted.

Next "A" and "E" received bombs from the enemy Air Force, tents were holed and slight damage was done to other facilities.  Again, luck was with the troops, some near misses were recorded, but no casualties suffered.

On the 29th the Battalion was again a complete unit with the arrival of "B", "C" and "D" Companies. These companies were immediately allotted areas of defence and an effort was made to make these areas at least liveable.

No tropical stores were available, so the Battalion was open to tropical diseases immediately on arrival at Port Moresby, and the diseases immediately took their toll.

On 16th June the Japanese bombers transferred their attention from the Seven Mile Strip and the areas occupied by troops and concentrated their attacks on the shipping in the harbour. On this day during, one such raid a bomb hit the ill-fated Macdhui.

Digging of defensive positions on Shell Hill continued night and day. Little rest came the way of the troops and there was always the possibility of the extra work party required by someone.

Truck transport was not available so soldiers marched three hours to and from their work duties and back to camp.

The unit's task in the defence of Port Moresby was changed to one of mobility, without transport. The new responsibility was to prevent the enemy from penetrating the Seven Mile Valley and Eight Mile Valley. Fixed defences were abandoned. The roads were in very poor condition, just muddy tracks.

Within days of arriving in Port Moresby the Battalion was called upon to provide working parties of a least one company strength. So, training suffered, training that was most important to bring this mixed bag of troops together.

The possibility of an invasion by the Japanese at Milne Bay was becoming a reality and a force to be known as Boston Force was formed to move the area immediately. The 55th Battalion was ordered to supply one company of infantry and the task was allotted to "A" Company. This company was commanded by Captain Richards.

Captain Richards was ordered to proceed to Milne Bay immediately flying by Caalina flying boat, landing at Milne Bay some two hours later. The same day "C" Company was ordered to reinforce "A" Company and prepare to move on a special mission. The task was to construct and defend an airstrip at Gili Gili, Milne Bay. This was a most important task with a date for completion of construction not later than 20th July 1942. The two malaria ridden companies returned to Port Moresby by ship on about 25 August. Some of the Machine Gunners having being attached to New Guinea Force were left behind when the Japanese landed and were involved in the defence of No 3 strip.

Meanwhile at Port Moresby air raids on the Battalion area increased in number and in intensity.

Japanese bombing of Port moresby. On 5^th July 1942, 20 anti-personnel bombs (DAISY CUTTERS) landed in Headquarters Company area and the Battalion suffered its first casualties at the hands of the enemy. Two soldiers were killed and three injured. The destruction of this equipment was a loss the Battalion could ill afford.

On 10th October the Battalion was ordered back to Sapphire By this time the Japanese were in full retreat. On arrival back at Port Moresby a new task was allotted and it was back to digging trenches and work parties.

General Blarney inspected the Battalion on 25th October and congratulated them on their turnout and bearing The Brigade commander 14th Brigade, Brigadier Smith sent a message to the Battalion commander congratulating them on a "fine show well done".

Two days later came the amalgamation of the 55th and 53rd Australian Infantry Battalions and the composite 55/53rd Australian Infantry Battalion was again an entity.

Sources: Edited extracts from the book "That Mob", (written by NX143807 Lieut. Frank Budden, 55/53rd Battalion) with kind permission of his son Brian Budden).