Machine Gunners: A History of Six Machine-Gun Battalion AIF

This military book " Machine Gunners a History of 6th Machine Gun Battalion AIF 1942 - 1944 " by J Campbell - new book. The Author is a son of a member, much of the history of the Battalion already being undertaken over the years by battalion member Max England and the Association.

The Australian 6th Machine Gun Battalion was raised in NSW and was sent to the south coast around Wollongong and Shellharbour to undertake their training and wait for the commanders in New Guinea to call them into action. They used the escarpment behind the coastal edge for their toughening up exercises and were occasionally called upon to assist in other areas – such as the night a Hudson bomber crashed. One night in 1943 an American cargo ship slammed into the rocks on the nearby coast and the men of 6 MGB were involved in the rescue of the crew by means of a boson’s chair. The crew was rescued but unfortunately several battalion men were swept from the rocks and drowned.

In July 1943, the Battalion went north to fight in the Battle of New Guinea with the 7th Division AIF. The Battalion were located in the Ramu Valley. They found themselves at Gusap, defending the large American airstrip against marauding Japanese. In this roll the members were continually dive bombed and strafed by the Japanese. Together with the Papuan Infantry Battalion, they spent much time carrying out infantry patrols to the north of Ramu in the Finisterre Range area where cut-off Japanese were fighting.
The Battalion was disbanded in December 1944 – its machine gunners being taken up as reinforcements in various units. Several members were Killed in Action at Tarakan in 1945 with 2/24 Battalion.

The detailed text is supported with numerous wartime pictures of actual unit members and an extensive collection of after war veteran pictures. A valuable reference book for medal, genealogy / family history, Battle of New Guinea Ramu Valley researchers.
A large history, a Honour Roll and a full member Nominal Roll compliments this history.