318:
Japanese, the 2nd
Independent Company was reinforced with the landing of No.4 Australian Independent Company. By late-November 1942, however, it was clear that the Australians could not sustain their campaign due to extreme ill-health amongst all the men, and the ever-increasing number of Japanese reinforcements as well as reduced food supplies. Furthermore, the Japanese used increasing numbers of Dutch Timorese to wreak havoc among the Portuguese Timorese, who then found it impossible to keep helping the Australians. As a result, both the 2/2 and 2/4 were withdrawn from Timor between mid-December 1942 and January 1943, along with Portuguese civilians, some Dutch troops and Timorese who would later serve with Z Special Unit.
327:
439:
have lasted a week had the
Timorese not protected them". Kenneally visited East Timor four times after World War II; once in 1990 and a further three times after independence from Indonesia was achieved in 1999. In 2005, he appeared in TV advertisements promoting a fair deal for the people of East Timor in negotiations over Timor Sea gas and oil and was instrumental in securing a fair share of the gas field for the Timorese people. On 25 April 2008 Kenneally, two of his sons and one of his grandsons attended an
943:
55:
31:
175:
309:. "Winnie", reputedly named after Winston Churchill, was cobbled together by Signaller Max (Joe) Loveless, a Tasmanian member of the unit who had a background as an amateur radio station operator. The set was built on the back of a four-gallon kerosene tin, using parts from several failed radio sets. Some parts were obtained via night raids into occupied enemy territory. After this, the
313:
was able to bring in supplies for the company on the south coast of east Timor in late May, allowing the guerrilla campaign to continue. During August, the
Japanese launched a major offensive against the guerrillas and carried out a series of reprisals against the civilian population of east Timor in
300:
on 20 February 1942, attacking both east and west Timor at the same time, quickly overwhelming the small force of
Australian and Dutch defenders. Hopelessly outnumbered No.2 Independent Company was unable to hold the airfield and was forced to retreat into the mountains, from where they would wage a
373:
area. In mid-July, the 2/2nd moved into position in Bena Bena and by the end of the month their patrols were skirmishing with the
Japanese. They continued to conduct operations in New Guinea until October 1944 when, after being away from Australia for more than a year, the 2/2nd were withdrawn from
438:
After the war, some of the unit's members became advocates for the rights of the
Timorese people, recognising the contribution that they had made to Australia's war effort. One member, John Patrick "Paddy" Kenneally, who died in March 2009 at the age of 93, said that the Australians would "...not
304:
After the fall of the island, it was believed that No. 2 Independent
Company had been captured along with the 2/40th Battalion, and for almost three months the unit was officially listed as missing by the Australian Army. On 19/20 April 1942, however, members of the unit were able to make contact
409:
Following the end of hostilities in the
Pacific in August 1945, the 2/2nd Commando Squadron was deemed to be surplus to the post-war requirements of the Australian Army and as such it was steadily reduced in strength as men were discharged or transferred to other units. The remainder returned to
317:
This campaign was ultimately unsuccessful, although the local
Timorese paid a high price for the assistance they provided the Australians: it is estimated that between 40,000 and 60,000 Timorese perished during the Japanese occupation. In September, in an effort to maintain the pressure on the
410:
Australia and in early 1946 the 2/2nd
Commando Squadron was disbanded. During its service during the war, the 2/2nd lost 22 men killed in action or died on active service. Members of the squadron received the following decorations: two
897:
1370:
247:
Initially formed as " No 2 Independent Company", the unit was raised in 1941. With an authorised strength of 17 officers, 256 other ranks, it undertook training at No7 Infantry Training Centre Camp at Darby
346:, although this was short lived as it became an independent unit once again not long afterwards. As a part of this re-organisation, the company would eventually be renamed the "2/2nd Commando Squadron".
890:
1360:
1365:
883:
1171:
1355:
1181:
293:
1350:
1166:
932:
927:
922:
343:
1216:
1211:
334:
Upon return to Australia, the company, now renamed the "2/2nd Independent Company", reformed at the training centre at the Jungle Warfare School at
284:
Amid fears of a Japanese advance towards mainland Australia, No.2 Independent Company was sent to Timor, as part of Sparrow Force, along with the
1117:
226:. Following the capture of the island, the company was withdrawn in December 1942 and returned to Australia, later taking part in operations in
1278:
1268:
1141:
1122:
1102:
689:
1309:
1186:
1107:
1037:
865:
846:
827:
808:
366:
1375:
1014:
1009:
1004:
752:. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Vol. Series 1—Army. Volume IV. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial.
733:. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Vol. Series 1—Army. Volume V. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial.
999:
994:
989:
984:
979:
974:
969:
959:
1314:
529:
1206:
1161:
1156:
1075:
717:
1151:
1112:
382:
and began a period of training and re-organisation in preparation for their next campaign. In April 1945, the unit embarked for
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326:
598:
1235:
257:
1176:
285:
1084:
419:
411:
1329:
1244:
456:
391:
374:
the fighting for a period of leave in Australia. After three months leave, the 2/2nd Commando Squadron reformed at
151:
1088:
399:
395:
1053:
942:
1191:
375:
350:
1228:
1068:
427:
310:
692:. Vol. Series 1—Army. Volume VI. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial.
30:
1299:
906:
335:
253:
191:
131:
875:
784:
Independent Company: The 2/2 and 2/4 Australian Independent Companies in Portuguese Timor, 1941–1943
660:
1304:
1252:
338:, where it was reinforced and re-equipped. The 2/2nd was relocated to the Atherton Tableland Camp,
126:
339:
261:
249:
861:
842:
823:
804:
787:
753:
734:
713:
693:
403:
537:
296:
in east Timor, whilst other elements took up positions in the nearby mountains. The Japanese
1061:
463:
443:
service in East Timor, at a memorial overlooking Dili and built by veterans from the 2/2nd.
156:
174:
1132:
297:
219:
195:
121:
70:
1324:
1319:
1042:
1032:
423:
415:
273:
265:
1344:
1294:
387:
223:
98:
590:
705:
354:
269:
215:
199:
116:
747:
728:
683:
383:
231:
211:
202:. It was initially designated No. 2 Independent Commando Company, and served in
632:
379:
370:
362:
227:
207:
791:
757:
697:
646:
330:
Seven members of the 2/2nd Independent Company in New Guinea during July 1943
440:
358:
60:
738:
710:
SAS: Phantoms of the Jungle—A History of the Australian Special Air Service
292:
on 17 December 1941, most of the 2nd Independent Company moved to protect
80:
35:
An Australian commando in the mountains of Timor on 12 December 1942.
803:. Swanbourne, Western Australia: John Burridge Military Antiques.
325:
203:
712:(1st ed.). St Leonards, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin.
289:
1057:
879:
667:. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
775:"The Second Second Commando Association of Australia website"
774:
451:
The following officers commanded the 2/2nd during the war:
1371:
Military units and formations of Australia in World War II
858:
Timor 1942: Australian Commandos at War with the Japanese
301:
guerrilla campaign against the Japanese for over a year.
841:. Perth, Western Australia: 2/2nd Commando Association.
557:
555:
256:. After training the company was transported north to
1361:
Military units and formations disestablished in 1946
305:
with Darwin, using a wireless transmitter nicknamed
1287:
1261:
1243:
1227:
1140:
1131:
1095:
1023:
950:
913:
314:order to reduce their support for the Australians.
169:
164:
144:
139:
112:
104:
94:
86:
76:
66:
48:
40:
23:
1366:Military units and formations established in 1941
907:Australian Commando units of the Second World War
730:South–West Pacific Area—First Year: Kokoda to Wau
288:and a small force of artillery. Upon arriving at
16:Commando squadrons raised by the Australian Army
591:"Paddy Kenneally: Fervent Champion of Timorese"
1069:
891:
860:. Hawthorne, Victoria: Hutchinson Australia.
820:The History of the Second Independent Company
8:
633:"Lieutenant Colonel Bernard James Callinan"
192:independent companies or commando squadrons
1356:Company sized units of the Australian Army
1217:173rd Special Operations Aviation Squadron
1212:171st Special Operations Aviation Squadron
1137:
1076:
1062:
1054:
898:
884:
876:
29:
661:"Callinan, Sir Bernard James (1913–1995)"
536:. Australian War Memorial. Archived from
268:entered the war following the attacks on
782:Callinan, Bernard; Shute, Nevil (1953).
584:
582:
573:
561:
478:
1279:Australian Secret Intelligence Service
1192:Tactical Assault Group (East and West)
1123:Special Operations Commander Australia
1118:National Security Committee of Cabinet
619:
524:
522:
520:
518:
516:
514:
485:
390:on 17 April and subsequently moved to
342:, where it briefly became part of the
20:
1187:Special Operations Logistics Squadron
1038:Royal Australian Navy Beach Commandos
512:
510:
508:
506:
504:
502:
500:
498:
496:
494:
7:
1182:Special Operations Engineer Regiment
822:. Perth, Western Australia: C Doig.
601:from the original on 3 February 2010
349:In June 1943, the 2/2nd sailed from
322:New Guinea and New Britain campaigns
1351:1946 disestablishments in Australia
469:Major Geoffrey Gosford Laidlaw, DSO
1315:Services Reconnaissance Department
1300:Independent and Commando Companies
786:. Melbourne, Victoria: Heinemann.
665:Australian Dictionary of Biography
264:, where they were stationed until
14:
690:Australia in the War of 1939–1945
534:Second World War, 1939–1945 units
344:2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment
1172:ADF School of Special Operations
941:
365:. Here, the 2/2nd supported the
173:
53:
933:2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment
928:2/7th Cavalry Commando Regiment
923:2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment
357:and was subsequently flown to
1:
589:Cleary, Paul (6 March 2009).
1177:Special Air Service Regiment
412:Distinguished Service Orders
361:, in the Bismarck Ranges in
90:17 officers, 256 other ranks
1376:Special forces of Australia
1085:Special Forces of Australia
530:"2/2nd Independent Company"
420:Distinguished Conduct Medal
24:The 2/2nd Commando Squadron
1392:
1330:Far Eastern Liaison Office
1269:1st Intelligence Battalion
1245:Royal Australian Air Force
1103:Chief of the Defence Force
856:Wray, Christopher (1987).
394:, in order to support the
1108:Chief of Joint Operations
939:
799:Campbell, Archie (1988).
727:McCarthy, Dudley (1959).
685:The New Guinea Offensives
595:The Sydney Morning Herald
367:2/7th Independent Company
230:in 1943–1944 and then on
28:
1253:No. 4 Squadron, B Flight
1089:Australian Defence Force
1015:2/12th Commando Squadron
1010:2/11th Commando Squadron
1005:2/10th Commando Squadron
801:The Double Reds of Timor
746:Wigmore, Lionel (1957).
647:"Bernard James Callinan"
430:and two foreign awards.
222:in June 1942 as part of
1236:Clearance Diving Branch
1000:2/9th Commando Squadron
995:2/8th Commando Squadron
990:2/7th Commando Squadron
985:2/6th Commando Squadron
980:2/5th Commando Squadron
975:2/4th Commando Squadron
970:2/3rd Commando Squadron
965:2/2nd Commando Squadron
960:1st Independent Company
386:, where they landed at
188:2/2nd Commando Squadron
1167:ADF Parachuting School
837:Smailes, Jim (1988) .
682:Dexter, David (1961).
428:Mentions in Despatches
331:
160:Major Geoffrey Laidlaw
1229:Royal Australian Navy
1207:6th Aviation Regiment
1162:2nd Commando Regiment
1157:1st Commando Regiment
329:
311:Royal Australian Navy
307:Winnie the War Winner
218:, taking part in the
1152:Special Forces Group
1113:Minister for Defence
818:Doig, Colin (1986).
336:Canungra, Queensland
132:New Britain campaign
1310:RAN Beach Commandos
1305:No. 200 Flight RAAF
1274:7th Signal Regiment
952:Companies/Squadrons
749:The Japanese Thrust
447:Commanding officers
198:for service during
150:Lieutenant Colonel
127:New Guinea campaign
1142:Special Operations
466:, AC, CBE, DSO, MC
402:that was based at
398:, attached to the
369:in patrolling the
340:Atherton Tableland
332:
262:Northern Territory
250:Wilsons Promontory
1338:
1337:
1202:
1201:
1051:
1050:
867:978-0-09-157480-2
848:978-0-7316-9780-9
829:978-0-7316-0668-9
810:978-0-646-25825-6
540:on 7 January 2014
181:
180:
170:Unit colour patch
1383:
1288:Historical units
1138:
1078:
1071:
1064:
1055:
945:
900:
893:
886:
877:
871:
852:
839:The Independents
833:
814:
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761:
742:
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586:
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571:
565:
559:
550:
549:
547:
545:
526:
489:
483:
464:Bernard Callinan
457:Alexander Spence
416:Military Crosses
286:2/40th Battalion
177:
157:Bernard Callinan
152:Alexander Spence
59:
57:
56:
33:
21:
1391:
1390:
1386:
1385:
1384:
1382:
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1380:
1341:
1340:
1339:
1334:
1283:
1257:
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1223:
1198:
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1133:Australian Army
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769:
767:Further reading
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449:
436:
324:
282:
245:
240:
220:Battle of Timor
196:Australian Army
184:
159:
154:
146:
122:Battle of Timor
105:Double diamonds
71:Australian Army
54:
52:
36:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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1368:
1363:
1358:
1353:
1343:
1342:
1336:
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1333:
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1327:
1325:Z Special Unit
1322:
1320:M Special Unit
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1045:
1043:Z Special Unit
1040:
1035:
1033:M Special Unit
1029:
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622:, p. 243.
612:
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566:
564:, p. 467.
551:
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467:
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448:
445:
435:
432:
424:Military Medal
323:
320:
281:
280:Timor campaign
278:
244:
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194:raised by the
190:was one of 12
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1295:Coastwatchers
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766:
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731:
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721:
719:1-86373-007-9
715:
711:
707:
706:Horner, David
703:
699:
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642:
639:
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628:
625:
621:
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613:
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583:
579:
576:, p. 86.
575:
574:McCarthy 1959
570:
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558:
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539:
535:
531:
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491:
488:, p. 22.
487:
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388:Jacquinot Bay
385:
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360:
356:
352:
347:
345:
341:
337:
328:
321:
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308:
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299:
298:invaded Timor
295:
294:Dili airfield
291:
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229:
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224:Sparrow Force
221:
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209:
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197:
193:
189:
183:Military unit
176:
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138:
133:
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99:Sparrow Force
97:
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69:
65:
62:
51:
47:
43:
39:
32:
27:
22:
19:
1024:
964:
951:
914:
857:
838:
819:
800:
783:
748:
729:
709:
684:
664:
655:
641:
627:
615:
603:. Retrieved
594:
569:
562:Wigmore 1957
542:. Retrieved
538:the original
533:
481:
450:
437:
408:
400:5th Division
396:13th Brigade
355:Port Moresby
348:
333:
316:
306:
303:
283:
270:Pearl Harbor
246:
216:World War II
200:World War II
187:
185:
117:World War II
95:Part of
18:
620:Dexter 1961
486:Horner 1989
384:New Britain
232:New Britain
212:New Britain
113:Engagements
1345:Categories
1096:Leadership
675:References
380:Queensland
376:Strathpine
371:Ramu River
363:New Guinea
351:Townsville
228:New Guinea
208:New Guinea
147:commanders
140:Commanders
915:Regiments
792:222164490
758:186194020
698:186193918
544:24 August
441:Anzac Day
359:Bena Bena
258:Katherine
243:Formation
234:in 1945.
61:Australia
44:1941–1946
708:(1989).
605:20 March
599:Archived
414:, three
404:Lamarien
392:Wide Bay
254:Victoria
165:Insignia
81:Commando
1262:Related
1144:Command
1087:of the
739:3134247
238:History
214:during
145:Notable
49:Country
864:
845:
826:
807:
790:
756:
737:
716:
696:
462:Major
455:Major
434:Legacy
422:, one
418:, one
274:Malaya
248:River,
155:Major
67:Branch
58:
41:Active
1025:Other
474:Notes
459:, DSO
426:, 35
266:Japan
204:Timor
862:ISBN
843:ISBN
824:ISBN
805:ISBN
788:OCLC
754:OCLC
735:OCLC
714:ISBN
694:OCLC
607:2009
546:2009
290:Dili
272:and
210:and
186:The
87:Size
77:Type
353:to
108:Red
1347::
688:.
663:.
597:.
593:.
581:^
554:^
532:.
493:^
406:.
378:,
276:.
260:,
252:,
206:,
1077:e
1070:t
1063:v
899:e
892:t
885:v
870:.
851:.
832:.
813:.
794:.
777:.
760:.
741:.
722:.
700:.
649:.
635:.
609:.
548:.
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