2nd Armoured Division (Australia)

Australian 2nd Armoured Division
2nd Australian Armoured Division Formation Sign
Active	1942–1943
Country	Australia
Branch	Army
Type	Armoured
Battle honours	None

The Australian 2nd Armoured Division was established on 21 February 1942 by redesignating and reorganising the 2nd Motor Division (which was previously the 2nd Cavalry Division). As an armoured division, it consisted of one armoured brigade of three armoured regiments, and one motor brigade consisting of three motor regiments, supported by an armoured car regiment.^[1]

It was equipped with M3 Grant medium tanks and M3 Stuart light tanks. The 2nd Armoured Division was disbanded in Queensland on 19 February 1943,^[2] though the headquarters of its 6th Armoured Brigade was retained and redesignated headquarters 4th Armoured Brigade.^[3] The 2nd Armoured Division was commanded by Major General W.J.M. Locke throughout its brief existence.^[4]

Composition

Order of battle upon formation

• Divisional Headquarters
• 6 Armoured Car Regiment
• 2 Armoured Divisional Signals
• 6th Armoured Brigade
  • 12 Armoured Regiment
  • 13 Armoured Regiment
  • 14 Armoured Regiment
  • 9 Motor Regiment
  • 3 Armoured Reconnaissance Squadron
• 3rd Motor Brigade
  • 4 Motor Regiment
  • 26 Motor Regiment
  • 101 Motor Regiment
• Divisional Artillery
  • 22 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
  • 105 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
• Divisional Administration Troops

Order of battle upon disbandment

• Divisional Headquarters
• 6 Armoured Car Regiment
• 2 Armoured Divisional Signals
• 6th Armoured Brigade
  • 12 Armoured Regiment
  • 13 Armoured Regiment
  • 14 Armoured Regiment
  • 9 Motor Regiment
  • 3 Armoured Reconnaissance Squadron
• 2nd Motor Brigade
  • 15 Motor Regiment
  • 17 Motor Regiment
  • 20 Motor Regiment
• Divisional Artillery
  • 22 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
  • 105 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
• Divisional Administration Troops

References

Citations

1. Hopkins 1993, p. 104.
2. Hopkins 1993, p. 326.
3. Hopkins 1993, p. 126.
4. Hopkins 1993, p. 315.

Bibliography

• Hopkins, R.N.L. (1993) [1978]. Australian Armour: A History of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps 1927–1972. Puckapunyal, Victoria: Royal Australian Armoured Corps Tank Museum. ISBN 0-642-99407-2.