The 2/6th Australian Armoured Regiment pioneers the use of Australian Army tanks in jungle warfare. Using US-made Stuart Light tanks, designed for open-country warfare, they achieved a breakthrough in the Japanese defences at Buna and Sanananda in December 1942 -January 1943. Their devastating firepower saved many Australian infantry casualties.
The regiment was formed in August 1941, trained in northern New South Wales and in September 1942, after participating in the largest armoured manoeuvres ever held in Australia, the first squadrons were sent to Papua.
Soldiers and tanks drawn from the whole regiment, were first committed to battle at Cape Endaiadere on 18 December 1942. The actions around the Japanese Paupan beachheads lasted until early 1943.
Returning to Australia in May 1943, the regiment was re-formed in Queensland and then saw service in Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and again in Queensland, preparing for the invasion of Singapore. However the war ended before they saw further overseas service.
This book covers the history of the regiment from formation to disbandment and includes details of the regiments equipment, lessons learned from their actions, tank and crew details and a nominal roll.
Members of the regimental association and families of deceased men, contributed stories, diaries and photos, resulting in a very comprehensive and complete story of this famous unit.
Contents:
Illustrations
Maps
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction
1. The Australian Armoured Corps
2. The Formation of the Regiment
3. Training for War
4. The Narrabri Exercise
5. Vehicles of the Regiment
6. The More to New Guinea
7. The Buna Tankfield
8. The Tanks Join the Battle
9. The Fighting in Buna
10. On to Sanananda
11. New Guinea After the Battles
12. In Queensland
13. Western Australia
14. Back to the East
15. Return to Queensland
16. After the War
Bibliography
Glossary
Appendix 1. Casualties
Appendix 2. Honours and Awards
Appendix 3. Battle Honours
Appendix 4. Medical Report
Appendix 5. Lessons Learned
Appendix 6. Tank Flamethrower
Appendix 7. Tank Trials
Appendix 8. Tank Names
Appendix 9. Markings and Colours
Appendix 10. Tanks After Buna
Appendix 11. Squadron Album
Appendix 12. Nominal Roll
Index
