Revival of the 39th
Volume 11, No. 48, July 27, 2006
By Maj Allan Croft

Fresh aim: 39th Bn Kokoda veteran Alan Rennie comes to grips with a Steyr, watched by DFSU CO Lt-Col Daryl Clarke. Photo by Maj Al Croft

THE “ragged bloody heroes” who stood first against the Japanese on the Kokoda Track in World War II will have their sacrifices recognised anew next month when the name of the 39th Battalion is returned to the Army Order of Battle.

The Deployed Forces Support Unit (DFSU), based at Randwick, is to be disestablished and then raised as the 39th Personnel Support Battalion (39PSB) at a special ceremony. This will occur at a parade at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance on August 8 attended by Governor-General Maj-Gen Michael Jeffery and many of the veterans of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion.

In 1942, the 39th Bn was instrumental in delaying the southward thrust of the numerically-superior and jungle-trained Imperial Japanese Army on the Kokoda Track, suffering heavy losses. After a brief respite, the battalion went on to fight in the bloody Gona and Sanananda battles on the northern coast of Papua. It finally came out of the line with a strength of only seven officers and 25 other ranks.

For the exploits in its very short life, the 39th Bn was awarded 12 battle honours. It is the only unit in the Australian Army to be awarded the battle honour “Kokoda”.

According to the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion Association President, Mr Alan Moore, after returning to Australia for a well-deserved period of rest and leave, and for reasons never explained and certainly not related to its active service achievements, the 39th Bn was disbanded, its remaining members dispersed among other AIF units, and its proud name struck from the Australian Army Order of Battle.

“In the 65 years since the end of World War II, the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion Association has actively campaigned for the correction of this perceived insult to a courageous and successful unit of young Australians,” he said. “The decision, in our honour, and at the behest of the Governor -eneral, to raise the 39th Personnel Support Battalion brings joy to veterans and members of the 39th Association.”

DFSU was first raised in Sydney in 1999 to coordinate the preparation and support of land-based ADF force elements deployed on overseas operations. It prepares Army, Navy and Air Force personnel with individual force preparation training, final equipment issues and provides other ancillary personnel support functions, such as postal services, cash office services and amenity support.

DFSU CO Lt-Col Daryl Clarke praised the efforts of the current members of the unit and recognised their important contribution to enhancing the effectiveness of individuals deployed on operations.

“We are proud to be given the honour of carrying forward the name of the 39th Bn,” he said. “We are all in awe at the manner in which the young diggers of the battalion upheld the Anzac traditions along the Kokoda Track.

Their sacrifice gives us a clear example of the importance of Army’s values of courage, initiative and teamwork. We shall use their example to inspire us in improving the way we prepare individuals for operations and in the manner in which we support those already deployed. We shall wear the 39th Bn’s ‘mud over blood’ colour patch with pride and strive to live up to their motto of Factis non Verbis – Deeds not Words.”