Legend revived
Volume 11, No. 50, August 24, 2006
By Maj Al Croft

Pride: Governor General Maj-Gen Michael Jeffery presents the 39 Bn “mud over blood” flag to CO 39PSB Lt-Col Daryl Clarke.

“THE 39th entered the annals of distinguished military history more than six decades ago but this occasion ensures that the inspiring deeds of a magnificent battalion will be passed onto a new generation of Australian servicemen, the 39th Personnel Support Battalion.”

So spoke Governor-General Maj-Gen Michael Jeffery at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne on August 8 when the veterans of the decisive battle at Kokoda in New Guinea saw their honoured battalion name re-raised to the Australian Army Order of Battle.

More than 500 people attended the re-naming ceremony, including 50 Kokoda accompanied by many family members, and one of the original Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels flown in from PNG.

With the support of Maj-Gen Jeffery and CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, the 39th’s name has been handed on to the 39th Personnel Support Battalion (39PSB), formerly known as the Deployed Forces Support Unit.

“I know that 39PSB will be feeling inordinately proud to inherit the responsibility for maintaining the splendid traditions of the original 39th with its extraordinary contribution to the Kokoda legend,” Maj-Gen Jeffery said.
“It is fitting that your role is to ensure that our servicemen and women are properly prepared, equipped and supported while on operations.

“This is in stark contrast to the men of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion, who were inadequately prepared for the tasks that faced them in New Guinea in 1942, and who had to rely on raw courage, determination and mateship in the face of overwhelming odds.

“In every aspect, 39PSB looks very different to the old 39th. Its organisation reflects recent developments in how the ADF trains and fights. It is manned by officers, soldiers, sailors and airmen from each of the three Services.”

The 39th PSB, commanded by Lt-Col Daryl Clarke, contains about 150 full and part-time personnel located in Sydney, Townsville, Darwin and Brisbane.