23rd Brigade (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The 23rd Brigade was a brigade
of the Australian Army
. Formed in 1940 for service during the Second World War, the brigade was initially a formation of the Second Australian Imperial Force
assigned to the 8th Division, however, after its subunits were captured by the Japanese in 1942 it was reformed with Militia battalion
s and was mainly used in a garrison role until late in the war when it was committed to the fighting on Bougainville. It was disbanded in 1946.
, attached to the 8th Division. Upon formation it consisted of three infantry battalions—the 2/21st, 2/22nd
and 2/40th Battalions
—although later
both a pioneer
and a machine gun battalion were added to its establishment.
When the 8th Division was sent to Malaya in early 1941, the 23rd Brigade remained in Australia where it deployed to Darwin to while Japanese intentions became clearer. Nevertheless, ultimately its subunits experienced the same fate that befell the rest of the division. Broken up and sent piecemeal to reinforce the garrisons at Rabaul
, Ambon
and on Timor
, the 2/21st, 2/22nd and 2/40th Battalions were all eventually destroyed or captured by the Japanese.
After this, it was decided to reform the brigade with three Militia battalions—the 7th, 8th and 27th Battalions
. Reassigned to the 12th Division, the brigade was once again sent to garrison Darwin, however, in March 1943 it was relieved and sent to the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland
to undertake training prior to deployment overseas.
In 1944–45, under the command of Brigadier Arnold Potts
, and reassigned to the 3rd Division, the brigade took part in the Bougainville campaign. Initially they were used in a static role, garrisoning the Outer Islands, however, in 1945 the brigade was committed to the fighting on Bougainvile Island, where they took over responsibility for the central and northern sectors, engaging the Japanese in direct combat for the first time, carrying out patrolling operations and a number of small attacks. During one of these attacks, north of Ratsua
, one of the 8th Battalion's members, Private Frank Partridge
, performed the deeds that led to him being awarded the Victoria Cross
.
Following the end of hostilities, the brigade remained on Bougainville guarding Japanese prisoners as the demobilisation process
began. Finally, in 1946 all its subordinate units were disbanded.
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
of the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
. Formed in 1940 for service during the Second World War, the brigade was initially a formation of the Second Australian Imperial Force
Second Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
assigned to the 8th Division, however, after its subunits were captured by the Japanese in 1942 it was reformed with Militia battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s and was mainly used in a garrison role until late in the war when it was committed to the fighting on Bougainville. It was disbanded in 1946.
History
Formed in July 1940 at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, Victoria for service during the Second World War, it was initially raised as a unit of the Second Australian Imperial ForceSecond Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
, attached to the 8th Division. Upon formation it consisted of three infantry battalions—the 2/21st, 2/22nd
2/22nd Battalion (Australia)
The 2/22nd Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Raised as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force for service during World War II, the battalion formed part of the 23rd Brigade, attached to the 8th Division...
and 2/40th Battalions
2/40th Battalion (Australia)
The 2/40th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Formed in mid-1940 from personnel recruited from Tasmania, the battalion took part in the fighting against the Japanese on Timor in 1942...
—although later
both a pioneer
Assault Pioneer
An Assault Pioneer is an infantry soldier who is responsible for:* The construction of tools for infantry soldiers to cross natural and man-made obstacles as well as breaching of enemy fortifications;...
and a machine gun battalion were added to its establishment.
When the 8th Division was sent to Malaya in early 1941, the 23rd Brigade remained in Australia where it deployed to Darwin to while Japanese intentions became clearer. Nevertheless, ultimately its subunits experienced the same fate that befell the rest of the division. Broken up and sent piecemeal to reinforce the garrisons at Rabaul
Rabaul
Rabaul is a township in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption. During the eruption, ash was sent thousands of metres into the air and the...
, Ambon
Ambon Island
Ambon Island is part of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. The island has an area of , and is mountainous, well watered, and fertile. Ambon Island consists of 2 territories: The main city and seaport is Ambon , which is also the capital of Maluku province and Maluku Tengah Ambon Island is part of the...
and on Timor
Timor
Timor is an island at the southern end of Maritime Southeast Asia, north of the Timor Sea. It is divided between the independent state of East Timor, and West Timor, belonging to the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara. The island's surface is 30,777 square kilometres...
, the 2/21st, 2/22nd and 2/40th Battalions were all eventually destroyed or captured by the Japanese.
After this, it was decided to reform the brigade with three Militia battalions—the 7th, 8th and 27th Battalions
27th Battalion (Australia)
The 27th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was initially raised in 1915 as part of the First Australian Imperial Force for service during World War I. During the conflict, the battalion saw action briefly at Gallipoli before later fighting on the Western Front between...
. Reassigned to the 12th Division, the brigade was once again sent to garrison Darwin, however, in March 1943 it was relieved and sent to the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
to undertake training prior to deployment overseas.
In 1944–45, under the command of Brigadier Arnold Potts
Arnold Potts
Brigadier Arnold William Potts DSO, OBE, MC was an Australian grazier who served in the First World War and led 21st Brigade of the Second AIF during its defence of the Kokoda Trail during the Second World War...
, and reassigned to the 3rd Division, the brigade took part in the Bougainville campaign. Initially they were used in a static role, garrisoning the Outer Islands, however, in 1945 the brigade was committed to the fighting on Bougainvile Island, where they took over responsibility for the central and northern sectors, engaging the Japanese in direct combat for the first time, carrying out patrolling operations and a number of small attacks. During one of these attacks, north of Ratsua
Battle of Ratsua
The Battle of Ratsua occurred during the Second World War and involved Australian and Japanese forces. Part of the wider Bougainville Campaign of the Pacific theatre, the battle took place in the northern sector of Bougainville between June and August 1945...
, one of the 8th Battalion's members, Private Frank Partridge
Frank John Partridge
Frank John Partridge VC was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, a farmer and a television quiz champion.-Early life:Partridge was born at Grafton, New South Wales...
, performed the deeds that led to him being awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
.
Following the end of hostilities, the brigade remained on Bougainville guarding Japanese prisoners as the demobilisation process
Demobilisation of the Australian military after World War II
The demobilisation of the Australian military after World War II involved discharging almost 600,000 men and women from the military, supporting their transition to civilian life and reducing the three armed services to peacetime strengths...
began. Finally, in 1946 all its subordinate units were disbanded.