2/2nd Battalion (Australia)

2/2nd Battalion
Members of the 2/2nd Battalion in 1941
Active	24 October 1939 – 15 February 1946
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Infantry
Size	~800–900 all ranks[1]
Part of	16th Brigade, 6th Division
Engagements	World War II North African campaign Battle of Bardia Greek Campaign Kokoda Track Campaign Battle of Buna-Gona Aitape–Wewak campaign
Commanders
Notable commanders	George Wootten Frederick Chilton
Insignia
Unit colour patch

The 2/2nd Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army raised for service as part of the all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force during World War II. Raised in October 1939, the battalion was deployed to the Middle East and in early 1941 took part in the first ground action undertaken by Australian troops during the war during the Battle of Bardia before helping to capture Tobruk. In April, the battalion briefly fought in Greece, before being evacuated after the Allied forces were overwhelmed by German forces. Some members of the battalion took part in the Battle of Crete, after which the battalion undertook garrison duties in Syria. In mid-1942, the 2/2nd undertook defensive duties in Ceylon before returning to Australia. They subsequently took part in the fighting against the Japanese along the Kokoda Track and then around Buna–Gona. After a period of reorganisation and training in Australia throughout 1943–44, late in the war the battalion was committed to the Aitape–Wewak campaign before being disbanded in early 1946 after the war.