The Australian 3rd Division was a first formed in World War I, as part of the Australian Imperial Force. It was an infantry division formed in Australia in March 1916 and which began to arrive in England in July at which time General John Monash was appointed as the commander. The division underwent training on Salisbury Plain before moving to France at the end of 1916.

After the war ended and the AIF was demobilised, the 3rd Division name was revived and assigned to an Citizens Military Forces/Militia (reserve) unit. This division saw action in the closing stages of World War II, in the New Guinea campaign.

World War I unit history

Structure

9th Brigade (New South Wales)

• 33rd Battalion
• 34th Battalion
• 35th Battalion
• 36th Battalion (Disbanded in April 1918)

10th Brigade (Victoria)

• 37th Battalion (Disbanded in September 1918)
• 38th Battalion
• 39th Battalion
• 40th Battalion (Tasmania)

11th Brigade

• 41st Battalion (Queensland)
• 42nd Battalion (Queensland) (Disbanded in September 1918)
• 43rd Battalion (South Australia)
• 44th Battalion (Western Australia)

Artillery

Field Ambulance

Commanders

Between the wars

World War II

Units from the division saw action in the New Guinea campaign. Its most notable service was in the Salamaua-Lae and Bougainville campaigns. By the time it was on Bougainville, it included the 7th Infantry Brigade (predominantly Queensland units), 15th Infantry Brigade (predominantly Victorian units) and 29th Infantry Brigade (predominantly Queensland units).

Two soldiers from the division are the only Australian Army reservists to have been awarded the Victoria Cross: Corporal Reg Rattey and Pte Frank Partridge. Both men were recognised for actions at the Battle of Slater's Knoll, on Bougainville, in 1945.

Notes

See also

External links

• First AIF Order of Battle 1914-1918: Third Division