2nd Division (Australia)

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2nd Division
The 2nd Division's formation sign during World War II
The 2nd Division's formation sign during World War II
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

3rd Medium Trench Mortar Battery in action, Ville-sur-Ancre 29 May 1918
3rd Medium Trench Mortar Battery in action, Ville-sur-Ancre 29 May 1918

To be completed.

[edit] Formation

[edit] 5th Brigade (New South Wales)

Remnants of the 6th Brigade returning from Pozières, August 1916.
Remnants of the 6th Brigade returning from Pozières, August 1916.

[edit] 6th Brigade (Victoria)

  • 21st Battalion
  • 22nd Battalion
  • 23rd Battalion
  • 24th Battalion
7th Brigade fatigue party passing the "Gibraltar" bunker, Pozières, August 1916.
7th Brigade fatigue party passing the "Gibraltar" bunker, Pozières, August 1916.

[edit] 7th Brigade

[edit] Artillery

2nd Division Artillery

[edit] Field Ambulance

2nd Division Field Ambulance

[edit] Commanders

1915-17: Maj. Gen. J. G. Legge
1917-18: Maj. Gen. N. M. Smyth
1918-19: Maj. Gen. C. Rosenthal


[edit] Between the wars

[edit] World War II

The Australian Army's 2nd Division is a 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. 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. These are the 4th in Victoria, the 5th and 8th in New South Wales, the 9th in South Australia and Tasmania, the 11th in Queensland and the 13th in Western Australia.

[edit] See Also

Military history of Australia during World War I


[edit] External links

v • d • e
Australian Army Divisions in World War II