18th Brigade (Australia)

Infantry brigade of the Australian Army during WWII 18th Brigade Battle for Shaggy Ridge 2.jpg 250 2/9th Battalion, part of the 18th Brigade, during the fighting at Shaggy Ridge, January 1944 1939–1946 Australia 23px Australian Army Brigade ~3,500 personnel 7th Division 80px Headquarters unit colour patch Second World War Siege of Tobruk Syria–Lebanon campaign New Guinea campaign Borneo campaign Leslie Morshead The 18th Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Australian Army. The brigade briefly existed as a Militia formation prior to the First World War, but this was short-lived. During the Second World War, the brigade was raised on 13 October 1939 and was one of the first three infantry brigades of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) to be formed. Initially commanded by Brigadier Leslie Morshead, it served in the United Kingdom in 1940–1941, where it helped bolster the British garrison in anticipation of a possible German invasion following the Fall of France. In early 1941, the brigade was transferred to the Middle East where it later took part in fighting against the Italians in Libya and then helped to defend the besieged port of Tobruk before fighting against the Vichy French in the Syria–Lebanon campaign. The 18th Brigade was withdrawn to Australia in early 1942, and it later took part in the fighting against the Japanese in Pacific fighting several campaigns in New Guinea between late 1942 and early 1944. Its final involvement of the war came in mid-1945 when it took part in re-taking Balikpapan. Following the end of hostilities, the 18th Brigade was disbanded on 3 January 1946. History Formation The 18th Brigade briefly existed as Militia brigade that was partially formed in 1912, following the introduction of the compulsory training scheme. At this time, it was assigned to the 3rd Military District. The brigade's constituent units were spread across various locations in Victoria including Williamstown, Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool, Horsham and Stawell.Australian Military Forces 1912, p. 23. The formation was short-lived, and was not raised as part of the First Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the First World War. It remained on the order of battle as a Militia formation during the war,Kuring 2004, p. 108. but was not re-raised in the interwar years when the Militia was reorganised to replicate the numerical designations of the AIF in 1921.Palazzo 2001, pp. 68 & 91.Grey 2008, p. 125. During the Second World War, the 18th Brigade was formed on 13 October 1939 as part of the 6th Division.http://www.ordersofbattle.com/Units/UnitHistory?UniX=1383 18 Australian Infantry Brigade: History Orders of Battle.com 31 March 2011 The brigade's headquarters was opened at Victoria Barracks at Paddington, New South Wales.McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2087. Upon formation the brigade consisted of the following infantry battalions: the 2/9th, the 2/10th, the 2/11th and the 2/12th Battalions, which were raised from Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia.http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_13067.asp 18th Brigade Australian War Memorial 31 March 2011 Rudimentary training was conducted in home locations, before the brigade came together at Rutherford, New South Wales, in December 1939. This was followed by a further move to Ingleburn, New South Wales. Following training, the brigade was dispatched to the Middle East, departing from Melbourne in May 1940. However, while they were at sea they were diverted to the United Kingdom in order to help defend the island against a possible invasion by German forces following the Fall of France.Johnston 2005, p. 4. After landing at Gourock, Scotland, the brigade moved south to the Salisbury Plain Training Area where they undertook training and defensive duties. In the United Kingdom, the 18th Brigade provided a cadre to the newly formed 25th Brigade and became part of the 9th Division when it was raised in October 1940. Middle East Later, when the threat of invasion of the United Kingdom decreased, the decision was made to transfer the Australian forces there to the Middle East. The 18th Brigade arrived there in early January 1941.Johnston 2005, p. 6. Around this time, the 2nd AIF was reorganised and each brigade was reduced from four battalions to three. As a result, the 2/11th Battalion was transferred to the 19th Brigade. At the same time also, the 18th Brigade was transferred to the 7th Division.Johnston 2005, pp. 2–3. Following this, on 21 March 1941, the brigade took part in an attack on an Italian stronghold at Giarabub, 230 km mi south of Bardia.Johnston 2005, p. 22. Although the fortress was held by about 1,500 Italians supported by artillery, the Australian force dispatched only consisted of a reinforced battalion due to supply difficulties. Setting out on 10 March from Siwa, the assault began early on the morning of 21 March from the south over marshy ground.Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 179. Led by the 2/9th Battalion with machine-gun and mortar support from the 2/12th and 2/10th Battalions, the attack was put in from the south while the 6th Division Cavalry Regiment feigned an attack from the north at the strongest point of the fortress.Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 180. A heavy sandstorm obscured visibility, which hindered the supporting artillery and resulted in a number of casualties when one company moved beyond the barrage. Nevertheless, heavy fighting followed and resistance continued until 2:00 pm when the Italians surrendered. About 250 Italians were killed and 1,300 captured for the loss of 17 Australians killed and 77 wounded. Following the attack, the 18th Brigade returned to Ikingi Maryut.Johnston 2005, p. 25. left|thumb|alt=Soldiers stand at the base of a sandstone structure in the desert whilst a flag is unfurled on top of the building |Soldiers from the 2/9th hoist a flag consisting of the battalion's unit colour patch over the recently captured Italian fort at Giarabub. Plans were made for the 18th Brigade to deploy to Greece, but a German offensive in Libya resulted in the 7th Division being retained in North Africa. In April, the brigade was sent to Tobruk where they took part in the defence of the port between May and August 1941,Wilmot 1993, pp. 88, 150–151 and 280. alongside elements of the 9th Division. In May, the Germans managed to break into the Allied perimeter, penetrating towards an area dubbed "The Salient". The 18th Brigade subsequently led the Australian counterattack in conjunction with the 26th Brigade. Once the perimeter was restored, the brigade rotated through the various defensive sectors around the perimeter until they were relieved by a Polish brigade in August, and withdrawn to Palestine. In September 1941, the brigade rejoined the rest of the 7th Division, which had been taking part in the fighting against Vichy French forces in the Syria–Lebanon campaign.James 2017 Following the armistice the division was allocated the task of undertaking garrison duties and the 18th Brigade was subsequently stationed at Aleppo, near the Turkish border to guard against a potential German attack through Turkey.Johnston 2005, p. 71. Elements of the brigade were also deployed to Idlib, and patrols were mounted along the border. New Guinea The 18th Brigade returned to Australia in early 1942 following the outbreak of the Pacific War.Johnston 2005, p. 77. Following defensive duties and training in Queensland, the 18th Brigade, under the command of Brigadier George Wootten, took part in the Battle of Milne Bay.Brune 2004, p. 279. Deployed with a battery from the 2/5th Field Regiment attached at brigade level,Johnston 2005, p. 85. the 18th Brigade arrived at Milne Bay between 12 and 21 August.Johnston 2005, p. 84. Between 27 August and 7 September the brigade played an important role in the fighting which resulted in the first major defeat of the Japanese on land since the war had begun in December 1941.Johnston 2005, p. 92. One of the brigade's soldiers, Corporal John French, of the 2/9th Battalion, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his actions during the fighting on 4 September 1942.Johnston 2005, pp. 91–92. Later, as the 7th Division was assigned to the advance on the Japanese bases on the Papuan coast around Buna and Gona,Johnston 2005, p. 124. the brigade, although understrength, was transferred to Buna in mid-December 1942 with the 2/9th Battalion landing at Oro Bay on 15 December.Johnston 2005, p. 140. On 21 January 1943, the brigade captured Sanananda alongside the US 163rd Infantry Regiment.Keogh 1965, p. 276. They were finally withdrawn back to Australia on 10 March 1943.Johnston 2005, p. 162. During the fighting around Buna, the 18th Brigade suffered 425 men killed and more than 800 wounded. This represented 96 per cent of the brigade's strength at the start of the campaign.Johnston 2005, p. 161. alt=Soldiers in tropical uniforms stand around a map prior to a patrol|Soldiers from the 2/10th prepare for a patrol, Milne Bay, September 1942|thumb By the time that the brigade returned to Australia, it was down to only 44 per cent of its authorised strength.Johnston 2005, p. 164. In early July, the brigade was brought back up to strength with an intake of 1,300 men from the 1st Motor Brigade, which was subsequently disbanded.Dexter 1961, p. 268.http://www.ordersofbattle.com/Units/UnitHistory?UniX=6217 1 Australian Motor Brigade: History Orders of Battle.com 7 April 2011 In August 1943, after training and re-organisation around Ravenshoe, Queensland, the 18th Brigade was deployed to Port Moresby in preparation for further operations,Johnston 2005, p. 165. arriving there on 12 August.Dexter 1961, p. 269. During the early phases of the Finisterre Range campaign the brigade remained in reserve around Port Moresby,Bradley 2004, p. 179. while the other two brigades of the 7th Division, the 21st and 25th Brigades, were deployed to defend the approaches to Lae.Johnston 2005, p. 181. They remained there until 4 January 1944 when the brigade was transported by air to Dumpu to relieve the 21st Brigade around Shaggy Ridge,Keogh 1965, p. 352. subsequently taking part in the fighting around the Kankiryo Saddle, Prothero I and II and Crater Hill.Johnston 2005, pp. 196–205. Following the conclusion of the fighting around Shaggy Ridge in February, the brigade remained in New Guinea until May 1944 when they were withdrawn back to Australia for re-organisation.Johnston 2005, p. 207. Borneo Following the brigade's return to Australia, it was reconstituted at Strathpine, Queensland, before later moving to Kairi. A long period of reorganisation and training followed, before the brigade moved to Morotai, in the Dutch East Indies, May 1945.McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2089. The brigade's final involvement in the war came when they landed at Balikpapan in Borneo on 1 July 1945,Keogh 1965, p. 461. as part of efforts to secure the port facilities and oilfields located there. Coming ashore in the first wave, the 18th Brigade was allocated to the landings around Klandasan, on the Allied left. Following the initial landing, the 18th Brigade, supported by 'D' Company, 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion,http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_15105.asp 2/1st Machine Gun Battalion Australian War Memorial 13 April 2011 secured the high ground around Klandasan. On 3 July they captured the town of Balikpapan and secured its port before being relieved by the 25th Brigade.Keogh 1965, p. 462. The 2/9th Battalion was detached, along with the 2/1st Pioneer Battalion, to clear the western side of the bay around Panadjam, while the rest of the brigade undertook further patrols around Balikpapan.Coulthard-Clark 1998, p. 254. By the end of the month, the Australians began mopping up operations, and these continued until the Japanese surrendered. Following the completion of hostilities in August, the brigade remained on Borneo as the demobilisation process began. The 18th Brigade was disbanded on 3 January 1946 at Balikpapan after its component battalions were disbanded throughout December 1945 and January 1946.http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11260.asp 2/9th Battalion Australian War Memorial 31 March 2011http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11261.asp 2/10th Battalion Australian War Memorial 31 March 2011http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11263.asp 2/12th Battalion Australian War Memorial 31 March 2011 Commanders The following officers served as commanding officer of the 18th Brigade:http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=1383&Tab=App&Titl=18%20Australian%20Infantry%20Brigade 18 Australian Infantry Brigade: Unit Appointments Orders of Battle.com 31 March 2011 February 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes Brigadier Leslie Morshead (1939–1941); Brigadier George Wootten (1941–1943); Brigadier Frederick Chilton (1943–1945). Notes 3 References Australian Military Forces 1912 The Military Forces List of the Commonwealth of Australia, 1 January 1912 Government Printer Melbourne, Victoria 221429471 Bradley Phillip Phillip Bradley On Shaggy Ridge—The Australian Seventh Division in the Ramu Valley: From Kaiapit to the Finisterres 2004 Oxford University Press South Melbourne, Victoria 0-19-555100-1 Brune Peter A Bastard of a Place: The Australians in Papua 2003 2004 Allen & Unwin Crows Nest, New South Wales 978-1-74114-403-1 Coulthard-Clark Chris 1998 Where Australians Fought: The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles Allen and Unwin St Leonards, New South Wales 1-86448-611-2 Dexter David The New Guinea Offensives Australia in the War of 1939–1945, Series 1—Army. Volume VII 1961 1st Australian War Memorial Canberra, Australian Capital Territory https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070205/ 2028994 Grey Jeffrey Jeffrey Grey A Military History of Australia 3rd Cambridge University Press Melbourne 2008 978-0-521-69791-0 James Richard Australia's War With France: The Campaign in Syria and Lebanon, 1941 2017 Big Sky Publishing Newport, New South Wales 978-1-925520-92-7 Johnston Mark Mark Johnston (historian) The Silent 7th: An Illustrated History of the 7th Australian Division 1940–46 2005 Allen & Unwin Crows Nest, New South Wales 1-74114-191-5 Keogh Eustace Eustace Graham Keogh South West Pacific 1941–45 1965 Grayflower Publications Melbourne, Victoria 7185705 Kuring Ian 2004 Redcoats to Cams: A History of Australian Infantry 1788–2001 Australian Military Historical Publications Loftus, New South Wales 1-876439-99-8 Palazzo Albert The Australian Army: A History of its Organisation 1901–2001 2001 Oxford University Press Melbourne, Victoria 0195515072 McKenzie-Smith Graham Graham McKenzie-Smith 2018 The Unit Guide: The Australian Army 1939–1945, Volume 2 Big Sky Publishing Warriewood, New South Wales 978-1-925675-146 Wilmot Chester Chester Wilmot Tobruk 1941 1944 1993 Penguin Books Australia Ringwood, New South Wales 0-14-017584-9 External links 18th Brigade War Diaries – Second World War June 2017 collapsed 18 Category:Military units and formations of Australia in World War II Category:Military units and formations established in 1939 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946 Category:1946 disestablishments in Australia Category:1939 establishments in Australia