Jungle Division

The Jungle Division was a military organisation adopted by the Australian Army during the Second World War. The Jungle Division was a much lighter version of the standard British-pattern infantry division specialised for Jungle Warfare.

Reasons for adopting the Jungle Division

There were two main reasons behind the Australian Army's decision to convert six of its divisions to the Jungle organisation:
# To increase the effectiveness of Australian infantry units by stripping them of elements which weren't necessary in tropical terrain or were no longer necessary due to the declining Japanese air and artillery force
# To reduce the size of the Australian Army in order to free up manpower for use in civilian industry

The Jungle Division achieved both these objectives, with the smaller divisions still possessing more than enough firepower.

Divisions converted to Jungle Divisions

Six infantry divisions were converted to the Jungle organisation in early 1943. These divisions became the Army's attack force and served overseas. The Army's other Divisions were retained on the British standard organisation and were gradually disbanded in Australia.

The following Divisions were converted to Jungle Divisions:
* Australian 3rd Division
* Australian 5th Division
* Australian 6th Division
* Australian 7th Division
* Australian 9th Division
* Australian 11th Division

Organisation of the Jungle Division

The main units in each Jungle Division upon their formation in 1943 were:

* Divisional Headquarters
* 3 Infantry Brigades
** 3 Infantry Battalions (for a total of 9 in the division)
* 1 Field Artillery Regiment (equipped with 24 25 Pounder guns)
* 1 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
* Divisional Provost Company (Military Police)
* Divisional Carrier Company (equipped with Bren Carriers)
* Divisional Signals
* Divisional Engineers
** 1 Field Park Company
** 3 Field Companies
** Camouflage Training Unit
* Divisional Supply and Transport
** Supply Depot Company
** General Transport Company
* 3 Field Ambulance Companies

Additional units, such as artillery regiments, machine gun battalions, commando squadrons and armoured regiments were available at corps level and were assigned to the Jungle divisions when needed.

Amendments to the Jungle Division organisation

While the Jungle Division organisation proved successful, combat experience in 1943 indicated that additional artillery support was required. As a result, many of the Jungle Divisions (including 7th and 9th Divisions) were assigned an additional two field artillery regiments.

References

* Albert Palazzo (2003) 'Organising for Jungle Warfare' in "The Foundations of Victory: The Pacific War 1943-1944" Peter Dennis and Jeffrey Grey (eds). [http://www.defence.gov.au/army/ahu/ Army History Unit] , Canberra.

* Digger History [http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-conflicts-periods/ww2/pages-2aif-cmf/organisation-ww2.htm Organisation of the Australian Army in World War II]