Australian Army, World War II

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Contents 1 Overview 2 1st Australian Army Corps 3 Divisions 3.1 1st Division 3.2 2nd Division 3.3 3rd Division 3.4 4th Division 3.5 5th Division 3.6 6th Division 3.7 7th Division 3.8 8th Division 3.9 9th Division 3.10 10th Division 3.11 11th Division 3.12 12th Division

Overview

During the Second World War years of 1939 to 1945 there were three branches to the Australian Army: the continuing mostly Australian Army (Militia) forces, authorised by parliament for service on Australian soil only; a special overseas expeditionary force authorised by separate Act of Parliament, the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF); and the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC), similar to Britain's Home Guard. The three were distinct in reality and, to avoid confusion, should be kept distinct on WikiTree. Each of the three branches are sub-categories to this page. There were also three distinct women's services: Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS), Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), and Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS).

All came under the office of the Chief of the General Staff. And a worse-case scenario could not have been planned, with Lieutenant General Ernest Squires (13 Oct-26 Jan) dying in office, Major General John Northcott (27 Jan-17 Mar) filling-in for seven weeks, General Sir Brudenell White (18 Mar-13 Aug) being killed in an aircrash, all before one year was past! Little wonder then that Lieutenant General Vernon Sturdee was kept in the office for the next two years.

1st Australian Army Corps

1st Army Corps, or I Corps, was the Australian Army's main frontline corps during the Second World War; established on 11th April 1940 to oversee the divisions of the Second Australian Imperial Force. Various Australian and other Allied divisions came under its control at different times. In 1940–42, the corps was based in the Mediterranean Theatre. Major engagements fought during this time included:

• Libya (January-March 1941)
• Greece-Crete (April 1941), for this campaign I Corps was re-named ANZAC Corps, a reference to the combined Australian-New Zealand formations of The Great War.
• Syria-Lebanon (June 1941)

In 1942–45, it oversaw Allied frontline units in the South West Pacific Area and primarily comprised 6th Division, 7th Division and 9th Division (8th Division being mostly in captivity to the Japanese). In Papua and New Guinea it became known as New Guinea Force, taking over from ANGAU. The major engagements fought by units under New Guinea Force were:

• Kokoda Track (July-November 1942)
• Milne Bay (August-September 1942)
• Buna-Gona-Sanananda (November 1942-January 1943)

The following seven senior officers served as General Officer Commanding 1st Army Corps:

• 1940-41 Lieutenant General Thomas Blamey
• 1941-42 Lieutenant General John Lavarack
• Aug-Sep 1942 Lieutenant General Sydney Rowell
• Sep 1942-Aug 1943 Lieutenant General Edmund Herring
• Aug 1943-Jan 1944 Lieutenant General Iven Mackay
• Jan-Apr 1944, Sep 1944- Sep 1945 Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead
• Apr 1944 Lieutenant General Stanley Savige
• May-Aug 1944 Lieutenant General Frank Berryman

Wikipedia: New Guinea Force.

Divisions

1st Division

Upon the outbreak of the Second World War the 1st Division consisted of two infantry brigades – the 1st and 8th – as well as two field artillery regiments, one medium artillery regiment and two engineer field companies. In 1942, a large element of the existing Headquarters 1st Division staff formed the command element of Milne Force under Major General Clowes; tasked to secure the right flank of the Australian defensive line in Papua New Guinea, defeating a major Japanese amphibious assault at a key point in the campaign. By April 1943, the division consisted of the 1st, 9th and 28th Brigades, and was headquartered in Parramatta. As manpower restrictions in the Australian economy forced the early demobilisation of large numbers of men, the majority of which came from infantry units in Australia that were not involved in fighting overseas. The 1st Division was one of these units and by January 1945, when the 2nd Brigade was disbanded, the division consisted of only one infantry brigade, the 1st. The division was officially disbanded on 6th April 1945.

General Officers Commanding 1st Division during the Second World War were:

• 1939-39 Major General John Hardie DSO OBE
• 1939-40 Major General Robert Jackson CMG DSO
• 1940-41 Major General Albert Fewtrell DSO
• 1941-42 Major General Clowes DSO MC
• 1942-43 Major General Francis Derham DSO
• 1943-45 Major General Herbert Lloyd CB CMG CVO DSO

2nd Division

During the Second World War, the 2nd Division was composed primarily of infantry units from New South Wales and its headquarters was based initially in Sydney, around Parramatta. In May 1942, the 14th Brigade (3rd, 36th, and 55th Battalions) was transferred to New Guinea Force. in July, the 2nd Division was transferred to III Corps, for the defence of Western Australia, relieving the 4th Division around Guildford, Western Australia. The 5th Brigade (54th, 56th and 44th Battalions, the latter being a Western Australian unit) and 8th Brigade (4th, 30th and 35th Battalions) were joined by the 13th Brigade (the 11th, 16th, and 28th Battalions, all from Western Australia). As the threat to Australia diminished, allowing for a reduction in garrison forces, the division prepared for active service in the Australian territory of New Guinea.

The division had several General Officers Commanding:

• 1939-40 Major General Iven Mackay
• 1940-42 Major General James Cannan
• 1942-43 Major General Herbert Lloyd
• 1943-45 Major General Horace Robertson

Wikipedia: 2nd Division

3rd Division

Throughout 1940–41, the Militia were called up in cohorts for periods of continuous training, and the 3rd Australian Division, consisting of the 4th, 10th and 15th Brigades, undertook a series of training camps around Seymour, Victoria. The 10th Brigade was disbanded in 1942 to strengthen the other two brigades. The division was mobilised for war in December 1941 and initially undertook defensive duties in Australia before being deployed to New Guinea in 1943 where they took part in the Salamaua–Lae campaign against the Japanese in 1943–1944. The 4th Brigade was despatched to Milne Bay and replaced by the 29th Brigade in the division. The 7th Brigade was attached to the division in 1944. In late 1944 they were sent to Bougainville to take part in their final campaign of the war. There they undertook a series of advances across the island before the war came to an end in August 1945. Following the end of hostilities, the demobilisation process began and eventually the 3rd Division was disbanded on 4th December 1945.

The division's general officers commanding during the Second World War were:

• 1941-42 Major General Edmund Drake-Brockman CB CMG DSO
• 1942-43 Major General Stanley Savige CBE CB DSO MC ED
• 1943-45 Major General William Bridgeford CBE CB DSO MC

Wikipedia: 3rd Australian Division

4th Division

After the outbreak of war with Japan, the 4th Division was mobilised for war service and undertook defensive duties in southern Victoria, as part of Southern Command. In April 1942, the division became part of III Corps, with the 2nd Brigade, 6th Brigade and 13th Brigade. In April and May 1943, the division's headquarters was transferred to north Queensland, establishing itself around Townsville, absorbing personnel from the disbanded Yorkforce headquarters. At this time, the division assumed control of a broad area, with many dispersed brigades: the 6th at Kuranda, the 11th at Cairns, the 12th at Smyth's Siding, and the 14th at Cluden. It later gained the 3rd Brigade in their stead. As the war advanced north, the need for strong garrison forces on the mainland of Australia diminished. As more garrison troops were moved to the Torres Strait, the 4th Division's headquarters was moved to Thursday Island in October 1943, and then to Cape York. At this time, the division assumed control of Torres Strait Force and Merauke Force, although both forces were reduced or redesignated shortly after, with Merauke Force being redesignated as the 11th Brigade and later being withdrawn back to Brisbane, and Torres Strait Force being reduced to an area command. As further Allied advances in New Guinea reduced the threat posed to the area the 4th Division became redundant and its headquarters elements were withdrawn to Atherton and disbanded in October 1944. Its commanders were:

• Major General Francis Derham (1940–1942)
• Major General Jack Stevens (1942)
• Major General John Murray (1942–1944)

5th Division

The 5th Australian Division was re-raised as a Militia formation during the Second World War, and was mobilised for the defence of North Queensland in 1942, when it was believed that the area was a prime site for an invasion by Japanese forces. Most of the division was concentrated in the Townsville area, although the 11th Brigade was detached for the defence of Cairns and Cape York. The 7th and 29th Brigades were also attached to 5th Division. In 1943, the division took part in the final stages of the Salamaua–Lae campaign, in New Guinea, and then later in 1944 captured Madang during the Huon Peninsula campaign. In 1944–1945, the division was committed to the New Britain campaign, before being relieved in July 1945.

The following were General Officers Commanding the 5th Division during the Second World War:

• 1942-42 Major General James Durrant CMG DSO
• 1942-44 Major General Edward Milford CB CBE DSO
• 1944-45 Major General Alan Ramsay CB CBE DSO
• 1945-45 Major General Horace Robertson CBE DSO

6th Division

The 6th Australian Division was an infantry division of the Australian Army. It was raised briefly in 1917 during the Great War, but was broken up to provide reinforcements before seeing action. It was not re-raised until the outbreak of the Second World War, when it was formed as a unit of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF). Initially comprising the 16th, 17th and 18th Brigades, a 1940 re-structure required the transfer of the 18th Brigade to 7th Division and the raising of 19th Brigade in replacement. Throughout 1940–1941 the division served in the North African campaign (including Bardia, Tobruk and Benghazi), the Greek campaign (especially Mt Olympus and Tempe Gorge), on Crete (Retimo) and in Syria, fighting against the Germans, Italians and Vichy French. In 1942, the division left the Middle East and returned to Australia to meet the threat of Japan's entry into the war. Part of the division garrisoned Ceylon for a short period of time, before the division was committed to the Papua and New Guinea campaigns. In Papua, its component brigades had a major role in the successful counter-offensive along the Kokoda Track, at Buna–Gona and around Salamaua–Lae in 1942–1943. Throughout late 1943–1944, the division was re-organised in Australia before being committed as a complete formation to one of the last Australian operations of the war, around Aitape–Wewak, New Guinea, in 1944–1945.

General Officers Commanding 6th Division were:

• 1939-40 LT GEN Sir Thomas Blamey, later Field Marshal
• 1940-41 MAJ GEN Sir Iven Mackay, later temporary LT GEN
• 1941-42 MAJ GEN Sir Edmund Herring, later LT GEN
• 1942-42 MAJ GEN Allan Boase
• 1942-43 & 1945-45 MAJ GEN George Vasey
• 1943-45 MAJ GEN Jack Stevens
• 1945-45 MAJ GEN Horace Robertson, later LT GEN

Australian War Memorial: 6th Australian Division; accessed 4 May 2018

7th Division

The 7th Australian Division was raised in February 1940 as a second division within the 2nd Australian Imperial Force. After much to-ing and fro-ing of infantry brigades, the division finally settled with the 18th, 21st and 25th Brigades by mid-1941. The division gave itself the nickname, "The Silent Seventh", due to its perception that its achievements were unrecognised in comparison to the other Australian divisions. The 7th Division along with the 6th and 9th Australian Divisions were the only divisions to serve in both the Middle East and the South West Pacific theatres of war. The division formed the backbone of the allied invasion of Lebanon and Syria; with British, Indian and Free French forces combining to defeat Vichy French land forces. For his exploits during the campaign, Lieutenant Arthur Roden Cutler, of the 2/5th Field Regiment, was awarded the Victoria Cross. He would later became the longest-seving Governor of New South Wales. As was the 6th Division, the 7th were called back to Australia in 1942 and ordered to Papua, New Guinea and other areas to Australia's immediate north. There is scarcely a battle on New Guinea that did not include elements of the 7th. Towards the end of the war, the division made a highly-successful amphibous assault on Borneo to free it from Japanese control. A total of 2,063 men from the division were killed during the war, while a further 4,356 were wounded. Approximately 40,000 men served with the division between 1940 and 1946.

7th Division had four General Officers Commanding during the Second World War:

• 1941-41 MAJ GEN Sir John Lavarack
• 1941-42 MAJ GEN Arthur "Tubby" Allen
• 1942-44 MAJ GEN George Vasey
• 1944-45 MAJ GEN Edward Millford

• Australian War Memorial Unit: 7th Australian Division; accessed 15 May 2018.
• Dickens, Gordon. Never Late: The 2/9th Australian Infantry Battalion 1939–1945. Australian Military History Publications. ISBN 1-876439-47-5. Loftus, New South Wales, 2005.
• Johnston, Mark. The Silent 7th: An Illustrated History of the 7th Australian Division 1940–46. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-74114-191-5. Crows Nest, New South Wales, 2005.

8th Division

The 8th Australian Division was the third Division of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force to be raised in the Second World War. The division initially comprised three infantry brigades, the 22nd, 23rd and 24th Brigades. The 24th Brigade was transferred to 9th Division in 1940 and was replaced by the 27th Brigade in 1941. Unlike the 6th and 7th Divisions, which were shipped to the Middle East and Northern Africa, the 8th was sent north to defend Malaya, Singapore, Timor, Ambon and Rabaul against likely attack by the Japanese Empire. The Japanese did indeed attack in December 1941 and whilst the division (and Allies) put up a strong delaying defence, Malaya and then Singapore fell by February, followed closely by the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) and others. Some 1,789 8th Division soldiers were killed whilst 15,395 became prisoners of war. Many of these would die in inhumane conditions in Changi Prison, on forced marches and on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. The division, unable to build a 'battle nickname', have honourably been called The Changi Division.

A small, lesser-known force known as Mission 204 included forty men of the 8th Division, and served in China through 1942, advising the Chinese Army. The 23rd Brigade, although having lost its battalions at Ambon, Rabaul and Timor, was reinforced with Militia battalions, and it and other remaining elements of the 8th Division participated in the campaigns in the South West Pacific.

Two Generals Commanded the 8th Division:

• 1940-40 MAJ GEN Vernon Sturdee and
• 1940-42 MAJ GEN Gordon Bennett

Wikipedia: 8th Australian Division

9th Division

The 9th Australian Division – the Rats of Tobruk – was arguably Australia's most famous division in the Second World War. It certainly had the highest percentage of decorations bestowed, 1,094: seven Victoria Crosses (VC); 41 Companions of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO); nine Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE); 29 Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE); 119 Military Crosses (MC); 57 Distinguished Conduct Medals (DCM); 212 Military Medals (MM); nine British Empire Medals (BEM); 611 Mentions in Despatches. It also had a casualty rate approaching 25% of its personnel.

The division, when formed in 1940, comprised the 18th Brigade (transferred to 7th Division 1941), 24th Brigade (from 8th Division), 25th Brigade (transferred to 7th Division in 1941) and 26th Brigade. It received the 20th Brigade from 7th Division in 1941. The division fought in North Africa, New Guinea and Borneo.

9th Division had three General Officers Commanding during the war:

• 1940-41 Major General (later Lieutenant General) Henry Wynter
• 1941-43 Major General (later Lieutenant General) Sir Leslie Morshead
• 1943-45 Major General Sir George Wootten

10th Division

The 10th Division was a division of the Australian Military Forces, which served briefly during the Second World War. It was initially formed on 15th April 1942 from the Militia units of the Newcastle Covering Force. It comprised the 1st and 32nd Infantry Brigades. However, personnel shortages led to the division being disbanded in August that year. The division was commanded by Major General John Murray.

In 1945, as plans were being made for an invasion of the Japanese home islands, the name 10th Division was revived for a proposed Australian contingent. It was to use personnel drawn from existing units of the Australian Imperial Force. The war ended before the invasion took place and the division was not formally re-raised.

• Wikipedia: 10th Division.

11th Division

The 11th Australian Division was an Australian militia division formed during the Second World War on 1st October 1942 by the redesignation of Milne Force. The Division continued to see action in New Guinea through the Finisterre Range campaign and in New Britain. It was disbanded on 31st August 1945 upon completion of hostilities.

There were a succession of General Officers Commanding the Division:

• 1942-43 MAJ GEN Cyril Clowes
• 1943-43 BRIG Murray Moten
• 1943-43 MAJ GEN Arthur Allen
• 1943-44 MAJ GEN Allan Boase
• 1945-45 MAJ GEN Alan Ramsey
• 1945-46 MAJ GEN Kenneth Eather

12th Division

The 12th Australian Division existed as a formation by that name for fifteen days in 1942 before reverting to its better-known title of Northern Territory Force.

Northern Territory Force encompassed the Australian Army 7th Military District during the Second World War; covering all of the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia, with its headquarters at Darwin. Australian Army units were rotated through northern Australia during the war and six infantry brigades served as part of Northern Territory Force between 1942 and 1945. Northern Territory Force was re-named the 12th Division on 31st December 1942 and reverted to the title of Northern Territory Force on 15th January 1943; fifteen days, during which time it comprised the 3rd Brigade, 19th Brigade, 23rd Brigade, 2/4th Pioneer Battalion and 2/6th Cavalry Regiment. The formation was reduced over the course of the war as the strategic situation in the Pacific turned in the Allies' favour, although remnants remained until the end of the war. In early 1946, it was converted back to the 7th Military District. Its first commander was Major General Edmund Herring (April-August 1942), who arrived at a time when an invasion was expected.

Subsequent commanders were:

• Major General Jack Stevens (August 1942–March 1943)
• Major General "Tubby" Allen (March 1943–October 1944)
• Brigadier Robert Nimmo (acting; October 1944–January 1945)
• Major General John Murray (March 1945–January 1946)

Wikipedia: Northern Territory Force.