2nd Division (Australia)
2nd Division | |
---|---|
Active | 1915–1919 1921–1944 1948–1960 1965–present |
Country | Australia |
Branch | Australian Army Reserve |
Type | Reserve division |
Size | 5 brigades |
March | 'Pozieres' (arr Allis) |
Engagements | World War I |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Major General |
The 2nd Division of the
The division was first formed in Egypt in July 1915 during World War I as part of the First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF). The division took part in the Gallipoli campaign, arriving in the latter stages and then traversed to the Western Front in France and Belgium where it had the distinction of taking part in the final ground action fought by Australian troops in the war. After the war ended and the AIF was demobilised, the 2nd Division name was revived and assigned to a Citizens Military Forces (reserve) unit in 1921.
During the inter-war years, the division was based in New South Wales with its headquarters
World War I
Gallipoli, 1915
The Australian 2nd Division was formed from reinforcements training in Egypt on 26 July 1915 as part of the Australian Imperial Force, which has been raised to fight in World War I.[2] The division was formed from three brigades – the 5th, 6th and 7th[2] – that had been raised independently in Australia (in February and April 1915), and sent to Egypt (in May and June 1915) for further training. Initially, it was intended that the division's commander would be James McCay, but he was wounded on 11 July, and repatriated back to Australia after the death of both his wife and father.[3] As a result, the command of the division went to Lieutenant-General Gordon Legge.[2]
Due to the pressing need for more soldiers for the
Somme, 1916
The 2nd Division started to arrive in France in March 1916.
After several days of disrupted preparations, the 2nd Division attacked again in the evening of 4 August, capturing the OG2 trench line and part of the crest. Alarmed by the loss of the defences (including the crest), the Germans initiated a counter-attack the following day, which the Australians repulsed. This was followed by a severe, sustained artillery bombardment that inflicted heavy casualties.[9] The position of the Australian salient meant that the soldiers received artillery fire from the front, flank and rear – including from German batteries near Thiepval.[10] After 12 days on the front line and sustaining 6,846 casualties,[11] the 2nd Division was relieved by the Australian 4th Division on 6 August.[9]
After a brief rest, the 2nd Division again relieved the Australian 1st Division from its position beyond Pozières (in front of
On 5 September, I Anzac was withdrawn from the Somme and sent to
German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, 1917
In January 1917, Legge fell ill and was replaced by Major-General
Continual small attacks were conducted on the Malt Trench through 26 and 27 February, with a larger attack attempted on the 27th and 28th by the 7th Brigade. However, as the wire defences were undamaged, little headway could be made.[23] It was not until 2 March, when a combined attack was put in with the 5th and 7th Brigades,[24] and after sustained artillery fire had cut paths through the wire, that the 7th Brigade captured portions of Malt trench. This brought the 2nd Division close enough to be able to attack the R.I. position.[25] As the 2nd Division was preparing to attack the R.I. position in front of Loupart Wood (the attack was planned to commence on 13 March), it was discovered on 12 March, that the Germans had already withdrawn to the second reserve position R.II. Stellung centred on the crest of the ridge beyond Bapaume. R.II. was evacuated by the Germans on 17 March, as they withdrew to the Hindenburg Line.[26]
Starting on 17 March 1917, the 2nd Division was reorganised to pursue the German withdrawal, with the 6th Brigade chosen to lead the pursuit. On 20 March, the 6th Brigade attempted a hasty attack on the fortified village of
Hindenburg Line, 1917
The 2nd Division was in support during the First Battle of Bullecourt, which was the Fifth Army's main contribution to the Arras offensive. Once the first attempt on Bullecourt had failed, the 2nd Division relieved the Australian 4th Division from in front of Bullecourt (a front of approximately 2,750 yd (2,510 m) on 13 April.[30]
As such, when the Germans launched a counter-stroke on 15 April in front of the village of Lagnicourt (the
On 3 May, the Second Battle of Bullecourt commenced with the 2nd Division – committing the 5th and 6th Brigades – attacking the two trench lines east of Bullecourt. The 5th Brigade made little progress, but the 6th Brigade seized parts of both trench lines.[33] Heavy counterattacks then fell against the 6th Brigade. To secure the 6th Brigade's left flank, the 7th Brigade, as the divisional reserve attacked.[34] The 6th Brigade held its position against numerous counterattacks, until relieved by elements of the 1st Division on 4 May. As they were withdrawn, a fourth counter-attack fell on the area, at which point the 6th rejoined the battle, helping to blunt this assault before finally departing.[35] Further attacks were conducted on 4 May and 6 May by brigades of the Australian 1st Division that were attached to the 2nd Division, supported by elements of the 2nd Division,[36] resulted in the capture of most of the first line of trenches. After repulsing a total of six German counterattacks,[37] the 5th Division arrived on 8/9 May,[38] continuing the fighting until 17 May.[33] For its part, the fighting around Bullecourt had cost the 2nd Division 3,898 casualties.[39]
Third Battle of Ypres, 1917
The 2nd Division was then sent to rest areas in the Somme region for reorganisation and training.
Relieving the
With the rain becoming heavier, the conditions on the ground deteriorated. When the next attack (the Battle of Poelcappelle) started on 9 October the ground became difficult to traverse, resulting in difficulty bringing artillery and ammunition forward,[50] and the troops becoming exhausted moving up to their starting positions prior to the start of the attack The 2nd Division's role was for the left brigade to advance to protect the flank of the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division.[51] With the 6th and 7th Brigades heavily understrength (just 600 and 800 men each),[52] and supported by a weak artillery barrage, the advance quickly stalled, and resulted in only small gains at a cost of 1,253 casualties.[53][50] As a result of the exhaustion of the troops, the 2nd Division was relieved for the final effort around Passchendaele on 12 October.[54]
The 2nd Division relieved the Australian 5th Division on 27 October, and continued to hold the line along the Broodseinde Ridge, conducting patrols into no man's land,[55] until all of the Australian divisions (grouped into an all Australian Corps from November 1917)[56] were transferred south to Flanders, centred on the town of Messines, where they spent the winter.[57] During this period, the 2nd Division occupied the front around Ploegsteert, in the southern part of the Australian line, during December 1917 – January 1918, and then again in March – April 1918. On 3 April, the division was relieved by the British 25th Division.[58]
German Spring Offensive, 1918
On 21 March, the Germans launched their Spring Offensive, focused on the Somme. As the offensive, began to threaten the vital rail hub of Amiens, the Australians were hurriedly brought south to help restore the British line in the Somme.[59][60] Upon reaching the Somme on 4 April, the leading brigade (the 5th) was detached to relieve the troops around Villers-Bretonneux, while the rest of the division (under the command of the British Third Army) relieved the Australian 4th Division, which had just fought the First and Second Battles of Dernancourt. The detached 5th Brigade (under the command of the British Fourth Army) was initially put into a reserve line (the "Aubigny Line") under the 14th Division, before it was sent to support (and later relieve) the 18th Division south of Villers-Bretonneux.[61]
After the 5th Brigade had relieved the 18th Division on 5 April, it was decided that the 5th would recapture the lost parts of Hangard wood, and so reduce a salient that threatened the southern flank of the Australian forces at Villers-Bretonneux.[62] The attack by two battalions – the 19th and 20th – was conducted on 7 April, and while it succeeded in clearing Hangard Wood (at a cost of 151 casualties), the position that the attacking troops were expected to fortify was poorly sited, and as a result the attacking troops retreated to their starting positions.[63]
Another attack was planned, this time in conjunction with the
Peaceful penetration operations, 1918
As the Spring Offensive ground to a halt, the 2nd Division was relieved by the
On 22 May, Major General Charles Rosenthal, who had previously commanded the 9th Brigade, replaced Smyth as the 2nd Division commander.[71] On 10 June, the 7th Brigade conducted an attack over a 3,000 yards (2,700 m) frontage between Morlancourt and Sailly-Laurette during the Third Battle of Morlancourt,[72] and succeeded in advancing an average depth of 700 yards (640 m), with approximately 350 casualties and the capture of 325 Germans, 30 machineguns and six trench mortars. This attack revealed the ease in which a well-planned attack could be conducted, and also revealed that there was no major offensive planned on the Amiens front.[73]
As a result of the advances by the Australian Corps in front of Morlancourt, the southern flank was exposed to artillery fire from near the village of Hamel. In response to this and to provide support for a French attack south of Villers-Bretonneux, it was decided to attack the German salient and capture the village of Hamel as well as the Hamel and Vaire Woods. In preparation, the 2nd Division relieved the Australian 3rd Division on 28/29 June.[74] The Australian divisions were heavily depleted, so it was decided that the upcoming Battle of Hamel would involve units from three Australian divisions (the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Australian Divisions), with the 2nd Division temporarily placing its left brigade (the 6th) under the command of the 4th Division for the attack.[75] The 25th Battalion, detached from the 7th Brigade, also assisted.[76]
The attack at Hamel, conducted on 4 July, was a complete success, with the battle completed in only 93 minutes. The 2nd Division troops temporarily attached to the Australian 4th Division suffered only 246 casualties (out of a total of 1,380 Australian and American casualties). The total German casualties for the battle were approximately 2,000, of which approximately 1,600 were captured), and included 177 machineguns and 32 trench mortars.[77][78]
The division continued peaceful penetration operations on its front and by 11 July had advanced its front line by approximately 200 yards (180 m). This aided a planned offensive whose objective was to capture more of the Villers-Bretonneux plateau. The continued peaceful penetrations on the northern flank of the salient below Villers-Bretonneux caused the Germans to withdraw by 1,000 yards (910 m), leaving only outposts and sentries behind to deceive the Allies that the front was still being held. This withdrawal meant that the Australians were able to capture Monument Farm and parts of Monument Wood. The 26th Battalion also secured a German tank ("Mephisto"),[79] which had been disabled on 24 April. The withdrawal also meant that the planned offensive was now superseded, as peaceful penetration had already achieved the objectives.[80]
Further patrols were conducted; this time with the objective of advancing the Australian 7th Brigade's front by 1,000 yards (910 m), and capturing the remainder of Monument Wood and "The Mound" (spoil from a nearby railway cutting). However, this would then expose the southern flank of the division. To counter this, Rosenthal approached the French commanders with a deal: the Australians would capture the ground, which would then be defended by French units.[81] As the Germans were now starting to dig stronger fortifications, peaceful penetration was becoming more difficult to conduct. As a result, a small-scale attack was carried out on 17 July by only two battalions – the 25th and 26th – advancing the line by 500 yards (460 m) with 129 casualties, and inflicting at least 303 German casualties.[82]
Due to their vulnerable southern flank, no further advances were possible until the French forces south of the 2nd Division advanced. French patrols on 18 July advanced their line, but it remained a mile behind the neighbouring 2nd Division. The peaceful penetration conducted over the previous two weeks had pushed the line forward by an average of 1,000 yards (910 m) over a frontage of 4,500 yards (4,100 m), at a cost of 437 casualties, and had achieved all of the objectives set down for the offensive that was to occur after the Battle of Hamel.[83]
Between 26 July and 5 August, elements of the US 65th Infantry Brigade (from the 33rd Division) were assigned to the Australian Corps. Of these troops, two battalions of the US 129th Infantry Regiment were assigned to the 2nd Division, joining it around Villers-Bretonneux. One US company was allocated to each Australian battalion, and as some of the battalions were extremely under strength (for example, the front line strength of the 24th Battalion was only 193 men), it meant that there were equal numbers of Australians and Americans in the front line.[84]
Hundred Days, 1918
In August, the Allies launched their own (the start of the
On 9–11 August, as part of the advance from Harbonnieres towards Lihons,[88] the division continued its attack. Relieving the 5th Division, which had carried the first phase, the 5th and 7th Brigades, reinforced by the 2nd Brigade (from the 1st Division), carried the advance in the second phase.[89] Over the course of several days, Vauvillers, Framerville and Rainecourt were captured at a cost of 1,295 casualties or the division.[90] The attacks post 9 August were hastily planned, with limited knowledge of the tactical situation,[91] and lacked co-ordination between neighbouring units and supporting artillery. While supporting tanks made up for some of this, their use was hampered by opposing artillery, resulting in a subsequent increase in casualties.[92]
Between 16 and 18 August, another peaceful penetration operation was carried out by the 6th Brigade (then the only unit of the 2nd Division on the front line) around Herleville, culminating in an attack on 18 August to the edge of Herleville itself. By this stage the 6th Brigade had been heavily depleted – particularly from gas shelling around Villers-Bretonneux – to the extent that the 22nd Battalion's four companies were each at platoon strength; nevertheless, it attacked over a large frontage of 1,000 yards (910 m), losing a further 117 men. The 2nd Division was relieved on 19 August by the 32nd British Division.[93]
After a short rest, the 2nd Division relieved the 1st Division on 26 August.
The initial plan for the
Mont St. Quentin was attacked a second time in the morning of 1 September, this time by the Australian 6th Brigade, with its right flank protected by the Australian 14th Brigade (5th Division) capturing part of Péronne. Attacking against troops of the German 38th Division), the 6th Brigade succeeded in capturing Mont St. Quentin.[104] The attack continued on 2 September, with the 7th Brigade attacking east from Mont St. Quentin,[105] extending the Allied lines beyond the high ground while elements of the 5th Division took the remaining part of Péronne.[106]
By 4 September, the 2nd Division was relieved by the 3rd Division for the pursuit beyond Peronne.[107] It subsequently began a rest period that lasted until late September. On 23 September, the 19th, 21st and 25th Battalions were ordered to disband to make up the strength of the other battalions in their brigades, as the division moved towards the nine battalion structure used by the British. The decision proved unpopular with the troops, who wished to maintain their battalion identities, and the soldiers refused to obey the order to disband. As a result, the units remained in existence until October, after the Australians had fought their final battles of the war.[108]
By early October, Allied forces had succeeded in capturing the main Hindenburg defences in the first part of the
The 2nd Division attacked the Beaurevoir Line on 3 October, with two brigades (the 5th and 7th) totalling 2,500 men on an frontage of 6,000 yards (5,500 m).[112] Starting out from Estrees, the objectives called for a 2-mile (3.2 km) advance. Attacking before sunrise, the soldiers managed to capture the fortified positions at the la Motte Farm and Mushroom Quarry (at a cost of 989 casualties),[113] but were stopped short of their final objective: the village of Beaurevoir.[114] Continuing the attack on 4 October, the 2nd Division approached the village of Beaurevoir, and conducted further attacks the next day to capture Montbrehain.[109] After much hard fighting by two battalions of the 6th Brigade (reinforced by the 2nd Pioneer Battalion, which attacked as infantry)[115] (against the German 241st (Saxon), 24th and the 34th Divisions),[116] the village was captured, along with nearly 400 German prisoners. This drove a mile long salient into the German lines, and was described by Charles Bean as "one of the most brilliant actions of Australian infantry in the First World War".[117] However, this action cost the Australians an additional 430 casualties.[118]
The 2nd Division was relieved by the US 30th Division on the evening of 5 October, with the intention of allowing it to rest until the start of the campaigning season in 1919; however, as the Armistice was signed in November 1918, the 2nd Division was the last Australian division to see combat in World War I.[109] With the end of the war, Australian forces were not involved in occupation duties,[20] and were quickly disbanded, and the soldiers transported back to Australia. As a result, the 2nd Division merged with the Australian 5th Division in March 1919 (as a single division of four brigades).[119] Throughout the war, the division lost over 12,000 killed in action or died of wounds or other causes, and nearly 38,000 wounded,[1] while 13 members of the division received the Victoria Cross.[2]
Inter-war years and World War II
On 1 April 1921, the AIF was officially disbanded. After this, Australia's part-time military forces were re-organised to perpetuate the numerical designations of the AIF.[120] As a result, the division was reformed as a Citizens Military Forces/Militia (reserve) formation, consisting of the 5th, 9th and 14th Brigades,[121] each of four infantry battalions: 4th, 20th, 36th, and 54th (5th Brigade); 1st, 19th, 34th, and 45th (9th Brigade); and 3rd, 53rd, 55th and 56th (14th Brigade).[2] Defence spending was limited during this time, and while initially it was planned to maintain a strong Reserve element through compulsory training, this scheme was only partially implemented in the 1920s, and was suspended following the Great Depression. Defence spending remained low throughout the 1930s, and voluntary recruitment proved inadequate. As a result, the inter-war years were characterised by limited equipment and reduced manning levels.[122]
During World War II, the division was composed primarily of
In 1940, the division's component brigades were reduced from four battalions to three, and units undertook short period of training to improve readiness as the division was partially mobilised. As the Militia was barred from overseas service, many members left the division to join the Second Australian Imperial Force.[2] In July 1940, Major General James Cannan assumed command of the division until October when he handed over to Major General Herbert Lloyd.[123] Following Japan's entry into the war, the Militia was called up for home defence.[2] At this time, the division's main role was the defence of Sydney; however, after training around Bathurst, Walgrove and Greta, the division's brigades relieved those of the 1st Division in defence of Newcastle, so that those units could undertake collective training. This lasted until March 1942.[121]
In May 1942, the 14th Brigade (3rd, 36th, and 55th Battalions) was transferred to
As the Allies assumed the offensive in the Pacific, the threat to Australia diminished, allowing for a reduction in garrison forces. Subsequently, the division prepared for active service in the Australian
Post-war
In 1948, the Citizen Military Forces were re-formed,[127] firstly by voluntary enlistment but then by a mixture of voluntary and compulsory national service from 1951 to 1957, and then 1965 to 1972, when national service was abolished.[128] The 2nd Division was formed again as the main CMF formation in New South Wales, initially consisting of the 5th, 7th and 8th Brigades,[129] although in 1953 it was reorganised and consisted of the 5th, 8th and 14th Brigades.[130][2] In 1960, the division was disbanded with the advent of the Pentropic organisation scheme that was based around the five element battle group. The division was revived in 1965 when the Pentropic organisation was abandoned.[131] Upon being re-raised, the division consisted of two brigade-level formations: the 5th and 8th Task Forces; these reverted to brigade-designations in 1982. In the 1990s, following the disbandment of the 3rd Division, the 2nd Division became the main Army Reserve formation, assuming command of several other brigade-level elements.[2]
The 7th Brigade transferred its Reserve personnel to the division (mainly to the 11th Brigade) in 2011 as that brigade became a completely Regular formation of Forces Command.
During the period since 2011, the division has deployed forces and provided individual troops to deployments to the Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Afghanistan, and South Sudan as well as supporting ongoing border protection operations.[138] The division was renamed the 2nd (Australian) Division effective 1 July 2023.[139]
Memorial
Positioned at Mont St Quentin (49°56′51.61″N 2°55′55.91″E / 49.9476694°N 2.9321972°E), where the Australian 2nd Division captured one of the most formidable defensive positions on the Western Front, the 2nd Division's memorial was unconventional. Instead of an obelisk such as at the other four AIF divisional memorials, the original memorial which was unveiled in 1925 was a statue of an Australian soldier bayoneting a German eagle sprawled at his feet. However, this statue was removed and destroyed by German soldiers in 1940 during World War II, leaving only the stone plinth. A replacement statue, consisting of an Australian soldier standing in full kit was installed in 1971.[140]
The memorial lists the battle honours of the 2nd Division as:
Organisation 2023
As of 2023 the division commands most Australian Army reserve units:[142]
- 4th Brigade, Victoria and Tasmania.
- 5th Brigade, New South Wales
- 8th Brigade, all states
- 11th Brigade, Queensland
- 13th Brigade, Western Australia
- Regional Force Surveillance Group, HQ in Darwin and units in Northern Australia
- 8th Signals Regiment, all states[143]
- 9th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, all states[144]
See also
Notes
- ^ a b Mallett, Ross. "First AIF Order of Battle 1914–1918: Second Division". AIF Project. University of New South Wales (Australian Defence Force Academy). Archived from the original on 28 February 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "History of the 2nd Division". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 2 June 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ Wray 2002, pp. 145–147.
- ^ Bean 1941a, pp. 739–740 & 761.
- ^ Bean 1941a, pp. 36–42.
- ^ Kuring 2004, pp. 83, 90–92.
- ^ Bean 1941b, p. 66.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 117–118.
- ^ a b Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 118.
- ^ Bean 1941b, p. 701.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 194.
- ^ a b Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 120.
- ^ a b Belham & Denham 2009, p. 16.
- ^ Bean 1941b, pp. 894–895.
- ^ Bean 1941b, pp. 915 & 928–937.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 121.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 297.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, pp. 63–65.
- ^ Mallet, Ross. "Major General Sir John Gellibrand: 5 December 1872 – 3 June 1945". AIF Project. University of New South Wales (Australian Defence Force Academy). Retrieved 7 October 2018.
- ^ a b Baker, Chris. "2nd Australian Division". The Long, Long Trail: The British Army in the Great War of 1914–1918. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 76.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 83–89.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 96–97.
- ^ Belham & Denham 2009, p. 20.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 105.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 115–132.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 317.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 125.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, pp. 318–319.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 355 & 360.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 365 & 374.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 389–393.
- ^ a b Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 127.
- ^ Belham & Denham 2009, p. 27.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 487–488.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 491.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 519.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 527.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 543.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 685.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 703–704.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 757.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 755.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 788–789.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 836–837.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 845–846.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 866 & 876.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 838.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 132–134.
- ^ a b Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 133.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 885–886.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 890.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 900.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 133–134.
- ^ Belham & Denham 2009, p. 30.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 107.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 134.
- ^ Bean 1941d, p. 34.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 108.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 565.
- ^ Bean 1941d, p. 354.
- ^ Bean 1941d, p. 502.
- ^ Bean 1941d, pp. 511–513.
- ^ Bean 1941d, pp. 513–514.
- ^ Bean 1941d, p. 516.
- ^ Bean 1941d, pp. 517–521.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 67.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 94.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 146.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 147.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 219.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 148.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 240.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 251.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 148–149.
- ^ Laffin 1999, p. 111.
- ^ Bean 1942, pp. 326–327.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 149.
- ^ Morgan 2014, p. 24.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 366.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 368.
- ^ Bean 1942, pp. 371–375.
- ^ Bean 1942, pp. 375–376.
- ^ Bean 1942, pp. 509–510.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 543.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 547.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 599.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 152.
- ^ Belham & Denham 2009, p. 50.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 684.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 153.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 682.
- ^ Bean 1942, pp. 719–723.
- ^ Belham & Denham 2009, p. 53.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 773.
- ^ Bean 1942, pp. 781–782.
- ^ Belham & Denham 2009, p. 55.
- ^ Bean 1942, pp. 787 & 801.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 810.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 816.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 685.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 157.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 815.
- ^ Bean 1942, pp. 840–845.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 691.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 158.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 696.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, pp. 699–703.
- ^ a b c Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 164–165.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 1,014.
- ^ Bean 1942, pp. 949–951.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 719.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 1,026.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 165.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 1,035.
- ^ Bean 1942, pp. 1, 041–1, 042.
- ^ Bean 1942, p. 1,043.
- ^ Williams 2003, p. 240.
- ^ Ellis 1920, pp. 397–399.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 125.
- ^ a b c McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2031.
- ^ Grey 2008, pp. 125 & 138.
- ^ a b c "2nd Infantry Division: Appointments". Orders of Battle. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ Brune 2004, p. 561.
- ^ Palazzo 2001, p. 170.
- ^ a b McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2032.
- ^ Grey 2008, pp. 200–201.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 250.
- ^ Palazzo 2001, p. 209.
- ^ Palazzo 2001, p. 238.
- ^ McCarthy 2003, pp. 99–102 & 131–134.
- ^ a b Clay 2014, p. 30.
- ^ Smith 2014, pp. 28–29.
- ^ "Commander 2nd Division". Australian Army: Our leaders. Department of Defence. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
- ^ Smith 2014, p. 28.
- ^ "National parade marks a century of service" (Press release). Department of Defence. 24 July 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ Whitwell, Julia (17 May 2018). "Small base, big mission" (PDF). Army News (1,419 ed.). p. 23.
- ^ Clay 2014, p. 29.
- ISSN 2209-2218. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ Bomford 2012, pp. 156–158.
- ^ McLachlan 2007.
- ^ "2nd Division". Our people. Australian Army. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
- ^ "2021 Articles – The Signaller". Retrieved 13 June 2023.
- ^ "Formation of 9th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery". VeteransSA. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
References
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- Bean, Charles (1941b). The Australian Imperial Force in France, 1916. OCLC 220623454.
- Bean, Charles (1941c). The Australian Imperial Force in France, 1917. OCLC 271462395.
- Bean, Charles (1941d). The Australian Imperial Force in France During the Main German Offensive. Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918. Vol. V (8th ed.). Sydney, New South Wales: Angus & Robertson. OCLC 271462406.
- Bean, Charles (1942). The Australian Imperial Force during the Allied Offensive, 1918. OCLC 917641406.
- Belham, David; Denham, Peter (2009). The Blue Diamonds: The History of 7th Brigade, 1915–2008. Puckapunyal, Victoria: Department of Defence. OCLC 525034269.
- Bomford, Michelle (2012). The Battle of Mont St Quentin–Peronne 1918. Australian Army Campaigns Series # 11. Newport, New South Wales: Big Sky Publishing. ISBN 978-1-921941962.
- Brune, Peter (2004). A Bastard of a Place: The Australians in Papua. Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1-74114-403-1.
- ISBN 978-1-4050-3799-0.
- Clay, Peter (June 2014). "The Australian Army's 2nd Division: An Update" (PDF). United Service. 65 (2). Royal United Services Institute of New South Wales: 30.
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1986). "Legge, James Gordon (1863–1947)". ISSN 1833-7538.
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1998). Where Australians Fought: The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles (1st ed.). St Leonards, New South Wales: Allen and Unwin. ISBN 978-1-86448-611-7.
- Ellis, A. D. (1920). The Story of the Fifth Australian Division, Being an Authoritative Account of the Division's Doings in Egypt, France and Belgium. London: Hodder and Stoughton. OCLC 464115474.
- ISBN 978-0-521-69791-0.
- Kuring, Ian (2004). Redcoats to Cams: A History of Australian Infantry 1788–2001. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military Historical Publications. ISBN 1876439998.
- Laffin, John (1999). The Battle of Hamel: The Australians' Finest Victory. East Roseville, New South Wales: Kangaroo Press. ISBN 0-86417-970-7.
- McCarthy, Dayton (2003). The Once and Future Army: A History of the Citizen Military Forces, 1947–74. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-551569-5.
- McKenzie-Smith, Graham (2018). The Unit Guide: The Australian Army 1939–1945, Volume 2. Warriewood, New South Wales: Big Sky Publishing. ISBN 978-1-925675-146.
- ISBN 978-0-7344-0907-2.
- Morgan, Joseph (2014). "Voices from Gallipoli and the Western Front: The Forgotten 26th". Sabretache. LV (1). Garran, Australian Capital Territory: ISSN 0048-8933.
- Palazzo, Albert (2001). The Australian Army: A History of Its Organisation 1901–2001. South Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-551506-4.
- Smith, Steve (October 2014). "The Army's 2nd Division – An Update". The Australian Reservist (23): 28–30.
- Williams, John (2003). German Anzacs and the First World War. Sydney, New South Wales: University of New South Wales Press. ISBN 978-0-86840-508-7.
- Wray, Christopher (2002). Sir James Whiteside McCay: A Turbulent Life. South Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-551573-0.
External links
- 2nd Division
- Photos of the 2nd Division's memorial
- Photos of the 2nd Division's memorial, including the original monument that was destroyed
- Photos of Australian memorials in France (including the 2nd Division's memorial)
- Photos of the all Australian divisional memorials
- Australian 2nd Division vehicle marking