4th Armoured Brigade (Australia)

Australian 4th Armoured Brigade

4th Australian Armoured Brigade formation sign
Active 1943–1946
Country  Australia
Branch Army
Type Armoured
Role Infantry support
Equipment Matilda II and M3 Grant tanks

The Australian 4th Armoured Brigade was formed in January 1943 to provide armoured support for Australian Army units operating in the South West Pacific Area. The Brigade was never intended to serve as a single formation, rather its role was to provide a pool of armoured units from which units and sub-units could be provided to augment infantry forces. The Brigade was also responsible for developing doctrine and specialised armoured vehicles for armoured warfare in tropical terrain.

In keeping with the Brigade's task of providing armoured units to other formations, the Brigade's armoured regiments were organised into self-supporting regimental groups and the Brigade did not possess the reconnaissance, infantry and other supporting elements which were common in Second World War era armoured brigades.

The 4th Armoured Brigade was disbanded in March 1946.

Contents

Composition

Upon formation

Upon disbandment

Elements of the Brigade in action

See also

References

  • Hopkins, R.N.L. (1978). Australian Armour: A History of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps 1927–1972. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-642-99407-2.