Honner Force
Encyclopedia
Honner Force was the name given to an ad hoc composite Australian Army
force of approximately 500 men under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner
, DSO
, MC
which served in the New Guinea campaign
in 1942 in World War II
.
It was formed on 11 September 1942, under 7th Australian Division Operational Instruction Number 10 and drew manpower from the 36th, 55th Battalion
and 49th Battalions, which each provided approximately a company
, plus a detachment from 2/6th Independent Company. The force was sent out by the New Guinea Force
via Laloki–Goldie River to cut the enemy line of communications between Menari and Nauro. Consisting mainly of eighteen and nineteen year old militiamen who were barely trained and ill-equipped, Honner Force found it difficult to traverse the muddy tracks and dense jungle, however, by 19 September they had reached the vicinity of Omaramara. The majority of the men were exhausted from the march, and the aerial re-supply that had been planned for them did not eventuate. As such they were unable to move beyond the limits of which ground supply could reach them. As the strategic situation around Kokoda had stabilised by then, it was decided that the force was in no condition to conduct offensive operations and they were subsequently disbanded shortly after with the men returning to their parent units without having seen action.
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 approximately 500 men under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner
Ralph Honner
Lieutenant Colonel Hyacinth Ralph Honner DSO, MC , known as Ralph Honner, was a distinguished Australian soldier during the Second World War...
, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, MC
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....
which served in the New Guinea campaign
New Guinea campaign
The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II.Before the war, the island of New Guinea was split between:...
in 1942 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 formed on 11 September 1942, under 7th Australian Division Operational Instruction Number 10 and drew manpower from the 36th, 55th Battalion
55th Battalion (Australia)
The 55th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Raised in 1916 for service during World War I the battalion served on the Western Front until the end of the war, before being briefly amalgamated with the 53rd Battalion and then eventually disbanded in 1919...
and 49th Battalions, which each provided approximately a 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...
, plus a detachment from 2/6th Independent Company. The force was sent out by the New Guinea Force
New Guinea Force
New Guinea Force was a military command unit for Australian, territory of Papua and territory of New Guinea troops serving in the New Guinea campaign during World War II. Formed in April 1942 it was responsible for planning and directing all operations within the territory up until October 1944,...
via Laloki–Goldie River to cut the enemy line of communications between Menari and Nauro. Consisting mainly of eighteen and nineteen year old militiamen who were barely trained and ill-equipped, Honner Force found it difficult to traverse the muddy tracks and dense jungle, however, by 19 September they had reached the vicinity of Omaramara. The majority of the men were exhausted from the march, and the aerial re-supply that had been planned for them did not eventuate. As such they were unable to move beyond the limits of which ground supply could reach them. As the strategic situation around Kokoda had stabilised by then, it was decided that the force was in no condition to conduct offensive operations and they were subsequently disbanded shortly after with the men returning to their parent units without having seen action.