Embarking upon the troopship "Aronda" at Port Tewfik on 12 February 1942, the sailed for Australia. After briefly disembarking at Port Sudan, they continued on to Colombo and then to Fremantle, before continuing on to their final destination. Arriving in Adelaide on 28 March 1942, the 2/8th took over billets in Strathalbyn before subsequently deploying by train to the Northern Territory, in late May to defend against a possible Japanese invasion, that never eventuated. During this time, the battalion was based around Adelaide River, about to the south of Darwin. From there they were poised to deploy across a broad front in the case of invasion. In February 1943, Lieutenant Colonel W. Stace Howden assumed command of the battalion after Winning took over command of the 3rd Brigade. While other elements of the 6th Division were sent to New Guinea in late 1942 and early 1943 and saw combat against the Japanese along the Kokoda Track and around Wau, the 19th Brigade remained in Darwin until June 1943, when the 19th Brigade was moved to northern Queensland as the 6th Division's other two brigades – the 16th and 17th  – returned to Australia from New Guinea. As the division was brought back up to strength, a long period of training followed. Consequently, it was not until late in the war that the 2/8th was committed to its first, and only, campaign against the Japanese, deploying to Aitape–Wewak in November 1944, as the Australians took over from US forces in the region.