4th Division (Australia)
4th Division | |
---|---|
Active | 1916–1919 1921–1944 |
Country | Australia |
Branch | Australian Army |
Type | Division |
Part of | II ANZAC Corps (1916) I ANZAC Corps (1916–1917) Australian Corps (1917–1919) 3rd Military District (Inter-war years) III Corps (World War II) |
Engagements | World War I
World War II
|
Commanders | |
Notable commanders |
The Australian 4th Division was formed in the First World War during the expansion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) infantry brigades in February 1916. In addition to the experienced 4th Brigade (previously in the original New Zealand and Australian Division) were added the new 12th and 13th Brigades (spawned from the battalions of the 4th and 3rd Brigades respectively). From Egypt the division was sent to France, where it took part in the fighting on the Western Front during 1916–1918. After the war ended, the AIF was demobilised and the division was dissolved.
In 1921, the 4th Division was reactivated as a Citizen Military Forces (militia/reserve) formation. The division performed home defence duties for most of World War II. The division's composition during World War II changed frequently, as brigades were rotated between different divisions and moved to different locations as the need arose. The division spent the majority of the war in Western Australia, before moving to Queensland prior to its deactivation in late 1944.
World War I
Formation in Egypt, 1916
In January 1916, in the aftermath of the
Under the command of Major General
There were delays in assembling the divisional artillery as
Somme, 1916
Personnel deficiencies amongst the division's artillery units were hastily rectified by bolstering numbers from the division's infantry units, as well as light horse reinforcements. Throughout May, these units received rudimentary training and by the end of the month, the 4th Division received its orders to deploy to the Western Front.[7] The following month, the division moved to France, taking over part of the "nursery" sector near Armentières, where they could be introduced to trench warfare in a relatively quite area. The 4th Brigade was first into the line, taking over a sector from the 2nd Division on 15 June.[8]
The division was transferred to I ANZAC Corps around this time, swapping with the
Following this, the division was brought back up to two thirds strength, and after relieving the 2nd Division, launched an attack to the north of
Hindenburg Line, 1917
The 4th Division remained on the Somme during the winter of 1916–1917, enduring extreme cold and damp conditions.
Following the failed attack around Bullecourt, the division was withdrawn from the line for rest and reinforcement.
Following the Battle of Messines, the division remained in the line around the town. On 2 July, the divisional commander, Holmes, was fatally wounded by a stray shell while escorting the New South Wales premier,
In September, the Australians took part in the
On 12 October, the 12th Brigade was assigned to protect the 3rd Division's flank during the First Battle of Passchendaele, and took part in an effort to capture the Keiberg ridge. Although, elements of the 3rd were able to enter Passchendaele, and the 12th gained their objective, both groups were eventually forced back. The unsuccessful effort cost the 12th Brigade around 1,000 casualties. The Canadians then took over responsibility for the sector, and were eventually able to secure the village in November, while the Australians were withdrawn to Messines for a rest.[30][31] In the wake of considerable losses, which could not be made up from voluntary recruitment, Australian authorities considered breaking up the 4th Division to provide reinforcements, although this did not eventuate.[32] In November 1917, the division became part of the Australian Corps, initially under Lieutenant General William Birdwood and then later under Lieutenant General John Monash.[33]
German Spring Offensive, 1918
Throughout the winter of 1917–1918, the Australians rotated between the front and rest areas around Flanders and northern France, during which time it was largely quiet, apart from occasional shelling and aerial attacks. In early 1917, the Australians moved back to the front around Messines, after a rest in the rear areas.
The 4th Brigade was detached from the division during this time, and fought a sharp action alongside the New Zealanders at Hebuterne, holding off several German attacks in late March and early April.[37] Meanwhile, the 12th and 13th Brigades established themselves south of Albert, around the railway embankment and cuttings of the Albert–Amiens railway at Dernancourt, where they joined troops of the British VII Corps.[38] The 12th Brigade was positioned forward, taking over from the British 9th (Scottish) Division, while the 13th held a support position around Bresle and Ribemont-sur-Ancre.[39] On 28 March, during the First Battle of Dernancourt, the 12th brigade helped fight off an attack by the 50th Reserve Division, with 137 Australian casualties.[37] A week later, on 5 April, the Second Battle of Dernancourt was fought. In the lead up, the 13th Brigade moved forward beside the 12th, taking over from the 35th Division. Together, the two brigades faced an attack by two and a half German divisions in what was described by historian Chris Coulthard-Clark as "the strongest attack mounted against the Australians in the war".[40] The Australian 48th Battalion soon found itself outflanked by Germans to its rear. The 48th was ordered to hold at all costs but by midday was facing annihilation and the senior officer ordered a withdrawal, which was completed in good order. The two brigades then committed their reserves, which restored the situation for the Allies. In the action, the division lost 1,230 casualties, and afterwards it was relieved by the 2nd Division.[40]
In April, the 13th Brigade was involved in the counterattack at Villers-Bretonneux. On 21 April, in the lead up to the battle, the German fighter pilot, Manfred von Richthofen (the "Red Baron") was shot down over Australian lines, north of Villers-Bretonneux at Corbie. There are many theories as to who shot him down, one of which is that an Australian Vickers machine gunner, Sergeant Cedric Popkin of the 24th Machine-Gun Company, 4th Division, fired the actual bullet that killed von Richthofen.[41][42] At dawn on 24 April, the Germans launched their attack, supported by armoured vehicles and a heavy artillery bombardment, that included mustard gas. With the situation urgent, the British III Corps ordered a counter-attack from the Australian 13th and 15th Brigades to retake the town. The attack was launched around 10 pm that night, with the two brigades isolated the town, enveloping it from the north and south, before entering it on Anzac Day to begin mopping up operations, with the Australians penetrating from the east, while British troops came from the opposite direction. The 14th Brigade, from the 5th Division, also filled a supporting role,[43] securing flanking positions to the north of the town.[44] In early May, the 12th Brigade carried out a follow-up attack around Monument Wood, to the east of Villers-Bretonneux, which made little headway against the defending Jager troops; nevertheless, the recapture of Villers-Bretonneux had restored the Allied line in the sector.[43]
Hundred Days offensive, 1918
Following the defeat of the German Spring Offensive, a brief lull followed while the Allies prepared to launch their own offensive, which ultimately would bring an end to the war. During this time, the division went on to fight in the Battle of Hamel in July. The 4th Division was responsible for planning and commanding the attack, but the decision was made the only one of its brigades would take part with the 4th Brigade being reinforced by brigades from both the 3rd and 5th Divisions, as well as four companies from the US 33rd Infantry Division for the attack. A combined arms assault, including armour and air support, the attack proved successful in capturing the town, in just over 90 minutes, for around 1,400 casualties.[45]
After the Allies launched their Hundred Days Offensive in August 1918, the division took part in the Battle of Amiens, the Battle of Albert,[17] the Battle of Épehy and the battles against the Hindenburg Line outposts, finally reaching the town of Bellenglise.[1] Withdrawn in late September, the division was replaced by the 3rd and 5th Divisions for the Battle of St Quentin Canal, and then the 2nd Division for the assault on the Beaureviour Line.[46] For these final battles, the 4th Division provided 200 advisers to assist the inexperienced US troops that were assigned to Monash's corps.[47] In early October, the remainder of the Australian Corps was withdrawn from the line for rest at the insistence of Prime Minister Billy Hughes.[48]
After the armistice in November 1918, the division was not selected to advance into Germany. Demobilisation commenced in late 1918,[17] and in March 1919 the division merged with 1st Australian Division, under the designation A Divisional Group, as personnel were repatriated back to Australia and individual units were demobilised.[49] During the war, the division suffered 41,048 casualties, including 8,360 killed in action. Another 2,613 men died of wounds, and 872 died from other causes. A total of 2,076 men were captured, and 27,127 were wounded.[1]
Inter-war years and World War II
In 1921, following the demobilisation of the AIF, Australia's part-time military forces were reorganised to replicate the numerical designations of the AIF.
After the outbreak of
In January 1943, the division was slowly broken up with the 6th Brigade being sent to Queensland and the 13th deploying to the Northern Territory. In April and May 1943, the division's headquarters was transferred to north Queensland, establishing itself around
Over time all of these brigades were transferred elsewhere (
Commanders
The following officers commanded the division during World War I:[1]
- Major General Herbert Cox (1916)
- Major General William Holmes (1916–1917)
- Major General Ewen Sinclair-Maclagan(1917–1919)
The following officers commanded the division during World War II:[58]
- Major General Francis Derham (1940–1942)
- Major General Jack Stevens (1942)
- Major General John Murray(1942–1944)
See also
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g Mallett, Ross. "First AIF Order of Battle 1914–1918: Fourth Division". University of New South Wales (Australian Defence Force Academy). Archived from the original on 28 February 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
- ^ Grey 2008, pp. 99–100.
- ^ Bean 1941a, pp. 36–42.
- ^ a b Grey 2008, p. 100.
- ^ Bean 1941a, pp. 63–64.
- ^ Bean 1941a, pp. 288–292.
- ^ Bean 1941a, p. 297.
- ^ Bean 1941a, p. 299.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 52.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 118.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, pp. 201–206.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 206.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 117–120.
- ^ Bean 1941a, p. 940.
- ^ a b Travers 1983.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 284.
- ^ a b c Baker, Chris. "4th Australian Division". The Long, Long Trail: The British Army in the Great War of 1914–1918. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, pp. 307–310.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 104.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 125–126.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 349.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, pp. 349 & 407.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 407.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 129–130.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, pp. 412–413.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, pp. 466–467.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 130–131.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 474.
- ^ Bean 1941b, pp. 828–831.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 134.
- ^ Bean 1941b, pp. 909 & 928.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 531.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 107.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, pp. 540 & 548.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 34.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 137–138.
- ^ a b Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 138.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 153.
- ^ Bean 1941c, pp. 158–169.
- ^ a b Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 141.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, pp. 605–606.
- ^ Australian Associated Press staff (20 April 2018). "Who shot down the notorious Red Baron?". Murray Valley Standard. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
- ^ a b Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 145.
- ^ Bean 1941c, p. 578.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, pp. 148–149.
- ^ Carlyon 2006, pp. 696–698, 708 & 719.
- ^ Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 163.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 109.
- ^ Ellis 1920, p. 399.
- ^ "4th Division: Subordinates". Orders of Battle. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 125.
- ^ Palazzo 2001, p. 91.
- ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 9 December 2007.
- ^ a b McKenzie-Smith 2018a, pp. 2034–2035.
- ^ McKenzie-Smith 2018b, pp. 61–63.
- ^ a b McKenzie-Smith 2018a, p. 2035.
- ^ Palazzo 2001, p. 180.
- ^ "4th Division: Appointments". Orders of Battle. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
Bibliography
- OCLC 220623454.
- Bean, Charles (1941b). The Australian Imperial Force in France, 1917. Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918, Volume III (11th ed.). Sydney, New South Wales: Angus and Robertson. OCLC 271462395.
- Bean, Charles (1941c). The Australian Imperial Force in France during the Main German Offensive, 1918. Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918, Volume V (8th ed.). Sydney, New South Wales: Angus and Robertson. OCLC 271462406.
- ISBN 978-1-4050-3799-0.
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1998). The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles (1st ed.). Sydney, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-611-2.
- 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.
- ISBN 978-1-925675-146.
- McKenzie-Smith, Graham (2018b). "The Japanese Landing at Dongara – 24–28 October 1942". ISSN 0048-8933.
- Palazzo, Albert (2001). The Australian Army: A History of its Organisation 1901–2001. Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195515072.
- Travers, B.H. (1983). "Holmes, William (1862–1917)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
Further reading
- Franki, George; Slayter, Clyde (2003). Mad Harry, Australia's Most Decorated Soldier. East Roseville, New South Wales: Kangaroo Press. ISBN 978-0-73181-188-5.
- Hatwell, Jeff (2021) Brave Days: The Fourth Australian Division in the Great War. Melbourne, Victoria: Echo Books. ISBN 978-0-6485540-8-0.
- Hatwell, Jeff (2005). No Ordinary Determination: Percy Black and Harry Murray of the First AIF. Fremantle, Western Australia: Fremantle Arts Centre Press. ISBN 978-1-92073-141-0.
- ISBN 1-74166-547-7.
- Walker, Jonathan (2000). The Blood Tub: General Gough and the Battle of Bullecourt 1917. Staplehurst, United Kingdom: Spellmount. ISBN 978-1-86227-022-0.
External links
- Battles involving the 4th Division[permanent dead link], Digger History
- 4th Division Memorial Archived 2 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Department of Veterans Affairs
- Australian 4th Division Vehicle Marking