66th BATTALION (16 Oct 1945 - 22 Nov 1948)
2 RAR was formed originally as the 66th Battalion, 2nd AIF at the end of World War II on 16 October 1945 as a regular infantry force raised from volunteers from the 9th Division for service with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. The battalion was formed first at Labuan in British North Borneo, before being moved to the large Australian base on Morotai, Netherland East Indies and joining the other two newly formed battalions (65th and 67th Australian Infantry Battalions).
In Sep 1948 it was announced the battalion would be withdrawn from BCOF and would return to Australia. An advance party departed in Sep before both the 65th and 66th departed Japan on 7th Dec, aboard HMAS 'Kanimbla'.
On 23 Nov 48 the 66th Battalion became the 2nd Battalion, The Australian Regiment.
History of 66Bn: 1945-1948
Nominal Role: Role
Roll of Honour: Honour Roll 66 Bn
Personal Stories:
- Brian Evans - Experiencing the aftermath of atomic explosion
2nd BATTALION, THE AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT - 2AR (23Nov 1948-10 Mar 1949)
The Battalion then located at Puckapunyal in Victoria became the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment on 10 Mar 49 with approval being given to add the prefix 'Royal' to the existing title. 2 RAR remained at Puckapunyal until Mar 53 as part of 1 Indep Inf Bde Gp. It was responsible for the training of recruits from the Southern States; and later, recruits for the Battalions fighting in Korea.
History of 2 AR: 1948-1949
2RAR KOREA (05 Mar 1953- 16 Apr 54)
On 5 Mar 53 the Battalion embarked for Pusan, Korea on MV 'New Australia' and arrived on 17 Mar 53. In Apr 53 the Battalion moved into the line, as part of 28BRITCOM Bde, 1 COMWEL Div, relieving a French Battalion.
THE HOOK - On 9 Jul 53 2 RAR relieved the 1st Battalion, The King's Regiment around 'The Hook' feature. The Battalion was subjected to intermittent artillery, mortar and infantry attacks leading up to the battle of 'The Hook' on 24-26 Jul 53. The 'Battle of the Hook' proved to be the last major action of the Korean War, with an armistice being declared the next day (27th July 1953) and signed 17 days after the battle. For its performance under these attacks at the HOOK 2 RAR won the battle honour 'SAMICHON'.
The Battalion sailed for home on 6 Apr 54 on MV 'New Australia', arriving at Brisbane on 16 Apr 54 and moved into Enoggera Barracks.
History of 2 RAR in Korea: 1953-1954
Nominal Role: Role
Roll of Honour: Honour Roll 2RAR Korea
Personal Stories:
MALAYA
First Tour “Malayan Emergency’
2 RAR embarked in Brisbane in Oct 55 and moved to Penang as part of 28 COMWEL Ind Inf Bde. The Battalion entered operations on 3 Jan 56 in the Kulim area.
B Company had the first successful contact with the Communist Terrorist (CT) enemy during 'Operation Deuce'. During this tour official approval was received for the 2 RAR flag to be black, with the numbers to be in the upper hoist canton and The Regimental Crest in the centre.
On 31 Oct 57 the Battalion returned to Australia and marched through Sydney to a ticker-tape welcome from 100,000 spectators. 2 RAR returned to barrack life at Holsworthy, again as 3rd part of 1 Indep Inf Bde Gp.
Second Tour ‘Confrontation’
2 RAR was the first to serve two tours of Malaya. It joined 28 COMWEL Indep Inf Bde Gp at Terendak Camp near Malacca in Oct 61, under the 17th Gurkha Division. During this tour the brigade's emphasis was on air-mobile operations and inter-service co-operation.
2 RAR returned to Brisbane and Enoggera Barracks in August 1963 without suffering any loss of life.