Australian III Corps
Encyclopedia
III Corps was an Australian Army
unit during World War II
. It was responsible for the defence of Western Australia
in 1942-45.
The founding unit of the corps was a West Australian-formed Militia
unit, the 13th Brigade. In mid-1942, as fears of Japanese
surface attacks against the Australian mainland were increasing, the 4th Division, a Militia division raised in Victoria
, was included and Major General Gordon Bennett was appointed corps commander. In August 1942, the 2nd Division
, a New South Wales
Militia unit joined III Corps.
According to the Army History Unit:
The main function of the corps then became the preparation of smaller units for active service in New Guinea
and Borneo
. A succession of units then passed rapidly through it.
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
unit during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was responsible for the defence of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
in 1942-45.
The founding unit of the corps was a West Australian-formed Militia
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
unit, the 13th Brigade. In mid-1942, as fears of Japanese
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
surface attacks against the Australian mainland were increasing, the 4th Division, a Militia division raised in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, was included and Major General Gordon Bennett was appointed corps commander. In August 1942, the 2nd Division
Australian 2nd Division (World War II)
The 2nd Division commands all the reserve brigades in Australia. These are the 4th in Victoria, the 5th and 8th in New South Wales, the 9th in South Australia and Tasmania, the 11th in Queensland and the 13th in Western Australia....
, a New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
Militia unit joined III Corps.
According to the Army History Unit:
- At its peak, in Apr-May 1943, 3rd Corps included, in addition to 2nd and 4th Divisions, [the] 1st Armoured DivisionAustralian 1st Armoured DivisionThe Australian 1st Armoured Division was raised in 1941 as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force . While the Division was originally to be deployed to North Africa in late 1941, it was retained in Australia following the outbreak of the Pacific War...
(1st Armoured Brigade1st Armoured Brigade (Australia)The 1st Australian Armoured Brigade was a formation of the Australian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in July1941, at Tamworth, New South Wales and disbanded November 1944...
and 3rd Motor Brigade3rd Motor Brigade (Australia)The 3rd Motor Brigade was a formation of the Australian Army during World War II. The brigade was converted in March 1942, from the 1st Cavalry Brigade. The brigade was assigned to the 2nd Australian Motor Division in September 1942, it then was assigned to the III Corps between October 1942 and...
). As the tide of war against Japan turned in favour of the AlliesAllies of World War IIThe Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
, the role of 3rd Corps in defence of WA diminished.http://www.defence.gov.au/army/ahu/books_articles/Articles/Brief_History_2ndDiv.htm
The main function of the corps then became the preparation of smaller units for active service in New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
and Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
. A succession of units then passed rapidly through it.