 Complete the following phrase:  The 62nd Battalion was gazetted as an AIF unit shortly after its formation, which meant that it could be deployed outside of Australian territory, and in January 1943, the 62nd sailed to Merauke, in Dutch New Guinea as part of Merauke Force. While defending Meraukes airstrip and port, the 62nd also carried out patrolling operations and undertook other garrison duties such as constructing defences, building roads and unloading ships. They remained at Merauke until February 1944 when the 62nd Battalion was relieved by the 20th Motor Regiment and returned to Australia, arriving in Brisbane in March. They then moved to Mount Stuart, near Townsville where they remained until they were disbanded in May 1944, as nearly 400 men from the battalion were transferred to the units of the 9th Division to make up for its losses during the operations around 