2nd Division (Australia)
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| 2nd Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 26 July 1915 - March, 1919 March, 1921 - April, 1944 April, 1948 - Present |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Australian Army Reserve |
| Type | Reserve division |
| Size | 5 Brigades |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Major General Iven Mackay Major General Herbert Lloyd |
Contents |
[edit] World War I
The Australian 2nd Division was formed from reinforcements training in Egypt on July 10, 1915 as part of the Australian Imperial Force to fight in World War I. It fought at Gallipoli during the latter stages of the campaign and then moved to the Western Front in France where it was the last Australian division to see combat.
After the war ended and the AIF was demobilised, the 2nd Division name was revived and assigned to an Australian Citizens Military Forces (reserve) unit.
[edit] World War I unit history
[edit] Gallipoli
August offensive.
[edit] France
To be completed.
[edit] Formation
[edit] 5th Brigade (New South Wales)
[edit] 6th Brigade (Victoria)
- 21st Battalion
- 22nd Battalion
- 23rd Battalion
- 24th Battalion
[edit] 7th Brigade
- 25th Battalion (Queensland)
- 26th Battalion (Queensland)
- 27th Battalion (South Australia)
- 28th Battalion (Western Australia)
[edit] Between the wars
[edit] World War II
The Australian Army's 2nd Division is an Citizens Military Forces/Militia (reserve) formation formed in 1921. During World War II it was comprised primarily of infantry units from New South Wales and was based initially in Sydney.
The assignment of battalions to brigades and divisions varied considerably within the army at the time.
[edit] New South Wales, 1939-42
When World War II broke out, the 2nd Division was commanded by Major General Iven Mackay. The division was partly mobilised, although the Militia was barred from overseas service. As a result, many members joined the Second Australian Imperial Force. In 1940, Maj. Gen. Herbert Lloyd assumed command of the division.
After the Pacific War began in December 1941, Militia members were prevented from joining the AIF, and were called up for full-time service. The 2nd Division was mobilised at Parramatta, as part of Eastern Command. Its first role was as a reserve in supporting the 1st Division in the defence of the Sydney region. It now comprised the 5th Brigade (based at Bathurst), the 8th Brigade (Wallgrove) and the 14th Brigade (Greta).
As the possibility of Japanese invasion loomed, in May 1942, the 14th Bde (3rd, 36th, 55th Battalions) was transferred to New Guinea Force.
[edit] Western Australia, 1942-44
In July, the 2nd Division was transferred to III Corps, for the defence of Western Australia (WA). The 5th Bde (54th, 56th and 44th Battalion, the latter being a WA unit) and 8th Bde (4th, 30th and 35th Battalions) were joined by the 13th Brigade (the 11th, 16th, 28th Battalions, all from WA).
As the tide of war turned in favour of the Allies, the division prepared for active service in the Australian territory of New Guinea. In early 1943, the 13th Bde was detached and the 2nd Brigade became part of the division until August 1943. When the 8th Brigade was transferred to the 5th Division in North Queensland in September 1943, for service in New Guinea, the 3rd Motor Brigade joined the division. During March-April 1944, the 5th Bde was moved to North Queensland to prepare for operational deployment, and the 2nd Division was officially disbanded in April.
[edit] Post-war
In 1948 the Citizen Military Forces were re-formed, firstly by voluntary enlistment but then by compulsory national service from 1951. The 2nd Division was formed again as the main CMF formation in New South Wales, but was disbanded in 1960 with the advent of the pentropic (five-battle group) organisation scheme.
The division was revived in 1965 and now commands all the reserve brigades in Australia (except the 7th and 11th which are with 1st Division/Deployable Joint Force Headquarters). These are the 4th in Victoria, the 5th and 8th in New South Wales, the 9th in South Australia and Tasmania, and the 13th in Western Australia.
[edit] External links
- First AIF Order of Battle 1914-1918: Second Division
- Army History Unit, "Brief History of 2nd Division".
| Australian Army Divisions in World War II |
| Militia 1st Division | 2nd Division | 3rd Division | 4th Division | 5th Division | 10th Division (Mk I) | 11th Division |
