the new 31st/51st battalion was deployed to new guinea with the 11th brigade, where it formed part of merauke force and was subsequently designated as an aif battalion in 1944. following this, and a return to australia, the battalion was then deployed to the solomon islands, where it saw its heaviest fighting of the war at tsimba ridge and porton plantation, on bougainville. the battalion was finally disbanded on 4 july 1946. during the course of the war, the 31st/51st battalion lost 61 men killed in action or died on active service, while a further 168 men were wounded. members of the battalion received the following decorations: one dso, one dcm, three mcs, 10 mms, one british empire medal (bem) and 27 mids.