M Special Unit
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = M Special Unit
| image = M Special Unit (AWM P00286-003).jpg
| image_size = 320
| caption = Members of M Special Unit with New Guineans, 1945
| dates = 1943–45
| country = {{ubl|{{flag|Australia}}|{{flag|Dutch East Indies|name=Netherlands}}
|{{flag|New Zealand}}|{{flag|United Kingdom}}}}
| allegiance = Allies
| branch = Military intelligence
| role = Amphibious reconnaissance
Bomb disposal
Clandestine operation
Close-quarters combat
HUMINT
Irregular warfare
Jungle warfare
Long-range penetration
Military intelligence
Mountain warfare
Parachuting
Raiding
Special operations
Special reconnaissance
Tracking
| command_structure = SRD, Allied Intelligence Bureau
| battles = {{ubl|Second World War:}}
}}
M Special Unit, was a joint Allied special reconnaissance (special operations capable) unit, part of the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), in the South West Pacific theatre of the Second World War. A joint Australian, New Zealand, Dutch and British military intelligence unit, it saw action in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands between 1943–1945, against the Empire of Japan.Horner 1989, pp. 25–27.
History
In 1943, M Special Unit was formed as a successor to the Coastwatchers, with the role of the unit was focused upon gathering intelligence on Japanese shipping and troop movements. To achieve this mission, small teams were landed behind enemy lines by sea, air or land insertion. This was in contrast to its counterpart, Z Special Unit, which became well known for its direct-action commando-style raids.
A notable member of M Special Unit was Sergeant Leonard Siffleet, who was executed after being taken prisoner during Operation Whiting in 1943. A photograph of Siffleet in his last moments achieved iconic status following the war.{{cite web|url=https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/units/610|title=M Special Unit|work=RSL Virtual War Memorial|accessdate=15 September 2015}}
M Special Unit was disbanded at the end of the war on 10 November 1945.{{cite web|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww2/display/94623-m-special-unit|title=M Special Unit|publisher=Monument Australia|accessdate=15 October 2015}}
See also
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Notes
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References
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- Horner, David. (1989). SAS Phantoms of the Jungle: A History of the Australian Special Air Service. Allen & Unwin: Sydney. {{ISBN|1-86373-007-9}}
- [https://www.awm.gov.au/people/roll-search/roll_of_honour/?preferred_name=&service_number=&unit=M+Special+Unit&conflict=0&op=Search Roll of Honour for M Special Unit Members] at Australian War Memorial
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{{Aust SF}}
{{Australian Commando units of the Second World War}}
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Category:Military units and formations of Australia in World War II
Category:Military units and formations established in 1943
Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945