The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: 2 Australian Imperial
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The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia | |
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Australian War Memorial. Via Wikipedia
Under Australianlaw, militiaforces could be used only within Australian territory. Forces sent to fight elsewhere on behalf of the BritishEmpire consisted of volunteers, and when fully trained, they were among the best infantry of the Second World War.
1 Australian Imperial Force fought in the First World War in Europe. The volunteer force assembled for Imperial service in the Second World War was designed as 2 Australian Imperial Force.
The following table lists only those formations in the Pacific Theater when war broke out in the Pacific. There were, in addition, three other divisions (6, 7, and 9) already deployed to the Middle East. All would eventually be recalled to Australia to fight against the Japanese.
Administrative organization, 7 December 1942:
| 2 Australian Imperial Force (Blamey) | In the Middle East | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Division (Bennett; at Johore) | Training for the Middle East, but diverted (less 23 Brigade) to Malayawhen war appeared imminent. | ||
| 22 Brigade (at Mersing) | |||
| 23 Brigade (at Darwin) | |||
| Gull Force | |||
| Lark Force (at Rabaul) | |||
| Sparrow Force | |||
| 27 Brigade (at Kluang) | |||
| 1 Armored Division (at Melbourne) | A training cadre preparing for deployment to the Middle East, where it would receive its tanks. |
References
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia © 2007-2008 by Kent G. Budge. Index
