36th Battalion (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
The 36th Battalion was an infantry
battalion
of the New Zealand Military Forces
, which served during the Second World War. Attached to the 8th Brigade
, New Zealand 3rd Division, the battalion was formed in late 1941 and saw service in the Pacific
against the Japanese. They were initially used for garrison duties on Fiji
and Norfolk Island
before being committed to the fighting in the Solomon Islands
in 1943. The battalion was disbanded in late 1944 as part of a partial demobilisation of New Zealand forces, which saw some of its personnel being returned to civilian employment while others were sent to Italy
as reinforcements for the New Zealand 2nd Division.
, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Barry, in response to Japan's entry into the war following the bombing of Pearl Harbor
and the invasion of Malaya. With the possibility of a Japanese advance south through the Pacific, the New Zealand government decided to raise a force of three infantry battalions to bolster the garrison in Fiji
. The 36th Battalion was one of these units; the others being the 35th and 37th Battalions. Upon formation, the majority of the battalion's other ranks
were drawn from men from the Central Districts who were originally intended to be sent to the Middle East
as reinforcements for the New Zealand 2nd Division, while officers
were mainly sourced from armoured formations such as the Tank Brigade and the Divisional Cavalry Regiment. Upon establishment, the battalion consisted of a headquarters company
, three rifle companies and a machine-gun/support company.
. Shortly after their arrival, the 36th Battalion became part of the 8th Brigade along with the 29th and 34th Battalions. Later this brigade became part of the New Zealand 3rd Division. During their stay on Fiji, the 36th Battalion was employed in defensive duties, constructing fixed positions at key locations as the island was prepared for a possible Japanese invasion.
In early March, the battalion began nightly alerts and training exercises were undertaken as the threat of Japanese invasion increased. In May, following the Battle of the Coral Sea
, the alerts came to an end but the exercises continued throughout the battalion's time on Fiji. These were punctuated by ceremonial duties in June when New Zealand, Fijian and Free French forces paraded together in Suva, Finally, in July, it was decided that the responsibility of the defence of Fiji would be passed to the United States and the majority of the New Zealand force would return to New Zealand. On 5 August, the 36th Battalion boarded the transport ship President Coolidge
and departed five days later.
They disembarked at Waitemata Harbour
on 14 August and after a brief return to Papakura, the battalion received 14 days' leave. Following this, the battalion was assigned to the role of mobile reserve and was moved to Avondale
in Auckland
. At this time the battalion received a draft of reinforcements as soldiers over the age of 40 were discharged from the service before the battalion was detached from the 8th Brigade and sent to Norfolk Island
in October 1942, where they relieved Australian forces that had been stationed there. Supported by a number of attached artillery and engineer units, the 36th Battalion formed the core of N Force
, tasked with the responsibility of defending the island. They remained there until late March 1943, when the 36th Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion, Wellington-West Coast Regiment
and rejoined the rest of the New Zealand 3rd Division in New Caledonia
.
on 31 March 1943. After moving to Bouloupari
, the battalion rejoined the 8th Brigade, now under the command of Brigadier Robert Row. An advanced party set up camp near the Ouenghi River and after the main body of the battalion arrived on 7 April they began to receive new equipment and stores and undertook jungle warfare training and a series of exercises in preparation for employment on future operations. At the end of May, the battalion was converted to a 'jungle establishment' which saw it lose a number of its heavy weapons to the brigade-level machine-gun company and the conversion of the support company ('D' Company) into the battalion's fourth rifle company.
In early June, the battalion took part in a week-long brigade-level exercise. Afterwards the news was announced that the commanding officer, Barry, was relinquishing command due to poor health. The battalion second in command took over temporarily before a new commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel K.B McKenzie-Muirson, arrived in July. At the same time, a draft of 89 reinforcements arrived to replace men that had been transferred, discharged or promoted. Throughout August preparations were made for the battalion to move once again and it was at this time that they were formed into a "battalion combat team" with attached artillery, engineers and logistics support.
The task of packing stores and equipment then began and on 2 September the battalion boarded the American transport President Jackson at Noumea, bound for the New Hebrides
. They arrived at Vila Harbour on 5 September and over the course of a week, they conducted a number of amphibious exercises before proceeding on to Guadalcanal
in the Solomon Islands
. They conducted a non-tactical landing on 14 September and unloaded stores before moving 4 miles (6.4 km) inland and began to set up camp. After the camp was established, for the next month the battalion was employed mainly in unloading stores from ships and carrying out training. During this time training was focused on patrolling and jungle survival techniques. They also spent some time learning how to conduct infantry operations with close armoured support.
In mid-October training came to an end and the battalion prepared to move again as orders were received that the 8th Brigade was finally to be committed to a combat role. A short time thereafter, they conducted a brigade-level landing rehearsal along with the 29th Battalion on Florida Island, about 20 miles (32.2 km) from Guadalcanal. Following this, the 36th Battalion was involved in the 8th Brigade's landing on Mono Island
as part of the plan to secure the Treasury Islands in order to conduct future operations on Bougainville, in the first opposed amphibious landing carried out by New Zealand troops since the Gallipoli campaign in 1915.
(LCI) vessels at Kukrum early on 25 October, while 'A' and 'B' Companies boarded High speed transport
s (known as APDs) the following day. In the early hours of 27 October, following a naval bombardment of the Japanese positions around the village of Falamai on the southern coast of Mono Island the 36th Battalion went ashore on the left flank of the 29th Battalion. 'A' and 'B' Companies landed unopposed to the west of Falamai in between the Saveke River and Cutler's Creek at 6:26 am and after organising themselves on the beach, they advanced inland in order to vacate the beach for the 'D' Company, which came ashore in the second wave at 6:46. While these forward companies moved inland, 'C' Company began the task of unloading stores on the beachhead. This was completed within 20 minutes.
The advance from the beachhead proved slow in the thick undergrowth, nevertheless 'A' Company managed to locate the Japanese headquarters about 500 yards (457.2 m) west of the Saveke River, and while the defenders' fire was suppressed with mortars, the company commander, Captain K.E Loudon, led the New Zealanders across the river and undertook a series of flanking moves in order to surround, and subsequently capture, the Japanese position. For this action Loudon later received the Military Cross
.
Following this a perimeter was established about 250 yards (228.6 m) from the beach and the Landing Ship Tank (LST) vessels arrived to begin unloading more stores and equipment. While this occurred, small details of New Zealanders set about the task of rooting out individual Japanese soldiers that had remained hidden during the initial advance inland. Shortly after 7:00 am, the Japanese began to attack the beach with artillery and mortar fire, while a group of Japanese in previously undetected pillboxs began pouring machine-gun fire on to the LSTs, causing a number of casualties amongst the 36th Battalion. By mid-morning the location of the Japanese observation post was discovered and two platoons were sent out by the carrier platoon and 'A' Company. One of these platoons, under Second Lieutenant L.T.G Booth, subsequently managed to capture two 75 mm guns and a 90 mm mortar after fighting their way up a high point west of the river. Booth was subsequently awarded the Military Cross for his leadership.
Meanwhile, the rest of the battalion continued the slow advance inland. By 2:30 pm they had advanced 600 yards (548.6 m) north of Falamai and the decision was made to establish the battalion perimeter, set up headquarters and send out patrols. The attached engineers began cutting roads and supplies were subsequently brought up as the battalion prepared for its first night ashore. During the night, the battalion's position was attacked from the air and by indirect fire, while small parties of Japanese attempted to infiltrate the perimeter in an effort to reach the food stores that they had left behind during their retreat inland.
Following this, the 36th Battalion settled into a routine of patrolling operations as they searched the immediate vicinity for the Japanese that had withdrawn following the initial assault. There were no clashes during this time, however, and by the end of October, the battalion received orders to prevent the Japanese from attempting to effect an evacuation and to begin deliberate search operations. On 1 November, the rest of the 8th Brigade arrived, and after a Japanese counterattack on elements of the 34th Battalion at Soanotalu was beaten off on the night of 1/2 November, throughout early November, the 36th Battalion sent a number of reconnaissance patrols further afield; the coastal area near Laifa Point was cleared by the carrier platoon and a 37 mm mountain gun was captured, along with a quantity of ammunition, although its crew managed to escape. Later, a patrol was sent to the point itself, contact was made and fire exchanged, but no casualties were received or inflicted. At the same time, a larger patrol, under Major I.G O'Neill, was sent north towards Ulapu, where they rendezvoused with a resupply barge. After continuing on to Soanatalu and crossing the Besara River, the patrol's local guide found signs of recent Japanese presence and later a raft was located, and was later destroyed. After continuing the patrol, the New Zealanders were suddenly engaged from a number of caves and over the course of a two hour fire fight, 10 Japanese were killed and one was captured, while one New Zealander was killed. The following day, O'Neill's patrol used a barge to make their return to the main battalion position at Falamai. This was the last "significant action" on Mono. For his actions during the engagement around the cave complex, Corporal F.A Armstrong, was awarded the Military Medal
.
Meanwhile, 'A' Company, after returning from a short break on Stirling Island
, conducted patrols around Malsi and Soanatalu, killing one Japanese and capturing two others, while 'B' Company patrolled the western coast of the island. By 7 November, the battalion's casualties amounted to 77 men, including 14 killed in action. Upon the arrival of more permanent stores and equipment, the majority of the 36th Battalion was re-established at various locations on Stirling Island; 'B' Company, however, remained on Mono Island and was detached to the Avon River. In December, the battalion received a draft of reinforcements while the second in command, Major B.H Pringle, was promoted to lieutenant colonel and took over command of the battalion from McKenzie-Muirson.
Throughout December and into January 1944, the only contact with the Japanese came in the form of air raids over the islands, and the men were kept busy undertaking labouring tasks in between regular patrolling operations and training sessions. In late February the air raids stopped and as the main fighting bypassed the Treasuries the 8th Brigade was relegated to relatively routine tasks. Nevertheless, until April 1944 the battalion remained spread throughout Mono and Stirling Islands to defend against a possible Japanese counterattack from the Shortland Islands, and to continue the work of loading and unloading stores and equipment.
For the battalion, the result was that a number of its personnel, including the commanding officer, Pringle, were repatriated to New Zealand for discharge. As the battalion's numbers dwindled, in April the furthest positions were abandoned, with 'B' Company being moved to Stirling Island alongside 'A' Company at Soala Lakes and 'D' Company moved to Lakemba Cove where it was co-located with 'C' Company. In May the battalion was relieved by an American unit from the US 93rd Division and was withdrawn back to New Caledonia on board the USS Tryon
. Command of the battalion then passed between the second in command, Major H.F Allen, and then when he departed, to Major I.G O'Neill. Throughout June and July, the battalion's existence on New Caledonia was largely devoted to inter-unit sporting contests as further drafts of personnel were returned to New Zealand, Finally, on 13 August 1944, the last group of men departed New Caledonia and returned to New Zealand via Noumea. Shortly thereafter, the 36th Battalion was disbanded, although a number of battalion personnel were subsequently sent to Italy as reinforcements for units of the 2nd Division.
During the war, the 36th Battalion lost 14 men killed in action, while seven others died on active service. 1,338 men are listed on the battalion's nominal roll. Two members of the battalion received the Military Cross, while one received the Military Medal.
For their service, the 36th Battalion received three battle honour
s: "Solomons", "Treasury Islands" and "South Pacific 1942–44". In 1957, these honours were passed to the battalion's successor units: the Wellington Regiment
, the Wellington West Coast and Taranaki Regiment
and the Hawke's Bay Regiment
.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of the New Zealand Military Forces
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
, which served during the Second World War. Attached to the 8th Brigade
8th Brigade (New Zealand)
The 8th Brigade was a formation of the New Zealand Military Forces, which served during the Second World War as part of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Eventually forming part of the 3rd Division, the brigade served in the Pacific Ocean theatre of the war...
, New Zealand 3rd Division, the battalion was formed in late 1941 and saw service in the Pacific
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
against the Japanese. They were initially used for garrison duties on Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
and Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but it enjoys a large degree of self-governance...
before being committed to the fighting in the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
in 1943. The battalion was disbanded in late 1944 as part of a partial demobilisation of New Zealand forces, which saw some of its personnel being returned to civilian employment while others were sent to Italy
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
as reinforcements for the New Zealand 2nd Division.
Formation
The battalion was formed on 29 December 1941 at PapakuraPapakura
The Papakura District was the name of a local council territory in New Zealand's Auckland Region that existed from 1989 until 2010. The area made up the southernmost part of the Auckland metropolitan area....
, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel John Barry, in response to Japan's entry into the war following the bombing of Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
and the invasion of Malaya. With the possibility of a Japanese advance south through the Pacific, the New Zealand government decided to raise a force of three infantry battalions to bolster the garrison in Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
. The 36th Battalion was one of these units; the others being the 35th and 37th Battalions. Upon formation, the majority of the battalion's other ranks
Other Ranks
Other Ranks in the British Army, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force are those personnel who are not commissioned officers. In the Royal Navy, these personnel are called ratings...
were drawn from men from the Central Districts who were originally intended to be sent to the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
as reinforcements for the New Zealand 2nd Division, while officers
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
were mainly sourced from armoured formations such as the Tank Brigade and the Divisional Cavalry Regiment. Upon establishment, the battalion consisted of a headquarters company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
, three rifle companies and a machine-gun/support company.
Fiji and Norfolk Island
After less than a month, the battalion began moving overseas. In early January 1942 they were sent to Fiji, where they were billeted outside of SuvaSuva
Suva features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation during the course of the year. Suva averages 3,000 mm of precipitation annually with its driest month, July averaging 125 mm of rain per year. In fact,...
. Shortly after their arrival, the 36th Battalion became part of the 8th Brigade along with the 29th and 34th Battalions. Later this brigade became part of the New Zealand 3rd Division. During their stay on Fiji, the 36th Battalion was employed in defensive duties, constructing fixed positions at key locations as the island was prepared for a possible Japanese invasion.
In early March, the battalion began nightly alerts and training exercises were undertaken as the threat of Japanese invasion increased. In May, following the Battle of the Coral Sea
Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from 4–8 May 1942, was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States and Australia. The battle was the first fleet action in which aircraft carriers engaged...
, the alerts came to an end but the exercises continued throughout the battalion's time on Fiji. These were punctuated by ceremonial duties in June when New Zealand, Fijian and Free French forces paraded together in Suva, Finally, in July, it was decided that the responsibility of the defence of Fiji would be passed to the United States and the majority of the New Zealand force would return to New Zealand. On 5 August, the 36th Battalion boarded the transport ship President Coolidge
SS President Coolidge
The SS President Coolidge was a luxury ocean liner that was originally built, along with her sister ship the SS President Hoover, for Dollar Steamship Lines. They were the largest merchant ships the US had built up to that time. In 1938, when the Dollar Steamship Lines collapsed, she was...
and departed five days later.
They disembarked at Waitemata Harbour
Waitemata Harbour
The quite famous Waitemata Harbour is the main access by sea to Auckland, New Zealand. For this reason it is often referred to as Auckland Harbour, despite the fact that it is only one of two harbours surrounding the city, and is crossed by the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The Waitemata forms the north...
on 14 August and after a brief return to Papakura, the battalion received 14 days' leave. Following this, the battalion was assigned to the role of mobile reserve and was moved to Avondale
Avondale, Auckland
Avondale is a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, located in the Whau ward, one of the thirteen administrative divisions for the Auckland Council. It is commonly considered to be part of West Auckland. It was originally called "Te Whau", which is the common name, of Māori origin, for Entelea...
in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. At this time the battalion received a draft of reinforcements as soldiers over the age of 40 were discharged from the service before the battalion was detached from the 8th Brigade and sent to Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but it enjoys a large degree of self-governance...
in October 1942, where they relieved Australian forces that had been stationed there. Supported by a number of attached artillery and engineer units, the 36th Battalion formed the core of N Force
N Force
N Force was a small New Zealand Army unit which garrisoned Norfolk Island between October 1942 and February 1944. N Force was formed by detaching units from the 3rd New Zealand Division. As Norfolk Island never came under attack N Force did not see action....
, tasked with the responsibility of defending the island. They remained there until late March 1943, when the 36th Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion, Wellington-West Coast Regiment
Wellington West Coast and Taranaki Regiment
The Wellington West Coast and Taranaki Regiment is a Territorial Force unit of the New Zealand Army. It was originally formed in 1948 by the amalgamation of two separate regiments:...
and rejoined the rest of the New Zealand 3rd Division in New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
.
New Caledonia, New Hebrides and Guadalcanal
The 36th Battalion disembarked at NoumeaNouméa
Nouméa is the capital city of the French territory of New Caledonia. It is situated on a peninsula in the south of New Caledonia's main island, Grande Terre, and is home to the majority of the island's European, Polynesian , Indonesian, and Vietnamese populations, as well as many Melanesians,...
on 31 March 1943. After moving to Bouloupari
Bouloupari
Bouloupari is a commune in the South Province of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean....
, the battalion rejoined the 8th Brigade, now under the command of Brigadier Robert Row. An advanced party set up camp near the Ouenghi River and after the main body of the battalion arrived on 7 April they began to receive new equipment and stores and undertook jungle warfare training and a series of exercises in preparation for employment on future operations. At the end of May, the battalion was converted to a 'jungle establishment' which saw it lose a number of its heavy weapons to the brigade-level machine-gun company and the conversion of the support company ('D' Company) into the battalion's fourth rifle company.
In early June, the battalion took part in a week-long brigade-level exercise. Afterwards the news was announced that the commanding officer, Barry, was relinquishing command due to poor health. The battalion second in command took over temporarily before a new commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel K.B McKenzie-Muirson, arrived in July. At the same time, a draft of 89 reinforcements arrived to replace men that had been transferred, discharged or promoted. Throughout August preparations were made for the battalion to move once again and it was at this time that they were formed into a "battalion combat team" with attached artillery, engineers and logistics support.
The task of packing stores and equipment then began and on 2 September the battalion boarded the American transport President Jackson at Noumea, bound for the New Hebrides
New Hebrides
New Hebrides was the colonial name for an island group in the South Pacific that now forms the nation of Vanuatu. The New Hebrides were colonized by both the British and French in the 18th century shortly after Captain James Cook visited the islands...
. They arrived at Vila Harbour on 5 September and over the course of a week, they conducted a number of amphibious exercises before proceeding on to Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
in the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
. They conducted a non-tactical landing on 14 September and unloaded stores before moving 4 miles (6.4 km) inland and began to set up camp. After the camp was established, for the next month the battalion was employed mainly in unloading stores from ships and carrying out training. During this time training was focused on patrolling and jungle survival techniques. They also spent some time learning how to conduct infantry operations with close armoured support.
In mid-October training came to an end and the battalion prepared to move again as orders were received that the 8th Brigade was finally to be committed to a combat role. A short time thereafter, they conducted a brigade-level landing rehearsal along with the 29th Battalion on Florida Island, about 20 miles (32.2 km) from Guadalcanal. Following this, the 36th Battalion was involved in the 8th Brigade's landing on Mono Island
Mono Island
Mono Island is the largest island of the Treasury Islands, Solomon Islands, at .- Geography :Mono island is a volcanic island in the northwest of the Solomon Islands. It is separated by the Blanche Harbour from Stirling Island and the other coral islands surrounding it. The village of Falamai is...
as part of the plan to secure the Treasury Islands in order to conduct future operations on Bougainville, in the first opposed amphibious landing carried out by New Zealand troops since the Gallipoli campaign in 1915.
Treasury Islands
The embarkation was undertaken in two waves. 'C' and 'D' Companies boarded Landing Craft InfantryLanding Craft Infantry
The Landing craft, Infantry or LCI were several classes of sea-going amphibious assault ships of the Second World War utilized to land large numbers of infantry directly onto beaches. They were developed in response to a British request for a vessel capable of carrying and landing substantially...
(LCI) vessels at Kukrum early on 25 October, while 'A' and 'B' Companies boarded High speed transport
High speed transport
High Speed Transports were converted destroyers and destroyer escorts used to support amphibious operations in World War II and afterward. They received the US Hull classification symbol APD; "AP" for transport and "D" for destroyer....
s (known as APDs) the following day. In the early hours of 27 October, following a naval bombardment of the Japanese positions around the village of Falamai on the southern coast of Mono Island the 36th Battalion went ashore on the left flank of the 29th Battalion. 'A' and 'B' Companies landed unopposed to the west of Falamai in between the Saveke River and Cutler's Creek at 6:26 am and after organising themselves on the beach, they advanced inland in order to vacate the beach for the 'D' Company, which came ashore in the second wave at 6:46. While these forward companies moved inland, 'C' Company began the task of unloading stores on the beachhead. This was completed within 20 minutes.
The advance from the beachhead proved slow in the thick undergrowth, nevertheless 'A' Company managed to locate the Japanese headquarters about 500 yards (457.2 m) west of the Saveke River, and while the defenders' fire was suppressed with mortars, the company commander, Captain K.E Loudon, led the New Zealanders across the river and undertook a series of flanking moves in order to surround, and subsequently capture, the Japanese position. For this action Loudon later received the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
.
Following this a perimeter was established about 250 yards (228.6 m) from the beach and the Landing Ship Tank (LST) vessels arrived to begin unloading more stores and equipment. While this occurred, small details of New Zealanders set about the task of rooting out individual Japanese soldiers that had remained hidden during the initial advance inland. Shortly after 7:00 am, the Japanese began to attack the beach with artillery and mortar fire, while a group of Japanese in previously undetected pillboxs began pouring machine-gun fire on to the LSTs, causing a number of casualties amongst the 36th Battalion. By mid-morning the location of the Japanese observation post was discovered and two platoons were sent out by the carrier platoon and 'A' Company. One of these platoons, under Second Lieutenant L.T.G Booth, subsequently managed to capture two 75 mm guns and a 90 mm mortar after fighting their way up a high point west of the river. Booth was subsequently awarded the Military Cross for his leadership.
Meanwhile, the rest of the battalion continued the slow advance inland. By 2:30 pm they had advanced 600 yards (548.6 m) north of Falamai and the decision was made to establish the battalion perimeter, set up headquarters and send out patrols. The attached engineers began cutting roads and supplies were subsequently brought up as the battalion prepared for its first night ashore. During the night, the battalion's position was attacked from the air and by indirect fire, while small parties of Japanese attempted to infiltrate the perimeter in an effort to reach the food stores that they had left behind during their retreat inland.
Following this, the 36th Battalion settled into a routine of patrolling operations as they searched the immediate vicinity for the Japanese that had withdrawn following the initial assault. There were no clashes during this time, however, and by the end of October, the battalion received orders to prevent the Japanese from attempting to effect an evacuation and to begin deliberate search operations. On 1 November, the rest of the 8th Brigade arrived, and after a Japanese counterattack on elements of the 34th Battalion at Soanotalu was beaten off on the night of 1/2 November, throughout early November, the 36th Battalion sent a number of reconnaissance patrols further afield; the coastal area near Laifa Point was cleared by the carrier platoon and a 37 mm mountain gun was captured, along with a quantity of ammunition, although its crew managed to escape. Later, a patrol was sent to the point itself, contact was made and fire exchanged, but no casualties were received or inflicted. At the same time, a larger patrol, under Major I.G O'Neill, was sent north towards Ulapu, where they rendezvoused with a resupply barge. After continuing on to Soanatalu and crossing the Besara River, the patrol's local guide found signs of recent Japanese presence and later a raft was located, and was later destroyed. After continuing the patrol, the New Zealanders were suddenly engaged from a number of caves and over the course of a two hour fire fight, 10 Japanese were killed and one was captured, while one New Zealander was killed. The following day, O'Neill's patrol used a barge to make their return to the main battalion position at Falamai. This was the last "significant action" on Mono. For his actions during the engagement around the cave complex, Corporal F.A Armstrong, was awarded the Military Medal
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
.
Meanwhile, 'A' Company, after returning from a short break on Stirling Island
Stirling Island
Stirling Island is the smaller island of the Treasury Islands, Solomon Islands, at . It is separated from the largest Mono Island by Blanche Harbor. Stirling Island is composed of coral which was once part of the barrier reef surrounding Mono Island....
, conducted patrols around Malsi and Soanatalu, killing one Japanese and capturing two others, while 'B' Company patrolled the western coast of the island. By 7 November, the battalion's casualties amounted to 77 men, including 14 killed in action. Upon the arrival of more permanent stores and equipment, the majority of the 36th Battalion was re-established at various locations on Stirling Island; 'B' Company, however, remained on Mono Island and was detached to the Avon River. In December, the battalion received a draft of reinforcements while the second in command, Major B.H Pringle, was promoted to lieutenant colonel and took over command of the battalion from McKenzie-Muirson.
Throughout December and into January 1944, the only contact with the Japanese came in the form of air raids over the islands, and the men were kept busy undertaking labouring tasks in between regular patrolling operations and training sessions. In late February the air raids stopped and as the main fighting bypassed the Treasuries the 8th Brigade was relegated to relatively routine tasks. Nevertheless, until April 1944 the battalion remained spread throughout Mono and Stirling Islands to defend against a possible Japanese counterattack from the Shortland Islands, and to continue the work of loading and unloading stores and equipment.
Disbandment
In early January 1944, in order to rectify a shortage of labour in the primary production sector of the New Zealand economy, the New Zealand government, in consultation with the United States and the United Kingdom, decided that it was necessary to release manpower from the military back into the civilian workforce. After some debate, it was decided that this manpower would come from the 3rd Division, while the 2nd Division, which was fighting in Italy, would be allowed to remain intact.For the battalion, the result was that a number of its personnel, including the commanding officer, Pringle, were repatriated to New Zealand for discharge. As the battalion's numbers dwindled, in April the furthest positions were abandoned, with 'B' Company being moved to Stirling Island alongside 'A' Company at Soala Lakes and 'D' Company moved to Lakemba Cove where it was co-located with 'C' Company. In May the battalion was relieved by an American unit from the US 93rd Division and was withdrawn back to New Caledonia on board the USS Tryon
USS Tryon (APH-1)
USS Tryon was laid down as SS Alcoa Courier on 26 March 1941, by the Moore Dry Dock Company, Oakland, California and launched on 21 October 1941 sponsored by Mrs. Roy G. Hunt. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, she was designated for U.S. Navy use and assigned the name Comfort in June 1942...
. Command of the battalion then passed between the second in command, Major H.F Allen, and then when he departed, to Major I.G O'Neill. Throughout June and July, the battalion's existence on New Caledonia was largely devoted to inter-unit sporting contests as further drafts of personnel were returned to New Zealand, Finally, on 13 August 1944, the last group of men departed New Caledonia and returned to New Zealand via Noumea. Shortly thereafter, the 36th Battalion was disbanded, although a number of battalion personnel were subsequently sent to Italy as reinforcements for units of the 2nd Division.
During the war, the 36th Battalion lost 14 men killed in action, while seven others died on active service. 1,338 men are listed on the battalion's nominal roll. Two members of the battalion received the Military Cross, while one received the Military Medal.
For their service, the 36th Battalion received three battle honour
Battle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
s: "Solomons", "Treasury Islands" and "South Pacific 1942–44". In 1957, these honours were passed to the battalion's successor units: the Wellington Regiment
Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay Regiment
The Wellington and Hawke's Bay Regiment is a Territorial Force unit of the New Zealand Army. It was formed in 1964 during the reorganisation of the army by the amalgamation of two separate regiments:*5th Wellington Regiment...
, the Wellington West Coast and Taranaki Regiment
Wellington West Coast and Taranaki Regiment
The Wellington West Coast and Taranaki Regiment is a Territorial Force unit of the New Zealand Army. It was originally formed in 1948 by the amalgamation of two separate regiments:...
and the Hawke's Bay Regiment
Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay Regiment
The Wellington and Hawke's Bay Regiment is a Territorial Force unit of the New Zealand Army. It was formed in 1964 during the reorganisation of the army by the amalgamation of two separate regiments:*5th Wellington Regiment...
.