About This Unit
Headquarters 9th Division
In September 1940, the Australian Government's War Cabinet decided to form a fourth Division in the Second AIF. It was to be based around structures of 'Austral Force' that had been diverted to the UK in anticipation of an invasion by Nazi forces in Occupied France.
The new Division, the 9th, formed at Amesbury and then relocated to Colchester in Essex.
After a reshuffling of Brigades (18th and 25th were transferred to the 7th Division) and the 9th Division ultimately comprised the 20th, 24th and 26th Brigades.
The 9th Division was deployed to the Middle East in early 1941. The Division began moving in to replace 6th Division units bound for Greece. The 24th Brigade was first to arrive in the Tobruk area, augmented with the 18th Brigade from the 7th Division, detached under command of the 9th Division Headquarters. They were followed by the other two Brigades in due course. That structure underpinned the Siege of Tobruk from April - October 1941, deployed as follows; 24th Brigade covering the eastern sector, 20th Brigade covering the southern sector and 26th Brigade covering the west with 18th Brigade in reserve.
Replacement of the 18th Brigade back to its parent 7th Division, with its sector being taken over by a Polish Brigade began the rotation out of the 'Rats of Tobruk' as they had become known. The 9th Division was moved to replace the 7th in Syria prior to its return home to Australia and deployment into the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
The 9th Division remained as the only Australian force in the Middle East, moving between the Tripoli, Alexandria areas, then further forward by July, for the opening stages of El Alamein.
The 9th Division returned to Australian January 1943.
Served in New Guinea from mid 1943 until February / March 1944.
The 9th Division's final campaign was in Tarakan, Borneo as part of Operation Oboe.
Work in progress. More to follow..................
Sources:
McKenzie-Smith Graham R, 'The Unit Guide The Australian Army 1939-1945' Vols 1-6, Vol 2 Headquarters, Infantry, Cavalry, Armoured and Intelligence Units, 2018, ISBN: 978-1-926575-14-6, Big Sky Publications.