 In July it deployed to the Buna area in New Guinea where it was used on defensive duties carrying out patrols and providing labour for work parties.In late May 1944, the battalion was transported aboard the "Duntroon" to Lae, establishing itself around Buolo.In December 1944, the battalion was sent to New Britain, embarking upon the transport "Francis J. Parkman", and over the course of the next five months they undertook a campaign of harassment operations to keep the large number of Japanese forces stationed there off balance.