18th Brigade (Australia)

The 18th Brigade was a brigade of the Australian Army. The brigade was raised on 13 October 1939, The brigade was one of the first three infantry brigades of the Second AIF and was initally commanded by Brigadier Leslie. J. Moreshead. The 18th Brigade was disbanded on 3 January 1946.

History

The 18th Brigade was formed on 28 September 1939 as part of the 6th Division. At formation the brigade consisted of the following battalions:

*2/9th Battalion (Queensland)
*2/10th Battalion (South Australia)
*2/11th Battalion (Western Australia)
*2/12th Battalion (Tasmania and Queensland)

In February 1941 the Second AIF was reorganised and this resulted in the reduction of Australian infantry brigades from four to three battalion and the brigade was transferred to the 7th Division. The 2/11th Battalion subsequently became part of the 19th Brigade.

While the 18th Brigade was en route to the Middle East, the 18th Brigade was diverted to the United Kingdom to bolster the defence of the United Kingdom following the German conquest of France. In the United Kingdom, the 18th Brigade became part of the 9th Division when it was raised in October 1940.

The 18th Brigade arrived in the Middle East in early January 1941, where it became part of the 7th Division in February 1941. The brigade was part of the Siege of Tobruk as part of the The Rats of Tobruk.

The 18th Brigade returned to Australia in early 1942 following the outbreak of the Pacific War. The brigade was part of actions at the Battle of Milne Bay, the attack on Buna, and later at Balikpapan in Borneo. The 18th Brigade was disbanded on 3 January 1946 at Balikpapan.

References

* [http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_13067.asp Australian War Memorial - Units details of 18th Brigade]
* [http://www.awm.gov.au/diaries/ww2/diary.asp?diary=147 18th Brigade War Diaries - Second World War]