8th Battalion (Australia)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Australian 8th Battalion


caption=
dates= 1914-1919
country= Australia
allegiance=
branch= Australian Army
type= Infantry
role= Line Infantry
size=
command_structure= Australian 2nd Brigade
current_commander=
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors= White over Red
identification_symbol=
march=
mascot=
battles= World War I
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=The 8th Battalion was raised for the First Australian Imperial Force during the First World War. the battalion was completely recruited from Victoria and formed the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division.

The battalion was raised within two weeks of the declaration of war and left Australia two months later. The battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December. The battalion, led by Colonel William Kinsey Bolton, took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915 as part of the second wave. Ten days after the landing the 2nd Brigade was transferred from Anzac Cove to Cape Helles to assist in the attack on Krithia. In August, the battalion took part in the attack on Lone Pine. The battalion served at Gallipoli until the evacuation in December.

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt. In March 1916, it sailed to France and deployed to the Somme. The battalion's first major action in France was at Pozières in July 1916, Private Thomas Cooke was posthumous awarded the Victoria Cross during the battle at Pozières. Later the battalion fought at Ypres, in Belgium, before returning to the Somme in winter.

In 1918 the battalion helped to stop the German spring offensive in March and April. The battalion subsequently participated in the Battle of Amiens, the greatest Allied offensive of 1918, on 8 August 1918. During the attack near Amiens Lieutenant William Joynt was awarded a Victoria Cross. The next day, Private Robert Beatham also earned a Victoria Cross by rushing four separate machine gun positions. The battalion continued operations to late September 1918.

The battalion returned to Australia in November and amalgamated with 5th Battalion. This battalion was amalgamated with another, formed from the 6th and 7th Battalions, to form the 2nd Brigade Battalion.

References

[http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11195.asp Australian War Memorial] [http://www.awm.gov.au/units/people_1074856.asp Lieutenant Colonel William Kinsey Bolton, CBE, VD]