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62nd Battalion
The 62nd Battalion is important to the story of the 2/15th Battalion since it was the source of a very significant number of reinforcements in June 1944. These soldiers then trained with their new battalion and were part of the Borneo campaign. There is not a lot of information available on the 62nd Bn and its experiences, and what has been found is referenced below.
"... the 62nd Infantry Battalion was the “Merauke Regiment”. It was raised in the Torres Strait in December 1942, from the 14th Garrison Battalion, stationed on Thursday Island at the time.
In January 1943 the 62nd left Thursday Island and sailed to Merauke, in Dutch New Guinea. The change in designation corresponded with larger changes to the Australian forces in the Torres Strait. In December 1942 the Torres Strait Force, of which the 14th Garrison Battalion was part, was redesignated the Merauke Force. This name change reflected the force’s next deployment.
The 62nd spent the war in Merauke and, until the arrival of units from the 11th Brigade, was Merauke Force’s principle infantry unit. The force’s roll was to hold Merauke’s airstrip and port. The 62nd also patrolled along the coast and surrounding area and was used for working parties, building defences around Merauke, corduroying roads, and unloading ships.
In February 1944 the 62nd ... returned to Australia. It arrived in Brisbane at the start of March and moved to Mt Stuart, near Townsville. The 62nd was disbanded in May 1944."
Many of its members were transferred into the 2/15th Bn as reinforcements, arriving there in June 1944.
War Diary This is freely downloadable from the AWM. It covers the period January 1943 to May 1944.
AWM film This 35mm b/w film shows:
"General shots of Merauke Force training, fishing and on a patrol through jungle swamps. General Northcott visits area with Force Commander, Brigadier J R Stevenson. General shots of a Dutch naval patrol. Kittyhawks and crews of No. 86 Squadron, RAAF."
Any other information would be appreciated.
