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| 2/6th Field Regiment (Australia) | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 2/6th Field Regiment |
| Dates | 1940–1946 |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Second Australian Imperial Force |
| Type | Artillery |
| Role | Field artillery |
| Size | Regiment |
| Command structure | 6th Division (Australia) |
| Notable commanders | Arthur S. Allen |
2/6th Field Regiment (Australia) The 2/6th Field Regiment was an artillery regiment raised for service with the Second Australian Imperial Force during World War II. Formed in 1940, it served with the 6th Division (Australia) in the Middle East campaign, North African campaign, and later in the New Guinea campaign and Borneo campaign, providing indirect fire support during major battles and operations.
The regiment was raised in 1940 at Largs Bay, South Australia and other depots in South Australia and Victoria as part of the expansion of the Second Australian Imperial Force. Personnel were drawn from peacetime units, including the Citizen Military Forces, and volunteers who had answered calls following the declaration of war in 1939. After initial training at camps such as Woodside, South Australia and Puckapunyal, the regiment embarked for the Middle East to join the 6th Division (Australia), aligning with British and Commonwealth formations including the British Eighth Army and interacting with units like the 1st Armoured Division (Australia) during combined operations.
Organised as a three-battery field regiment, the unit comprised batteries designated with numbers drawn from the Australian artillery numbering system and staffed by officers commissioned from institutions such as the Royal Military College, Duntroon and non-commissioned officers promoted from Australian Imperial Force contingents. Initial equipment included the British-produced QF 18-pounder field gun, later supplemented and partly replaced by the Ordnance QF 25-pounder which became standard among Australian field regiments. The regiment's logistic support involved elements of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps, overseen by Royal Australian Artillery doctrine and liaising with Royal Artillery forward observation parties from formations like the 17th Indian Division during coalition operations.
Following deployment to the Middle East theatre, the regiment was committed to operations supporting the 6th Division (Australia) in engagements ranging from defensive actions to offensive advances. It served under higher commands including the ANZAC Corps and supported combined-arms actions with infantry brigades such as the 16th Brigade (Australia) and 19th Brigade (Australia), and worked alongside units like the 2/1st Pioneer Battalion and the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion to secure lines of communication and forward positions during advances and withdrawals.
In the Syria–Lebanon campaign the regiment provided fire support against Vichy French positions, cooperating with formations like the 7th Division (Australia), Free French forces, and elements of the British 1st Armoured Division. During the North African campaign the regiment participated in actions around Tobruk and battles associated with the Siege of Tobruk, supporting infantry such as the 2/13th Battalion and interacting with allied units including the South African 1st Infantry Division and elements of the Polish II Corps. The unit’s gunnery contributed to counter-battery fire, interdiction and bombardment tasks during engagements involving Axis forces like the German Afrika Korps and commanders including Erwin Rommel.
Redeployed to the Pacific following Japan's entry into the war, the regiment re-equipped for jungle warfare and participated in campaigns across New Guinea including actions near Kokoda Track operations, the Lae campaign, and subsequent advances in the Finisterre Range. It provided support to infantry brigades such as the 17th Brigade (Australia) and 7th Division (Australia) and coordinated with services including the Royal Australian Air Force for artillery spotting and interdiction missions. Later operations included support during amphibious operations in the Borneo campaign at locations like Tarakan and the Balikpapan landing, working alongside units such as the 7th Division (Australia) and allied naval forces including the Royal Navy and United States Navy.
Commanding officers included senior artillery officers commissioned through institutions like Royal Military College, Duntroon and experienced in prewar formations; notable leaders served in coordination with commanders of the 6th Division (Australia) such as Leslie Morshead and liaised with divisional staff including artillery commanders from the Royal Artillery. The regiment’s ranks included gunners promoted from the Citizen Military Forces, warrant officers with backgrounds in units like the Royal Australian Army Service Corps, and specialists trained in forward observation and signals from the Royal Australian Corps of Signals.
After Japan’s surrender the regiment underwent demobilisation, contributing personnel to occupation duties before final disbandment in 1946 as part of the postwar drawdown affecting formations across Australian military history. Its battle honours and service influenced postwar artillery doctrine within the Royal Australian Artillery and veterans became active in organizations such as the Returned and Services League of Australia. The regiment’s operational record is commemorated alongside campaigns like Tobruk and Kokoda Track campaign in Australian military histories and museum collections including exhibits at institutions like the Australian War Memorial and state museums.
Category:Artillery regiments of Australia Category:Military units and formations established in 1940 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946