Anti Aircraft Defence Memorial
2nd / 1st Australian Anti-Aircraft Regiment
The Esplanade, Darwin Cenotaph, Bicentennial Park, Darwin
No photo Available
2/1/ AUSTRALIAN ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT A.I.F.
2ND BATTERY OF THE ABOVE REGIMENT MANNED A.A. GUNS
IN DARWIN JULY – DECEMBER 1940 AND ALSO INSTALLED
FOUR 3.7″ A.A. GUNS ON THIS SITE IN NOVEMBER 1940
RECALLED FROM THE MIDDLE EAST 2/1 AUST. A.A. REGT.
LESS 3RD BTY.WHICH PROCEEDED TO PORT MORESBY N.G.
RETURNED TO THE DARWIN AREA IN MARCH 1942
AND MANNED BOFORS 40mm A.A. GUNS AT AERODROMES
AND AIR STRIPS UNTIL AIR RAIDS CEASED IN 1943.
THE REGIMENT THEN SERVED IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
AND BORNEO.
THIS COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE WAS PROVIDED BY
2/1 AUST. A.A. REGT. ASSOCIATION.
2nd / 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
St Kilda Road, Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne
A tree commemorates the 2nd / 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment that served in World War Two.
2/2ND HEAVY ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
2nd / 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Kennedy Highway, Rocky Creek Memorial Park, Rocky Creek
2/2 HEAVY ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
MAY 1940 – FEBRUARY 1946
MIDDLE EAST
PALESTINE – EGYPT – SYRIA – LEBANON
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PORT MORESBY – MILNE BAY – ORO BAY – BUNA
MOROBE – LAE – FINCHAVEN
DUTCH EAST INDIES
JAVA 1942 – LABUAN – BALIKPAPAN – MOROTAI 1945
LEST WE FORGET
2nd / 3rd Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Bulnam Road, Werribee Racecourse, Werribee
In memory of the 900 soldiers of the 2nd/3rd
Australian Light Anti-aircraft Regiment A.I.F.
which was formed here in July 1940, by Lieut. Col.
John W. Rhoden to combat enemy dive-bombers
which had been used to great effect in the German
invasion of Europe in World War 2.
With the co-operation of Werribee citizens and race
club members, Werribee Racecourse was selected as a
training camp to facilitate co-operation with, the
R.A.A.F. at Point Cook and Laverton to enable
members of the Regiment to practice identifying and
estimating speeds of aircraft.
After five months training with inadequate equipment, the Regiment sailed to the Middle
East. In 1941 the gunners were in action in the siege of Tobruk with captured Italian guns,
and in the battle for Crete, the Western Desert and Syria with Bofors guns, destroying 88
enemy aircraft and damaging another 200. The cost was high as 73 gunners were killed
and 137 became Prisoners of War.
On its return from the Middle East, the Regiment had active service in Australia, New
Guinea and Borneo
Dedicated on 24th September 2003
2nd / 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
St Kilda Road, Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne
2/3RD AUSTRALIAN LIGHT ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
USING 40mm BOFORS GUNS. ITS MEMBERS HAD ACTIVE
SERVICE IN THE WESTERN DESERT, TOBRUK, CRETE, SYRIA,
AUSTRALIA, NEW GUINEA, THE ISLANDS AND BORNEO.
2nd / 4th Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Ann Street, ANZAC Square, Shrine of Remembrance Crypt, Brisbane
2/4 AUST. LIGHT ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGT.
9 AUST. DIVISION A.I.F.
EL- ALAMEIN PALESTINE BEIRUT
NEW GUINEA AIR AND SEA BORNE LANDINGS
TO HONOUR ALWAYS THOSE WHO SERVED
LEST WE FORGET
2nd / 4th Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Kennedy Highway, Rocky Creek Memorial Park, Rocky Creek
2/4th AUSTRALIAN
LIGHT ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
9th AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
2nd A.I.F.
SERVED IN PALESTINE & SYRIA
WITH 8th BRITISH ARMY AT EL ALAMEIN, EGYPT.
LAE & FINSCHAFEN, SEABORNE LANDINGS, NEW GUINEA.
NADZAB & DUMPU, AIRBORNE LANDINGS, NEW GUINEA.
1942 -1944
For the Protection of our Country – AUSTRALIA
LEST WE FORGET
2nd / 4th Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Fairbairn & Limestone Avenues, Australian War Memorial Sculpture Garden, Campbell
2/4TH AUSTRALIAN LIGHT ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
9TH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION
Second AIF
Palestine & Lebanon – Syria
El Alamein – Egypt
Lae, Finschhafen, Nadzab, and Dumpu – New Guinea
1942 – 1944
For the protection of our country
LEST WE FORGET
2nd / 4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
St Kilda Road, Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne
A tree commemorates the 2nd / 4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment that served in World War Two.
2/4TH LIGHT ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
9TH DIVISION A.I.F.
THIS TREE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF ALL THOSE
WHO SERVED WITH THE REGIMENT IN THE DEFENCE OF THEIR
COUNTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NEW GUINEA DURING
WORLD WAR II 1939-1945.
LEST WE FORGET
2nd / 17th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery ( Airborne)
Fairbairn & Limestone Avenues, Australian War Memorial , Campbell
2/17TH LIGHT ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY
(AIRBORNE)
Second AIF
Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Waniegela, Goodenough Island,
Porlock Harbour, Dobodura, Oro Bay, and Buna – New Guinea
1942 -1943
LEST WE FORGET
14 and 2 Anti Aircraft Batteries
Argyle & Lower Fort Streets, The Garrison Church, Millers Point
The 14th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery was one of the few Militia anti-aircraft units in Darwin at the time of the first raids by the Japanese during World War Two. The unit was equipped with both modern 3.7-inch anti-aircraft artillery and First World War–vintage Lewis light machine-guns.
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
14 AUSTRALIAN ANTI AIRCRAFT BATTERY
2 AUSTRALIAN ANTI AIRCRAFT BATTERY
THESE BATTERIES WERE THE FIRST
AUSTRALIAN ARMY UNITS
IN THIS COUNTRY’S HISTORY TO ENGAGE FORCES
ATTACKING THE AUSTRALIAN MAINLAND
WHEN 242 JAPANESE AIRCRAFT BOMBED
AND STRAFED DARWIN
ON 19TH FEBRUARY 1942
TOTAL DARWIN AREA CASUALTIES – 243 KILLED, 300 WOUNDED
THE ENEMY ATTACKED DARWIN ON 64 OCCASIONS.
14th and 2nd Anti-Aircraft Batteries
The Esplanade, Darwin Cenotaph, Bicentennial Park, Darwin
ON THIS SITE ON 19 FEBRUARY 1942 FOUR 3.7″ (94mm) GUNS
OF THE AUSTRALIAN 14TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY
OPENED FIRE ON THE FIRST ENEMY TO ATTACK THE
MAINLAND OF AUSTRALIA. OTHER AUSTRALIAN HEAVY AA
GUNS AND LIGHT AA MACHINE GUNS OF THE 14TH AA BTY AND
2ND AA BTY ALSO FIRED CONTINUOUSLY DURING THE
ATTACK.
A TOTAL OF 242 JAPANESE AIRCRAFT BOMBED AND STRAFED
DARWIN ON THAT DAY. 62 AIR RAIDS FOLLOWED IN 1942 AND
1943.
THIS PLAQUE IS DONATED BY EX-MEMBERS OF 14TH AND
2ND AA BATTERIES.
14th and 2nd Anti-Aircraft Batteries – 60th Anniversary
Esplanade, Bicentennial Park near Cenotaph, Darwin
Plaque dedicated at the site of the 14th and 2nd Anti-Aircraft Batteries guns which fired on the Japanese when they attacked Darwin on the 19th February 1942. The plaque was erected by the people of Darwin and dedicated on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin in 1942.
Site of Number One gun of the Australian 14th Heavy
Anti Aircraft Battery base at what was known as the Oval.
The guns of the Australian 14th and 2nd Heavy Anti- Aircraft Batteries
were the first army units to engage enemy forces attacking the Australian
mainland when on 19th February 1942, 242 Japanese aircraft
bombed and strafed Darwin township and its defences in two raids.
The Japanese attacked Darwin
and the Top End on 64 occasions
from 19th February 1942 to
12th November 1943.
Dedicated by the
citizens of Darwin
18th February 2002
19th Australian Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery
The Esplanade, Darwin Cenotaph, Bicentennial Park, Darwin
ERECTED TO COMMEMORATE THE SERVICE OF THE
19TH AUSTRALIAN HEAVY ANTI AIRCRAFT BATTERY
IN THE DARWIN AREA
FROM FEBRUARY 1943 TO DECEMBER 1944 AT ,
FANNIE BAY, MCMILLANS, THE OVAL.
DONATED BY EX-MEMBERS OF THE 19TH ANTI AIRCRAFT BATTERY
26th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
Queen Elizabeth Drive, Hummock Hill Lookout, Whyalla
Between February 1942 and August 1944, the site was occupied by a anti-aircraft battery of four guns, a command post and a signals post to protect the BHP loading jetty and shipbuilding yards against the possibility of Japanese air and naval attacks.
No photo Available
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of members of the 26th heavy anti-aircraft battery.
On this site an anti-aircraft battery of four guns, a command post, and a signals post, was manned by the 26th heavy anti-aircraft battery from February, 1942, to August, 1944, to protect the BHP loading jetty and shipbuilding yards against possible Japanese air and/or naval attack.
Unveiled by Mr. R. B. Reid
Mayor of Whyalla
13th February, 1992.
32nd Australian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
Fairbairn & Limestone Avenues, Australian War Memorial, Campbell, 2612
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO SERVED
32ND AUSTRALIAN HEAVY ANTI-AIRCRAFT
BATTERY (AIF)
1942 – 1945
PAPUA – NEW GUINEA – EMIRAU ISLAND
LEST WE FORGET
34 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery – Cameron Family Plaque
Airport Road, Horn Island Airport, Horn Island
Plaque donated in 2012 by the Cameron Family in memory of the 34th Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery who were stationed on Horn Island during World War Two.
The 34th Australian Anti-aircraft Battery was located at King’s Point on Horn Island in far north Queensland between 1942 and 1944. The unit was formed under the command of Major Tom Rusden in Braybrook, Victoria on the 1st September 1942. The Battery was the first anti-aircraft battery to arrive on Horn Island and was split into two sections. A Section was located on Double Hill and B Section was located at King Point.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF
34 HEAVY ANTI AIRCRAFT BATTERY
HORN ISLAND 1942-1944
DONATED BY CAMERON FAMILY
25 APRIL 2012
34th Australian Anti- Aircraft Battery Plaque (King Point)
Airport Road, Site of Anti-Aircraft Guns, King Point, Horn Island
The 34th Australian Anti-aircraft Battery was located at King’s Point on Horn Island in far north Queensland between 1942 and 1944. The unit was formed under the command of Major Tom Rusden in Braybrook, Victoria on the !st September 1942. The Battery was the first anti-aircraft battery to arrive on Horn Island and was split into two sections. A Section was located on Double Hill and B Section was located at King Point.
No photo Available
34 & 131 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Batteries
1 Miskin Street, Torres Strait Heritage Museum, Horn Island
34th Aust. Hy. Anti-Aircraft Battery
131st Aust. Hy. Anti-Aircraft Battery
This plaque records the service of
the Batteries on Horn Island during
the period 14th October 1942
to 18th September 1944
Erected on 10th August 1997
during a visit by members of the unit
50th Anniversary -52nd Australian Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Argyle Place & Lower Fort Street, The Garrison Church, Millers Point
Plaque commemorates the 50th anniversary of the formation of the 52nd Australian Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment. The 52nd Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment was formed in September 1943 from previously independent anti-aircraft batteries.
TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE FORMATION- 52ND AUSTRALIAN COMPOSITE
ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCES
FIRST MOBILE REGIMENT TO SERVE ON FOREIGN SOIL
DUTCH NEW GUINEA
139 -3.7 HEAVY AA BATTERY MERAUKE
154 -40 BOFORS LIGHT AA BATTERY BOETI
76 AA SEARCHLIGHT BATTERY SPADEN
52ND AA OPERATIONS KLAPA LIMA
52ND AA WORKSHOPS TANNAH MERAH
52ND CORPS SIGNALS EILANDEN RIVER
DEDICATED 22ND AUGUST 1993
THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR THOSE WHO SERVED
52nd Australian Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Fairbairn & Limestone Avenues, Australian War Memorial, Campbell
52ND AUSTRALIAN COMPOSITE
ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT (AIF)
1943 – 1945
DUTCH NEW GUINEA
DEDICATED WITH PRIDE TO ALL THOSE WHO SERVED IN
THE REGIMENT
LEST WE FORGET
53rd Australian Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Fairbairn & Limestone Avenues, Australian War Memorial Sculpture Garden, Campbell
53RD AUSTRALIAN COMPOSITE
ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
1943-1946
NEW GUINEA – NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES – BORNEO
DEDICATED TO ALL WHO SERVED IN THE REGIMENT
110th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery Royal Australian Artillery
King William Road & Victoria Drive, National Malaya & Borneo Memorial, Pathway of Honour, Adelaide
A plaque commemorates the 50th anniversary of the formation of the 110th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery Royal Australian Artillery which served in the Indonesian Confrontation.
Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the
formation of 110th Light Anti Aircraft Battery RAA
Raised at Woodside 10th May 1965 by Major J.G. Hughes
Deployed to RAAF Base Butterworth Malaysia 14th June 1966
Dedicated by Members of the Battery and
unveiled by the Battery Commander
Brigadier J.G. Hughes AM Retd
7th May 2015
112th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
The Esplanade, Bicentennial Park -adjacent to Cenotaph, Darwin
112th LT. A/A REGT. A.I.F.
DEDICATED TO ALL MEMBERS
WHO SERVED IN
DARWIN OPERATIONAL AREA
FROM SEPT. 1942 TO DEC. 1944
LEST WE FORGET
133rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
Fairbairn & Limestone Avenues, Australian War Memorial, Campbell
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO SERVED
133RD HEAVY ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY AIF
FENTON FIELD, NT
JUNE 1943 – NOVEMBER 1944
157th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
1 Miskin Street, Torres Strait Heritage Museum, Horn Island
157th LIGHT A-A BATTERY
To honour the members of the 157th Light A-A Battery
who served on Horn Island, Torres Strait, between
26th October 1942 and 18th September 1944
Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Units
The Esplanade, Darwin Cenotaph, Bicentennial Park, Darwin
No photo Available
RAE
1ST A.A.S.L CADRE R.A.E. (P.M.F.)
54TH A.A.S.L COY R.A.E. (A.M.F.).
DEDICATED TO THE MEMBERS
OF ABOVE UNITS WHO SERVED
IN DARWIN AREA, APRIL 1940 TO MARCH 1943
THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN ANTI-AIRCRAFT SEARCHLIGHT
UNIT TO SEE ACTION 19TH FEB. 1942
1/54 A.A.S.L. COY. R.A.E.
FACIMUS ET FRANCIMUS
LEST WE FORGET
Victorian Anti-Aircraft and Searchlight Units Memorial
Rosamond Road, Highpoint West Shopping Centre, Maribyrnong
A monument commemorates that this site during World War Two was the headquarters of the anti-aircraft searchlight companies engaged in the defence of Melbourne.
1939 – 1945.
THIS PLAQUE COMMEMORATES THAT DURING WORLD WAR 2
THIS SITE WAS HEADQUARTERS OF THE ANTI-AIRCRAFT
SEARCHLIGHT COMPANIES ENGAGED IN THE DEFENCE
OF MELBOURNE. UNITS WERE TRAINED HERE FOR SERVICE IN
DARWIN, NEW GUINEA AND BORNEO. THE 2/2ND A/A ARTILLERY
REGIMENT LEFT HERE FOR SERVICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, JAVA
AND NEW GUINEA.
Montevideo Maru
Wendouree Parade & Carlton Street, Prisoner of War Memorial, Ballarat
A monument commemorates the sinking of the “Montevideo Maru” which is the largest maritime disaster in Australian history. On 22nd June 1942, the Japanese ordered 845 Prisoners of War (POW) and 208 civilian internees to board the Japanese ship, “Montevideo Maru”, for transport to Japan.
The ship bore no markings to indicate that it carried POWs. The POWs were members of the 2/22 Battalion AIF, New Guinea Rifles, an Anti-Tank Battery, an Anti-Aircraft Battery, Coastal Defence Battery, a Royal Australian Air Force group and a detachment of the 2/20 Field Ambulance. (Uniquely, the members of the 2/22 Battalion Band were all members of Salvation Army Bands).
On 1st July 1942 an American submarine, the USS Sturgeon, attacked and sank the Montevideo Maru unaware that more than 1000 POWs were locked in its holds. There were no survivors. No indication of its sinking, or of the tragic loss of life was given by the Japanese Government.
Memorial to those who died on the Montevideo Maru 1st July 1942.
On the 23rd January 1942 Japanese forces invaded Rabaul, on the island of New Britain and quickly defeated the small Australian garrison – Lark Force.
About 160 of the Australian soldiers who surrendered were massacred in February, at Tol plantation.
On 22nd June 1942, the Japanese ordered 852 Australian prisoners of war and 208 civilian internees to board the Japanese ship, Montevideo Maru, for transport to Japan. The ship bore no markings to indicate that it carried prisoners of war.
The prisoners of war included members of 2/22nd Battalion. 1st Independent Company, Fortress Artillery, Engineers, Signal Units, No. 17 Anti/Tank Battery, Anti/Aircraft Battery, No. 19 Special Dental Unit ; Detachments from : New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, 2/10 Field Ambulance, Ordinance Corps, 8 Division Supply Column, Canteen Services HQ NG Area, Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy. The 2/22 Battalion bandsmen were all members of Salvation Army Bands.
On 1st July 1942 an American submarine, the USS Sturgeon, attacked and sank the Montevideo Maru unaware that more than 1000 prisoners of war were locked in the holds.
There were no survivors – no indication of the sinking, nor of the tragic loss of life, was given by the Japanese government.
The sinking of the Montevideo Maru is the largest maritime disaster in Australian history.