Australian
Army
2/6th Armoured Regiment
Frank Anderson 1973
Justin Taylan 2000
Disabled December 18, 1942
Wartime
History
First arrived in New Guinea at Milne Bay, then transported to Buna
area and used in the Buna campaign. Seven
M3 Stuarts of the 2/6th Armoured Regiment were supporting troops of the
2/9th Infantry Battalion at Cape Endaiadere. This tank supported the
2/10th Battalion of Australian troops. Engine compartment was destroyed
by magnetic mine during the advance on December 18, 1942.
Recovery & Display
It was recovered from the Buna battlefield in mid-1973,
and was transported to Port Moresby by barge. Salvager Vince
Sanders stored it for a number of years at his premises in Boroko
before it went to its present location at the PNG
National Museum around 1979-80,
where
it is displayed to this day
References
Thanks to Bruce Hoy and Douglas Hubbard, Jr. for information
on this tank. The
book, "The Vital Factor: A History Of 2/6th Australian Armoured
Regiment 1941-1946" has details on the crew and wartime history
of this tank.
Stuart
