Editing 3rd Division (Australia) (section)

===World War II===

====Home duties====
On 3 September 1939, Australia found itself once again at war, after attempts at finding a diplomatic solution to the [[Invasion of Poland|German invasion of Poland]] had failed.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=91}}</ref> Following the outbreak of World War II, mobilisation began slowly as the government called up a force of about 8,000 Militia personnel to undertake security duties in the days following the declaration of war. A short time later, the decision was made to raise an all volunteer force for overseas service, known as the [[Second Australian Imperial Force]] (2nd AIF).<ref name=Grey146>{{harvnb|Grey|2008|p=146}}</ref> This was necessary due to the provisions of the ''Defence Act (1903)'' which precluded deploying the Militia outside of Australian territory, and as a result the government decided to use the Militia to provide a small [[en cadre|cadre]] upon which the 2nd AIF would be raised, as well as to provide training to conscripts as part of the compulsory training scheme which was re-established in early 1940.<ref name=Grey146/> Nevertheless, during this time large numbers of officers and senior non-commissioned officers from the 3rd Division volunteered for service with the 2nd AIF and many units lost a large number of their experienced personnel at this time.<ref name=Palazzo103/>

Throughout 1940–41, the Militia were called up in cohorts for periods of continuous training, and the 3rd Division, still consisting of the 4th, 10th and 15th Brigades, undertook a series of training camps around [[Seymour, Victoria]]. In March 1941, the division's artillery was reorganised to bring it in line with the British organisational system with each artillery brigade being converted to a field regiment.<ref>{{harvnb|Horner|1995|p=238}}</ref> Numerical designations stayed the same, however, and by late 1941 the division had completed its transition.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=99}}</ref> This saw its infantry brigades once again reduced from four battalions to three, while various supporting elements were inserted at brigade-level, however, training at this time was still rudimentary and limited mainly to individual skills, and the division's establishment was recorded as being only half of its authorised wartime establishment. There was also a shortage of modern equipment.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=101}}</ref>

With Japan's entry into the war following the attacks on [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|Pearl Harbor]] and [[Battle of Malaya|Malaya]], it became more likely that the division would be called upon to undertake active service overseas, and the division was mobilised for war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=6004&Tab=Uhi&Titl=3%20Australian%20Infantry%20Division|title=3 Australian Infantry Division|publisher=Orders of Battle.com|access-date=31 October 2010}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In early January 1942, Major General [[Stanley Savige]], an experienced officer who had commanded the [[17th Brigade (Australia)|17th Brigade]] in combat against the Germans in the Middle East earlier in the war, took over command of the division.<ref name=Palazzo103>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=103}}</ref> Savige set about the task of preparing the division for combat and he began by removing officers that he did not think were physically fit enough or competent to lead in battle and replacing them with men who had gained experience in AIF units. A comprehensive training program was established and in April 1942 the division was assigned to the [[I Corps (Australia)|Australian I Corps]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=5121&Tab=Sub&Titl=I%20Australian%20Corps|title=I Australian Corps|publisher=Orders of Battle.com|access-date=31 October 2010}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and to enable divisional exercises to begin, the 3rd Division moved to [[Bonegilla, Victoria]]. To toughen the men up, Savige decided that they would march on foot to the new camp.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|pp=104–105}}</ref>

[[Image:61st Battalion Bougainville March 1945.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A black-and-white photograph of soldiers marching up a creek. The soldiers have their rifles slung and are knee deep in muddy water|Men from the 61st Battalion patrol along the Mosigetta River on Bougainville in March 1945]]

The following month they were relocated once more, this time to [[Queensland]] where they undertook training exercises and defensive duties along the coast between [[Brisbane]] and [[Tweed Heads]] on the [[New South Wales]] border.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=105}}</ref> At this time, the Army began to rectify the deficiencies in the division's equipment lists and battalions began receiving new machine guns, motor transport and [[Universal Carrier|Bren carriers]].<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=107}}</ref> As the situation in [[New Guinea campaign|New Guinea]] grew worse, the decision was made to reorganise the 3rd Division and throughout August, four battalions were amalgamated—the 37th, 52nd, 58th and 59th. In September, the 10th Brigade was disbanded and its battalions reallocated to the 4th and 15th Brigades. In October, the 29th and 46th Battalions were also amalgamated, leaving the division with just six infantry battalions in two brigades.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=108}}</ref>

====New Guinea, 1943–1944====
In early 1943 the division was despatched to New Guinea, with the 15th Brigade being sent to [[Port Moresby]] and the 4th Brigade going to [[Milne Bay]]. At this point the 4th Brigade was reassigned to the [[5th Division (Australia)|5th Division]]. It would later be replaced within the division by the [[29th Brigade (Australia)|29th Brigade]].<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=113}}</ref> The division's stay in Port Moresby was brief and in April it began moving to [[Wau, Papua New Guinea|Wau]] where they subsumed the units assigned to [[Kanga Force]], including the 17th Brigade, a 2nd AIF formation, and began operations as part of the [[Salamaua-Lae campaign|Salamaua–Lae campaign]].<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=116}}</ref>

Initially operations were limited to the area immediately surrounding Bulolo, but as the division became established the headquarters was shifted to Tambu Bay and brigades were pushed out towards Mubo, and the Komiatum and Bobdui Ridges, while defensive patrols were undertaken through the Wampit Valley, around the Bulwa and Zenag airstrips and towards the Markham River.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|pp=117–118}}</ref> Stretched across a front of over {{convert|75|mi|km}}, in June the division was reinforced by the US [[162nd Infantry Regiment (United States)|162nd Infantry Regiment]]. Following this the division took on primary responsibility for Allied operations in New Guinea.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=118}}</ref> Eventually Lae fell in September and soon afterwards, its elements were moved back to Port Moresby, before being sent to support the [[7th Division (Australia)|7th Division's]] campaign in the [[Finisterre Range campaign|Markham and Ramu Valleys]] and the [[Battle of Madang|advance on Madang]].<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=139}}</ref>

In August 1944 the 3rd Division's brigades were withdrawn back to Australia for leave and reorganisation. After this, preparations began for the division's next campaign.<ref name=p142>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=142}}</ref> Around this time, the 3rd Division adopted the [[Jungle division]]al establishment,<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2001|p=183}}</ref> and was reorganised around three infantry brigades: the 7th, 15th and 29th Brigades.<ref name=Palazzo144>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=144}}</ref> It was also assigned to the [[II Corps (Australia)|Australian II Corps]].<ref name=p142/>

====Bougainville 1944–1945====
{{command structure
|name= Order of Battle, 3rd Division
|date=c. 1945
|parent=[[II Corps (Australia)|II Corps]]
|subordinate=
* 7th Infantry Brigade (Queensland)<ref name=Palazzo144/>
** [[9th Battalion (Australia)|9th Battalion]]
** [[25th Battalion (Australia)|25th Battalion]]
** [[61st Battalion (Australia)|61st Battalion]]
* 15th Infantry Brigade (Victoria)<ref name=Palazzo144/>
** [[24th Battalion (Australia)|24th Battalion]]
** [[58th/59th Battalion (Australia)|58th/59th Battalion]]
** [[57th/60th Battalion (Australia)|57th/60th Battalion]]
* 29th Infantry Brigade (Queensland)<ref name=Palazzo144/>
** [[15th Battalion (Australia)|15th Battalion]]
** [[42nd Battalion (Australia)|42nd Battalion]]
** [[47th Battalion (Australia)|47th Battalion]]
* 3rd Divisional Engineers<ref>{{harvnb|McNicol|1982|pp=215–216}}</ref>
** 5th Field Company
** 7th Field Company
** 10th Field Company
** 11th Field Company
** 15th Field Company
* 3rd Divisional Signals
* 2nd Field Regiment, RAA<ref name=Horner400/>
* [[4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery|4th Field Regiment, RAA]]<ref>{{harvnb|Long|1963|p=99}}</ref>
* 2nd Mountain Battery<ref>{{harvnb|Kidd|Neal|1998|p=373}}</ref>
* 'U' Heavy Battery
* [[2/4th Armoured Regiment (Australia)|'B' Squadron, 2/4th Armoured Regiment]]<ref name=Hopkins145>{{harvnb|Hopkins|1978|p=145}}</ref>
* 3rd Division Medical
** 11th Field Ambulance
** 19th Field Ambulance
}}

In late 1944 it was decided that the Australians would take over responsibility from the Americans for operations against the Japanese on [[Bougainville campaign|Bougainville]]. From November–December 1944, the 3rd Division, along with two independent brigades, the 11th and [[23rd Brigade (Australia)|23rd]],<ref>{{harvnb|Odgers|1988|p=177}}</ref> began to relieve the units of the US [[XIV Corps (United States)|XIV Corps]] that were to be transferred elsewhere in the Pacific.<ref name=Maitland108>{{harvnb|Maitland|1999|p=108}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Long|1963|pp=92–94}}</ref> Allied intelligence of Japanese strengths on the island varied at the time, although it was believed that there were around 17,500 Japanese on Bougainville. Although this was later proved to be grossly incorrect, nevertheless the Allies believed that the Japanese formations in the area, despite being under strength, were still capable of carrying out effective combat operations. As a result, it was decided that II Corps would go on the offensive to clear the Japanese from the island<ref name=Maitland108/><ref name=Long102>{{harvnb|Long|1963|p=102}}</ref> and a three pronged campaign was planned in the northern, central and southern sectors of the island.<ref>{{harvnb|Johnston|2007|pp=30–31}}</ref>

The division was supported by a number of artillery units including the 2nd and 4th Field Regiments and the [[2nd Mountain Battery (Australia)|2nd Mountain Battery]], and various anti-aircraft units. Later, also 'U' Heavy Battery, with four 155&nbsp;mm howitzers was transferred from Lae, as was the [[2/11th Field Regiment (Australia)|2/11th Field Regiment]].<ref>{{harvnb|Horner|1995|pp=402–404}}</ref> To provide organic fire support during the advance, the decision was made at this time to place the divisional artillery assets directly underneath the subunits they were supporting.<ref name=Horner400>{{harvnb|Horner|1995|p=400}}</ref> At the outset, the division's allocation of engineers consisted of only two field companies, the 5th and 11th, however over the course of the campaign others arrived including the 10th, 15th and the 7th, which was the last to arrive in June 1945. Ultimately the division had almost 1,600 engineers across five field companies and various supporting plant, park and other units. This represented one of the largest engineer contingents within an Australian division during the war.<ref>{{harvnb|McNicol|1982|p=216}}</ref> Initially the division was deployed without armoured support. However, in December 1944, [[2/4th Armoured Regiment (Australia)|'B' Squadron, 2/4th Armoured Regiment]], equipped with [[Matilda II]] tanks, arrived and subsequently took part in operations on the island attached to elements of the division.<ref name=Hopkins145/>

The 7th Brigade, supported by the 2nd Field Regiment,<ref>{{harvnb|Horner|1995|p=404}}</ref> was the first to commence operations, as the [[9th Battalion (Australia)|9th Battalion]] launched a surprise attack in the central sector of the island upon a Japanese outpost at Little George Hill on 25 November. The following month the battalion seized control of Artillery Hill, while the 29th Brigade began patrolling operations in the southern sector.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=149}}</ref>

[[File:AWM 092041 Matilda tanks advance on Hongorai River 1945.jpg|thumb|right|Troops from the 3rd Division cross the Hongorai River alongside Matilda tanks from the 2/4th Armoured Regiment in May 1945]]

Following the capture of [[Battle of Pearl Ridge|Pearl Ridge]] by the [[25th Battalion (Australia)|25th Battalion]], the focus of the 3rd Division's operations on Bougainville was shifted on the northern and southern sectors. The 11th Brigade, independent of the 3rd Division, assumed control of the drive to the north, while the 3rd Division concentrated on the drive south towards [[Buin, Papua New Guinea|Buin]], where the main Japanese force was concentrated. Rotating his brigades, the division's commander, Major General [[William Bridgeford]], advanced south from Torokina towards the Puriata river.<ref name=Long141>{{harvnb|Long|1963|p=141}}</ref> After crossing it, the Japanese launched a significant counterattack around [[Battle of Slater's Knoll|Slater's Knoll]], which was eventually beaten off in early April.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_401.asp|title= Slater's Knoll|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=11 November 2009}}</ref>

In April 1945 the 15th Brigade took over from the 7th Brigade and resumed the advance on the [[Battle of the Hongorai River|Hongorai and Mivo rivers]]. In early July, the 29th Brigade relieved the 15th and continued the advance and as they attempted to cross the Mivo, the Japanese launched a ferocious counter-attack upon the [[15th Battalion (Australia)|15th Battalion]] which was turned back by desperate defence.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=152}}</ref> Following this the advance came to a halt as torrential rain turned the axis of advance into "a sea of mud"<ref name=Long222>{{harvnb|Long|1963|p= 222}}</ref> and many of the bridges upon which the Australian supply system was dependent were washed away. As the situation became worse, briefly even patrolling operations had to be stopped. These patrols were resumed, however, in late July and into August, as isolated pockets of Japanese began to attack the 3rd Division's supply lines and support units.<ref>{{harvnb|Long|1963|p= 224}}</ref> As preparations were made to resume the advance, the [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|dropping of two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] and Japan's subsequent [[Surrender of Japan|unconditional surrender]] brought the fighting on Bougainville to an end and a cease fire came into effect.<ref>{{harvnb|Long|1963|p= 226}}</ref>

Following the end of hostilities, the [[Demobilisation of the Australian military after World War II|demobilisation process]] began and eventually the 3rd Division was disbanded on 4 December 1945.<ref>{{harvnb|Palazzo|2002|p=153}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/AWM52/1/AWM52-1-5-4-106.pdf|title=AWM52, Item 1/5/4 – 3 Australian Division General Staff Branch (3 Aust Div GS Branch), December 1945|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=31 October 2010}}</ref> During the division's campaign in Bougainville, one of its soldiers, [[Reg Rattey]], earned the Victoria Cross for his actions during the fighting around Slater's Knoll.<ref>{{harvnb|Maitland|1999|p=121}}</ref> Some personnel from the division later served in the [[67th Battalion (Australia)|67th Infantry Battalion]], undertaking occupation duties as part of the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]] in Japan.<ref>{{harvnb|Chinn|2008|p=5}}.</ref>