NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Leslie Morshead

onmouseover="pv(event, 36)" onmouseout="unpv(36)" style="">Lieutenant General Sir Leslie James Morshead, KCB, KBE, CMG, DSO, ED (September 18, 1889 – September 26, 1959) was an Australian soldier with a distinguished career in both world wars. He is considered to rival John Monash for the appellation of "Australia's greatest general". He commanded the Australian troops at the Siege of Tobruk and Second Battle of El Alamein where Australian troops inflicted crushing defeats on the German Afrika Korps. While During World War II, Morshead was known to his soldiers, in part affectionately, as "Ming the Merciless", after the villain in Flash Gordon comics. Badge of a Companion of the Order of the Bath (Military Division) The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath)[1] is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. ... The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... DSO medal The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other Commonwealth countries, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat. ... Chiang Kai-sheks LÃ©gion dhonneur. ... Virtuti Militari The Virtuti Militari (Latin: For Military Virtue) was created in 1792 and is Polands highest military decoration for valor in the face of the enemy and one of the oldest military decorations in the world still in use . ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Badge of a Companion of the Order of the Bath (Military Division) The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath)[1] is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. ... The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... DSO medal The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other Commonwealth countries, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat. ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... September 26 is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A world war is a war affecting the majority of the worlds major nations. ... Sir John Monash General Sir John Monash, GCMG, KCB, VD (27 June 1865 â€“ 8 October 1931), Australian military commander of the First World War, was born in Melbourne, Victoria, to parents of Prussian-Jewish origin (the family name was originally spelled Monasch). ... Combatants Australia United Kingdom South Africa Poland Czechoslovakia Germany Italy Commanders Leslie Morshead Erwin Rommel Strength 14,000 35,000? Casualties Britain: 9009 killed 941 captured estimated 12,000 total 8,000 The Siege of Tobruk was a lengthy confrontation between Axis and Allied forces, mostly Australian, in the North... For the Battle of Alam Halfa, which is also often termed the Second Battle of El Alamein, see Battle of Alam Halfa Combatants British Eighth Army Panzer Army Africa Commanders Bernard Montgomery Erwin Rommel Strength 220,000 men 1,100 tanks[1] 116,000 men[1] 559 tanks(220 panzers... The seal of Afrikakorps The German Afrika Korps (German: Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK ) was the corps-level headquarters controlling the German Panzer divisions in Libya and Egypt during the North African Campaign of World War II. Since there was little turnover in the units attached to the corps, the term is... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Max von Sydow as Emperor Ming in Flash Gordon (1980) Ming the Merciless is a fictional character appearing in the Flash Gordon comic strip. ... Flash Gordon is a science fiction comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond, first published on January 7, 1934. ...

Early life

Morshead was born was born on 18 September 1889 in Ballarat, Victoria, the sixth of seven children of William Morshead, a gold miner, and his wife Mary Eliza Morshead, formerly Rennison. He was educated at Mount Pleasant High School and the Melbourne Teachers Training College, from which he graduated in 1910. ^[1] September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Location of Ballarat in Victoria (red) Ballarat Base Hospital For the electoral division in the Australian House of Representatives, see Division of Ballarat. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th) - Land 227,416 km² - Water 10,213 km² (4. ...

He became a schoolteacher, teaching first at Tragowell in the Swan Hill district, at Fine View State School, and then in the Horsham district. After failing an exam at the University of Melbourne, he decided to quit the state school system and in 1912 took up a position at The Armidale School in New South Wales. In 1914 he moved to Melbourne Grammar School.^[2] Swan Hill is a town in the north west of Victoria, Australia. ... Location of Horsham in Victoria (red) Horsham () is the largest town in the Wimmera region, located where the Western Highway (connecting Melbourne to Adelaide) crosses the Henty Highway (from Portland north towards Mildura). ... The Old Quad Building, formerly Old Law The University of Melbourne, located in Melbourne, Victoria, is the second oldest university in Australia, and the oldest in Victoria. ... The Armidale School (TAS) is an Anglican boarding and day school for boys, located on the New England Tablelands of northern New South Wales, Australia. ... Capital Sydney Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Professor Marie Bashir Premier Morris Iemma (ALP) Federal representation - House seats 50 - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05) - Product ($m) $305,437 (1st) - Product per capita $45,153/person (4th) Population (End of March 2006) - Population 6,817,100 (1st) - Density 8. ... Melbourne Grammar School is an independent school in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, founded in 1858. ...

While at Armidale, Morshead joined the Australian Army Cadets, and was commissioned as a lieutenant on 10 February 1913. He was promoted to captain in September. At Melbourne he commanded a company in that schools' larger cadet unit.^[3] Australian Army Cadets Logo The Australian Army Cadets (AAC) is a youth organisation that is involved with progressive training of youths in military and adventurous activities. ... Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service or police officer rank. ... February 10 is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Captain is a nautical term, an organizational title, and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ...

World War I

Morshead 's teaching career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Great War in 1914. He resigned both his teaching position and his commission in the Cadet Corps and travelled up to Sydney to enlist as a private in the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the First Australian Imperial Force(AIF) because it was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George Braund, whom Morshead knew well from his time in Armidale. Morshead's time in the ranks was brief, as he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the AIF on 19 September. He embarked for Egypt on the transport A23 Suffolk on 18 October 1914. While his battalion was in training there, he was promoted to captain on 8 January 1915.^[4] Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Combatants Australia Ottoman Empire Commanders Harold Walker Unknown Strength 1 division Unknown Casualties 2,300 6,000 The Battle of Lone Pine, which took place during the Gallipoli campaign, was the only successful Australian attack against the Turkish trenches within the original perimeter of the ANZAC battlefield, and yet it... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of over 4,200,000 people, and 151,920, in the city limits. ... 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. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service or police officer rank. ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years). ... 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Captain is a nautical term, an organizational title, and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ... January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ...

The 2nd Battalion landed at Anzac Cove on Anzac Day. Morshead's platoon made the farthest advance of an Australian unit that day, reaching the slopes of Baby 700 but were driven back by a Turkish counterattack in the afternoon. ^[5] Promoted to major, Morshead served with his 2nd Battalion in the Battle of Gallipoli, distinguishing himself in until the Battle of Lone Pine.^[6] On 16 September, like so many others, he succumbed to Dysentery and was evacuated to a hospital in Wandsworth, England. Anzac Cove looking towards Ari Burnu, 1915. ... ANZAC Day is commemorated by Australia and New Zealand on 25 April every year to remember members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who in the Battle of Gallipoli landed at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. ANZAC Day is also a public holiday in Cook... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ... Combatants British Empire Australia India Newfoundland New Zealand United Kingdom France Ottoman Empire Commanders Sir Ian Hamilton Otto von Sanders Mustafa Kemal AtatÃ¼rk Strength 5 divisions (initial) 14 divisions (final) 6 divisions Casualties 141,109 251,309 The Battle of Gallipoli took place at Gallipoli from April 1915 to... Combatants Australia Ottoman Empire Commanders Harold Walker Unknown Strength 1 division Unknown Casualties 2,300 6,000 The Battle of Lone Pine, which took place during the Gallipoli campaign, was the only successful Australian attack against the Turkish trenches within the original perimeter of the ANZAC battlefield, and yet it... // 1400 - Owain GlyndÅµr declared Prince of Wales by his followers. ... Dysentery (formerly known as the bloody flux or simply flux) is the term for severe diarrhea that is associated with blood in the feces. ... Wandsworth is a town on the south bank of the River Thames in south-west London. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem God Save the King (Queen) England() â€“ on the European continent() â€“ in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Government Constitutional monarchy - Queen Queen Elizabeth II - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification - by Athelstan 967 Area...

Morshead returned to Australia on 22 January 1916 where he was posted to the newly-formed 33rd Infantry Battalion. On 16 April he became its commander and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel three days later.^[7] He led his battalion, part of Major General John Monash's 3rd Division through the battles of Messines, Passchendaele, Villers-Bretonneux and Amiens. For his services, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in June 1917,^[8] made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in December 1919,^[9], was awarded the French Légion d'honneur and was mentioned in dispatches five times. January 22 is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... April 16 is the 106th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (107th in leap years). ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Sir John Monash General Sir John Monash, GCMG, KCB, VD (27 June 1865 â€“ 8 October 1931), Australian military commander of the First World War, was born in Melbourne, Victoria, to parents of Prussian-Jewish origin (the family name was originally spelled Monasch). ... The Australian 3rd Division was a first formed in World War I, as part of the Australian Imperial Force. ... Mesen (French: Messines) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. ... Combatants British Empire Australia Canada New Zealand South Africa United Kingdom France German Empire Commanders Douglas Haig Hubert Gough Herbert Plumer Arthur Currie Max von Gallwitz Erich Ludendorff Strength Unknown Unknown Casualties 448,000 killed and wounded 260,000 killed and wounded The 1917 Battle of Passchendaele, also known as... Villers-Bretonneux is a commune of the Somme dÃ©partement in France. ... Combatants United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia Germany Commanders Henry Rawlinson Georg von der Marwitz Strength 4 Aus. ... DSO medal The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other Commonwealth countries, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat. ... On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... Chiang Kai-sheks LÃ©gion dhonneur. ... Mentioned in Dispatches (MID) is a military award for gallantry or otherwise commendable service. ...

Between the Wars

Morshead returned to Australia in November 1919 and his AIF appointment was terminated in March 1920. He tried farming — accepting a soldier settlement block of 23 000 acres (93 km²) near Quilpie, Queensland. This venture was a failure. After working odd jobs he joined the Orient Line in Sydney on 24 October 1924. He was appointed passenger manager of the Sydney office in 1926. Many Orient Line appointments followed including: publicity manager in January 1927; acting manager of the Melbourne office in May 1928; passenger and publicity superintendent; temporary business manager Brisbane in April 1931; of the Melbourne office, which became permanent in December 1933; and the Sydney office in 1937.^[10] Look up November in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Settlers Cottage - Kentucky, New South Wales Soldier Settlement Estate Soldier settlement refers to the occupation and settlement of land throughout parts of Australia by returning discharged soldiers under schemes administered by the State Governments after world Wars I and II. // Such settlement plans initially began during World War I... Quilpie is a town situated in western Queensland, Australia. ... ss Oriana, the last Orient Line ship The Orient Steam Navigation Company, also known as the Orient Line, was a British shipping company with roots going back to the late eighteenth century. ... October 24 is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 68 days remaining. ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar). ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ... Brisbane (pronounced ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, as well as the third largest city in Australia, with a greater metropolitan population of just under two million. ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...

He married Myrtle Catherine Hay Woodside, whom he had known since his days at Melbourne Grammar when she was a schoolgirl, at Scots Church, Melbourne, on 17 November 1921. They had a daughter, Elizabeth.^[11]

Throughout the inter-war years he remained active in the part-time CMF, commanding the 19th and 36th Infantry Battalions in turn. Promoted to colonel in 1933 and brigadier in 1938, he was appointed to command the 14th Infantry Brigade in 1933. When he moved to Melbourne in 1934, he transferred to command of the 15th Infantry Brigade, then part of the 3rd Division under Major General Sir Thomas Blamey. On returning to Sydney in 1937, commanded the 5th Infantry Brigade. Following the federation of Australia in 1901, the six colonial militias were merged to form a national reserve army. ... Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... Brigadier(BRIG-uh-DEER) is a military rank, the meaning of which has a considerable variation. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Memorial statue of Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey in Kings Domain, Melbourne. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Known for his right-wing views even before the war, he was also a member of the clandestine far-right wing paramilitary organisation known as the New Guard.^[12] The New Guard was a paramilitary Fascist organisation that existed in Australia in the 1930s. ...

World War II

On 6 October 1939, Morshead was tapped by Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Blamey to command the 18th Infantry Brigade of the new 6th Division. This brigade was comprised of four battalions from the smaller states, and would have been a natural assignment for a regular officer had Prime Minister Robert Menzies not restricted appoints to senior posts to Militia officers, few of whom had much experience of the Army outside their home states. Morshead met with Blamey on 13 October to select officers for the new brigade.^[13] He was given a regular officer as Brigade Major, Major Ragnar Garrett. October 6 is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years). ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full year calendar). ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Memorial statue of Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey in Kings Domain, Melbourne. ... 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. ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, KT, AK, CH, FRS, QC (20 December 1894 â€“ 14 May 1978), Australian politician, was the twelfth and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia, serving eighteen and a half years. ... Following the federation of Australia in 1901, the six colonial militias were merged to form a national reserve army. ... In the British Army the Chief of Staff of a brigade or similar formation. ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ...

Morshead formally enlisted in the Second AIF on 10 October 1939 and was given the AIF serial number NX8. He was given the rank of colonel and temporary brigadier three days later. A delay in preparing its camp at great in the Hunter Valley meant that it was not concentrated there until December. In the meantime its battalions trained in their home states. After the 16th Infantry Brigade departed for Palestine in January 1940, the 18th Infantry Brigade moved into its vacated accommodation at Ingleburn, New South Wales. As a consequence, its training proceeded more slowly than that of the 16th and 17th Infantry Brigades.^[14] 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... October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years). ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full year calendar). ... Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... Brigadier(BRIG-uh-DEER) is a military rank, the meaning of which has a considerable variation. ... The Hunter Valley is a region of New South Wales, approximately 160 kilometres north of Sydney, Australia with an approximate population of 700,000 people, most of which live in the Newcastle metropolitan area. ... The Holy Land or Palestine Showing not only the Old Kingdoms of Judea and Israel but also the 12 Tribes Distinctly, and Confirming Even the Diversity of the Locations of their Ancient Positions and Doing So as the Holy Scriptures Indicate, a geographic map from the studio of Tobiae Conradi... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Ingleburn is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. ...

The 18th Infantry Brigade finally embarked from Sydney on the Mauretania on 5 May 1940 but en route was diverted to the United Kingdom owing to the dangerous military situation there following the Battle of France. It moved into camps on the Salisbury Plain, where the 3rd Division had trained back in 1916. The Australian force there under Major General Henry Wynter was poorly equipped but the 18th Infantry Brigade was nonetheless given an important role in the defence of Southern England. In September 1940, Wynter was informed that his force would become the nucleus of a new 9th Division, which he was appointed to command. Morshead and his 18th Infantry Brigade embarked for the Middle East on 15 November, reaching Alexandria on 31 December.^[15] The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of over 4,200,000 people, and 151,920, in the city limits. ... Launched in 1938 at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, Mauretania II was the largest ship built in England up to that time, and the first ship built for Cunard-White Star. ... May 5 is the 125th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (126th in leap years). ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Combatants France United Kingdom Canada Czechoslovakia Poland Belgium Netherlands Luxembourg Germany Italy Commanders Maurice Gamelin, Maxime Weygand (French) Lord Gort (British Expeditionary Force) H.G. Winkelman (Dutch) Gerd von Rundstedt (Army Group A) Fedor von Bock (Army Group B) Wilhelm von Leeb (Army Group C) H.R.H. Umberto di... This article is about the plateau in southern England; Salisbury Plain is also an area on South Georgia Island. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... My God, I wish we had [the] 9th Australian Division with us this morning. ... November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... Alexandria (Greek: , Coptic: , Arabic: , Egyptian Arabic: Iskindireyya), (population of 3. ... December 31 is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Before his other two brigades could arrive from England and Australia, Wynter became seriously ill. Blamey decided to send him home and appointed Morshead to command the 9th Division on 29 January 1941.^[16] January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ...

Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO, PC (17 November 1887â€“24 March 1976), often referred to as Monty, was a British Army officer. ...

Tobruk

See also Siege of Tobruk. Combatants Australia United Kingdom South Africa Poland Czechoslovakia Germany Italy Commanders Leslie Morshead Erwin Rommel Strength 14,000 35,000? Casualties Britain: 9009 killed 941 captured estimated 12,000 total 8,000 The Siege of Tobruk was a lengthy confrontation between Axis and Allied forces, mostly Australian, in the North...

In February 1941, the 9th Division was completely reorganised, with its 18th and 25th Infantry Brigades transferred to the 7th Division. In return, it received the 20th and 24th Infantry Brigades, the latter short one battalion which was on garrison duty in Darwin. The 9th Division, less it partly trained and equipped artillery, was ordered to move to the Tobruk-Derna area where it would relieve the 6th Division, so that formation could participate in the Battle of Greece.^[18] Download high resolution version (1202x446, 105 KB)Rommels first offensive -- March 24, 1941 - June 15, 1941 Source: US ARMY License: US Government document. ... Download high resolution version (1202x446, 105 KB)Rommels first offensive -- March 24, 1941 - June 15, 1941 Source: US ARMY License: US Government document. ... March 24 is the 83rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (84th in leap years). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... June 15 is the 166th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (167th in leap years), with 199 days remaining. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... December 27, 1943. ... // Darwin most commonly refers to: Charles Darwin (1809â€“1882), renowned naturalist and thinker associated with the theory of evolution by natural selection Darwin, Northern Territory, Australian city and the capital of the Northern Territory Darwin (operating system), a low level computer operating system used as the lower layer of Apple... Tobruk or Tubruq (Arabic: Ø·Ø¨Ø±Ù‚; also transliterated as TÃ³bruch, Tobruch, Å¢ubruq, Tobruck ) is a town, seaport, municipality, and peninsula in eastern Libya in Northern Africa. ... 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. ... 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 half-trained and half-equipped 9th Division was pitched into the thick of the action almost immediately, steadying the retreat of Commonwealth forces from the newly-arrived German Afrika Korps, under Erwin Rommel, and occupying the vital port of Tobruk in Libya. Morshead was given command of the Tobruk garrison which, as the retreat (known to the Australians as the "Benghazi handicap") continued, became surrounded, hundreds of miles behind enemy lines. Lieutenant General John Lavarack determined that Tobruk could be held and ordered Morshead to defend it. He also ordered the 18th Infantry Brigade to reinforce the garrison, bringing it to four brigades, and British artillery and tank units up to provide support.^[19] The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2006 Establishment - as British Commonwealth 1926 - as the Commonwealth 1949 Membership 53 sovereign states Headquarters Marlborough House, London Head of the Commonwealth Secretary-General Deputy Secretary-General Queen Elizabeth II Don McKinnon (since 1999) Ransford Smith Website thecommonwealth. ... The seal of Afrikakorps The German Afrika Korps (German: Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK ) was the corps-level headquarters controlling the German Panzer divisions in Libya and Egypt during the North African Campaign of World War II. Since there was little turnover in the units attached to the corps, the term is... Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel ( ) (15 November 1891 â€“ 14 October 1944) was one of the most distinguished German field marshals of World War II. He was the commander of the Deutsches Afrika Korps and also became known by the nickname â€œThe Desert Foxâ€ (WÃ¼stenfuchs, ) for the skillful military campaigns he... Tobruk or Tubruq (Arabic: Ø·Ø¨Ø±Ù‚; also transliterated as TÃ³bruch, Tobruch, Å¢ubruq, Tobruck ) is a town, seaport, municipality, and peninsula in eastern Libya in Northern Africa. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ...

General Archibald Wavell instructed Morshead to hold the fortress for eight weeks, while the remaining forces reorganised and mounted a relief mission. With the 9th Division, 18th Infantry Brigade and supporting forces from various Allied nations, Morshead's force decisively defeated Rommel's powerful initial assaults, and retained possession of the fortress. His strategy for the defence of Tobruk is still mentioned in officer training colleges around the world as an example of how to arrange and conduct in-depth defences against a superior armoured force. Archibald Percival Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell (May 5, 1883 _ May 24, 1950) was a British General and the commander of British Army forces in the Middle East during World War II. He led British forces to victory over the Italians, only to be defeated by the German army. ...

An important part of Morshead's strategy was offensive operations when these were possible. His attitude was summed-up in a reported remark, made when his attention was drawn to a British propaganda article entitled "Tobruk can take it!" Morshead commented: "we're not here to take it, we're here to give it.". The 9th Division held Tobruk not for eight weeks, but for eight months, during which time three separate relief campaigns, by the main Allied force in Egypt failed. The Axis troops learned to fear the aggressive patrolling of the Australian infantry who dominated no-man's-land and made constant raids on enemy forward positions for intelligence, to take prisoners, to disrupt attack preparations and minelaying operations, even to steal supplies that were not available in Tobruk. Axis propagandists described him as "Ali Baba Morshead and his 40,000 thieves" and branded the defenders of the port as the "Rats of Tobruk", a sobriquet that they seized on and wore as a badge of pride. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Rats of Tobruk was the name given to the soldiers who held Tobruk, Libya against the Afrika Corps, during a period known as the Siege of Tobruk in World War II. The conflict started on 10 April 1941. ...

By July 1941, Morshead had become convinced that his troops were becoming tired. Their health was deteriorating and, in spite of his efforts, their morale and discipline were slipping. He informed Generals Blamey and Auchinleck that they should be relieved. Auchinleck arranged for the 18th Infantry Brigade to be relieved by the Polish Carpathian Brigade so that it could rejoin the 7th Division in August but baulked at relieving the 9th Division.^[20] For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Field Marshal Sir Claude John Eyre Auchinleck, GCB, GCIE, CSI, DSO, OBE (June 21, 1884 - March 23, 1981), nicknamed The Auk, was a British army commander during World War II. // Born in Aldershot, he grew up in impoverished circumstances, but was able through hard work and scholarships to graduate from... Polish Independent Carpathian Brigade (Polish Samodzielna Brygada Strzelców Karpackich) was a Polish military unit formed in 1940 in French Syria of the Polish soldiers exiled after the Polish Defence War of 1939. ...

At this point, political considerations came into play. The newly installed government of Prime Minister John Curtin in Australia, on Blamey's advice, took up the matter with Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who protested that the relief would cause a postponement of Operation Crusader. As it turned out, the operation had to be postponed anyway. In October 1941, Morshead and most of the 9th Division was replaced by the British 6th Division. The 9th Division moved to Syria to serve as an occupation force, as well as resting, re-equipping and training reinforcements.^[21] Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... John Curtin (8 January 1885 â€“ 5 July 1945), Australian politician and 14th Prime Minister of Australia, led Australia when the Australian mainland came under direct military threat during the Japanese advance in World War II. Many Australians regard him as the countrys greatest political leader and greatest Prime Minister. ... The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is, in practice, the political leader of the United Kingdom. ... Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can) (30 November 1874 â€“ 24 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and author. ... Combatants United Kingdom Australia New Zealand Poland Germany Italy Commanders Claude Auchinleck Alan Gordon Cunningham Neil Ritchie Erwin Rommel Ludwig CrÃ¼well Strength 8th Army comprising XIII Corps, XXX Corps and 70th Division. ... The 70th Infantry Division was a British Army division during the Second World War. ...

The Battle of Tobruk marked the first time that the Panzerwaffe had been defeated in battle. For his part, Morshead was made a Commander of Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1941. He was also awarded the Virtuti Militari by the Polish government in Exile and was decorated by Generał broni Władysław Sikorski on 21 November 1941. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Virtuti Militari The Virtuti Militari (Latin: For Military Virtue) was created in 1792 and is Polands highest military decoration for valor in the face of the enemy and one of the oldest military decorations in the world still in use . ... The Government of the Polish Republic in Exile was the government of Poland after the country had been occupied by Germany and the Soviet Union during September-October 1939. ... GeneraÅ‚ broni (literally General of arms, abbreviated gen. ... WÅ‚adysÅ‚aw Eugeniusz Sikorski Coat of arms of Kopaszyna, (May 20, 1881 â€“ July 4, 1943; pronounced ) was a Polish military and political leader. ... November 21 is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ...

El Alamein

See also Second Battle of El Alamein. For the Battle of Alam Halfa, which is also often termed the Second Battle of El Alamein, see Battle of Alam Halfa Combatants British Eighth Army Panzer Army Africa Commanders Bernard Montgomery Erwin Rommel Strength 220,000 men 1,100 tanks[1] 116,000 men[1] 559 tanks(220 panzers...

The outbreak of war with Japan, in December 1941, and the imminent threat of invasion saw Blamey and the 6th and the main bodies of the 7th Division transferred to Ceylon and Australia respectively, in early 1942. In March that year, Morshead was given command of all Australian forces in the Mediterranean theatre and was promoted to lieutenant general. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can) (30 November 1874 â€“ 24 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and author. ... Field Marshal Sir Claude John Eyre Auchinleck, GCB, GCIE, CSI, DSO, OBE (June 21, 1884 - March 23, 1981), nicknamed The Auk, was a British army commander during World War II. // Born in Aldershot, he grew up in impoverished circumstances, but was able through hard work and scholarships to graduate from... Combatants China (from 1937) United States (1941) U.K. (1941) Australia (from 1941) Free France (1941) Netherlands (1941) New Zealand (1941) Canada (1941) British India (1941) Soviet Union (1945) Mongolia (1945) Empire of Japan (from 1937) Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Franklin D. Roosevelt Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Fumimaro Konoe Hideki... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... The most well-known 6th Division in the Australian Army was a unit in the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) during World War II. (The 6th Division name was previously used for a short-lived World War I unit, formed from First Australian Imperial Force troops in England, in... The 7th Division of the Australian Army was formed to serve in World War II, as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force. ... The Mediterranean region. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ...

Morshead was one of only a few Allied divisional commanders with a distinct record of success at this stage of the war and had been acting commander of the British XXX Corps, a formation largely comprised of Commonwealth troops, on two occasions. He had hopes that he might be given command of the corps, as Harry Chauvel had been in the Great War. But while Chauvel had been an Australian, he had been a regular officer while Morshead was not and the new commander of the British Eighth Army, Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery felt that a reservist could not possess the "requisite training and experience" to command a corps and Morshead was passed over in favour of Oliver Leese, a British regular officer, who was junior to him and had never commanded a division in action.^[22] The British XXX Corps was an armoured corps in the British Army during World War II. Its ensignia was a prancing lion. ... General Sir Henry George Harry Chauvel GCMG KCB (April 16, 1865 - March 4, 1945) was a general officer of the First Australian Imperial Force that fought during World War I. He is less well known than a contemporary, General John Monash, because he served in the Middle East theatre and... The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations in World War II, fighting in the North African and Italian campaigns. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO, PC (17 November 1887â€“24 March 1976), often referred to as Monty, was a British Army officer. ... Oliver Leese (right) with Sir Henry Maitland Wilson. ...

At the Second Battle of El Alamein, the 9th Division was given responsibility for clearing a corridor through the German and Italian forces in the North and threatening to cut off those between the coastal road and the sea. In the initial assault the division hacked its way through the enemy defences but failed to clear the minefields. However, as the British attack faltered, the main effort switched to the 9th Division, which punched a massive dent into the German and Italian position over the next five days at great cost, "crumbling" the Afrika Korps in the process, and ultimately forcing Rommel to retreat. "I am quite certain," Leese informed Morshead, that this breakout was made possible by Homeric fighting over your divisional sector." During the El Alamein Campaign, the 9th Division suffered 22% of the British Eighth Army's casualties; 1,177 Australian were killed, while 3,629 were wounded, 795 were captured and 193 were missing.^[23] For the Battle of Alam Halfa, which is also often termed the Second Battle of El Alamein, see Battle of Alam Halfa Combatants British Eighth Army Panzer Army Africa Commanders Bernard Montgomery Erwin Rommel Strength 220,000 men 1,100 tanks[1] 116,000 men[1] 559 tanks(220 panzers... For other uses, see Homer (disambiguation). ...

For his part in the famous victory, Morshead was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 6 January 1942. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... January 6 is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 359 days (360 in leap years) remaining. ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ...

New Guinea Campaign

See also New Guinea Campaign. 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...

After El Alamein, Morshead and the 9th Division were recalled to the South West Pacific Area. Morshead arrived in Fremantle on 19 February 1943 where he was welcomed home by Lieutenant General Gordon Bennett, who had been his division commander between the wars. Morshead then flew to Melbourne where he was met by Lady Morshead, Sir Winston Dugan and Sir Thomas Blamey, who informed Morshead that he would take over command of a corps. In March 1943, Morshead became commander of the II Corps, handing over command of the 9th Division to Major General George Wootten. The association between Morshead and the 9th Division was not entirely broken however, as it formed part of his corps, along with the 6th and 7th Divisions. All three were undergoing jungle training on the Atherton Tableland for upcoming battles in New Guinea.^[24] Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... South West Pacific Area (SWPA) was the name given to one of the four major Allied commands in the Pacific theatre of World War II, during 1942-45. ... Fremantle is a city located within the Perth metropolitan area on Australias western coast, at the mouth of the Swan River, 19 kilometres south from Perths Central Business District. ... February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Lieutenant-General Gordon Bennett Lieutenant-General Henry Gordon Bennett, CB, CMG, DSO (April 16, 1887 â€“ August 1, 1962), Australian soldier, served in both World War I and World War II. Despite highly decorated achievements during World War I, including at Gallipoli, Bennett is best remembered for his role in the... Sir Winston Dugan, 1st Baron Dugan of Victoria Major General Sir Winston Joseph Dugan, 1st Baron Dugan of Victoria GCMG CB DSO (1877â€“1951) was a British administrator. ... Memorial statue of Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey in Kings Domain, Melbourne. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... The Australian II Corps was an Australian Army corps. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Sir George Frederick Wootten, CB, KBE, DSO, DSC (USA), 1 May 1893-30 March 1970, was an Australian soldier, public servant, right wing political activist and solicitor. ... The Mount Hypipamee Crater on the Atherton Tablelands. ...

It was Blamey's intention that Morshead would spend some time learning the art of jungle warfare before before his II Corps replaced Lieutenant General Sir Edmund Herring’s I Corps in New Guinea.^[25] In late September 1943, Morshead was summoned to New Guinea to relieve Herring by Sir Iven Mackay, the commander of New Guinea Force. Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Edmund Francis Herring, KCMG, KBE, DSO, MC, ED (2 September 1892 â€“ 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... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Sir Iven Giffard Mackay CMG, KBE, DSO, VD (7 April 1882 - 30 September 1966) was a prominent Australian soldier. ...

Borneo Campaign

He commanded Allied forces in the Borneo campaign (1945). The Borneo campaign of 1945 was the last major Allied campaign in the South West Pacific Area, during World War II. In a series of amphibious assaults between May 1 and July 21, the Australian I Corps, under General Leslie Morshead, attacked Japanese forces occupying the island. ...

Post War

After the war Morshead returned to civilian life, becoming the Orient Line's Australian general manager on 31 December 1947. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ...

In 1957 he was appointed chairman of a committee which reviewed the group of departments concerned with defence. The Menzies government accepted the committee's recommendation that Supply and Defence Production be amalgamated but dropped the key proposal that the Department of Defence absorb Army, Navy and Air. This was finally carried out by the Whitlam government in 1975.^[26] 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, KT, AK, CH, FRS, QC (20 December 1894 â€“ 14 May 1978), Australian politician, was the twelfth and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia, serving eighteen and a half years. ... The Department of Defence is an Australian government department. ... Edward Gough Whitlam AC QC (born 11 July 1916), known as Gough Whitlam (, pronounced Goff), Australian politician and 21st Prime Minister of Australia. ...

Survived by his wife and daughter, Sir Leslie died of cancer on 26 September 1959 at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, and was cremated with Anglican rites.^[11] September 26 is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... St Vincents Hospital, Sydney is located in the inner city suburb of Darlinghurst. ...

The road Morshead Drive which runs past the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Canberra, Australia is named after him. His portrait by Ivor Hele is held by the Australian War Memorial, as are his wartime papers. Royal Military College The Royal Military College, Duntroon is Australias military academy where Staff Cadets train for commissioning into the Australian Army as a part of the Australian Defence Force There are two streams of Cadets: from the Australian Defence Force Academy, and by direct entry. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ... Ivor Hele, (1912-93), Australian artist. ... The eternal flame at the heart of the Memorial keeps the spirit of the fallen alive The Australian War Memorial The Australian War Memorial is Australias national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organizations who have died in the wars of the Commonwealth of...

Notes

^ Coombes, David (2001). Morshead: Hero of Tobruk and El Alamein, Australian Army History Series. Oxford University Press, pp. 5-7. ISBN 019551398.
^ Ibid, pp. 11-13
^ Ibid, pp. 13-14
^ Ibid, pp. 18-19, 22
^ Bean, C. E. W. (1924). Volume I – The Story of ANZAC from the outbreak of war to the end of the first phase of the Gallipoli Campaign, May 4, 1915 (PDF). Official Histories – First World War pp. 309-316. University of Queensland Press.
^ Bean, C. E. W. (1921). Volume II – The Story of ANZAC from 4 May, 1915, to the evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula (PDF). Official Histories – First World War pp. 508, 517, 543, 553. University of Queensland Press.
^ Coombes, p. 36
^ London Gazette No. 30111 4 June 1917
^ London Gazette No. 31684 9 December 1919
^ Coombes, pp. 74-81
^ ^a ^b Australian Dictionary of Biography entry
^ Coombes, pp. 73-74
^ Coombes, pp. 87-88
^ Long, Gavin (1952). To Benghazi (PDF). Official Histories – Second World War p. 59. Australian War Memorial.
^ Ibid, pp. 85-86, 305-310}}
^ Maughan, Barton (1966). Tobruk and El Alamein (PDF). Official Histories – Second World War pp. 8-10. Australian War Memorial.
^ Ibid, p. 11
^ Ibid, p. 10
^ Ibid, pp. 120-129
^ Coombes, pp. 119-120
^ Maughan, pp. 380-382
^ Coombes, p. 141
^ Johnson, Mark & Peter Stanley (2002), Alamein: The Australian Story, Oxford University Press, ISBN 019551630
^ Coombes, p. 160
^ Gavin Long interview with Lieutenant General F. H. Berryman, 11 September 1956, AWM93 50/2/23/331
^ Horner, David (2001). Making the Australian Defence Force, The Australian Centennial History of Defence. Oxford University Press, pp. 43-47. ISBN 0195541197.

Oxford University Press (OUP) is a highly-respected publishing house and a department of the University of Oxford in England. ... The eternal flame at the heart of the Memorial keeps the spirit of the fallen alive The Australian War Memorial The Australian War Memorial is Australias national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organizations who have died in the wars of the Commonwealth of... The eternal flame at the heart of the Memorial keeps the spirit of the fallen alive The Australian War Memorial The Australian War Memorial is Australias national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organizations who have died in the wars of the Commonwealth of... Oxford University Press (OUP) is a highly-respected publishing house and a department of the University of Oxford in England. ... Oxford University Press (OUP) is a highly-respected publishing house and a department of the University of Oxford in England. ...

Contents

Early life

World War I

Between the Wars

World War II

Tobruk

El Alamein

New Guinea Campaign

Borneo Campaign

Post War

Notes

References

Contents

Early life GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

World War I

Between the Wars

World War II

Tobruk

El Alamein

New Guinea Campaign

Borneo Campaign

Post War

Notes

References

Early life