Australian 1st Armoured Division
Encyclopedia
The Australian 1st Armoured Division was raised in 1941 as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force
(AIF). While the Division was originally to be deployed to North Africa
in late 1941, it was retained in Australia following the outbreak of the Pacific War
. The 1st Armoured Division formed a key element of Australia's defences against a feared Japanese invasion and was disbanded in Western Australia
in September 1943.
tactics in Europe
during the early stages of World War II
. The Australian War Cabinet approved the formation of an Armoured Division in November 1940 and 1st Armoured Division was established on 1 July 1941 under the command of Major General John Northcott
. The Australian Armoured Corps was established at the same time, with the Corps being formally gazetted on 9 July 1941.
Upon its formation the 1st Armoured Division faced several key challenges. The formation of an armoured division involved a massive expansion of Australia's armoured forces, with the result that the great majority of the division’s officers and soldiers had to be trained from scratch in newly established armoured warfare schools. This process was greatly complicated by the tiny number of tanks which were available to the division, with the entire division having only 8 Vickers VI Light Tanks upon its formation. While the number of tanks available to the division slowly increased over 1941 and early 1942, it did not receive its full allocation of tanks until May 1942.
the 1st Armoured Division had been scheduled to deploy to the Middle East where it would be fully equipped and complete its training (1st Armoured Brigade was to embark for the Middle East in December 1941, with 2nd Armoured Brigade embarking in March 1942). These plans were, however, dropped in early December 1941 when it was decided to retain the division in Australia to defend against the feared Japanese landings on the Australian mainland
. As an emergency measure the division's armoured regiments were equipped with Bren Carriers
until sufficient tanks arrived.
Maj. Gen. Horace Robertson
replaced Northcott in April 1942 when Northcott was promoted to command the newly established II Corps
. The 1st Armoured Division's armoured regiments were equipped with M3 Grant medium tanks and M3 Stuart light tanks in April and May 1942. Following this, the Division was concentrated in northern New South Wales
where it completed its training with a series of large exercises.
In January 1943, the division was moved to the area between Perth
and Geraldton, Western Australia
where it formed part of III Corps
to counter the perceived threat of a Japanese invasion of Western Australia. The divisional headquarters moved between various rural locations, just west of Moora
.
the 1st Armoured Division no longer had any real role by 1943. While the Division was disbanded in September 1943, its 1st Armoured Brigade and other units was retained as the independent 1st Armoured Brigade Group. This brigade group unit remained part of III Corps in Western Australia until its disbandment in September 1944.
The 4th Armoured Brigade
, which was established in March 1943 and included several regiments which had previously formed part of the 1st Armoured Division, provided all the Australian armoured units which saw action from 1943 until the end of the war.
s which had been part of the division later saw action in the South West Pacific Area
.
(Other armoured units, such as the 1st Armoured Regiment, which also took part in the Borneo campaign, were Militia
units which had not formed part of the 1st Armoured Division.)
Second Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
(AIF). While the Division was originally to be deployed to North Africa
North African campaign
During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...
in late 1941, it was retained in Australia following the outbreak of the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
. The 1st Armoured Division formed a key element of Australia's defences against a feared Japanese invasion and was disbanded in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
in September 1943.
Formation
The decision to form the 1st Armoured Division was inspired by the success of mass tankTank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
tactics in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
during the early stages of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The Australian War Cabinet approved the formation of an Armoured Division in November 1940 and 1st Armoured Division was established on 1 July 1941 under the command of Major General John Northcott
John Northcott
Lieutenant General Sir John Northcott KCMG, KCVO, CB was an Australian Army general who served as Chief of the General Staff during World War II, and commanded the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in the Occupation of Japan...
. The Australian Armoured Corps was established at the same time, with the Corps being formally gazetted on 9 July 1941.
Upon its formation the 1st Armoured Division faced several key challenges. The formation of an armoured division involved a massive expansion of Australia's armoured forces, with the result that the great majority of the division’s officers and soldiers had to be trained from scratch in newly established armoured warfare schools. This process was greatly complicated by the tiny number of tanks which were available to the division, with the entire division having only 8 Vickers VI Light Tanks upon its formation. While the number of tanks available to the division slowly increased over 1941 and early 1942, it did not receive its full allocation of tanks until May 1942.
Defence of Australia
Prior to the commencement of hostilities with JapanPacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
the 1st Armoured Division had been scheduled to deploy to the Middle East where it would be fully equipped and complete its training (1st Armoured Brigade was to embark for the Middle East in December 1941, with 2nd Armoured Brigade embarking in March 1942). These plans were, however, dropped in early December 1941 when it was decided to retain the division in Australia to defend against the feared Japanese landings on the Australian mainland
Planned invasion of Australia during World War II
In early 1942 elements of the Imperial Japanese Navy proposed an invasion of Australia. This proposal was opposed by the Japanese Army and was rejected in favour of a policy of attacking Midway Island and isolating Australia from the United States via blockade by advancing through the South...
. As an emergency measure the division's armoured regiments were equipped with Bren Carriers
Universal Carrier
The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrong. Produced between 1934 and 1960, the vehicle was used widely by British Commonwealth forces during the Second World War...
until sufficient tanks arrived.
Maj. Gen. Horace Robertson
Horace Robertson
Lieutenant General Sir Horace Clement Hugh Robertson KBE, DSO was a senior officer in the Australian Army who served in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War...
replaced Northcott in April 1942 when Northcott was promoted to command the newly established II Corps
Australian II Corps
The Australian II Corps was an Australian Army corps. II Corps was established in early 1942 to command Australian Army units deployed to protect the Sydney region and later commanded operational units in New Guinea, Bougainville and New Britain...
. The 1st Armoured Division's armoured regiments were equipped with M3 Grant medium tanks and M3 Stuart light tanks in April and May 1942. Following this, the Division was concentrated in northern New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
where it completed its training with a series of large exercises.
In January 1943, the division was moved to the area between Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
and Geraldton, Western Australia
Geraldton, Western Australia
Geraldton is a city and port in Western Australia located north of Perth in the Mid West region. Geraldton has an estimated population at June 2010 of 36,958...
where it formed part of III Corps
Australian III Corps
III Corps was an Australian Army unit during World War II. It was responsible for the defence of Western Australia in 1942-45.The founding unit of the corps was a West Australian-formed Militia unit, the 13th Brigade...
to counter the perceived threat of a Japanese invasion of Western Australia. The divisional headquarters moved between various rural locations, just west of Moora
Moora, Western Australia
Moora is a townsite located 177 km north of Perth in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. Moora was one of the original stations on the Midland railway line to Walkaway, and the townsite was gazetted in 1895...
.
Disbandment
Due to the end of the Japanese threat to Australia and the unsuitability of large armoured formations in jungle warfareJungle warfare
Jungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain.It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for both sides in many conflicts, including World War II and the...
the 1st Armoured Division no longer had any real role by 1943. While the Division was disbanded in September 1943, its 1st Armoured Brigade and other units was retained as the independent 1st Armoured Brigade Group. This brigade group unit remained part of III Corps in Western Australia until its disbandment in September 1944.
The 4th Armoured Brigade
Australian 4th Armoured Brigade
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...
, which was established in March 1943 and included several regiments which had previously formed part of the 1st Armoured Division, provided all the Australian armoured units which saw action from 1943 until the end of the war.
Former elements of the 1st Armoured Division in action
While 1st Armoured Division never saw action, three regimentRegiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
s which had been part of the division later saw action in the South West Pacific Area
South West Pacific Area
South West Pacific Area was the name given to the Allied supreme military command in the South West Pacific Theatre of World War II. It was one of four major Allied commands in the Pacific theatres of World War II, during 1942–45...
.
- In September 1942, the 2/6th Armoured Regiment, equipped with M3 Stuart light tanks, was deployed to New GuineaNew GuineaNew Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
. Elements of the 2/6th served at the Battle of Buna-GonaBattle of Buna-GonaThe Battle of Buna–Gona was a battle in the New Guinea campaign, a major part of the Pacific campaign of World War II. On 16 November 1942, Australian and United States forces attacked the main Japanese beachheads in New Guinea, at Buna, Sanananda and Gona. Both forces were riddled by disease and...
.
- During 1944–45 the 2/4th Armoured Regiment saw action in the Bougainville campaign and then in the AitapeAitapeAitape is a small town of about 8,000 people on the north coast of Papua New Guinea in the Sandaun Province. It is a coastal settlement that is almost equidistant from the provincial capitals of Wewak and Vanimo, and marks the midpoint of the highway between these two capitals...
-WewakWewakWewak is the capital of the East Sepik province of Papua New Guinea. It is located on the northern coast of the island of New Guinea. It is the largest town between Madang and Jayapura. It is the see city of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wewak....
campaign in New Guinea, equipped with Matilda tankMatilda tankThe Infantry Tank Mark II known as the Matilda II was a British infantry tank of the Second World War. It was also identified from its General Staff Specification A12....
s.
- The 2/9th Armoured Regiment, also using Matildas, served in the Borneo campaign (1945)Borneo campaign (1945)The Borneo Campaign of 1945 was the last major Allied campaign in the South West Pacific Area, during World War II. In a series of amphibious assaults between 1 May and 21 July, the Australian I Corps, under General Leslie Morshead, attacked Japanese forces occupying the island. Allied naval and...
, including the Australian amphibious landings at TarakanTarakan IslandTarakan is an island off the coast of East Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is a marshy island situated in the eastern Celebes Sea, off the northeastern coast of Borneo. The island occupies an area of .-Petroleum:...
, SarawakSarawakSarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
, BruneiBruneiBrunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
, LabuanLabuanLabuan is a federal territory in East Malaysia. It is an island off the coast of the state of Sabah. Labuan's capital is Victoria and is best known as an offshore financial centre offering international financial and business services via Labuan IBFC since 1990 as well as being an offshore support...
and British BorneoSabahSabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
in 1945.
(Other armoured units, such as the 1st Armoured Regiment, which also took part in the Borneo campaign, were Militia
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
units which had not formed part of the 1st Armoured Division.)
Order of battle upon formation
At the time of its formation in July 1941, 1st Armoured Division consisted of:- Divisional Headquarters
- 2/11 Armoured Car Regiment2/11th Armoured Car Regiment (Australia)The 2/11th Armoured Car Regiment was an Australian Army armoured reconnaissance regiment of World War II. The Regiment was formed in 1941 and disbanded in 1944 without seeing action.-History:...
- 2/3 Field Squadron, Royal Australian EngineersRoyal Australian EngineersThe Royal Australian Engineers is a corps of the Australian Army . The RAE is ranked fourth in seniority of the corps of the Australian Army, behind the Staff Cadets, Armoured and Artillery Corps...
(RAE) - 4 Field Squadron, RAE
- 2/1 Field Park Squadron, RAE
- 1st Armoured Brigade1st Armoured Brigade (Australia)The 1st Australian Armoured Brigade was a formation of the Australian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in July1941, at Tamworth, New South Wales and disbanded November 1944...
- 2/5th Armoured Regiment2/5th Armoured Regiment (Australia)The 2/5th Armoured Regiment was an armoured regiment of the Australian Army. Raised for service during World War II, the regiment was formed in 1941 and disbanded at the end of the war in 1945 without having been deployed outside of Australia.-History:...
- 2/6th Armoured Regiment2/6th Armoured Regiment (Australia)The 2/6th Armoured Regiment was an armoured regiment of the Australian Army that served during World War II. Raised in 1941 the Regiment took part in the Battle of Buna–Gona in 1942–43, however, it did not see further action during the war and was disbanded in September 1945.-History:The 2/6th...
- 2/7th Armoured Regiment2/7th Armoured Regiment (Australia)The 2/7th Armoured Regiment was an armoured regiment of the Australian Army. Raised for service during World War II in October 1941, it was initially intended to serve in the Middle East, however due to the changing nature of the war and manpower shortages, the regiment never saw service outside of...
- 2/5th Armoured Regiment
- 2nd Armoured Brigade2nd Armoured Brigade (Australia)The 2nd Australian Armoured Brigade was a formation of the Australian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in July1 941, at Puckapunyal, Victoria and disbanded April 1944...
- 2/8th Armoured Regiment2/8th Armoured Regiment (Australia)The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was an armoured regiment of the Australian Army. It was raised for service during World War II, being formed in July 1941. It deployed to New Guinea in 1943 but did not see any action before being disbanded in February 1944....
- 2/9th Armoured Regiment2/9th Armoured Regiment (Australia)The 2/9th Armoured Regiment was an armoured regiment of the Australian Army. Raised for service during World War II, the regiment was formed in August 1941 and spent most of the war in Australia...
- 2/10th Armoured Regiment2/10th Armoured Regiment (Australia)The 2/10th Armoured Regiment was an armoured regiment of the Australian Army. Formed for service during World War II, the regiment was raised in 1941, but was disbanded in late 1944 having never been deployed overseas.-History:...
- 2/8th Armoured Regiment
- 1st Support Group1st Support Group (Australia)The 1st Support Group was a formation of the Australian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in February 1942, at Victoria Barracks, Sydney and assigned to the 1st Armoured Division. Support Groups were brigade sized formations assigned to armoured divisions that commanded the infantry...
from February 1942- 17th Motor Regiment
- 108th Anti Tank Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
- 16th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
- Divisional Administration Troops
Order of battle upon disbandment
At the time of the Division's disbandment in September 1943 it consisted of:- Divisional Headquarters
- 2nd/11 Armoured Car Regiment
- 16 Field Regiment, RAA
- 112 Anti-Tank Regiment, RAA
- 1st Armoured Brigade
- 2/5 Armoured Regiment
- 2/7 Armoured Regiment
- 2/10 Armoured Regiment
- 15 Motor Regiment
- 3rd Motor Brigade3rd Motor Brigade (Australia)The 3rd Motor Brigade was a formation of the Australian Army during World War II. The brigade was converted in March 1942, from the 1st Cavalry Brigade. The brigade was assigned to the 2nd Australian Motor Division in September 1942, it then was assigned to the III Corps between October 1942 and...
- 4 Motor Regiment
- 26 Motor Regiment
- 101 Motor Regiment
- Divisional Administration Troops
1st Armoured Brigade Group
From September 1943 to September 1944 the Division’s former 1st Armoured Brigade group served as an independent brigade. In September 1943 the Brigade Group consisted of:- Brigade Headquarters
- 2/1 Armoured Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron
- 2/5 Armoured Regiment
- 2/7 Armoured Regiment
- 2/10 Armoured Regiment
- 15 Motor Regiment
- Brigade Administration Troops
See also
- Australian 1st Armoured Vehicle Marking
- Australian Armoured Units of World War IIAustralian Armoured Units of World War IIArmoured units made a relatively small, but important, contribution to Australia’s war effort during World War II. While Australia formed three armoured divisions and two independent armoured brigades during the war, Australian armoured units only saw action as independent regiments and companies...
