In late 1940 the Australian Army began considering the issue of raising independent companies or commando units for the conduct of irregular warfare. Based upon proposals and advice from the British Military Mission in Australia, in March 1941 the Army began training company-sized units that would act independently of higher command to carry out tasks such as raiding, sabotage, and subversion.

 

Initially, these units were intended to be sent to the Middle East as part of the 2nd AIF, however, following Japan's entry into the war they were hastily deployed to the islands to the north of Australia, to act first as an observation and early warning force and then, following the arrival of Japanese forces, to carry out delaying and harassment operations and to act as stay-behind forces conducting a guerrilla style of warfare. Many of these commando units went through numerous role changes and restructures as warfare in the pacific evolved throughout the campaign. Below is a brief history of each of the WWII Commando units.