41st Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery
Encyclopedia
41 Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery was formally raised in Egypt
during March 1916 for service with the 11th Field Artillery Brigade, part of 4th Division
Artillery. Today 41st Field Battery is one of 4 batteries that make up the 1st Field Regiment
, part of 7 Brigade
.
41st Field Battery took part in action in Egypt
, Sinai and on the Western Front. The battery was disbanded at the end of the war.
On 1 May 1948, a sub-unit battery of 3 Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment with 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns and searchlights was raised at Southport, Queensland
. In July 1960, the anti-aircraft era ended as the battery was re-organised as 41st Field Battery as part of 11th Field Regiment equipped with 25 pounder guns. Since then the battery has been equipped with the 105 mm L5
pack howitzers in 1965, 105 mm M2A2
towed howitzers in 1973, and finally the British-designed 105 mm L118/L119 Hamel gun in July 1992.
In 1995, 41 Battery achieved the honour of being presented the Mount Schank Challenge Trophy. This trophy is presented to the most proficient Army Reserve Field or Medium Battery on a biennial basis.
On 1 May 1997, as result of the restructuring of the Army, 41st Field Battery came under command of 1st Field Regiment
. From this date 14 Field Battery, also part of 11 Field Regiment and based at Ipswich, was merged with 41 Field Battery. Artillery in Ipswich first came about in 1866 when the 2nd Battery of the Queensland Volunteers was raised in Ipswich and has remained in existence ever since.
Today the battery forms an important part of the Australian Army
and is equipped with the British
designed 105 mm L118/L119 Hamel gun and provides close support fire to the Army.
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
during March 1916 for service with the 11th Field Artillery Brigade, part of 4th Division
Australian 4th Division (World War I)
The Australian 4th Division was formed in the First World War during the expansion of the Australian Imperial Force infantry brigades in February 1916. In addition to the experienced 4th Brigade were added the new 12th and 13th Brigades...
Artillery. Today 41st Field Battery is one of 4 batteries that make up the 1st Field Regiment
1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
The 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery is a close support regiment attached to the 7th Brigade at Enoggera Barracks in Queensland. The unit was formed in 1914 under the name 1st Australian Field Artillery Brigade, part of 1st Division Artillery during World War I and later served in World War...
, part of 7 Brigade
Australian 7th Brigade
7th Brigade is a combined arms formation or brigade of the Australian Army. The Brigade was first raised in 1915 as part of the First Australian Imperial Force and saw action at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during World War I. Following the end of the war the brigade was disbanded before...
.
History
During World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
41st Field Battery took part in action in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Sinai and on the Western Front. The battery was disbanded at the end of the war.
On 1 May 1948, a sub-unit battery of 3 Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment with 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns and searchlights was raised at Southport, Queensland
Southport, Queensland
-Sport:The Southport Sharks Australian rules football club has a presence in the area, including a club and function centre.-Transport:The Broadwaterway is a foreshoreway that encourages pedestrians and cyclists to travel along the Broadwater foreshores of Southport.A ferry terminal is planned for...
. In July 1960, the anti-aircraft era ended as the battery was re-organised as 41st Field Battery as part of 11th Field Regiment equipped with 25 pounder guns. Since then the battery has been equipped with the 105 mm L5
OTO Melara Mod 56
The OTO-Melara Mod 56 is an Italian-made 105 mm pack howitzer built and developed by OTO-Melara. It fires the standard US type M1 ammunition.-History:...
pack howitzers in 1965, 105 mm M2A2
M101 howitzer
The 105 mm M2A1 howitzer was the standard light field howitzer for the United States in World War II, seeing action in both European and Pacific theaters. Entering production in 1941, it quickly entered the war against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Pacific, where it gained a reputation...
towed howitzers in 1973, and finally the British-designed 105 mm L118/L119 Hamel gun in July 1992.
In 1995, 41 Battery achieved the honour of being presented the Mount Schank Challenge Trophy. This trophy is presented to the most proficient Army Reserve Field or Medium Battery on a biennial basis.
On 1 May 1997, as result of the restructuring of the Army, 41st Field Battery came under command of 1st Field Regiment
1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
The 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery is a close support regiment attached to the 7th Brigade at Enoggera Barracks in Queensland. The unit was formed in 1914 under the name 1st Australian Field Artillery Brigade, part of 1st Division Artillery during World War I and later served in World War...
. From this date 14 Field Battery, also part of 11 Field Regiment and based at Ipswich, was merged with 41 Field Battery. Artillery in Ipswich first came about in 1866 when the 2nd Battery of the Queensland Volunteers was raised in Ipswich and has remained in existence ever since.
Today the battery forms an important part of the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
and is equipped with the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
designed 105 mm L118/L119 Hamel gun and provides close support fire to the Army.
- The Battery was re-equipped with the M198 Medium Howizer in April 2008 and will now operate as a Medium Battery in 1 Field Regiment.The Bty's Hamel guns have now been redistributed to other units that man the 105mm light guns.
- Early 2010 the Battery was then changed back to the L118/L119
- in 2010 the battery introduced 25/49 infantry to the base.