Australian/New Zealand OOB

[DRG]

The issues have already been looked into and adjusted where applicable

Don

[TDR]

Some basic information on the Australina aspect.

Up to end 1942 AMF, (Militia), Battalions had the following structure:

Bn HQ
HQ Coy
Coy HQ
1 Pl (Sigs)
2 Pl (AA) – 4 x twin AA LMGs
3 Pl (Mortar Pl) total of 6 x3 inch Mors, wheel based transport
4 Pl (Pioneer)
5 Pl (Admin)
6 Pl (Carrier), 4 sect, 3 carriers each with .303 MMGs, Bren(AA), also ATR per sect, Pl Hq 1 carrier.
A – D Coy (Rifle) each with:
Coy HQ
3 x Inf Pl.
each Pl with Pl HQ and 3 Sections.
Sects as 10 men, SMG, rifle and initially Lewis LMGs. In combat, Kokoda, Lewis changed to Bren.
Pl HQ 4 men 4 x rifle.
Also 2” mor team with Pl. Some AMF Bns did not have this.
ATR was a Bn/Coy issued weapon not organic to the Pl
E Coy (MMG)
Coy HQ
3 x MMG Pl, as pl Hq and 2 Sect per Pl. Each Sect with 2 x MMGs

In 43 AMF units in combat areas came closer to AIF units in structure.
Early 1943 E Coy was removed from the AMF establishment. And the Bns had the following structure:
Bn HQ
HQ Coy
Coy HQ
1 Pl (Sigs)
2 Pl (AA)
3 Pl (Mortar Pl)
4 Pl (Pioneer)
5 Pl (Admin)
6 Pl (Carrier)
A – D Coy ( Rifle) each with:
Coy HQ
3 x Inf Pl
Also in PNG and SWP the AMF/AIF Bns did not have the carrier Pl as part of the establishment.

In 1944 2 main Bn structures AMF/AIF:
Tropical AMF & AIF:
Bn HQ
HQ Coy
Coy HQ
Sigs Pl
MMG Pl – 2 sects with 2 MMGs per sect, total of 4 MMGs
Mortar Pl - 4 sects with 2 x3 inch Mors per sect , total of 8 x 3” Mors
Tank Attack Pl, (Tnk/Atk)- 2 sects with 2 x 2Pdr AT Gun and 1 LMG, total of 4 x 2 Pdr At Gun & 2 x LMG
Pioneer Pl
Admin Pl
A – D Coy (Rifle) each with:
Coy HQ
3 x Inf Pl.
each Pl with Pl HQ and 3 Sections.
Sects as 10 men, SMG, rifle and Bren LMGs. I
Pl HQ 4 men 4 x rifle.
Also 2” mor team Under Comd of Pl HQ. Also a PIAT per Pl.
PIAT carried in one of the sections.

44 Standard Bn, (Home land)
Bn HQ
HQ Coy
Coy HQ
Sigs Pl
AA Pl – 4 x twin AA LMGs
Mortar Pl total of 6 x3 inch Mors, wheel based transport
Pioneer Pl
Admin Pl
Carrier Pl, 4 sect, 3 carriers each with .303 MMGs, Bren(AA), also ATR per sect, Pl Hq included in a carrier Sect.
Tank Attack Pl, (Tnk/Atk)- 2 sects with 2 x 6 Pdr AT Gun and 1 LMG, total of 4 x 6 Pdr At Gun & 2 x LMG
A – D Coy (Rifle) each with:
Coy HQ
3 x Inf Pl.
each Pl with Pl HQ and 3 Sections.
Sects as 10 men, SMG, rifle and Bren LMGs.
Also 2” mor team Under Comd of Pl HQ. Also a PIAT per Pl.
PIAT carried in one of the sections.

Source:
(a) Australian Army School of Infantry
(b) ‘Red Coats to Cams, A History of Australian Infantry, 1788 – 2001’; Ian Kuring, Australian Mil History publication, 2004
(c) Australian War Memorial Collections.


1941 Divsional Cavalry Regiment
Regt HQ - 4 light tanks & 2 cariers
3 x Sqn as:
HQ - 2 light tanks & 2 universal carriers
3 x carier tp: 1 Offr, 10 OR 3 carriers
2 x light tank tp: 1 Offr, 12 OR, 3 light tanks
Admin Sqn
Source:
(a) Australian War Memorial Collections.

Equip as:
6th Australian Division Cavalry Regiment
Vickers Light Tanks Mark IIB Machine Gun Carriers Vickers and Bren guns - October 1940
A Squadron partially re-equipped with M11/39 and M13/40 - January 1941
Vickers Light tanks Mark VIB and Machine Gun Carriers of various types - April 1941
French R35 Renault Light Tanks May 1941

7th Australian Division Cavalry Regiment
Vickers Light Tanks VIB, Carriers, and trucks fitted with 2pdr Anti-Tank Guns - May 1941 to August 1941
Vickers Light Tanks Mark VIB, Universal carriers and Renault R35 tanks - August 1941

9th Australian Division Cavalry Regiment
Light Tanks Mark VIB and various types of Machine Gun Carriers Renault R35 tanks - June 1941
British Crusader Mark 2, M3 Stuart Light tanks as well as Machine Gun Carriers July 1942

Again just for information.

[TDR]

A small question re aircraft in the ANZAC OOB:

To me the dates for the following air craft are slightly out. But this is only a suggestion.

Beaufort:
RAAF 100 Squadron formed in 42 based at Port Moresby then Milne Bay August 42. Took part in the Milne Bay battle August – Sep 42.

Beaufighter:
RAAF 30 Squadron formed in 42. Moved to Milne Bay August 42, and in operation Milne Bay battle August – Sep 42.

Kityhawk:
RAAF 75 & 76 Squadron formed in March 42. Both stationed at Milne Bay August 42. Both took part in the Milne Bay battle Aug – Sep 42.

[TDR]

A small collection of issues:

Just some question on actual dates for the following units in the ANZAC OOB

OOB entry:
Kittyhawk MkIII: Jan 43 to March 44
But the Kittyhawks were in combat operation in New Guinea in August 42.

Beaufighter X: Jan 45 to Dec 47
But the Beaufighters were in combat operation in New Guinea in August 42.

Shouldn’t these be corrected to reflect the combat issues here?

75 mm Pack howitzer or Mountain Gun:
From what I can determine the following units were using this gun:
2/2ND Tank Attack Regiment – 1944 ( Australia)
2/1 Tank Attack Regiment – 1945, (PNG)
2ND Mountain Battery – 1944 (PNG)


OOB entry:
18 Pdr Howitzer: Jan 30 to Dec 39
These were still in use in 1943 both in Australia and in PNG, eg:10TH Field Regiment, RAA

OOB entry:
18pdr Troop: Jan 30 to Dec 40
BUT the OOB list the 18 Pdr Howitzer: Jan 30 to Dec 39
Bit of a non match with dates here.
Actually should run till 1943.

OOB entry:
Fiat M13/40: Mar 41 to June 43
Should this actually be June 42?