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The Australian Army has used tanks from after the First World War, through the interwar period, the Second World War, the Cold War and to the present day. Throughout this period the Army has primarily been a light infantry force, with its tanks mainly being used in the direct support role.
Crew of M3 tank at Souk el Arba, Tunisia, November 23, 1942. The M3 tank's first action during the war was in 1942 during the North African Campaign. [36] British Lees and Grants were in action against Rommel's forces at the Battle of Gazala on 27 May. In the preparations for the battle the Eighth Army received 167 M3 tanks.
The Australian Army formed its first armoured units in the late 1920s when two independent Tank Sections equipped with Vickers Medium tanks were formed in New South Wales and Victoria. [1] An armoured car regiment was formed in 1933 based on part of the 19th Light Horse Regiment (the remaining part of the 19th later became a machine-gun ...
The decision to form the 1st Armoured Division was inspired by the success of mass tank tactics in Europe during the early stages of World War II. [1] The Australian War Cabinet approved the formation of an armoured division in July 1940, [2] and 1st Armoured Division was established on 1 July 1941, under the command of Major General John Northcott. [3]
As a result, the majority of Australia's military weapons and equipment were initially imported from the United Kingdom or the United States. However, as the war progressed, many of these imported items were gradually replaced by locally produced versions, as Australia's industrial capacity expanded to meet the demands of the conflict.
The 1st Army Tank Battalion was equipped with Matilda II infantry tanks and had previously formed part of the 3rd Army Tank Brigade. [6] The 2/6th Armoured Regiment had formed part of the 1st Armoured Division until August 1942 when it and its M3 Stuart light tanks were transferred to New Guinea.
The Army operates the M3 version. [30] The Army has purchased 600 of the latest version the M4 with first deliveries received in 2021. [30] [31] The M4 will be rolled out over five years. An M3 will be replaced when it reaches its ten year life span. [30] The Army has yet to procure a fire control system for the M4. [30]
Elements of the 3rd Army Tank Brigade's support units were attached to the 2nd and 3rd Army Tank Battalions to form self-sustaining battalion groups. The 2nd Army Tank Battalion was also re-equipped with M3 Grant medium tanks in September 1943. Both of the tank battalion groups were disbanded in March 1944. [9]