2/1st Battalion (Australia)

2/1st Battalion
Troops from the 2/1st at Wondecla, Queensland, April 1944
Active	October 1939 – December 1945
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Infantry
Size	~800–900 personnel[1][2]
Part of	16th Brigade, 6th Division
Colours	Black over green
Engagements	World War II North African campaign Greek campaign New Guinea campaign
Commanders
Notable commanders	Kenneth Eather Paul Cullen Ian Ross Campbell
Insignia
Unit colour patch

The 2/1st Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Formed as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force at the start of World War II, the battalion was deployed to the Middle East in early 1940 and subsequently took part in the early fighting in the North African campaign, taking part in battles around Bardia and Tobruk before later being sent to Greece in early 1941. A lightning German advance quickly pushed the Allies back and forced them to evacuate after a very short campaign and the 2/1st was landed on Crete where they subsequently fought unsuccessfully to repel a German invasion in May. The majority of the battalion was captured on Crete, but the 2/1st was subsequently re-built from survivors in Palestine and returned to Australia in early 1942 following Japan's entry into the war. They then fought two campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea, fighting in the Kokoda Track campaign during 1942–43 and the Aitape–Wewak campaign in 1944–45. Following the war, the 2/1st was disbanded.