In 1940/41 the Australian Army needed to quickly reinforce our military strength in Australia. At that time our four AIF Infantry Divisions were overseas in the Middle East and then Malaya. A British military mission, headed by Lt. Col. Mawhood, came to Australia in 1940, to assist with a strategy to reinforce the Australian Army.  The outcome was to raise a number of Independent Companies.

Independent Companies were special units, which were much smaller than an Infantry Battalion. They were highly trained in raiding techniques, sabotage operations and conducting guerrilla warfare. They could operate for long periods in remote locations without normal lines of communication.

Volunteers were called for from the 1st Armoured Division and any AIF reinforcements still located in Australia. Volunteers were told there would be involved in special duties in units where high level of physical fitness was required and a higher than normal level of danger was likely to be encountered.

The following Independent Companies were formed in 1941:-

• 1 Independent Company

• 2/2 Independent Company

• 2/3 Independent Company

• two NZ Independent Companies

4 Independent Company was in training in 1941 when a decision was made to disband the unit and return the volunteers to their previous units.

Pearl Harbor was attacked on 7 December 1941 and the 4th Independent Company was immediately reformed and completed its training. More Independent Companies were formed and trained at Wilson's Promontory.

One of the first tests at Commando Training at Wilson's Promontory was for new arrivals to climb Mt Oberon (558 metres). Those who failed to make it to the top were returned to their previous units.

No. 7 Infantry Training Centre with Mt Oberon in the background

Photo of Mount Oberon in 2007 taken from approximately the same location

Physical fitness was an essential component of training at the Commando School. Training included:-

• demolitions

• sabotage

• night movement and operations

• infantry minor tactics

• patrolling

• setting of ambushes

• scouting

• weapon training

• operating solo or in small parties

There were initially eight Independent Companies:-

• 1st Independent Company

• 2/2 Independent Company

• 2/3 Independent Company

• 2/4 Independent Company

• 2/5 Independent Company

• 2/6 Independent Company

• 2/7 Independent Company

• 2/8 Independent Company

The Independent Companies were often referred to as "Commandos". The men of these independent companies saw themselves as carrying out independent guerilla operations and did not appreciate the term Commandos which they believed was the role of the British Commandos in Europe.

Photo:- via Heather McMillan

Leigh Graham McMillan (NX101100 & N235780) of the
2/7th Independent Company at Wilson's Promontory

In late 1943, Australian Army Headquarters decided to amalgamate the divisional cavalry regiments from the 2nd AIF infantry divisions with the independent companies and re-designate them initially as “Independent Companies”. They then became known as "Cavalry (Commando) Squadron" but this soon changed to "Commando Squadron". The Regimental Headquarters which had no operational role kept the full title of "Cavalry (Commando) Regiment".

The Independent Companies were increasingly used for reconnaissance, flank protection, the securing of important tactical features within the Divisional structure which was very much the traditional role of cavalry and the tasks given to Commando Squadrons.

By the end of 1943, the new structure was:-