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During the first years of World War II, Australia's military strategy was closely aligned with that of the United Kingdom. In line with this, most Australian military units deployed overseas in 1940 and 1941 were sent to the Mediterranean and Middle East where they formed a key part of the Commonwealth forces in the area.
Australia entered World War II on 3 September 1939. On 14 September Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced that 40,000 members of the Militia would be called up for training and a 20,000-strong expeditionary force, designated the Second Australian Imperial Force, would be formed for overseas service. Like its predecessor, the Second AIF was a ...
This force was larger than what the Australian economy could support, however, and was gradually reduced in size. [2] At the end of 1943 the Government determined that the Army's strength was to be six infantry divisions and two armoured brigades , though further reductions were ordered in August 1944 and June 1945. [ 3 ]
The following is a list of Australian divisions in World War II, including all divisions raised within the Australian Army during World War II. A total of 15 such formations were established by the army during the war; of these, four infantry divisions served as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, along with one armoured division.
The Australian government ultimately rejected the request to divert the 7th Division to Rangoon, [22] and although most of the force returned to Australia, Lavarack was not able to prevent some elements from landing in Java – mainly the troops on the transport Orcades consisting of a machine gun battalion (the 2/3rd) and a pioneer battalion ...
Although the UK had accommodated the main rear base for the First Australian Imperial Force during most of World War I, the deployment during 1940 was the only time significant numbers of Australian combat soldiers were stationed in the country during World War II. These soldiers arrived in mid-June on a convoy which had been diverted from its ...
Pages in category "Military units and formations of Australia in World War II" The following 67 pages are in this category, out of 67 total. This list may not reflect recent changes .
The 8th Military District, showing the Territory of Papua and the Territory of New Guinea (including the New Hebrides) At the outbreak of hostilities, Australia did not have forces in place for the defence of New Guinea and the New Hebrides, due to the League of Nations mandate under which the former German territories were administered. [5]