Editing 3rd Division (Australia) (section)

====Formation and training====
In early 1916, following the unsuccessful [[Gallipoli campaign]], the decision was made to expand the size of the [[First Australian Imperial Force|Australian Imperial Force]] (AIF).<ref>{{harvnb|Grey|2008|p=99}}</ref> At the time there were two divisions in [[Egypt]]—the [[1st Division (Australia)|1st]] and [[2nd Division (Australia)|2nd]]—and of these, one of them (the 1st) was split up to provide a [[En cadre|cadre]] upon which to raise the [[4th Division (Australia)|4th]] and [[5th Division (Australia)|5th Divisions]].<ref>{{harvnb|Grey|2008|pp=99–100}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Bean|1941a|pp=41–42}}</ref> Around this time the decision to raise a fifth division from fresh volunteers in Australia was also made and as a result the 3rd Division was officially raised on 2 February 1916.<ref name=Palazzo1/>

Upon formation, the division drew its personnel from all Australian states and consisted of three four-[[battalion]] infantry [[brigade]]s—the [[9th Brigade (Australia)|9th]], [[10th Brigade (Australia)|10th]] and the [[11th Brigade (Australia)|11th]]—and a number of supporting elements including engineers, artillery and medical personnel.<ref name=Palazzo1/> Only rudimentary initial training was undertaken before elements of the division began the embarkation process in May and June 1916 as they were moved to the United Kingdom, where the individual sub units concentrated for the first time, received arms and other equipment and began the task of undertaking further training at [[Larkhill]], in the [[Salisbury Plain Training Area]].<ref name=Palazzo21>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=21}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Bean|1941a|p=176}}</ref> In July the division's artillery component was formed, consisting of three [[Artillery battery|batteries]] of [[18-pounder]]s and one 4.5&nbsp;inch [[howitzer]] battery.<ref>{{harvnb|Horner|1995|p=117}}</ref> The process of raising and training took some time and consequently the division was not transferred to France until mid November 1916.<ref name=Palazzo21/> Prior to this, however, the division endured proposals to break it up to provide reinforcements to the other four Australian divisions that were already in France. Although these threats passed, in early September 1916, following losses around [[Battle of Pozières|Pozières]], almost 3,000 men from the 3rd Division were transferred.<ref>{{harvnb|Bean|1941a|p=867}}</ref> Throughout October it seemed likely that further drafts would be siphoned away from the division, however, this did not occur and in early November two divisional exercises were undertaken. Finally, on 21 November 1916, the 3rd Division crossed the English Channel and arrived in France.<ref>{{harvnb|Bean|1941a|p=950}}</ref>

Under the command of [[Major General]] [[John Monash]],<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=18}}</ref> the division was assigned to [[II ANZAC Corps]].<ref name=Palazzo24>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=24}}</ref> For the next two years they would take part in most of the major battles that the Australians fought on the Western Front. Initially they were deployed around [[Armentières]] in a "quiet" sector of the line, where they gained their first experiences of trench warfare, conducting patrols into [[No Man's Land]] and minor raids on the German trenches opposite them during the winter months.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|pp=24–25}}</ref>