Active 1943–1945 Engagements New Guinea campaign Allegiance Allies of World War II | Role special reconnaissance Branch Military intelligence Engagement New Guinea campaign | |
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Country Australia
New Zealand
United Kingdom Part of Service Reconnaissance Department, Allied Intelligence Bureau Battle honours No battle honours were awarded Similar Z Special Unit, Coastwatchers, Second Australian Imperial F, Kanga Force, Australian Army Reserve | ||
M Special Unit, was a joint Allied special reconnaissance unit, part of the Services Reconnaissance Department, in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II. 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.
The unit was formed in 1943, as a successor to The Coastwatchers. Hence M Special Unit's role was focused upon gathering intelligence on Japanese shipping and troop movements. Small teams from the unit were landed behind enemy lines by sea, air or land, in contrast to its counterpart, Z Special Unit ("Z Force"), which became well known for its direct-action commando-style raids.
Perhaps the best-known member of M Special Unit was Sergeant Leonard Siffleet, who was executed after being taken prisoner in 1943. A photograph of Siffleet in his last moments achieved iconic status following the war.
M Special Unit was disbanded at the end of the war on 10 November 1945.