1st Division (Australia)

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1st Division
A black and white photograph of men wearing military units in a trench. One man stands on a parapet looking away to the left, while others behind him stare into the camera
Members of the 7th Battalion in a trench at Lone Pine, 6 August 1915
Active1914–1919
1921–1945
1960–present
Country Australia
BranchAustralian Army
TypeDivision
RoleMain deployment force
Garrison/HQBrisbane, Queensland
EngagementsFirst World War Second World War
Commanders
Current
commander		Major General
Unit colour patch

The 1st Division, also known as the 1st (Australian) Division, is headquartered in

Brisbane. The division was first formed in 1914 for service during the First World War as a part of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). It was initially part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) and served with that formation during the Gallipoli campaign, before later serving on the Western Front. After the war, the division became a part-time unit based in New South Wales
. During the Second World War it undertook defensive duties in Australia. It was disbanded in 1945.

After the Second World War, the division remained off the Australian Army's order of battle until the 1960s, when it was reformed in New South Wales. In 1965 it adopted a certification role, determining the operational readiness of units deploying to Vietnam. It was re-formed in 1973 as a full division based in Queensland and in the decades that followed it formed the Australian Army's main formation, including both Regular and Reserve personnel. Throughout this period, the division's component units undertook multiple operations, mainly focused on peacekeeping in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Following the restructuring of the Australian Army under the "Adaptive Army" initiative, the 1st Division no longer had any combat units assigned to it, although the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment became a direct command unit in late 2017. The division is tasked with co-ordinating the Army's high-level training activities and maintaining the "Deployable Joint Force Headquarters" (DJFHQ). In the event of the Australian Army undertaking a large-scale land-based operation, the division would have further combat units force assigned to it and would command all deployed assets including those of the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.[1]

History

First World War

Gallipoli

The Australian 1st Division was raised during the initial formation of the

William Bridges.[4] Over the course of six weeks, the division's subordinate units were raised separately in the various states before embarking overseas. The transports then concentrated off the Western Australian coast and the combined fleet sailed for Britain.[5] While en route, concerns about overcrowding in the training camps in the United Kingdom meant that the decision was made to land the division in Egypt, where it would complete its training before being transported to the Western Front.[6]

The 11th Battalion posing on the Great Pyramid of Giza, 1915.

While in Egypt, the division was assigned to the

Australian and New Zealand Army Corps along with the New Zealand and Australian Division. Following the Allied decision to force a passage through the Dardanelles, the division was allocated to take part in a landing on the Gallipoli peninsula along with Anglo-French forces.[6] The 1st Division made the initial landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915. The 3rd Brigade formed the covering force which landed first, around dawn.[7] The 1st and 2nd Brigades followed, landing from transports, and all were ashore by 9:00 am. While the landing was lightly opposed on the beach by elements of a single Turkish battalion,[8] the Australians were checked short of their objectives as Turkish reinforcements arrived to secure the high ground around Chunuk Bair and Sari Bair.[9] Critical fights developed on the left, over the hill known as Baby 700, and on the right on 400 Plateau,[10] but stalemate set in and little further progress would be made for the remaining eight months of the campaign.[11]

On 15 May 1915, after Bridges was mortally wounded by a sniper,

Lieutenant General William Birdwood, or his subordinate brigade commanders.[15] That same month, the division's artillery – three field artillery brigades each operating twelve 18-pound pieces, which had proved inadequate in the early battle, was boosted by the arrival of several Japanese-made trench mortars. They were later joined by several heavier guns including a 4.7-inch gun and two 6-inch howitzers.[16] On 24 June, Legge replaced Walker, who returned to command of the 1st Brigade, but after Legge was evacuated from Gallipoli he was moved sideways to command of the newly formed Australian 2nd Division and Walker resumed command of the 1st Division.[17]

The 1st Division's role in the

Quinn's Post and the Nek.[20]

In October, Walker was severely wounded and replaced by the division's

I Anzac Corps.[23] Seven members of the division received the Victoria Cross for their actions during the campaign: Alexander Burton, William Dunstan, Frederick Tubb, Patrick Hamilton, Leonard Keysor, Alfred Shout, William Symons.[24]

Somme, 1916

After reorganising in Egypt, where it was briefly employed to defend the Suez Canal against an Ottoman attack that never came,

British Reserve Army of Lieutenant General Hubert Gough who intended to use the Australian divisions to take the village of Pozières.[26] Walker resisted Gough's efforts to throw the 1st Division into battle unprepared, insisting on careful preparation. When the 1st Division attacked shortly after midnight on 23 July, it succeeded in capturing half of the village but failed to make progress in the neighbouring German trench system. After enduring a heavy German bombardment, far surpassing anything yet experienced by an Australian unit, the 1st Division was withdrawn, having suffered 5,285 casualties, and was replaced by the Australian 2nd Division.[27]

The division's respite was brief as in mid-August, with its battalions restored to about two-thirds strength, it returned to the line on Pozières Ridge, relieving the

British Fourth Army, holding a sector south of Pozières near the village of Flers. The battlefield had been reduced to a slough of mud but the 1st Division was required to mount a number of attacks around Gueudecourt during the Battle of Le Transloy; all ended in failure which was inevitable in the conditions.[28]

German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, 1917

Starting on 24 February 1917, the 1st Division took part in the pursuit of the German forces as they retreated to their prepared fortifications in the Hindenburg Line.[29] The division advanced against the German screen towards Bapaume and, on the night of 26 February, the 3rd Brigade captured the villages of Le Barque and Ligny-Thilloy. On the morning of 2 March, they withstood a German attempt to retake the villages. The 1st Division was then withdrawn to rest, joining the 4th Division. I Anzac's pursuit was carried on by the 2nd and 5th Divisions.[30]

By April, the 1st Division (and I Anzac Corps) was once again part of Gough's

Fifth Army (formerly the Reserve Army). On 9 April – the day the British launched the Battle of Arras – the 1st Division captured the last three villages (Hermies, Boursies and Demicourt) used by the Germans as outposts of the Hindenburg Line,[31] thereby bringing the British line in striking distance of the main Hindenburg defences. This action cost the division 649 casualties.[32] For actions during the fighting at Boursies, Captain James Newland and Sergeant John Whittle, both of the 12th Battalion (3rd Brigade), were awarded the Victoria Cross.[33]

Hindenburg Line, 1917

The 1st Division was in support during the First Battle of Bullecourt which was the Fifth Army's main contribution to the Arras offensive.[34] Once the first attempt on Bullecourt had failed, British attention concentrated on Arras and the Fifth Army's front was stretched thin with the 1st Division having to cover more than 12,000 yards (11,000 m).[35]

The Germans, well aware of the vulnerable state of the British defences, launched a counter-stroke on 15 April (the Battle of Lagnicourt). The Germans attacked with 23 battalions against four Australian battalions.[29] The German plan was to drive back the advanced posts, destroy supplies and guns and then retire to the Hindenburg defences. However, despite their numerical superiority, the Germans were unable to penetrate the Australian line. The 1st Division's artillery batteries in front of Lagnicourt were overrun and the village was occupied for two hours but counter-attacks from the Australian 9th and 20th Battalions (the latter from the 2nd Division) drove the Germans out. In this action the Australians suffered 1,010 casualties, mainly in the 1st Division, against 2,313 German casualties.[36] Only five artillery guns were damaged.[37]

On 3 May the Second Battle of Bullecourt commenced. Initially the 1st Division in reserve but it was drawn into the fighting on the second day when the 1st Brigade was detached to support the 2nd Division's attack. The Australians seized a foothold in the Hindenburg Line which over the following days was slowly expanded. By 6 May, they had captured over 1,000 yards (910 m) of the German trenchline, and the 3rd Brigade had also been committed. The German attempts to drive the British from their gains finally ceased on 17 May and the 1st Division was withdrawn for an extended rest, having suffered 2,341 casualties.[38]

Third Battle of Ypres

Soldiers from the 1st Division at Hooge, 5 October 1917

The 1st Division's artillery was in action from the start of the

Polygon Wood.[39] The Australian divisions suffered 5,000 casualties from the battle – the 1st Division lost 2,754 men[32] – mainly due to retaliatory shelling from heavy artillery after the advance had completed.[40]

The 1st Division was relieved by the Australian 5th Division before the next assault, the

British Second Army. This battle marked the peak of British success during 3rd Ypres and apart from minor roles on the southern flank of the Canadian Corps during the Battle of Poelcappelle, First Battle of Passchendaele and the Second Battle of Passchendaele, it was the end of the 1st Division's involvement.[41] The division's casualties were 2,448 men killed or wounded.[32]

Hazebrouck

The Australians wintered in Flanders, engaging in vigorous patrolling and raiding. The 1st Division was still at

Operation Georgette; an attack north and south of Armentières followed by a swift drive towards the vital rail junction of Hazebrouck.[28][42]

The 1st Division, having reached Amiens and about to join up with the Australian Corps, was ordered to turn around and hurry back north.[28] Hazebrouck was reached on 12 April, just in time to relieve the exhausted British divisions. Holding a line 5 miles (8.0 km) east of the town, the 1st Division helped halt the German advance on 13 April (the Battle of Hazebrouck) and then repulsed a renewed offensive on 17 April after which the Germans abandoned their push, concentrating instead on the high ground west of Messines.[43]

The division remained active in Flanders from May to July, engaging in a process of informal but carefully planned raiding known as peaceful penetration.[44] Their greatest success came on 11 July when they took 1,000 yards (910 m) of front, 120 prisoners and 11 machine guns from the German 13th Reserve Division. This unrelenting pressure had a severe impact on German morale.[45]

Hundred Days, 1918

The 1st Division returned to the Australian Corps on 8 August 1918, the day on which the

final British offensive commenced with the Battle of Amiens. The division was sent into action the following day, relieving the 5th Division, but arrived late due to its rushed preparation.[46] The 1st Division continued the attack for the next three days, driving towards Lihons, but progress was slow as the Australians moved beyond their supporting guns and tanks.[47]

On 23 August the 1st Division attacked south of the

British 32nd Division on its southern flank attacking Herleville. The Australians suffered 1,000 casualties but took 2,000 German prisoners out of a total of 8,000 captured by both the British Third and Fourth Armies on that day. The 1st also captured a German 15-in naval gun.[48] On 18 September, despite being severely depleted – only 2,854 infantrymen out of division's 12,204 nominal strength were available – the 1st Division took part in the assault on the Hindenburg "Outpost" Line during the Battle of Épehy, capturing a large section of the line.[38]

After this, the division was withdrawn from the line.

armistice came into effect, and as hostilities came to an end, the division's personnel were slowly repatriated back to Australia for demobilisation and discharge. This was completed by 23 March 1919, when the division was disbanded. Throughout the course of the war, the division suffered losses of around 15,000 men killed and 35,000 wounded,[51] out of the 80,000 men that served in its ranks.[52]

In commemoration of its war dead, the division built a memorial a stone obelisk memorial at Pozières, as the division lost more casualties there than any other battle (7,654 casualties in six weeks). The memorial lists the division's main battles as:

Third Ypres
,
Second Somme, Lihons, Chuignolles, Hindenburg Line and Épehy.[53]

Inter war years

In 1921, after the AIF was disbanded, the part-time Citizens Forces was re-organised to adopt the numerical designations of the AIF.[55] Thus the 1st Division was re-raised as a reserve formation, initially under the command of Colonel Charles Brand, composed primarily of infantry units based in New South Wales and Queensland.[56] During the inter-war years, the assignment of battalions to brigades and divisions varied considerably within the Army and as a result the 1st Division's composition was changed a number of times; its initial order of battle included three infantry brigades – the 1st, 7th and 8th – each of four infantry battalions, and various supporting elements including engineers, field ambulance, artillery, signals, transport, medical, veterinarians and service corps troops.[54] The division was based headquartered at Burwood, New South Wales.[57]

Second World War

Upon the outbreak of Second World War the 1st Division consisted of two infantry brigades – the 1st and

First Army.[57]

During this time the division's composition changed numerous times as many of its subordinate units were transferred. Shortly after mobilisation the division lost its engineer field companies and in June 1940 the three artillery regiments assigned to the division were also transferred out, to be replaced by a light horse regiment which had been converted to the machine gun role although this too was later removed from the division's order of battle.[58] In mid-1942, the division's headquarters staff were transferred along with their commander, Major General Cyril Clowes, to Milne Force, which later took part in the Battle of Milne Bay.[57] Later the division was transferred to the Second Army.[60] By April 1943, the division consisted of the 1st, 9th and 28th Brigades, and was headquartered in Parramatta.[61] As manpower restrictions in the Australian economy forced the early demobilisation of large numbers of men, the majority of which came from infantry units in Australia that were not involved in fighting overseas. The 1st Division was one of these units and by January 1945, when the 2nd Brigade was disbanded, the division consisted of only one infantry brigade, the 1st.[62] The division was officially disbanded on 6 April 1945.[60]

Post Second World War

1RAR soldiers prepare to board a United States Marine Corps helicopter in Somalia

After the Second World War, the Australian military was

Sydney, New South Wales, following the implementation of the Pentropic divisional structure, commanding all Army units – Regular and CMF – in New South Wales. It was also responsible for training some CMF units in other states.[60]

In 1965, the Pentropic structure was abolished and the divisional headquarters' was tasked with determining the readiness of units deploying to

Brisbane, Queensland, and was re-formed as the Australian Army's "main striking force".[60] Throughout the Cold War era, the division grew into a formation of over 13,000 personnel, which, at its peak in the early 2000s consisted of four brigades: two Regular, one integrated and one Reserve spread across Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.[60] In 1997, the formation's headquarters assumed the additional task of raising a deployable joint force headquarters, tasked with commanding Army, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy assets during large-scale operations.[60]

During this time, the division was not deployed as a complete formation, although its elements undertook numerous operations. These include peacekeeping operations in

Operation Slipper.[66]

Present

1st (Australian) Division organization 2023

Following the establishment of Forces Command, in 2009, and the implementation of the "Adaptive Army" initiative it was decided that no combat units would be directly assigned to the 1st Division on a permanent basis.[67] Instead, it was decided that all combat forces would be assigned to Forces Command and the Headquarters 1st Division would provide a command and control function for "high-level training activities", during which activities combat units would be force assigned to the division.[1] It was also tasked with commanding "large scale ground operations" and, at the behest of Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC), the divisional headquarters was tasked with forming the "Deployable Joint Force Headquarters (DJFHQ)", responsible for commanding all deployed forces including those of the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force.[1]

As of mid-October 2017, the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment became a direct command unit of headquarters of the 1st Division, serving as a specialist amphibious warfare unit. The unit remains based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville.[68]

Effective 1 July 2023, the division was renamed the 1st (Australian) Division. The 1st, 3rd and 7th Brigades were also placed under the direct control of the division's headquarters. This reform aimed to improve the connections between the divisional headquarters and the brigades it commands during deployments.[69]

Commanding generals

Date commenced Date ended Commander[70]
26 October 1914 15 May 1915 Bridges
CMG
15 May 1915 22 June 1915 Walker
DSO
22 June 1915 26 July 1915 LeggeMajor General
CMG
26 July 1915 13 October 1915 WalkerBrigadier General Harold Walker
DSO
13 October 1915 6 November 1915 HobbsBrigadier General Talbot Hobbs
6 November 1915 14 March 1916 ChauvelMajor General
CMG
14 March 1916 31 May 1918 WalkerMajor General Sir Harold Walker
DSO
30 June 1918 6 May 1919 GlasgowMajor General
DSO
1 May 1921 31 December 1925 BrandMajor General
DSO
1 January 1926 31 May 1927 BrucheMajor General
CMG
1 June 1927 5 April 1929 DoddsBrigadier General
DSO
23 July 1929 30 November 1931 HeritageBrigadier
MVO
16 January 1932 31 January 1933 CorletteBrigadier
DSO, VD
1 February 1933 10 July 1934 PhillipsBrigadier General
DSO
24 August 1934 1 June 1935 NorrieBrigadier
DSO, VD
1 June 1935 5 November 1939 HardieMajor General
OBE
5 November 1939 1 May 1940 JacksonMajor General
DSO
2 May 1940 6 January 1941 FewtrellMajor General
DSO
7 January 1942 31 July 1942 ClowesMajor General
DSO, MC
1 August 1942 21 September 1943 DerhamMajor General
DSO
22 September 1943 7 May 1945 LloydMajor General
DSO
12 December 1960 30 November 1963 MurdochMajor General
CBE
1 December 1963 8 May 1966 AndersenMajor General
CBE
8 May 1966 13 January 1967 VincentMajor General
OBE
24 May 1967 16 December 1968 MackayMajor General
MBE
30 January 1969 20 August 1969 WeirBrigadier Stuart Weir MC (Acting)
13 October 1969 28 February 1970 PearsonMajor General
OBE, MC
20 April 1970 6 December 1970 HayMajor General
MBE
5 April 1971 31 October 1973 HendersonMajor General
OBE
1 November 1973 February 1974 GrahamMajor General
OBE, MC
13 February 1974 1975 HughesMajor General
DSO
February 1975 March 1977 McDonaldMajor General
OBE, MC
21 March 1977 3 June 1979 BennettMajor General
DSO
June 1979 March 1981 KellyMajor General
DSO
March 1981 March 1984 DrabschMajor General
MBE
March 1984 March 1985 Clunies-RossMajor General
MBE
March 1985 March 1988 JefferyMajor General
AO, MC
March 1988 January 1991 FittockMajor General
AO
January 1991 June 1994 ArnisonMajor General
AO
June 1994 February 1996 KeatingMajor General
AM
February 1996 March 1998 FordMajor General Tim Ford
March 1998 November 1999 CosgroveMajor General
AM, MC
November 1999 July 2002 MolanMajor General
AO
July 2002 April 2004 JacksonMajor General
AM
April 2004 July 2005 KellyMajor General
AM
2 July 2005 6 July 2007 PowerMajor General
AM, CSC
6 July 2007 2009 WilsonMajor General
AO
2009 22 February 2011 SlaterMajor General
AM, CSC
22 February 2011 31 October 2012 BurrMajor General
MVO
31 October 2012 November 2015 SmithMajor General
AO, DSC
November 2015 5 December 2018 SmithMajor General
AO, CSC[71]
6 December 2018 30 November 2021 SmithMajor General
AM
30 November 2021 12 December 2023 SmithMajor General
AM
12 December 2023 Incumbent SmithMajor General
AM, DSM

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c 1st Division – Australian Army.
  2. ^ a b Stevenson 2013, p. 42.
  3. ^ Stevenson 2007, pp. 185–187.
  4. ^ Grey 2008, pp. 85–88.
  5. ^ Stevenson 2007, p. 188.
  6. ^ a b Stevenson 2007, p. 189.
  7. ^ Grey 2008, p. 94.
  8. ^ Haythornthwaite 2004, p. 39.
  9. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 102.
  10. ^ Broadbent 2005, p. 85.
  11. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 103.
  12. ^ Grey 2008, p. 96.
  13. ^ Broadbent 2005, p. 194.
  14. ^ Broadbent 2005, p. 236.
  15. ^ Mionnet 2004, p. 33.
  16. ^ Stevenson 2013, p. 43.
  17. ^ Mionnet 2004, pp. 31–34.
  18. ^ Ekins 2009, p. 24.
  19. ^ Haythornthwaite 2004, p. 72.
  20. ^ Broadbent 2005, pp. 199 & 203.
  21. ^ Mionnet 2004, pp. 31–37.
  22. ^ Stevenson 2007, pp. 189–190.
  23. ^ Mionnet 2004, p. 31.
  24. ^ Mionnet 2004, pp. 4 & 19.
  25. ^ Mionnet 2004, p. 4.
  26. ^ a b c Stevenson 2007, p. 190.
  27. ^ a b Mionnet 2004, p. 5.
  28. ^ a b c Stevenson 2007, p. 191.
  29. ^ a b Mionnet 2004, p. 6.
  30. ^ Bean 1946, p. 319.
  31. ^ Stevenson 2013, p. 5.
  32. ^ a b c d Stevenson 2013, p. 63.
  33. ^ Mionnet 2004, p. 19.
  34. ^ Bean 1946, p. 326.
  35. ^ Bean 1946, pp. 334–335.
  36. ^ Stevenson 2013, p. 166.
  37. ^ Bean 1946, p. 336.
  38. ^ a b Mionnet 2004, p. 7.
  39. ^ Stevenson 2013, p. 171.
  40. ^ Bean 1946, p. 367.
  41. ^ Stevenson 2013, pp. 178–179.
  42. ^ Stevenson 2013, p. 185.
  43. ^ Bean 1946, pp. 428–429.
  44. ^ Stevenson 2013, p. 188.
  45. ^ Bean 1946, p. 455.
  46. ^ Stevenson 2013, p. 195.
  47. ^ Bean 1946, pp. 474–475.
  48. ^ Stevenson 2013, p. 203.
  49. ^ Bean 1942, p. 935.
  50. ^ Grey 2008, p. 109.
  51. ^ Stevenson 2007, pp. 192–193.
  52. ^ Stevenson 2007, p. 197.
  53. ^ McLachlan 2007.
  54. ^ a b Mionnet 2004, p. 20.
  55. ^ Grey 2008, p. 125.
  56. ^ Mionnet 2004, p. 8.
  57. ^ a b c Mionnet 2004, p. 9.
  58. ^ a b c Orders of Battle.
  59. ^ Grey 2008, pp. 145–147.
  60. ^ a b c d e f Mionnet 2004, p. 10.
  61. ^ Dexter 1961, p. 16.
  62. ^ Long 1963, p. 25.
  63. ^ Mionnet 2004, p. 27.
  64. ^ Grey 2008, pp. 198–200.
  65. ^ Grey 2008, pp. 200–201.
  66. ^ Mionnet 2004, p. 11.
  67. ^ Adaptive Army.
  68. ISSN 2209-2218
    . Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  69. ISSN 2209-2218
    . Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  70. ^ Mionnet 2004, p. 12.
  71. ^ "Commander 1st Division". Australian Army. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.

References

Further reading

External links
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