542ND ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN REGIMENT
2ND ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN BRIGADE
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

The 542nd Engineer Amphibian Regiment, 2nd Engineer Amphibian Brigade, relocated from Camp Edwards, in Massachusetts to Fort Ord in California by train on 8 November 1942. On 28 January 1943, the 542nd sailed from San Francisco headed for Brisbane in southern Queensland, Australia. They arrived in Brisbane on 18 February 1943.

The 542nd Engineer Amphibian Regiment accompanied the 287th Signal Company and the 3498th Medium Maintenance Company on a train journey to Rockhampton in central Queensland leaving Brisbane on 22 February 1943. 

The 542nd Engineer Amphibian Regiment camp area was inspected by General Douglas MacArthur  and Lt. General Eichelberger in late February 1943.

On 4 July 1943, the 542nd was redesignated as the 542nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment. On 31 July 1942, the  542nd accompanied by the 262nd Medical Battalion caught a ship headed for Oro Bay in New Guinea.

Photo: via Steve Schaffer

Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, April 1943 (I believe it may have actually been
27 May 1943).  General Douglas MacArthur and Lt. General Eichelberger inspect the 542nd
Regimental Area. Colonel Fowlkes and Lt. Colonel Simpson escort our distinguished visitors.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Ralph Denlinger for his assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 14 July 2003

This page last updated 19 January 2020