Farida Force
Encyclopedia
Farida Force was the name given to an ad hoc composite Australian Army
force of six hundred and twenty-three men under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Eric Hennessy, commanding officer of the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment
which conducted an amphibious landing at Dove Bay, east of Wewak during the Aitape-Wewak campaign
on 11 May 1945 in World War II
. It was made up of troops drawn from the 2/9th Commando Squadron
, 2/10th Commando Squadron
, two 75mm guns of the 1st Anti-Tank Battery, one company from the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion
serving as infantry as well as a platoon of machine-gunners from that unit, two detachments of mortars and other support elements.
The force was transported to the form up point ten thousand yards off the landing beach in three vessels, the Swan, Dubbo and Colac, and from there they transferred to assault craft. The first wave went in to the beach at 08:34, landing slightly to the west of their assigned beach, and experienced no effective opposition. Minutes later the second wave arrived, carrying the rest of the commando assault force. Advancing inland to establish a beach-head, the squadrons encountered very little resistance, although there were signs of recent enemy departure. By 10.24 the beach-head was established and stores began flowing from the transports ofshore.
Over the course of the next week and a half, the elements of Farida Force began patrol operations around the surrounding area and cut the Wewak road, before being placed under the command of the 19th Brigade
under Brigadier James Martin on 20 May 1945.
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
force of six hundred and twenty-three men under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Eric Hennessy, commanding officer of the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment
2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment (Australia)
The 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment was a cavalry regiment of the Australian Army that served during the Second World War and was later converted into to a commando unit. Initially formed at Ingleburn, New South Wales, on 3 November 1939 following the commencement of Australia's involvement in the...
which conducted an amphibious landing at Dove Bay, east of Wewak during the Aitape-Wewak campaign
Aitape-Wewak campaign
The Aitape–Wewak campaign was one of the final campaigns of the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Between November 1944 and the end of the war in August 1945, the Australian 6th Division, with air and naval support, fought the Imperial Japanese 18th Army in northern New Guinea...
on 11 May 1945 in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was made up of troops drawn from the 2/9th Commando Squadron
2/9th Commando Squadron (Australia)
The 2/9th Commando Squadron was a commando unit raised by the Australian Army for service in World War II. Raised in 1944, the unit saw action late in the war against the Japanese during the Aitape-Wewak campaign taking part in number of long range patrol operations across the Torricelli Range in...
, 2/10th Commando Squadron
2/10th Commando Squadron (Australia)
The 2/10th Commando Squadron was a commando unit raised by the Australian Army for service in World War II. Raised in 1944, the unit saw action late in the war against the Japanese during the Aitape–Wewak campaign. During this campaign the squadron carried out a number of tasks including long-range...
, two 75mm guns of the 1st Anti-Tank Battery, one company from the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion
2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion (Australia)
The 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on June 1940 as part of the 7th Division and served in Egypt and Netherland East Indies. The majority of the battalion was captured during the battle of Java, with those which escaped becoming attached to the 6th Division and served in Papua New Guinea...
serving as infantry as well as a platoon of machine-gunners from that unit, two detachments of mortars and other support elements.
The force was transported to the form up point ten thousand yards off the landing beach in three vessels, the Swan, Dubbo and Colac, and from there they transferred to assault craft. The first wave went in to the beach at 08:34, landing slightly to the west of their assigned beach, and experienced no effective opposition. Minutes later the second wave arrived, carrying the rest of the commando assault force. Advancing inland to establish a beach-head, the squadrons encountered very little resistance, although there were signs of recent enemy departure. By 10.24 the beach-head was established and stores began flowing from the transports ofshore.
Over the course of the next week and a half, the elements of Farida Force began patrol operations around the surrounding area and cut the Wewak road, before being placed under the command of the 19th Brigade
19th Brigade (Australia)
The 19th Brigade was a formation of the Australian Army during World War II as part of the 6th Division. Formed in April 1940 as a result of the reorganisation of the Second Australian Imperial Force when the infantry brigades composition was reduced from four to three battalions. The fourth...
under Brigadier James Martin on 20 May 1945.