56th Battalion (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The 56th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army
. It was originally raised in 1916 for service during the World War I
and took part in the fighting in the trenches of the Western Front in France and Belgium before being amalgamated with the 54th Battalion
in late 1918 following the German Spring Offensive reduced the numbers in both battalions.
on 14 February 1916 as part of the reorganisation and expansion of the AIF following the Gallipoli campaign. This was achieved by transfering cadres of experienced personnel predominately from the 1st Division
to the newly formed battalions and combining them with recently recruited personnel who had been dispatched as reinforcements from Australia. The unit's first intake of personnel were drawn from men originating from New South Wales
, many of whom had already served with the 4th Battalion. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Allan Humphrey Scott, the battalion became part of the 14th Brigade
attached to the 5th Australian Division.
After arriving in France on 30 June 1916. the battalion was committed to the fighting, taking part in the battle of Fromelles
during July, suffering heavy casualties. Following this, it saw service on the Hindenburg Line
in early 1917 and in September during the battle of Polygon Wood
. In early 1918, it assisted in the repulse of the major German offensive on the Western Front following the collapse of Russia. During late September and early October it took part in the battle of St. Quentin Canal. The 56th Battalion was amalgamated with the 54th Battalion on 11 October forming the 54th/56th Battalion; together they were later also amalgamated with the rest of the 14th Brigade's battalions into one unit, with the 56th Battalion being disbanded on 10 April 1919.
During the fighting, it suffered lost 529 killed in action or died on active service and 1,630 wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: two Distinguished Service Order
s (DSO), one Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), 21 Military Cross
es (MCs) with one Bar
, 20 Distinguished Conduct Medal
s (DCMs), 50 Military Medal
s (MMs), 9 Meritorious Service Medals
(MSMs), 25 Mention in Despatches (MIDs) and eight foreign awards.
, as part of the 5th Brigade
of the 2nd Division, during World War II
. The battalion was disbanded in July 1944.
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...
. It was originally raised in 1916 for service during the World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and took part in the fighting in the trenches of the Western Front in France and Belgium before being amalgamated with the 54th Battalion
54th Battalion (Australia)
The 54th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in 1916 for service during the World War I and took part in the fighting in the trenches of the Western Front in France and Belgium before being amalgamated with the 56th Battalion in late 1918 following...
in late 1918 following the German Spring Offensive reduced the numbers in both battalions.
World War I
The 56th Battalion was originally raised in EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
on 14 February 1916 as part of the reorganisation and expansion of the AIF following the Gallipoli campaign. This was achieved by transfering cadres of experienced personnel predominately from the 1st Division
1st Division (Australia)
The 1st Division is the main formation of the Australian Army and contains the majority of the army's regular forces. Its headquarters is in Enoggera, a suburb of Brisbane...
to the newly formed battalions and combining them with recently recruited personnel who had been dispatched as reinforcements from Australia. The unit's first intake of personnel were drawn from men originating from New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, many of whom had already served with the 4th Battalion. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Allan Humphrey Scott, the battalion became part of the 14th Brigade
14th Brigade (Australia)
The 14th Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Australian Army. Formed in 1916 as part of the expansion of the 1st AIF it served on the Western Front in France and Flanders during World War I. Between 1916–1918 it consisted of the 53rd, 54th, 55tth and 56th Battalions and was assigned to the 5th...
attached to the 5th Australian Division.
After arriving in France on 30 June 1916. the battalion was committed to the fighting, taking part in the battle of Fromelles
Battle of Fromelles
The Battle of Fromelles, sometimes known as the Action at Fromelles or the Battle of Fleurbaix , occurred in France between 19 July and 20 July 1916, during World War I...
during July, suffering heavy casualties. Following this, it saw service on the Hindenburg Line
Hindenburg Line
The Hindenburg Line was a vast system of defences in northeastern France during World War I. It was constructed by the Germans during the winter of 1916–17. The line stretched from Lens to beyond Verdun...
in early 1917 and in September during the battle of Polygon Wood
Battle of Polygon Wood
The Battle of Polygon Wood took place during the second phase of the Battle of Passchendaele in World War I. The battle was fought near Ypres, Belgium, in an area named the Polygon Wood after the layout of the area...
. In early 1918, it assisted in the repulse of the major German offensive on the Western Front following the collapse of Russia. During late September and early October it took part in the battle of St. Quentin Canal. The 56th Battalion was amalgamated with the 54th Battalion on 11 October forming the 54th/56th Battalion; together they were later also amalgamated with the rest of the 14th Brigade's battalions into one unit, with the 56th Battalion being disbanded on 10 April 1919.
During the fighting, it suffered lost 529 killed in action or died on active service and 1,630 wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: two Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
s (DSO), one Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), 21 Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
es (MCs) with one Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
, 20 Distinguished Conduct Medal
Distinguished Conduct Medal
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries.The medal was instituted in 1854, during the Crimean...
s (DCMs), 50 Military Medal
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
s (MMs), 9 Meritorious Service Medals
Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a silver medal for distinguished service, or for gallantry, principally by non-commissioned officers of all of the British armed forces and of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service.-Summary:...
(MSMs), 25 Mention in Despatches (MIDs) and eight foreign awards.
Inter-war
The battalion appears to have been reformed in 1921 and was known as The Riverina Regiment.World War II
The 56th Battalion undertook garrison duties in New South Wales and Western AustraliaWestern Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, as part of the 5th Brigade
5th Brigade (Australia)
5th Brigade is a brigade of the Australian Army. It is a Reserve combined arms formation based in New South Wales and forms part of the 2nd Division.-History:...
of the 2nd Division, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The battalion was disbanded in July 1944.
Post War
Reformed in 1956, the 56th Reconnaissance Battalion (Riverina Regiment) with the 7th/21st Australian Horse formed the basis of the reformed 4th Battalion, which was raised in 1958.Battle honours
- World War I: Somme 1916, Somme 1918, Bullecourt, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Ancre 1918, Villers-Bretonneux, Amiens, Albert 1918, Hindenburg Line 1917, Hindenburg Line 1918, St. Quentin Canal, France and Flanders 1916-1918, Egypt 1915-1917.