3rd Division (Australia)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).

This article is part of the
ANZAC series.

Military History

Australia | New Zealand

Expeditionary Forces

AIF | NZEF

Corps

ANZAC | I Anzac | II Anzac
Australian | Desert Mounted

Divisions

Aus 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th
NZ & Aus | New Zealand
Anzac Mounted | Aus Mounted

The Australian 3rd Division was a first formed in World War I, as part of the Australian Imperial Force. It was an infantry division formed in Australia in March 1916 and which began to arrive in England in July at which time General John Monash was appointed as the commander. The division underwent training on Salisbury Plain before moving to France at the end of 1916.

After the war ended and the AIF was demobilised, the 3rd Division name was revived and assigned to an Citizens Military Forces/Militia (reserve) unit. This division saw action in the closing stages of World War II, in the New Guinea campaign.

1 World War I unit history
2 Structure
3 Between the wars
4 World War II
5 Notes
6 External links

[edit] World War I unit history

To be completed.

[edit] Structure

[edit] 9th Brigade (New South Wales)

33rd Battalion
34th Battalion
35th Battalion
36th Battalion

[edit] 10th Brigade (Victoria)

37th Battalion
38th Battalion
39th Battalion
40th Battalion (Tasmania)

[edit] 11th Brigade

41st Battalion (Queensland)
42nd Battalion (Queensland)
43rd Battalion (South Australia)
44th Battalion (Western Australia)

[edit] Between the wars

The division was re-raised in 1921 as a Militia formation. It was made up of units raised in Victoria: the 4th, 10th and 15th Infantry Brigades and supporting units.^[1]

[edit] World War II

The component brigades in Militia divisisons changed repeatedly during the Pacific War of 1942-45.

Units from the division saw action in the New Guinea campaign. Its most notable service was in the Salamaua-Lae and Bougainville campaigns. By the time it was on Bougainville, it included the 7th Infantry Brigade (predominantly Queensland units), 15th Infantry Brigade and 29th Infantry Brigade (predominantly Queensland units).

Two soldiers from the division are the only Australian Army reservists to have been awarded the Victoria Cross: Corporal Reg Rattey and Pte Frank Partridge. Both men were recognised for actions at the Battle of Slater's Knoll, on Bougainville, in 1945.