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Battalion into battle
Wes Olson
The 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion was the first battalion to be raised in Western Australia for service with the Australian Imperial Force in the Second World War. The Battalion took part in the Western Desert Campaign from 1940-41 and was involved in the capture of the Italian strongholds of Bardia and Tobruk. The unit was then tasked with the capture of Derna aerodrome and town during which the first of many individual gallantry awards were earned. In April 1941 they participated in the ill-fated Greek Campaign, and fought at Brallos Pass before being evacuated to Crete. Together with the 2/1st Battalion and others, they were tasked with defending the Retimo airstrip and defending Crete during the German airborne assault. Losing nearly 600 officers and men who were captured or killed on Crete, those remaining escaped and managed to rebuild the battalion for service in Syria. After Japan entered the war, the 2/11th was recalled to help defend Australia. In late 1944, the battalion took part in the hard-fought Aitape-Wewak campaign in New Guinea.
Includes Roll of honour, nominal roll and casualties.
Hard cover, illustrations, 509 pages.
