Difference between revisions of "Australian units in World War I"

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== Constitution of Australian Forces ==
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The armed forces of the Commonwealth of Australia consisted of two services: the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy.
  
Australia's military forces consisted of these services:
 
  
*Royal Australian Navy: formed after federation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 as Commonwealth Naval Forces. Granted the title Royal Australian Navy in 1911. Put under British command immediately after start of First World War and served in many theatres.
+
== Australian Army ==
*Australian Army (known as Commonwealth Military Forces 1901-1915 and Australian Military Forces 1916-1929): formed after federation and governed by 1903 Defence Act. Divided into these branches:
 
**Permanent Force: full-time regulars, mostly artillery, engineers and staff. Not legally allowed to include infantry.
 
**Citizen Military Force (also known as the Militia): conscripted in peace-time for training and could be called out for home defence, but not legally allowed to be sent overseas. Mobilized for home defence at the start of the First World War.
 
**Australian Imperial Force (briefly known as the Expeditionary Force, or large Expeditionary Force): all-volunteer force raised for overseas service in First World War. Legally separate from the Permanent Force and Citizen Military Force to get round the limitations imposed by the 1903 Defence Act, but organized by the exising general staff, and many officers and soldiers from the Permanent and Citizen forces volunteered to transfer to the AIF. Disbanded 1 April 1921 but Citizen Military Force inherited the names of its battalions and divisions.
 
**Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (also known as First Expeditionary Force): another volunteer land force raised in August 1914 for war service, particularly invading and occupying German colonies in the Pacific. Operated with Royal Australian Navy ships, but organized by army general staff.
 
  
For more information see:
+
Known as Commonwealth Military Forces 1901-1915 and Australian Military Forces 1916-1929. Formed after federation and governed by 1903 Defence Act, which made it illegal for a standing force of infantry to exist, and for conscripts to serve overseas. The head of the Army was the Chief of General Staff (see [https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/AWM4/1/1/ war diary] for more details of responsibilities).
  
*[https://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/structure/one-army/ Australian War Memorial: One army, two armies?]
+
During the First World War, the army had four branches (see also [https://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/structure/one-army/ Australian War Memorial: One army, two armies?] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Australian_Army Wikipedia: History of the Australian Army]):
* {{WarDiaryAWM|1|1|July 1914|December 1914}}. Chief of Staff war diaries: includes details of Australia's mobilization at the start of the war, including calling out the Militia, and creating the expeditionary forces.
 
  
Wikipedia:
 
  
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Australian_Navy Royal Australian Navy]
+
=== Australian Imperial Force ===
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Royal_Australian_Navy History of the Royal Australian Navy]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Australian_Imperial_Force First Australian Imperial Force]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Naval_and_Military_Expeditionary_Force Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Army Australian Army]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Australian_Army History of the Australian Army]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Army_Reserve Australian Army Reserve]
 
  
== Corps ==
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Early in the war this was sometimes known as the Expeditionary Force, or large Expeditionary Force, but it's more commonly known by its official title, Australian Imperial Force. This was an all-volunteer force raised for overseas service in the First World War. Legally separate from the Permanent Force and Citizen Military Force (see below) to avoid the limitations imposed by the 1903 Defence Act, but organized by the exising general staff, and many officers and soldiers from the Permanent and Citizen forces volunteered to transfer to the AIF. Disbanded 1 April 1921 but Citizen Military Force inherited the names of its battalions and divisions.
 +
 
 +
See also [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Australian_Imperial_Force Wikipedia: First Australian Imperial Force].
 +
 
 +
==== Divisions and corps ====
  
 
*[[Australian and New Zealand Army Corps]]
 
*[[Australian and New Zealand Army Corps]]
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Australian units also formed a large part of [[Desert Mounted Corps]] (which country did the corps headquarters belong to?).
 
Australian units also formed a large part of [[Desert Mounted Corps]] (which country did the corps headquarters belong to?).
 
== Infantry divisions ==
 
  
 
*[[New Zealand and Australian Division]]
 
*[[New Zealand and Australian Division]]
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*[[4th Australian Division]]
 
*[[4th Australian Division]]
 
*[[5th Australian Division]]
 
*[[5th Australian Division]]
*[[6th Australian Division]]
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*[[6th Australian Division]] (started forming in 1917 but never completed)
 +
*[[Australian Mounted Division]]
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*[[Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division]]
 +
 
  
== Infantry Brigades and battalions ==
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==== Infantry battalions and brigades ====
  
 
As part of [[1st Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
 
As part of [[1st Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[62nd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]] (never saw active service)
 
* [[62nd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]] (never saw active service)
  
== Medical, Dental & Nursing ==
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 +
==== Mounted regiments and brigades ====
 +
 
 +
* [[13th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]] (sometimes part of I ANZAC Mounted Regiment)
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* [[II ANZAC (XXII Corps) Mounted Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
As part of [[1st Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[1st Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[2nd Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[3rd Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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As part of [[2nd Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
 +
* [[5th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[6th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[7th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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As part of [[3rd Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
 +
* [[8th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[9th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[10th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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As part of [[4th Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[4th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[11th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[12th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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As part of [[5th Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
 +
* [[14th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[15th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
 +
 
 +
As part of [[Imperial Camel Corps]] (a brigade-sized formation including Australian, New Zealand, British and Indian units):
 +
 
 +
* [[1st (Australian) Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps]]
 +
* [[3rd (Australian) Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps]]
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* [[4th (ANZAC) Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==== Medical, Dental & Nursing ====
  
 
* [[1st Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance]]
 
* [[1st Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance]]
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* [[Australian Flying Corps Hospital, Tetbury]]
 
* [[Australian Flying Corps Hospital, Tetbury]]
  
Also the [[Australian Army Nursing Service]] and [[Australian Voluntary Hospital]]
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Also the [[Australian Army Nursing Service]] and [[Australian Voluntary Hospital]].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==== Artillery ====
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 +
* [[1st Division Artillery Brigade]]
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* [[1st Australian Field Artillery Brigade]]
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* [[3rd Australian Field Artillery Battery]]
 +
 
 +
See also [https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/AWM4/13/ list of artillery war diaries].
 +
 
 +
==== Engineers ====
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 +
See [https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/AWM4/14/ list of engineering war diaries].
 +
 
 +
==== Australian Flying Corps (AFC) ====
  
== Australian Flying Corps (AFC) ==
 
 
* [[1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps (AFC)]]
 
* [[1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps (AFC)]]
 
* [[2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps (AFC)]]
 
* [[2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps (AFC)]]
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* [[8 (Training) Squadron Australian Flying Corps (AFC)]]
 
* [[8 (Training) Squadron Australian Flying Corps (AFC)]]
  
== Cavalry and Mounted infantry ==
 
* [[II ANZAC (XXII Corps) Mounted Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
 
  
As part of [['1st Light Horse Brigade', Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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=== Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force ===
* [[1 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[2 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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Also known as First Expeditionary Force. Another volunteer land force raised in August 1914 for war service, particularly invading and occupying German colonies in the Pacific. Operated with Royal Australian Navy ships, but organized by army general staff.
* [[3 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
+
 
As part of [['2nd LH Brigade', Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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See also [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Naval_and_Military_Expeditionary_Force Wikipedia: Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force].
* [[5 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[6 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[7 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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=== Citizen Military Force ===
As part of [['3rd LH Brigade', Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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* [[8 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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Also known as the Militia. Conscripted in peace-time for training and could be called out for home defence, but not legally allowed to be sent overseas. Mobilized for home defence at the start of the First World War.
* [[9 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
+
 
* [[10 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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See also [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Army_Reserve Wikipedia: Australian Army Reserve].
As part of [['4th LH Brigade', Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
+
 
* [[4 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
+
We don't yet have a list of CMF units.
* [[11 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
+
 
* [[12 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
+
 
As part of [['5th LH Brigade', Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
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=== Permanent Force ===
* [[14 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
+
 
* [[15 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
+
Full-time regulars, mostly artillery, engineers and staff. Not legally allowed to include infantry.
As part of 'Unattached Units'
 
* [[13 Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
 
* [[Imperial Camel Corps, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)]]
 
  
== Artillery ==
+
We don't yet have a list of Permanent Force units.
* [[1st Division Artillery Brigade]]
 
* [[1st Australian Field Artillery Brigade]]
 
* [[3rd Australian Field Artillery Battery]]
 
  
 
== Royal Australian Navy ==
 
== Royal Australian Navy ==
 +
 +
The navy was formed after the federation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 as Commonwealth Naval Forces. Granted the title Royal Australian Navy in 1911. Put under British command immediately after start of First World War and served in many theatres.
 +
 +
See also [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Royal_Australian_Navy Wikipedia: History of the Royal Australian Navy].
 +
 
* [[HMAS AE1]]
 
* [[HMAS AE1]]
 
* [[HMAS AE2]]
 
* [[HMAS AE2]]
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==Transport ships ==
 
==Transport ships ==
 +
 
* [[SS Alacrity]]
 
* [[SS Alacrity]]
 
* [[SS Aorangi]] (1883-1925)
 
* [[SS Aorangi]] (1883-1925)
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* [[HMNZT WILLOCHRA]]
 
* [[HMNZT WILLOCHRA]]
  
[[Category:Australian_Army]]
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 +
<references />
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 +
[[Category:Australia]]
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[[Category:Australian Army]]
 +
[[Category:Royal Australian Navy]]

Revision as of 09:00, 14 May 2015

The armed forces of the Commonwealth of Australia consisted of two services: the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy.


Australian Army

Known as Commonwealth Military Forces 1901-1915 and Australian Military Forces 1916-1929. Formed after federation and governed by 1903 Defence Act, which made it illegal for a standing force of infantry to exist, and for conscripts to serve overseas. The head of the Army was the Chief of General Staff (see war diary for more details of responsibilities).

During the First World War, the army had four branches (see also Australian War Memorial: One army, two armies? and Wikipedia: History of the Australian Army):


Australian Imperial Force

Early in the war this was sometimes known as the Expeditionary Force, or large Expeditionary Force, but it's more commonly known by its official title, Australian Imperial Force. This was an all-volunteer force raised for overseas service in the First World War. Legally separate from the Permanent Force and Citizen Military Force (see below) to avoid the limitations imposed by the 1903 Defence Act, but organized by the exising general staff, and many officers and soldiers from the Permanent and Citizen forces volunteered to transfer to the AIF. Disbanded 1 April 1921 but Citizen Military Force inherited the names of its battalions and divisions.

See also Wikipedia: First Australian Imperial Force.

Divisions and corps

Australian units also formed a large part of Desert Mounted Corps (which country did the corps headquarters belong to?).


Infantry battalions and brigades

As part of 1st Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 2nd Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 3rd Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 4th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 5th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 6th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 7th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 8th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 9th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 10th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 11th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 12th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 13th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 14th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 15th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

Unknown brigade in the planned 6th Australian Division:


Mounted regiments and brigades


As part of 1st Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 2nd Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 3rd Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 4th Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of 5th Light Horse Brigade, Australian Imperial Force (AIF)

As part of Imperial Camel Corps (a brigade-sized formation including Australian, New Zealand, British and Indian units):


Medical, Dental & Nursing

Also the Australian Army Nursing Service and Australian Voluntary Hospital.


Artillery

See also list of artillery war diaries.

Engineers

See list of engineering war diaries.

Australian Flying Corps (AFC)


Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force

Also known as First Expeditionary Force. Another volunteer land force raised in August 1914 for war service, particularly invading and occupying German colonies in the Pacific. Operated with Royal Australian Navy ships, but organized by army general staff.

See also Wikipedia: Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force.


Citizen Military Force

Also known as the Militia. Conscripted in peace-time for training and could be called out for home defence, but not legally allowed to be sent overseas. Mobilized for home defence at the start of the First World War.

See also Wikipedia: Australian Army Reserve.

We don't yet have a list of CMF units.


Permanent Force

Full-time regulars, mostly artillery, engineers and staff. Not legally allowed to include infantry.

We don't yet have a list of Permanent Force units.

Royal Australian Navy

The navy was formed after the federation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 as Commonwealth Naval Forces. Granted the title Royal Australian Navy in 1911. Put under British command immediately after start of First World War and served in many theatres.

See also Wikipedia: History of the Royal Australian Navy.

Transport ships