2nd Brigade (Australia)

Originally formed in 1903 as a Militia unit of the Commonwealth Military Forces, it was established in Victoria and consisted of four battalion-sized units—5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Australian Infantry Regiments.Kuring 2004, p. 39. In 1908 the units were retitled so that they became the 1st Battalions of their regimental designations. In 1912, the compulsory training scheme was introduced and at this time the brigade was reorganised as part of the 1st Military District, with constituent units were spread across various locations in Queensland including Toombul, Nundah and Brisbane.Australian Military Forces 1912, pp. 15–16.

During the First World War, the brigade was re-constituted as part of the Australian Imperial Force, as part of the 1st Division. Made up of four battalions that were raised from volunteers for overseas service from Victoria, each consisting of 1,023 menBean 1941, p. 37—5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/ww1.asp|title=Australian Military Units: First World War, 1914–18|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=13 September 2009}}—and initially under the command of Colonel James Whiteside McCay,Grey 2008, p. 85. and was among the first Australian formations to be sent overseas. As part of the 1st Division, after initial training, it was sent to Egypt, where they took part in the defence of the Suez Canal in the wake of the First Suez OffensiveBean 1941, p. 163. before taking part in the Gallipoli campaign, landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915, coming ashore in the second wave.{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11192.asp|title=5th Battalion, AIF|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=14 September 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11193.asp|title=6th Battalion, AIF|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=14 September 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11194.asp|title=7th Battalion, AIF|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=14 September 2009}}{{cite web|url= http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11195.asp|title=8th Battalion, AIF|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=14 September 2009}}

File:Lone Pine trench 6 August 1915.jpg

Early in May the battalions of the 2nd Brigade moved from the beachhead at Anzac Cove to the British and French lodgement at Cape Helles where on 8 May they were involved in the Second Battle of Krithia, carrying out the first brigade-level attack by Australian infantry against an entrenched enemy forceKuring 2004, p. 51. and during which they suffered losses equal to roughly a third of its strength in what was a largely unsuccessful attack. After this the 2nd Brigade returned to Anzac Cove on 16 May. During the August Offensive they took part in the Battle of Lone Pine during the August Offensive. Following this the brigade was involved in largely defensive duties until they were withdrawn as part of the general evacuation of Allied troops from the peninsula in December 1915.Kuring 2004, p. 55.

Following this the brigade returned to Egypt where they once again took part in the defence of the Suez Canal before embarking for France in March 1916. Arriving shortly after this, they took up positions in the trenches of the Western Front. Their first significant involvement in combat in Europe came in July 1916 during the Battle of Pozières and after this, over the course of the next two and a half years, they took part in most of the major Allied operations against the German Army. Other notable engagements that the brigade took part in included the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917, the German spring offensive and the Hundred Days Offensive in 1918.

During the war, the units of the 2nd Brigade suffered 7,988 casualties of which 3,958 were killed. Eight men from these units also received the Victoria Cross.

In 1919, the 2nd Brigade, was reformed as part of the Militia, in the 1st Military District in Queensland. Initially it consisted of six battalion-sized units: the 2nd and 5th Battalions, 9th Infantry Regiment; the 2nd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment; the 2nd Battalion, 25th Infantry Regiment; the 2nd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.Kuring 2004, p. 107. The following year, it was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division in VictoriaPalazzo 2001, p. 91. and in 1921 when the AIF was finally officially disbanded, the citizen force infantry regiments were reorganised to perpetuate the numerical designations and battle honours of the AIF.Kuring 2004, p. 93.

In 1924 the brigade was part of the 3rd Military District in Victoria, consisting of the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions.Kuring 2004, p. 110. Over the course of the inter war years, the brigade's component units changed a number of times as the economic pressures of the Great Depression lead to a reduction in the size of the Militia and the amalgamation of a number of battalions.Kuring 2004, p. 112. In 1928, just before the end of compulsory military training, the brigade consisted of the 5th, 6th, 23rd and 32nd Battalions.Palazzo 2001, p. 102. Later, in 1934, it was made up of the 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th Battalions.Kuring 2004, p. 111. These units remained in the brigade until 1939.Kuring 2004, p. 113.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 the Australian government decided to raise an all-volunteer force for overseas service. This force was known as the Second Australian Imperial Force.Grey 2008, p. 146. Although conscription was reintroduced in early 1940, the provisions of the Defence Act (1903) prevented the dispatch of conscripts to fight except within the boundaries of Australia and its external territories.Palazzo 2001, p. 153. As a result, as the units of the newly raised 2nd AIF were sent overseas to North Africa, the Militia were called up progressively for three months continuous training in order to improve the overall readiness of Australia's defences.Palazzo 2001, p. 147.

Initially, the brigade was composed of four infantry battalions under the overall command of temporary Brigadier George Langley: the 5th Battalion (Victorian Scottish Regiment), the 6th Battalion, the 14th Battalion (Prahan Regiment), the 32nd Battalion (Footscray Regiment) and the Melbourne University Rifles.{{cite web|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=6224&Tab=Sub|title=2 Australian Infantry Brigade|publisher=Orders of Battle.com|access-date=20 September 2009}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} However, in early 1940, the Australian Army's brigade establishment was reduced from to three battalions in order to fall in line with standard British doctrine.

Image:Geraldton exercise 1942 (028696).jpg.]]

Following the entry of Japan into the war in December 1941, and their subsequent advance through Malaya and New Guinea, units of the Militia were called upon to carry out garrison and defensive duties around Australia in response to the perceived threat of invasion.Stanley 2008, p. 132. The 2nd Brigade was mobilised at Mount Martha, and initially assigned to defend the Melbourne area. In this role, two battalions were deployed to Flinders and Portsea, while brigade headquarters and two other battalions remained around Red Hill.McKenzie-Smith 2018, p. 2058. Following this the 14th and 32nd Battalions were merged and later transferred to the 6th Brigade.{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11307.asp|title=14th/32nd Battalion (Prahan/Footscray Regiment)|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=19 July 2009}} In February 1942 the Melbourne University Rifles were also removed from the brigade's order of battle.

In May 1942 the 2nd Brigade, as part of the 4th Division moved from Victoria to Western Australia and at this time the brigade gained the 2/11th Battalion, a Western Australian AIF unit that had fought in North Africa, Greece and Crete, before being virtually destroyed and brought back to Australia.{{cite web|url= http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11262.asp|title=2/11th Battalion|publisher=Australian War Memorial|access-date=20 September 2009}} In October 1942, along with the rest of the 4th Division and units from the 2nd Division they took part in a corps-level exercise in Geraldton, Western Australia.Kuring 2004, p. 151.

In early 1943, the 2nd Brigade was transferred to the 2nd Division, based in the Mount Lawley area, where they carried out garrison duties along with the 5th and 8th Brigades. In July the 2/11th Battalion were transferred to the 19th Brigade in Queensland. Later, in August 1943, however, the brigade was moved to Darwin,{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/army/AHU/docs/Brief_History_of_2nd_Division.pdf |title=Brief History of the 2nd Division |publisher=Army History Unit |access-date=7 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111011552/http://www.defence.gov.au/army/ahu/docs/Brief_History_of_2nd_Division.pdf |archive-date=11 November 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/ausarmy/ausarmyapr1943.htm|title=Composition of the Australian Army in April 1943|publisher=Digger History|access-date=13 September 2009}} when it became part of the LHQ Reserve.Dexter 1961, p. 280. In September 1943 the 5th and 6th Battalions were joined by the 19th Machine Gun Battalion, and then in December by the 10th/48th Battalion.

By late 1944, however, the threat of invasion no longer existed and the division along with many of its component units were disbanded in order to ease some of the labour shortages being experienced in the Australian economy.Palazzo 2001, p. 174.Kuring 2004, p. 150. Between August and November 1944 most of its component units were transferred out and disbanded and as its strength diminished, the 2nd Brigade was finally disbanded on 8 January 1945 while at Wallgrove, New South Wales.Long 1963, p. 25.

The brigade was re-raised on 3 March 2023 as the 2nd Health Brigade to command the Army's four newly raised health battalions.{{sfn|Army News|2023|p=9}}{{sfn|Richardson|2022|p=3}} Its headquarters is located at Victoria Barracks, Sydney and it forms part of the Army's Forces Command.{{cite web |author=Chief of Army Lt Gen Simon Stuart |title=Address by Chief of Army at 2nd Health Brigade Transfer of Authority Parade, Victoria Barracks, NSW, 03 March 2023 |url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-news/speeches-and-transcripts/address-chief-army-2nd-health-brigade-transfer-authority-parade-victoria-barracks-nsw-03-march-2023 |website=Australian Army |access-date=8 April 2023 |date=3 March 2023}}{{sfn|Army News|2023|p=9}} The brigade was established following an Army Health Capability review to integrate regular Army units and Army Reserve units under the one command.{{sfn|Bickerstaff|2021|p=14}} The Army's three health battalions and psychology unit that were part of 17th Sustainment Brigade, and medical companies from Army Reserve brigades and Regional Support Force medical detachments that were part of 2nd Division, were disbanded to form the four new health battalions.{{sfn|Bickerstaff|2021|p=14}} The four integrated multi-role health battalions provide combat health, mental health and allied health services.

As of 2023 the brigade consists of the following units:{{sfn|Army News|2023|p=9}}{{cite web|author=Chief of Army Lt Gen Richard Burr |title=Chief of Army Order of the Day - the raising of the 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th Health Battalions|url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-news/speeches-and-transcripts/chief-army-order-day-raising-1st-2nd-3rd-and-4th-health-battalions|website=Australian Army|access-date=2 April 2023}}

• Headquarters, 2nd Health Brigade (Victoria Barracks, NSW)
• 1st Health Battalion (Robertson Barracks, NT)
• 2nd Health Battalion (Gallipoli Barracks, Qld)
• 3rd Health Battalion (Keswick Barracks, SA)
• 4th Health Battalion (Lavarack Barracks, Qld)

{{reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite news|title=New brigade combines capability |url=https://downloads.realviewdigital.com/pdf/army-news/march-16-2023.pdf |newspaper=Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper|date=16 March 2023 |publisher=Department of Defence |location=Canberra |issn=0729-5685 |edition=1530 |ref={{sfnref|Army News|2023}} |access-date=8 April 2023}}
• {{cite book |author=Australian Military Forces |year=1912 |title=The Military Forces List of the Commonwealth of Australia, 1 January 1912|publisher=Government Printer |location=Melbourne, Victoria |oclc=221429471}}
• {{cite book|last=Bean|first=Charles|author-link=Charles Bean|title=The Story of ANZAC from the Outbreak of War to the End of the First Phase of the Gallipoli Campaign, May 4, 1915|year=1941|edition=11th|series= Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918|volume= I|publisher=Australian War Memorial|location=Canberra|url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1069750/|oclc=37052344}}
• {{cite news|last=Bickerstaff |first=Maj Fiona |title=A boost for Army Health |url=https://downloads.realviewdigital.com/pdf/army-news/november-25-2021.pdf |newspaper=Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper|date=25 November 2021 |publisher=Department of Defence |location=Canberra |issn=0729-5685 |edition=1502 |access-date=8 April 2023}}
• {{cite book|last=Dexter|first=David|title=The New Guinea Offensives|series=Australia in the War of 1939–1945|year=1961|publisher=Australian War Memorial|location=Canberra|oclc=2028994}}
• {{cite book|last=Grey|first=Jeffrey|author-link=Jeffrey Grey|title=A Military History of Australia|edition=3rd|year=2008|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Melbourne|isbn=978-0-521-69791-0}}
• {{cite book|last=Kuring|first=Ian|title=Redcoats to Cams: A History of Australian Infantry 1788–2001|year=2004|publisher=Australian Military History Publications|location=Loftus|isbn=1-876439-99-8}}
• {{cite book|last=Long|first=Gavin|author-link=Gavin Long|title=The Final Campaigns|series=Australia in the War of 1939–1945|year=1963|publisher=Australian War Memorial|location=Canberra|oclc=1297619}}
• {{cite book |last=McKenzie-Smith |first=Graham |year= 2018|title=The Unit Guide: The Australian Army 1939–1945, Volume 2 |publisher=Big Sky Publishing |location=Warriewood, New South Wales |isbn=978-1-925675-146}}
• {{cite book|last=Palazzo|first=Albert|title=The Australian Army: A History of Its Organisation 1901–2001|year=2001|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=South Melbourne|isbn=0-19-551507-2}}
• {{cite news|last=Richardson |first=Capt Annie |title='Centre of excellence' : Health battalions raised to form new brigade |url=https://downloads.realviewdigital.com/pdf/army-news/march-3-2022.pdf |newspaper=Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper|date=3 March 2022 |publisher=Department of Defence |location=Canberra |issn=0729-5685 |edition=1503 |access-date=8 April 2023}}
• {{cite book|last=Stanley|first=Peter|author-link=Peter Stanley|title=Invading Australia: Japan and the Battle for Australia, 1942|year=2008|publisher=Penguin Group (Australia)|location=Melbourne|isbn=978-0-670-02925-9}}

{{Refend}}

• {{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/war_diaries/first_world_war/subclass.asp?levelID=1763|title=2nd Infantry Brigade|work=First World War Diaries - AWM4, Sub-class 23/2|publisher=Australian War Memorial}}
• [https://www.facebook.com/2BdeAusArmy 2nd Health Brigade official Facebook page]

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Category:Military units and formations established in 1903

Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945

Category:1945 disestablishments in Australia

Category:Brigades of Australia

Category:Army medical units and formations of Australia