The 25th Brigade was a brigade-sized infantry unit of the Australian Army that served during the Second World War. Raised in July 1940 and consisting of three infantry battalions, the 25th Brigade initially served in the United Kingdom, where it formed part of the garrison tasked with defending against a possible German invasion. In 1941, the brigade was redeployed to the Middle East where it took part in the Syria–Lebanon campaign fighting several actions around Merdjayoun and Jezzine.
Following Japan's entry into the war, the 25th Brigade was transferred back to Australia and subsequently took part in the fighting in New Guinea. Throughout 1942–1943, the brigade fought in the final stages of the Kokoda Track campaign and around Buna–Gona. Later, they took part in the fighting around Lae and Shaggy Ridge, before being withdrawn to Australia for a long period of rest and reorganisation. In 1945, the 25th Brigade was committed to the Borneo campaign, carrying out an amphibious landing at Balikpapan in July 1945 before being disbanded in 1946.
History
The 25th Brigade was raised in June 1940 from Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) personnel in the United Kingdom. Upon formation, the brigade's headquarters was opened at Tidworth, in Wiltshire. The brigade was created following the Fall of France, initially as a temporary formation that would defend southern England, in the event of an invasion by German forces. It had an foundational establishment of 1,759 personnel; a majority were drawn from service support corps of the 6th Division, although roughly a quarter of this number were diverted from infantry reinforcements bound initially for AIF units in the Middle East. Upon formation, the brigade consisted of only three infantry battalions instead of the four that had been the usual Australian establishment up to that time, due to manpower shortages and its component units were the 70th, 71st and 72nd Battalions, although these were later re-designated as the 2/31st, 2/32nd and 2/33rd Battalions. When formed, each of these battalions consisted of only three companies, instead of the usual four, although these companies were later added when the brigade deployed to the Middle East after January 1941.
Originally, the 25th Brigade was part of the newly established 9th Division, however, after being dispatched to the Middle East in 1941 it was transferred to the 7th Division, with which it remained for the rest of the war. Upon arrival, the brigade was sent to Palestine, although it moved to Ikingi Maryut, in Egypt, in April 1941 as preparations were made to deploy to Greece, in support of the 6th Division. However, in response to German moves in North Africa, the brigade was deployed to Mersa Matruh in the Western Desert, remaining there until relieved in May. By this time, the brigade's establishment was completed, and it consisted of 3,500 men and was composed of the 2/25th, 2/31st and 2/33rd Battalions, with the 2/32nd having been transferred to the 24th Brigade and the 2/25th being re-assigned to the 25th in its stead as part of a re-organisation of the 2nd AIF as the more combat ready units were shifted to the 7th Division in preparation for operations, while those still forming were transferred to the 9th Division.
After this the brigade took part in the Syria–Lebanon campaign in June–July 1941, fighting against the Vichy French. During this campaign, the brigade was allocated to the centre of the Allied advance, with the 21st Brigade advancing on its flank along the coast. The campaign was short, but hard fought and the brigade's major actions during this time included an attack on Merdjayoun and fighting around Jezzine. After the armistice was signed in July, the 25th Brigade moved to Beirut where they undertook garrison duties. A further move took place in September, when the brigade was transferred to Tripoli to construct defensive positions. They remained there until January 1942, when the 25th Brigade was withdrawn to Julius, in Palestine.