 The Australian Army formed commando units, known as Australian independent companies in the early stages of World War II.They first saw action in early 1942 during the Japanese assault on New Ireland, and in the Battle of Timor.Part of the 2/1st Independent Company was wiped out on New Ireland, but on Timor, the 2/2nd Independent Company formed the heart of an Allied force that engaged Japanese forces in a guerrilla campaign.