Colour Patch – 65th Australian Infantry Battalion 1945 – 1948

Description

Description: Colour Patch – 65th Australian Infantry Battalion 1945 – 1948.

Condition: Very Good Plus

Comments: Colour Patch – 65th Australian Infantry Battalion 1945 – 1948.

Reference: KG 1016

In May 1945 when the Japanese were nearing the point where defeat was inevitable, the Australian Government decided (to raise a Brigade Group based on three (3) Infantry Battalions from Australian Divisions serving overseas.) that a force would be raised of volunteers from the Infantry Divisions then in operations against the enemy as part of an Occupational Force in Japan.  At the cessation of hostilities the 9th Division was then in Borneo and on the call for volunteers for this force, those from the 9th Division congregated on the island of Morotai in a newly formed battalion, the 66th Australian Infantry Battalion, later to become 2 RAR.

Joining them to become 34th Brigade were volunteers from the 7th Division to form the 65th Australian Infantry Battalion, later to become 1 RAR.  Volunteers from 3rd, 6th, and 11th Division formed the 67th Australian Infantry Battalion, later to become 3 RAR.  65th Australian Infantry Battalion was formed from the 7th Division in Balikipapan on 12th October 1945.