2/4th Field Regiment (Australia)

rdf:langString 2/4th Field Regiment (Australia)

rdf:langString 2/4th Field Regiment

rdf:langString World War II *North African Campaign *Syria–Lebanon Campaign *Salamaua–Lae campaign *Finisterre Range campaign *Borneo campaign

rdf:langString A 2/4th Short 25-pounder firing at Balikpapan, July 1945

rdf:langString Unit colour patch

rdf:langString The 2/4th Field Regiment was an Australian Army artillery regiment formed on 2 May 1940, as part of the 7th Division during World War II. The regiment was involved in campaigns in North Africa, Syria–Lebanon, Salamaua–Lae, the Finisterre Ranges and Borneo. After training in Victoria, the regiment deployed to North Africa in late 1940. After being deployed in the defence of Mersa Matruh in Egypt in early 1941, the regiment took part in the fighting against the Vichy French in Syria and Lebanon, before undertaking garrison duties there. It returned to Australia in early 1942 following Japan's entry into the war, and in September 1943, a small group of artillerymen from the 2/4th parachuted with two short 25 Pounder guns in the airborne landing at Nadzab airstrip in New Guinea in support of the US Army's 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. Later, the regiment took part in the 7th Division's advance through the Finisterre Range before returning to Australia in early 1944. Its final involvement in the war came around Balikpapan in 1945. After the war, the regiment was disbanded on 7 February 1946.