| 56th Battalion (Australia) | |
|---|---|
Soldiers of the 56th Battalion in 1937 |
|
| Active | 1916–1919 1921–1944 1956–1958 |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | ~800–1,000 officers and men |
| Part of | 14th Brigade, 5th Division (WWI) 5th Brigade, 2nd Division (WWII) |
| Engagements | World War I |
The 56th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in 1916 for service during the World War I and took part in the fighting in the trenches of the Western Front in France and Belgium before being amalgamated with the 54th Battalion in late 1918 following the German Spring Offensive reduced the numbers in both battalions.
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The 56th Battalion was originally raised in Egypt on 14 February 1916 as part of the reorganisation and expansion of the AIF following the Gallipoli campaign.[1] This was achieved by transfering cadres of experienced personnel predominately from the 1st Division to the newly formed battalions and combining them with recently recruited personnel who had been dispatched as reinforcements from Australia.[2] The unit's first intake of personnel were drawn from men originating from New South Wales, many of whom had already served with the 4th Battalion. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Allan Humphrey Scott, the battalion became part of the 14th Brigade attached to the 5th Australian Division.[3]
After arriving in France on 30 June 1916. the battalion was committed to the fighting, taking part in the battle of Fromelles during July, suffering heavy casualties.[3] Following this, it saw service on the Hindenburg Line in early 1917 and in September during the battle of Polygon Wood.[3] In early 1918, it assisted in the repulse of the major German offensive on the Western Front following the collapse of Russia.[3] During late September and early October it took part in the battle of St. Quentin Canal. The 56th Battalion was amalgamated with the 54th Battalion on 11 October forming the 54th/56th Battalion;[4] together they were later also amalgamated with the rest of the 14th Brigade's battalions into one unit, with the 56th Battalion being disbanded on 10 April 1919.
During the fighting, it suffered lost 529 killed in action or died on active service and 1,630 wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: two Distinguished Service Orders (DSO), one Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), 21 Military Crosses (MCs) with one Bar, 20 Distinguished Conduct Medals (DCMs), 50 Military Medals (MMs), 9 Meritorious Service Medals (MSMs), 25 Mention in Despatches (MIDs) and eight foreign awards.[3]
The battalion appears to have been reformed in 1921 and was known as The Riverina Regiment.
The 56th Battalion undertook garrison duties in New South Wales and Western Australia, as part of the 5th Brigade of the 2nd Division, during World War II. The battalion was disbanded in July 1944.
Reformed in 1956, the 56th Reconnaissance Battalion (Riverina Regiment) with the 7th/21st Australian Horse formed the basis of the reformed 4th Battalion, which was raised in 1958.