30th Brigade (Australia)

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30th Brigade (Australia)
Soldiers of the 39th Battalion—part of the 30th Brigade—following their relief in September 1942
Active1941–1943
Country Australia
BranchAustralian Army
TypeInfantry
EngagementsSecond World War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Selwyn Porter
Insignia
Headquarters unit colour patch

The 30th Brigade was a brigade-sized infantry unit of the Australian Army. Formed in December 1941, as part of the Militia, the unit was raised for service during the Second World War. Established in response to Japan's entry into the war, the brigade's subordinate units were established in several Australian states. Some of these had already been dispatched to New Guinea before the brigade's headquarters was established, although the majority arrived there in early 1942.

Following their arrival, the brigade initially provided garrison troops to Port Moresby before later taking part in the fighting along the Kokoda Track during which elements took part in delaying actions around Kokoda and Isurava, before being relieved by units of the Second Australian Imperial Force.

After the campaign began to turn in favour of the Australians, the Japanese withdrew north towards their beachheads around Buna and Gona, and elements of the brigade were recommitted to the fighting. In early 1943, the 30th Brigade was withdrawn back to Australia and was disbanded in July 1943, with its personnel being redistributed to other formations.

  1. ^ "2nd Australian Imperial Force and Citizen Military Forces unit diaries, 1939-42 War" (PDF). s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com. December 1942. Retrieved 2 September 2024.