Section II. Independent (Commando) Companies in Australia and New Zealand

8. General.—The Australian and New Zealand Armies have several units which are the equivalent of commandos but are designated as independent companies, organized on a platoon instead of a troop basis. The total strength of each company is 267 officers and enlisted men. The primary purpose of the independent companies is to educate remote and undefended communities to cooperate in striking back at any enemy that might land on Australia, New Zealand, and other nearby islands of the British Empire. These companies will also be used in the warfare of the southwest Pacific for manning new bases and for reconnoitering. Eventually they will also operate against the enemy in his own as well as in friendly territory.

In general, the same high standards are required for personnel in the independent units as are demanded of the British commando members. Trained soldiers, single and without dependents, between 20 and 40 years of age, are selected. They must be of good physique and health and have courage, determination, intelligence, and individuality; and they must be amenable to strict discipline. Other requirements are unassailable loyalty and reliability.

As in Great Britain, the independent companies receive special training at an infantry training center that was organized for this purpose. The basic course of instruction takes 6 weeks, but this is followed by combined training with units of the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force in places suitable for amphibious air operations.

9. Tables of Organization and Weapons.—The following tables show the organization of the independent company, and its weapons:

Co. Hq.     Three Platoons Each     Command and Administration Royal Aircraft Establishment section Engineer section Total: Co. Hq. Platoon Hq. Three sections Hq. (each) Three sections (each) Total: platoon Total: company Majors 1 - - 1 - - - - 1 Captains 1 1 - - 1 1 - - 1 4 Lieutenants - 1 1 2 - 1 - 3 11       Total: Officers   2 1 1 4 1 1 - 4 16 Company Sergeant-Major (First Sergeant) 1 - - 1 - - - - 1       Total: Warrant Officers   1 - - 1 - - - - 1 Company Quartermaster Sergeant 1 - - 1 - - - - 1 Sergeants - 1 1 2 1 - - 3 5       Total: Staff Sergeants and Sergeants   1 1 1 3 1 - - 3 6 Corporals 2 1 1 4 - - 2 6 22 Sappers (engineers) - 15 - 15 - - - - 15 Privates 8 - 26 34 7 2 14 55 199 Drivers, M.T. (motor transport) 2 - - 2 - - - - 2       Total: rank and file 12 16 27 55 7 2 16 61 2 238       Total: other ranks (enlisted men) 14 17 28 59 8 2 16 62 245       Total: all ranks   16 18 29 63 9 3 16 66 261 Attached:                       Australian Army Medical Corps (A.A.M.C.):                             Captain 1 - - 1 - - - - 1         Privates (medical orderlies)   4 - - 4 - - - - 4     Australian Army Ordnance Corps (A.A.O.C.):                             Armorer (corporal) 1 - - 1 - - - - 1           Total: Independent Company, including attached     22 18 29 69 9 3 16 66 267 Trade (Specialist) Group I:                       Fitters (mechanics) - 3 - 3 - - - - 3     Instrument mechanics - - 1 1 - - - - 1 Trade (Specialist) Group II:                       Carpenters and joiners - 2 - 2 - - - - 2     Cooks 3 2 - - 2 1 - - 1 5     Electricians - 3 - 3 - - - - 3     Operators, Signals - - 10 10 - - - - 10 Trade (Specialist) Group III:                       Clerks 2 - - 2 - - - - 2 Nonspecialists:                       Corporals 1 1 1 3 - - 2 6 21     Batmen (strikers) 3 - - 3 1 1 - 4 15     Drivers, M.T. (motor transport) 2 - - 2 - - - - 2     Orderlies 2 - - 2 2 1 - 5 17     Pioneers - 7 - 7 - - - - 7     Privates - - - - - - 14 42 126     Signalers - - 15 15 - - - - 15     Snipers - - - 3 - - - 3 9       Total: rank and file   12 16 27 55 7 2 16 61 238

1 Second-in-command. 2 Includes 6 lance sergeants and 30 lance corporals 3 Includes a corporal

 

Number    Ammunition—rounds    Total   On man   or with   gun   Reserve  Pistols, Mauser 1    15 100  -  1,500 Pistols, .455-inch 2    52 36  -  1,872 Rifles, .303-inch   140 50  3 14,000   21,000 L.M.G's., .303-inch (Bren)4    18 600  3 12,960  23,760 Submachine guns 5    36 400  7,200   21,600 Sniper rifles   9 50 -  504 Grenades, percussion 6    - - - -

1 For officers other than R.A.E. (Royal Aircraft Establishment), and Signals. 2 For Nos. 1 and 2 of Brcn guns, 2 officers R.A.E. and Signals and for enlisted signallers. 3 20 percent tracer. 4 2 per section. 5 4 per section. 6 2 per enlisted man (bakelite).

 

10. Standard Equipment.—The following list shows the standard equipment of independent companies.