One of four infantry battalions raised in New Guinea to fight against the Japanese, 3 NGIB was formed in June 1945, and spent the remainder of the war training.

After becoming operational, it was sent to New Britain where it undertook garrison duties around Rabaul in the post war period.

[1] The New Guinea Volunteer Rifles was raised in 1939, but consisted entirely of Australian and European expatriates.

Its soldiers were primarily natives of New Guinea, under the command of Australian officers and NCOs.

[5] Established at Camp Diddy, near Nadzab, and drawing personnel from the PIR's depot battalion, 3 NGIB completed training there until August 1945.