Fiji Infantry Regiment

Last updated
The Fiji Infantry Regiment
Fiji cap badge.PNG
Cap badge of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
Active1920–Present
CountryFlag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
BranchArmy
TypeLine Infantry
Role Light infantry
SizeSix battalions
Part of Republic of Fiji Military Forces
Garrison/HQRHQ – Suva
1st Battalion – Suva
2nd Battalion – Sinai
3rd Battalion – Suva
4th Battalion – Nadi
5th Battalion – Lautoka
7th/8th Battalion – Vanua Levu
MarchCori Mada Na Noqu Salusalu
Engagements
Commanders
Colonel-in-Chief President of Fiji

The Fiji Infantry Regiment is the main combat element of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. It is a light infantry regiment consisting of six battalions, of which three are regular army and three are Territorial Force. The regiment was formed with the foundation of the Fijian armed forces in 1920. The regiment, as it is today, goes back to 1978 following Fiji's independence. The Royal Australian Infantry Corps and Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment conduct yearly training seminars and exercises with the Fiji Infantry Regiment

Contents

Regular Force

Territorial Force

Each of the three battalions in the territorial force exists as a single regular infantry company, all of which come under the operational command of the 3rd Battalion. However, all of these can be augmented to full strength with the addition of TF volunteer companies as needed. All of these units were formed following the 1987 coups and the conversion of the 3rd Battalion to regulars:

History

World War II. A Fijian medical orderly administers an emergency plasma transfusion during heavy fighting on Bougainville, c. 1944. NZ 001445.jpg
World War II. A Fijian medical orderly administers an emergency plasma transfusion during heavy fighting on Bougainville, c. 1944.
Fijian soldiers attached to MFO during a mass-casualty exercise with the US military U.S. Soldiers work with Fijian forces to form Peace-keeping Battalion.jpg
Fijian soldiers attached to MFO during a mass-casualty exercise with the US military
Fijian UNIFIL peacekeepers, part of UNIFIL's Force Mobile Reserve, in southern Lebanon, 1989 FMR Fiji.jpg
Fijian UNIFIL peacekeepers, part of UNIFIL's Force Mobile Reserve, in southern Lebanon, 1989

The Fiji Infantry Regiment in its current form traces its history back to the Second World War. Prior to this, Fijian infantry was formed as a Territorial battalion, with additional rifle companies, as part of the Fiji Defence Force. In May 1940, a regular rifle company was formed. The first three intakes of recruits were then formed into the 1st Battalion, Fiji Defence Force in October 1940. The 2nd Battalion, formed after the outbreak of war, became the territorial unit. The unit served in World War II initially under the command of Col. J.E Workman of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). The main purpose of this unit at the time was to protect vulnerable points such as fuel dumps and important government buildings in the Suva area.

With the US entrance to the war, the US sought a forward training area and resupply base to serve as a potential line of defense against the Japanese sweep through the Pacific. Fiji geographically and logistically was the best location. In June 1942, the 37th Division in its entirety had established a base of operations throughout Fiji. With the arrival of US forces, it was decided to relieve the NZDF and place the Fiji Defense Force under US control. The shift of power was completed on June 30. The Fiji Defense Force saw extensive use throughout the war, and after the Solomon Islands Campaign the demobilization of Fiji Forces was announced on September 1, 1945.[ citation needed ] During the war, one member of the regiment, Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, received the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration of the Commonwealth for his actions during the fighting on Bougainville. [2]

With the Fijian independence in later years, the 1st Battalion was reactivated, this time under the control of the independent government of Fiji. In 1978, with the UN resolution to establish the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the 1st Battalion was deployed at the inception of UNIFIL. In 1981, following the decision by the UN not to send a peacekeeping force to the Sinai Peninsula, the Multinational Force and Observers organisation was established to serve as an independent multinational peacekeeping force in the region. Fiji volunteered an infantry battalion to serve as part of this force, and so the 2nd Battalion was converted from a territorial unit to regulars. The 2nd Battalion has served in Sinai with the MFO ever since. The 3rd Battalion was established as a regular unit following the 1987 coups, to serve as Fiji's main territorial defence formation. The 3rd Battalion also serves as the operational command unit for the territorial battalions, and provides fresh troops for both the 1st and 2nd Battalions. On 27 August 2014, 45 UNDOF peacekeepers were captured by the Al-Nusra Front and were released on 11 September 2014. [3] In March 2017, UNDOF peacekeepers deployed for the first time with Bushmaster protective mobility vehicles. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republic of Fiji Military Forces</span> Combined military forces of Fiji

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces is the military force of the Pacific island nation of Fiji. With a total manpower of about 6,500 active soldiers and approximately 6,200 reservists, it is one of the smallest militaries in the world and the third largest in the South Pacific region. The Ground Force is organised into six infantry and one engineer battalions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irish Army</span> Land service branch of the Irish Defence Forces

The Irish Army, also known within Ireland simply as the Army, is the land component of the Defence Forces of Ireland. The Irish Army has an active establishment of 7,520, and a reserve establishment of 3,869. Like other components of the Defence Forces, the Irish Army has struggled to maintain strength and as of April 2023 has only 6,322 active personnel, and 1,382 reserve personnel. The Irish Army is organised into two brigades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Jamaica Regiment</span> Military unit

The Jamaica Regiment is the main formation of land troops in the Jamaica Defence Force. It is a non-mechanised infantry regiment consisting of five battalions, three regular infantry battalions, one territorial infantry battalion, and a Combat Support Battalion. A fifth infantry battalion is starting to be formed. The regiment has two main operational missions:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand Army</span> Land component of the New Zealand Defence Force

The New Zealand Army is the principal land warfare force of New Zealand, a component of the New Zealand Defence Force alongside the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6th Infantry Regiment (United States)</span> Military unit

The 6th Infantry Regiment ("Regulars") was formed 11 January 1812. Zachary Taylor, later the twelfth President of the United States, was a commander of the unit. The motto, "Regulars, By God!" derives from the Battle of Chippawa, in which British Major General Phineas Riall noticed that the approaching regiment had on the uniforms of militia, which the British had defeated at Queenston Heights. Instead, the Americans pressed the attack. Riall is believed to have said, "Those are Regulars, By God!", though the only source of this was opposing U.S. General Winfield Scott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment</span> Military unit

The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment is the parent administrative regiment and corps of regular and reserve infantry battalions in the New Zealand Army. It was originally formed in 1947 with a singular Regular regiment and multiple reserve regiments. Over time, the regiments were turned into battalions, the reserve units amalgamated and more regular units raised and disbanded. Currently, the Regiment currently consists of two regular and three reserve battalions. Throughout its existence, units raised in this regiment have served and deployed on operations in Malaya, Vietnam, Borneo and various United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The 3rd Battalion, Auckland and Northland Regiment was a Territorial Force Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, with headquarters in Arch Hill Auckland Army Centre. The unit consists of company-sized units which have their headquarters in Auckland and Whangarei. The unit was part of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) headquartered at Waiouru.

The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, also known as the Dagger Brigade, is a maneuver brigade combat team in the 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Brigade (Australia)</span> Formation of the Australian Army

The 3rd Brigade is a combined arms brigade of the Australian Army, principally made up of the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment. Initially raised in 1903 as part of the post-Federation Australian Army, it was removed from the order of battle in 1906 following the restructure of the field force. It was re-formed in 1914 for service during World War I, taking part in the fighting at Gallipoli and on the Western Front in Europe. During World War II the brigade was used in a defensive role before it was disbanded in 1944. It was re-raised in 1967 for service during the Vietnam War and later went on to provide the nucleus of the deployment to East Timor during the Australian-led intervention in 1999. The brigade is currently based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">505th Infantry Regiment (United States)</span> Military unit

The 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, originally the 505th Infantry Regiment, is an airborne infantry regiment of the United States Army, one of four infantry regiments of the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army, with a long and distinguished history.

The U.S. 41st Infantry Regiment is a regiment of the United States Army. Its 1st Battalion is currently assigned to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Its 3rd Battalion was assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which was replaced in 2018 by 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">299th Cavalry Regiment (United States)</span> Military unit

The 299th Cavalry Regiment, formerly the 299th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed "The Koa Squadron", is a unit of the Hawaii Army National Guard. It was established in 1923 from the old 2nd Hawaiian Infantry Regiment, and it served during World War II as part of the 24th Infantry Division. The name "Koa" comes from the Hawaiian word for "Warrior", and is currently headquartered in Hilo, Hawaii. The 1st and 2nd Battalions, 299th Infantry were federally activated in 1968 to support the United States Army Pacific during the Vietnam War. More recently 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment deployed to Iraq and again after being re-flagged in 2007 as 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry Regiment.

The 45th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Territorial Force, part of the British Army. It was formed in the First World War as a duplicate of the 43rd (Wessex) Division and was originally formed as the 2nd Wessex Division in 1914–1915 before later being renamed as the 45th Division and the brigades numbered. It was sent overseas to India in December 1914 to relieve Regular Army units for service in France. The division remained there for the rest of the war, supplying drafts of replacements to the British units fighting in the Middle East and later complete battalions.

The 134th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Territorial Force, part of the British Army. It was formed in the First World War as a duplicate of the Hampshire Brigade and was originally formed as the 2nd/1st Hampshire Brigade in 1914–1915 before later being renamed as the 134th Brigade. It was sent overseas to India in December 1914 to relieve Regular Army units for service in France. The brigade remained there for the rest of the war, supplying drafts of replacements to the British units fighting in the Middle East and later complete battalions. By September 1917 the last of its battalions had departed.

The 135th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Territorial Force, part of the British Army. It was formed in the First World War as a duplicate of the South Western Brigade and was originally formed as the 2nd/1st South Western Brigade in 1914–1915 before later being renamed as the 135th Brigade. It was sent overseas to India in December 1914 to relieve Regular Army units for service in France. The brigade remained there for the rest of the war, supplying drafts of replacements to the British units fighting in the Middle East and later complete battalions.

The 136th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Territorial Force, part of the British Army. It was formed in the First World War as a duplicate of the Devon and Cornwall Brigade and was originally formed as the 2nd/1st Devon and Cornwall Brigade in 1914–1915 before later being renamed as the 136th Brigade. It was sent overseas to India in December 1914 to relieve Regular Army units for service in France. The brigade remained there for the rest of the war, supplying drafts of replacements to the British units fighting in the Middle East and later complete battalions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Structure of the New Zealand Army</span>

This article describes the current structure of the New Zealand Army. It includes the army's order of battle and the headquarters locations of major units.

IV Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery , along with its sister III Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.), was a Royal Horse Artillery brigade of the Territorial Force that was formed in Egypt in April 1916 for the ANZAC Mounted Division.

The Northern Cyclist Battalion was a bicycle infantry battalion of the Territorial Force, part of the British Army. Formed in 1908, it served in the United Kingdom throughout the First World War and in 1920 it was converted as part of the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Jone Logavatu Kalouniwai is a major general in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) who currently serves as the commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces since 16 September 2021. Previously named as director general of National Security and Intelligence, Ministry of Defence and National Security from May 2020 to September 2021, he also served as section commander in Lebanon and instructor at the RFMF Training School.

References

  1. ↑ Goldstone, Paul. "Ronald Arthur Tinker". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography . Ministry for Culture and Heritage . Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  2. ↑ "No. 36774". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 November 1944. pp. 5016–5017.
  3. ↑ Kanishk KANISHK, Major Chauhan. "Mornings would not be the same..." (PDF). Golan the UNDOF Journal. 140 (July - September 2014): 12. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  4. ↑ Sorovi, Jese (29 April 2017). "RFMF Enhance its peacekeeping capability" (Press release). Republic of Fiji Military Force. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.