Second Independent Company

[el cid again]

The Australian Army had a strange organization. It was called the "Second Independent Company". It is often called "special forces" - but it was not exactly that. Composed of hard bitten civilian contractors, and a core of professional officers and NCOs, it was a very unusual light infantry company, divided into 5 platoons, each with its own "organic heavy weapons and support" - if the most technical usage is used (there was little of either). By early 1942 these units were spread across a vast area - one was in Fiji - one at Kavieng - one on New Guinea not too far from Lae - and I think one at Tulagi and one at Rabaul. When the war begins, 4 of these elements were at Darwin or Sydney - or so it says in the CHS organization. [Since Andrew had the impression these were all companies, they are grossly overstated.] RHS reduced them - more and more over time - trying to get them down to platoons. When we finally got close - they were too small to be combat effective in our system (which, theoretically, is division oriented, and de facto brigade oriented). I should kill the unit - battalion is as small as I usually go - but it is too neat to do that - so I combined it into one company - at Darwin - which you can send where you wish. This saves us four slots - something we are short of now.

But a question occurs to me: why is it the "second" independent company? Was there a first? As with the divisions, was the numbering sequence begun in WWI and continued for WWII? Are we missing a company?

[Mike Solli]

Was it 2/independent company?  Second expeditionary force, vs. First expeditionary force from WWI?

[Kereguelen]

ORIGINAL: el cid again

The Australian Army had a strange organization. It was called the "Second Independent Company". It is often called "special forces" - but it was not exactly that. Composed of hard bitten civilian contractors, and a core of professional officers and NCOs, it was a very unusual light infantry company, divided into 5 platoons, each with its own "organic heavy weapons and support" - if the most technical usage is used (there was little of either). By early 1942 these units were spread across a vast area - one was in Fiji - one at Kavieng - one on New Guinea not too far from Lae - and I think one at Tulagi and one at Rabaul. When the war begins, 4 of these elements were at Darwin or Sydney - or so it says in the CHS organization. [Since Andrew had the impression these were all companies, they are grossly overstated.] RHS reduced them - more and more over time - trying to get them down to platoons. When we finally got close - they were too small to be combat effective in our system (which, theoretically, is division oriented, and de facto brigade oriented). I should kill the unit - battalion is as small as I usually go - but it is too neat to do that - so I combined it into one company - at Darwin - which you can send where you wish. This saves us four slots - something we are short of now.

But a question occurs to me: why is it the "second" independent company? Was there a first? As with the divisions, was the numbering sequence begun in WWI and continued for WWII? Are we missing a company?

Talking about 2/2nd Independent Company here? I think there were (at least) 2/1st - 2/7th Independent Companies in the Australian Army. The 2/.. stands for 2nd AIF.

[Ian R]

Cid, try these:
 
http://www.jje.info/lostlives/places/rabaulmemorials.html
 
http://www.awm.gov.au/alliesinadversity/japanese/timor.asp
 
http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A160677b.htm
 
 
 

[Ian R]

They were “2/” units because they were part of the 2nd AIF

2/1 Independent Company (raised Oct 1941), also known as "1st Independent Company"
2/2 Independent Company (raised Oct 1941) and later renamed 2/2 Commando Squadron AIF (after withdrawing from Timor).
2/3 Independent Company (raised Oct 1941) ]
2/4 Independent Company (raised December 1941)
2/5 Independent Company (raised March 1942)
2/6 Independent Company (raised March 1942)
2/7 Independent Company (raised March 1942)
2/8 Independent Company (raised May 1942)

2/1 Ind Co- deployed to New Ireland in July 1941. Tasked with airfield protection at Kavieng Vila Tulagi Buka Namatanai (New Ireland), and Lorengau (Manus Island). A detachment was stationed at Wau in March 1942.

The 2/2nd Ind Coy formed part of Sparrow Force (in addition to 2nd/40th Btn and other units). It operated covertly from 1942-43 on Timor. 2/2 Coy was later redesignated as 2/2 Commando Squadron and was one of only two of the original Independent Companies to remain operating outside a regimental structure, with 2/8

[Hipper]

Cid, the independent companies were formed as commando type forces in 1940 as part of Churchills raiding force ideas which later evolved in the UK as the army commandos, in Aus the independent companies should be used as guerilla type forces. They were Austrailias first line of defence and did engage in a small Guerilla campaign in Timor and another south se island ive forgotten the name of !

nb there were several company sized forces

[Ian R]

Some of the 2/2 Ind Coy.

[akdreemer]

ORIGINAL: Ian R

They were “2/” units because they were part of the 2nd AIF

2/1 Independent Company (raised Oct 1941), also known as "1st Independent Company"
2/2 Independent Company (raised Oct 1941) and later renamed 2/2 Commando Squadron AIF (after withdrawing from Timor).
2/3 Independent Company (raised Oct 1941) ]
2/4 Independent Company (raised December 1941)
2/5 Independent Company (raised March 1942)
2/6 Independent Company (raised March 1942)
2/7 Independent Company (raised March 1942)
2/8 Independent Company (raised May 1942)

2/1 Ind Co- deployed to New Ireland in July 1941. Tasked with airfield protection at Kavieng Vila Tulagi Buka Namatanai (New Ireland), and Lorengau (Manus Island). A detachment was stationed at Wau in March 1942.

The 2/2nd Ind Coy formed part of Sparrow Force (in addition to 2nd/40th Btn and other units). It operated covertly from 1942-43 on Timor. 2/2 Coy was later redesignated as 2/2 Commando Squadron and was one of only two of the original Independent Companies to remain operating outside a regimental structure, with 2/8

Thanks for this information. I knew that there were more than the ones that started in 1941, but had no dates of arrival. I will have to add the remainder to my campaign. I prefer to keep them as good high quality raiding forces.

The 2/3 was sent to New Caledonia and was broken up into 20man teams for guerilla warfare if the Japanese invaded.

[el cid again]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Was it 2/independent company?  Second expeditionary force, vs. First expeditionary force from WWI?

Good guess. Might be. It is always stated as "2 independent company" - maybe that is what they mean?

[el cid again]

ORIGINAL: Ian R

They were “2/” units because they were part of the 2nd AIF

2/1 Independent Company (raised Oct 1941), also known as "1st Independent Company"
2/2 Independent Company (raised Oct 1941) and later renamed 2/2 Commando Squadron AIF (after withdrawing from Timor).
2/3 Independent Company (raised Oct 1941) ]
2/4 Independent Company (raised December 1941)
2/5 Independent Company (raised March 1942)
2/6 Independent Company (raised March 1942)
2/7 Independent Company (raised March 1942)
2/8 Independent Company (raised May 1942)

2/1 Ind Co- deployed to New Ireland in July 1941. Tasked with airfield protection at Kavieng Vila Tulagi Buka Namatanai (New Ireland), and Lorengau (Manus Island). A detachment was stationed at Wau in March 1942.

The 2/2nd Ind Coy formed part of Sparrow Force (in addition to 2nd/40th Btn and other units). It operated covertly from 1942-43 on Timor. 2/2 Coy was later redesignated as 2/2 Commando Squadron and was one of only two of the original Independent Companies to remain operating outside a regimental structure, with 2/8

Beginning to make sense. And a book on the Coastwatchers (that is the title, but its RAN staff officer) probably refers to the company in the singular because - when that organization fielded - it was the only one. That book is where I got the 5 platoon (but no HQ platoon, no support platoon, no HW platoon - each platoon a line unit with organic HW) from. He also gave the early war deployment of those five platoons of the 2/1

Were any of the other companies part of Gull Force or any other of the battalion forces formed? Looks like we cannot use 2/2 - unless we weaken Sparrow Force - but we can use the rest. [we don't duplicate units]

[el cid again]

Another question: do we have an actual proper TO&E for an Independent Company:

I am using 5 platoons with 2 line squads and 1 sapper squad, with attached MMG element and 4 support
squads (some of these being attached porters) per platoon.
That is, 10 squads, 5 sapper squads and 5mmg in the unit - with 16 support squads.
This is too many men - there were about 300 in the 2/1 - but they did attach native portars - so it may be about right.

[JeffroK]

Best book is "Independent Company" by Bernard Callinan.
 
He led the independent company on Timor.
 
They were raised as 1,2, 3 Indep Coy and later became 2/1, 2/2, 2/3 etc
 
Most were trained on Wilsons Promotory on the south coast of Victoria. Spencer Chapman (The Jungle ids Neatral) was one of the trainers (Mike Calvert as well??)
 
As mentioned they fought on Timor, as Kanga Force in the Lae/Bululo/Wau area and as small sub-units often defending flying boat bases on Tulagi, Nauru, Bouganville etc.
 
In reality, only 2/2 & 2/4 on Timor & 2/5 around Lae fought as complete units. 2/2 wasnt really part of Swallow Force, 2/40 bn went to Koepang and 2/2 Cdo to Dili, when the Japs landed at Koepang and overwhelmed 2/40 the survivors made their way to East Timor where 2/2 absorbed a small number and arranged for the rest to be evacuated.
2/4 landed to replace 2/2 but were lifted off soon after.
 
2/5 along with NGVR formed Kanga Force and observed and harrassed the Jap arounf Lae & Salamua.

[el cid again]

IF 2/2 fought after the war begun but before joining Sparrow Force - we should

a) Let 2/2 exist

b) NOT have a full size Sparrow force exist until it formed up - then form it up minus 2/2

Same for other elements that combined with other elements. You should not have your cake and eat it too: get a unit - then get the same unit as part of a different unit. Worse, get both units to start with! Looks like some of that has been going on. On the other side - looks like some of these units are wholly missing. They certaily all are missing from RHS - except for 2/1 and anything part of another unit (e.g. 2/2 is part of Sparrow Force - but then Sparrow Force is formed up too soon - since 2/2 is not free to fight without it on Timor).

Can you outline the correct order of appearence in game terms?

a) Units that exist on Dec 8 1941 (Japan/Aussie time) - and where

b) Units that exist later - when and where?

c) Units that appear as part of other units - and what to do to prevent duplication?

[JeffroK]

Australian Army in Australia 7 Dec 1941

AIF TROOPS IN AUSTRALIA
23rd Infantry Bde – Darwin
2/21 Australian Infantry Bn – to Ambon on 17/12/41
2/40 Australian Infantry Bn – to Timor on 12/12/41
2/4 Pioneer Bn
/4 Machine Gun Bn
2/14 Field Rgt RAA
14 & 18 AT Batteries RAA
2 Independent Company – to Timor
1st Australian Armoured Division – HQ Victoria
2/11 Armoured Car Rgt – NSW
16 Field Rgt RAA
108 AT Rgt RAA
1st Armoured Bde[/b] – NSW
2/5, 2/6 & 2/7 Armoured Rgts
2ndArmoured Bde[/b] – Vic
2/8, 2/9 & 2/11 Armoured Rgts
AIF UNITS IN SWPA
2/22 Australian Infantry Bn[/b] – at Rabaul from April 1941
17 AT Bty RAA[/b] – at Rabaul
1 Independent Company – Kavieng, New Ireland, Vila, Tulagi, Buka, Namatanai & Lorenga
[3 Independent Company – left for New Caledonia 8/12/1941

MILITIA UNITS AT 7 DECEMBER 1941
Northern Command[/b] – HQ Brisbane
2 Recce Bn
49 Infantry Bn (-)                     Thursday Island
Torres St Infantry Coy Thursday Island
101 AT Rgt RAA
1 Motor Bde              5 & 11 Motor Rgts
7 Infantry Bde            9, 15, 25 47 & 61 Infantry Bns, 5 Field Rgt RAA
11 Infantry Bde          26, 31, 42 & 51 Infantry Bns,  11 Field Rgt RAA
Eastern Command[/b] – HQ Sydney
53 Infantry Bn – preparing for embarkation to Port Moresby
1st Cavalry Division
1 & 16 Machine Gun Rgt
2 Armoured Rgt
21 Field Rgt RAA
102 AT Rgt RAA
2 Cavalry Bde            12 & 24 Light Horse Rgts, 15 Motor Rgt
4th Cavalry Bde         3rd Armoured Rgt, 6th Motor Rgt, 7th Light Horse Rgt, 14 Machine 1st Infantry Division
1 & 9 Field Rgt RAA
103 AT Rgt RAA
1st Infantry Bde[/b]          2, 13, 33 & 41 Infantry Bns
9th Infantry Bde       1, 17, 18 & 45 Infantry Bns, The Sydney University Rgt
2nd Infantry Division
21 Recce Bn
7, 14, 18 Field Rgts RAA
104 AT Rgt RAA
5th Infantry Bde          20, 34, 54 & 56 Infantry Bns
8th Infantry Bde         4, 30 & 35 Infantry Bns
14th Infantry Bde        3, 36 & 55 Infantry Bns
Southern Command[/b] _ HQ Melbourne
39 Infantry Bn at Darly Camp preparing for New Guinea
22 Motor Rgt – at Brighton Camp, Tasmania, attached to 12 Bde
2nd  Cavalry Division
4th Armoured Rgt
Machine Gun Rgt
19 Machine Gun Rgt – heading to Darwin
13 Light Horse Rgt
22 Field Rgt RAA
105 AT Rgt RAA
3rd Motor Bde         1st Armd car Rgt, 4th Light Horse Rgt, 20th Motor Rgt, 26th Machine Gun Rgt
3rd Infantry Division
8th Recce Rgt
2, 4, 8 Field Rgts RAA
106 AT Rgt RAA
4th Infantry Bde         22, 29 & 46 Infantry Bns
10th Infantry Bde      24, 37 & 52 Infantry Bns
15th  Infantry Bde       57/60, 58 & 59 Infantry Bns
4th Infantry Division
10 & 15 Field Rgts RAA
107 AT Rgt RAA
2nd Infantry Bde         5, 6, 14 & 32 Infantry Bns
6th Infantry Bde[/b]          7, 8, 23/21 & 38 Infantry Bns
6th Cavalry Bde[/b]          South Australia
3 & 23 Recce Companies,  9th  Motor Rgt, 18th  Machine Gun Rgt
3rd Infantry Bde         South Australia
, 27, 43 & 48 Infantry Bns -27 & 43 Bns to Darwin in late 12/41     
13 Field Rgt RAA
12th Infantry Bde       Tasmania
12/50 & 40 Infantry Bns,  110 AT Rgt, 6 Field Rgt
Western Command – HQ Perth
10 Recce Rgt
25 Machine Gun Rgt
44 Infantry Bn
109 AT Rgt RAA
11, 16 & 28 Infantry Bns
3 Field Rgt RAA
Military District 7 -   Darwin
19th Infantry Bn
18th Field Bty RAA
Military District 8      HQ Port Moresby
49th Infantry Bn            Pt Moresby
Papuan Infantry Bn       Pt Moresby
New Guinea Volunteer Rifles    Rabaul & various New Guinea

          

[JeffroK]

Australian Army April 1943
 
COMPOSITION OF THE  AUSTRALIAN
ARMY IN APRIL 1943
    
 
      First Australian Army: (Lt. Gen. Lavarack) - Toowoomba, QLD
           4th Australian Division
                  6th Brigade
                  11th Brigade
                  12th Brigade
                  14th Brigade
           3rd Armoured Division
                  2nd Armoured Brigade
                  1st Motor Brigade
      II Australian Corps: (Lt. Gen Morsehead) - Barrine, QLD
            6th Australian Division
                  16th Brigade
                  30th Brigade
            7th Australian Division
                  18th Brigade
                  21st Brigade
                  25th Brigade
            9th Australian Division
                  20th Brigade
                  24th Brigade
                  26th Brigade
       Second Army: (Lt. Gen Mackay) - Parramatta, NSW
            1st Australian Division
                  1st Brigade
                  9th Brigade
                  28th Brigade
            3rd Army Tank Brigade
      III Corps: (Lt. Gen Bennett) - Mount Lawley, WA
            2nd Australian Division
                  2nd Brigade
                  5th Brigade
                  8th Brigade
            1st Armoured Division
                  1st Armoured Brigade
                  3rd Motor Brigade
      Northern Territory Force:  (Maj. Gen A.S. Allen) - Darwin
            12th Australian Division
                  13th Brigade
                  19th Brigade
                  23rd Brigade
      New Guinea Force: (Lt. Gen Mackay, acting) - Port Moresby
           3rd Australian Division
                  17th Brigade
            5th Australian Division
                 4th Brigade
                 29th Brigade
            11th Australian Division
                 7th Brigade
                 15th Brigade
      L.H.Q. Reserve:
            3rd Brigade - Adelaide
            4th Armoured Brigade - Singleton, NSW

[JeffroK]

b)  In between, and after, the movement of battalions between Bdes & Divs is an immense task. Even the AIF Divs could pick up a Militia Bde or Bn depending on the task at hand. Pick a date and you could create an OOB, tracking the movement of units, bloody hard work.
 
c)  Create a "reasonable position which would cover what works. Maybe have 4 seperate independent Coys, accept that the others were split and used in smaller units which the game doesnt cover.  Make a Bde equal to 3 bns, even though some had 4 or 5 from time to time. Often these wee understrength or included a garrison Bn or 2.
 
As with the British/Indian units in India, the Australian Army wasnt made up of a generic structure, it morphed as the times and environment demanded. 6th Aust Div was traditionally 16, 17 & 19 Bdes. In April 43 it had 16 & 30 Bdes. 17 Bde was with 3 Div and 19 Bde(and 2 of my uncles) was near Darwin with 12 Div.

[el cid again]

Wow. Thanks. At least you understand the difficulty of working in a system where - once you get something - you can't reform it. [We can - slightly - but not change its name]

[el cid again]

OK - Here we go.

I investigated the 2/2 in particular - and note the language implies it was always different from the Sparrow Force - although it was with it (and apparently under its command) on Timor. Since it was not PART of Sparrow Force TO&E wise - it does not subtract from it.

There were two cases - 2/2 and 2/8 - that remained independent throughout - and always as companies - so we do them - 2/2 to start (at Darwin - from which it can go to Timor or whatever) and the 2/8 from May - when it formed - at Sydney.

There was also the peculiar 2/1 - which divided - ultimately into too many parts. But only 2 of those parts were fielded when the war began - and at points that should be covered (Kavieng and Tulagi). These elements were lost - so they cannot be said to be part of a later unit. Later parts were sent to Wau and even Fiji - but the former was related to the larger NGVR (a platoon is not much remember) and the latter never did anything at all. So I decided to represent this unit as two demi-companies - naming them

2/1 (-) K Force [For Kavieng]

and

2/1 (-) T Force [For Tulagi]

Each force gets two full platoons (rather than the one IRL) - and special platoons they are:

3 rifle squads, 1 sapper squad, 1 mmg and 4 support squads each

yielding

6 rifle squads, 2 sapper squads, 2 mmg and 8 support squads per demi company

This is just big enough to matter - and does not require the 5 slots representing each platoon (too small to matter) would require. This also honors the spirit of the Aussie practice of naming "forces" with letters - although I don't think any force was ever that small. These units are too big - about 2.5 times the size of the actual units at those locations - but 3 of the 5 elements are not represented at all. It is a compromise solution - slightly abstracted - that will work in a technical sense and preserve the flavor of the concept that 2/1 divided up. It also defends the two points that this unit defended without any help from anyone else - making those two points have some resistence instead of none.

All the other independent companies are present in various other units - so they do not show up as separate units - and do not need slots.

Net: we gained one more slot - and we upgraded four slots from platoon size to company or demi company size.

FYI the full companies have 5 platoons with 2 rifle squads, 1 sapper squad, 1 mmg and 3 support squads
yielding 10 rifle squads, 5 sapper squads, 5 mmg and 15 support squads per full company.