2/7th Cavalry Commando Regiment | |
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Active | 1940–1945 |
Country | Australia |
Branch | Australian Army |
Role | Commando |
Size | ~800–900 personnel all ranks |
Part of | 7th Division |
Engagements | World War II |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Ronald Hopkins |
Insignia | |
Unit colour patch |
The 2/7th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment was one of three commando regiments raised by the Australian Army for service during World War II. It was originally raised as the 7th Division Cavalry Regiment in 1940 and in this guise it served in North Africa and the Middle East at the beginning of the war, before it was brought back to Australia and sent to New Guinea in late 1942 to serve against the Japanese. In mid-1943 the Australian high command decided to disband the divisional cavalry regiments and use their headquarters elements to administer the independent companies that had been raised earlier in the war. In the process the 7th Division Cavalry Regiment disbanded its squadrons, gave up their vehicles and changed its name to the 2/7th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment, as it became the administrative headquarters for the 2/3rd, 2/5th and 2/6th Commando Squadrons.