The 6th Division of the Australian Army was a unit in the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) during World War II. It served in the North African campaign, the Greek campaign and the New Guinea campaign, including the crucial battles of the Kokoda Track, among others. The Australian Army is Australias military land force. ... The Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) was the name given to the volunteer units of the Australian Army in World War II. The 2nd AIF was formed, from 1939 onwards, to fight overseas: most army units were Militia (reserve) units and under Australian law at the time, Militia troops... Combatants Allied powers: United Kingdom Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Chiang Kai-shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000,000 Total... During World War II, the North African Campaign, also known as the Desert War, took place in the North African desert from September 13, 1940 to May 13, 1943. ... Combatants Germany, Italy, Bulgaria Greece, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand Commanders Wilhelm List, Maximilian von Weichs Alexander Papagos, Henry Maitland Wilson, Thomas Blamey Strength Germany: 680,000 men,[1] 1200 tanks, 700 aircraft, Italy: 529,000 men Greece: 350,000 men, British Commonwealth: 58,000 men Casualties Italy: 13,755... The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II. Fighting in the Australian mandated Territory of New Guinea (the north-eastern part of the island of New Guinea and surrounding islands) and Dutch New Guinea, between Allied and Japanese forces, commenced with the Japanese... Combatants Australia Japan Commanders Ralph Honner Selwyn Porter Arnold Potts Arthur Tubby Allen George Vasey Yosuke Yokoyama Tomitaro Horii Strength 2,000 plus reinforcements 10,000 plus reinforcements Casualties 725 killed 1,055 wounded Hundreds sick with disease 6,500 killed including Maj-Gen Horii Hundreds sick with disease The...

(The 6th Division name was first used for a short-lived World War I unit, formed from First Australian Imperial Force troops in England, in 1917. The division was broken-up as replacements several months later, before it saw action.) Combatants Allied Powers: Russian Empire France British Empire Italy United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary German Empire Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Commanders Nicholas II Aleksei Brusilov Georges Clemenceau Joseph Joffre Ferdinand Foch Robert Nivelle Herbert Henry Asquith Sir Douglas Haig Sir John Jellicoe Victor Emmanuel III Luigi Cadorna Armando Diaz Woodrow... The First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from August 15, 1914, following Britains declaration of war on Germany. ...

When World War II broke out, because all Militia (reserve) units (which were organised in five divisions) were barred from serving overseas, the 2nd AIF's 6th Division was formed with regular army units and new, all-volunteer infantry brigades, from September 28, 1939. Following the federation of Australia in 1901, the six colonial militias were merged to form a national reserve army. ... The Regular Army is the permanent force of the United States Army that is maintained during peacetime, as opposed to those persons who may be part of a reserve or national guard outfit. ...

History

The 6th Division first saw action in late 1940, against Italian forces in North Africa, including the advance to Benghazi.  Northern Africa (UN subregion)  geographic, including above North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, generally divided by the formidable barrier of the Sahara from Sub-Saharan Africa. ... Combatants Western Desert Force Italian Tenth Army Commanders Richard OConnor Rodolfo Graziani Pietro Maletti † Strength 50,000 soldiers 120 guns 275 tanks 100,000 soldiers 1,600 guns 600 light tanks Casualties 494 dead 1,225 wounded 3,000 dead 115,000 captured 400 tanks 1,292 guns Operation...

Greece and the Middle East

In 1941, the division took part in the ill-fated Allied expedition to defend Greece from a German invasion. During the campaign, Brig. George Vasey's 19th Brigade (minus the 2/11th Battalion) was defeated by the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler brigade, at the Battle of Vevi. The 2/4th and 2/8th Battalions became the only Australian Army units to face elite Waffen SS soldiers in combat. Combatants Germany, Italy, Bulgaria Greece, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand Commanders Wilhelm List, Maximilian von Weichs Alexander Papagos, Henry Maitland Wilson, Thomas Blamey Strength Germany: 680,000 men,[1] 1200 tanks, 700 aircraft, Italy: 529,000 men Greece: 350,000 men, British Commonwealth: 58,000 men Casualties Italy: 13,755... Major General George Alan Vasey, CB, CBE, DSO (29 March 1895 - 05 March 1945) was an Australian Army Divisional Commander during World War II. Vasey is argued to be the best divisional commander that has ever been produced by Australia. ... The Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (Lifeguard Standarte of the SS Adolf Hitler) was a Waffen SS guard and combat formation which saw action on both the Eastern and Western fronts during the Second World War. ... Combatants Australia United Kingdom New Zealand Greece Germany Commanders Iven Mackay (operational); George Vasey (infantry) Fritz Witt Strength About 4,000 personnel, including some artillery support About 2,000 personnel, including significant artillery support and some tanks (see below) Casualties  ?; 520 taken prisoner 37 dead, 95 wounded The Battle of... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The Allies were outflanked by the Germans, and were driven off the Greek mainland. The 19th Brigade Group then took part in the Battle of Crete. More than 3,000 members of the division could not be evacuated, and were taken prisoner in the Greek campaign, including Crete. A great deal of equipment was also lost. Almost immediately, however, the 17th Brigade was detached to take part in the bloody but successful attack on Vichy French forces in the Syria-Lebanon campaign. Combatants Greece United Kingdom New Zealand Australia Germany Italy Commanders Bernard Freyberg Kurt Student Strength United Kingdom: 15,000 Greece: 11,000 Australia: 7,100 New Zealand: 6,700 Total: 40,000 (10,000 without fighting capability. ... Vichy France (French: now called Régime de Vichy or Vichy; called itself at the time État Français, or French State) was the French state of 1940-1944 which was a puppet government under Nazi influence, as opposed to the Free French Forces, based first in London and later... The Syria-Lebanon campaign was the Allied invasion of Vichy French-controlled Syria and Lebanon in 1941, during World War II. The Allied offensive, also known as Operation Exporter, was aimed at preventing Nazi Germany from using Vichy territory as a springboard for attacks on the Allied stronghold of Egypt...

The Pacific War

Major General H. C. H. Robertson accepts the sword of Japanese Lieutenant General Hatazo Adachi following the Japanese surrender

After war with Japan broke out, the 16th Brigade and 17th Brigade were at first sent to garrison Ceylon, which was under threat of invasion. In late 1942 the 16th Brigade and other elements of the division were sent to New Guinea, initially to reinforce and relieve Militia (reserve) and 7th Division units on the Kokoda Track. With other Australian and US forces, the 16th Brigade and associated units re-took the north coast of New Guinea in the Battle of Buna-Gona. Combatants Republic of China U.S.A. (from 1941) U.K. (from 1941) Australia (1941) Netherlands (1941) New Zealand (1941) Canada (1941) U.S.S.R. (from 1945) Empire of Japan Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Josef Stalin (from 1945) Hideki Tojo The Pacific War was... Image File history File linksMetadata Japanese_surrender_(AWM_019296). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Japanese_surrender_(AWM_019296). ... Following the federation of Australia in 1901, the six colonial militias were merged to form a national reserve army. ... Combatants Australia Japan Commanders Ralph Honner Selwyn Porter Arnold Potts Arthur Tubby Allen George Vasey Yosuke Yokoyama Tomitaro Horii Strength 2,000 plus reinforcements 10,000 plus reinforcements Casualties 725 killed 1,055 wounded Hundreds sick with disease 6,500 killed including Maj-Gen Horii Hundreds sick with disease The... Combatants Australia, United States Japan Commanders George Vasey (Australia); Edwin F. Harding/ Robert L. Eichelberger (United States) Ken Yamagata Strength 20,000+ 7,400+ Casualties 3,500 (not counting tropical diseases); 1,300 Australian and 1,000 US personnel killed in action. ...

During 1943, the division was converted to a Jungle Division and 17th Brigade and other elements of the division took part in the Wau, Mubo, Markham Valley and Salamaua campaigns. The Jungle Division was an military organisation adopted by the Australian Army during the Second World War. ...

The 6th Division was reunited as a formation in its last major action, the Aitape to Wewak campaigns of 1944. Private Ted Kenna was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery at Wewak. Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ...

Like the rest of the 2nd AIF, the division was disbanded after the war ended in 1945.

Structure

Infantry units (and state of origin)

• 16th Australian Infantry Brigade, New South Wales (NSW)
  • 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 2/2nd Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 2/3rd Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 2/4th Australian Infantry Battalion (to 19th Brigade in 1940)

• 17th Australian Infantry Brigade, Victoria (Vic.)
  • 2/5th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 2/6th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 2/7th Australian Infantry Battalion
  • 2/8th Australian Infantry Battalion (to 19th Brigade in 1940)

• 18th Australian Infantry Brigade (to 7th Division in 1940)

• 19th Australian Infantry Brigade (formed from other 6th Div. brigades, 1940)
  • 2/4th Australian Infantry Battalion, NSW)
  • 2/8th Australian Infantry Battalion, Vic.
  • 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion, Western Australia

• Artillery regiments
  • 2/1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA), NSW
  • 2/2nd Field Regiment, RAA, Vic.
  • 2/3rd Field Regiment, RAA, NSW/SA/WA/Northern Territory (NT)
  • 2/5th Field Regiment, RAA, Queensland (Qld)/Tasmania (Tas.) (Became 2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment, 1940.)

• Other units
  • 2/1st Australian Machine-Gun Regiment
  • 2/1st Australian Pioneer Battalion
  • 6th Australian Divisional Cavalry
  • Engineer companies
    • 2/1st Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) (NSW)
    • 2/2nd Field Company, RAE (Vic.)
    • 2/3rd Field Company, RAE (Tas./WA/SA)
    • 2/1st Field Park Company, RAE (Qld)

From left to right, a Chinook, Blackhawk and Tiger helicopter The 16th (Aviation) Brigade currently commands most of the Australian Armys aviation units. ... Capital Sydney Government Const. ... The 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the Australian Army was raised at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, on 16 October 1939 as part of the 16th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division for World War II. The battalion embarked for overseas service on 10 January 1940 and arrived... The 2/2nd Battalion was raised at Victoria Barracks, Sydney on 24 October 1939 as part of the 16th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division. ... The 2/3rd Australian Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the 6th Australian Division raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for World War II. It was raised Victoria Barracks, New South Wales on 24 October 1939. ... The 2/4th Australian Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the 6th Australian Division raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for World War II. It was raised Victoria Barracks, New South Wales on 3 November 1939. ... Capital Melbourne Government Const. ... The 2/5th Australian Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the 6th Australian Division raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for World War II. It was raised Puckapunyal, Victoria on 2 November 1939. ... The 2/6th Australian Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the 6th Australian Division raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for World War II. Battalion Histories Not as a duty only : an infantrymans war Gullett, Henry, 1914- Published 1976 by Melbourne University Press: Carlton Nothing over... The 2/7th Australian Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the 6th Australian Division raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for World War II. It was raised at Puckapunyal, Victoria on 15 April 1940. ... The 2/8th Australian Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the 6th Australian Division raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for World War II. It was raised at Puckapunyal, Victoria on 15 April 1940. ... The 2/4th Australian Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the 6th Australian Division raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for World War II. It was raised Victoria Barracks, New South Wales on 3 November 1939. ... The 2/8th Australian Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the 6th Australian Division raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for World War II. It was raised at Puckapunyal, Victoria on 15 April 1940. ... The 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion was a battalion of the 6th Australian Division raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for World War II. It was raised at Northam, Western Australia mber 1939. ... Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $100,900 (4th)  - Product per capita  $50,355/person (3rd) Population (December 2006)  - Population  2,050,900 (4th)  - Density  0. ... Capital Darwin Government Const. ... Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (June Quarter Released Statistics 2006)  - Population  4,053,444 (3rd)  - Density  2. ... Capital Hobart Government Const. ...

Commanders

Maj. Gen. Thomas Blamey (13 October 1939 - 3 April 1940)
Maj. Gen. Iven Mackay (4 April 1940 - 13 August 1941)
Maj. Gen. Edmund Herring (14 August 1941 - 30 April 1942)
Maj. Gen. George Vasey (14 September 1942 - 14 March 1943)
Maj. Gen. Jack Stevens (15 March 1943 - 26 July 1945)
Maj. Gen. Horace Robertson (26 July 1945 - 30 November 1945). Memorial statue of Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey in Kings Domain, Melbourne. ... Sir Iven Giffard Mackay CMG, KBE, DSO, VD (7 April 1882 - 30 September 1966) was a prominent Australian soldier. ... Edmund Francis Herring, KCMG, KBE, DSO, MC, ED (2 September 1892 – 5 January 1982) was an Australian Army officer during World War II, was a Lieutenant governor of Victoria, and was a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, which is the highest ranking court in the Australian State... Major General George Alan Vasey, CB, CBE, DSO (29 March 1895 - 05 March 1945) was an Australian Army Divisional Commander during World War II. Vasey is argued to be the best divisional commander that has ever been produced by Australia. ... Lieutenant General Sir Horace Robertson was an officer in the Australian Army and at one time Australias most decorated soldier. ...

See also

• Second Australian Imperial Force

The Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) was the name given to the volunteer units of the Australian Army in World War II. The 2nd AIF was formed, from 1939 onwards, to fight overseas: most army units were Militia (reserve) units and under Australian law at the time, Militia troops...