20th Battalion (Australia)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Australian 20th Battalion


caption=Non-commissioned officers of the 20th Battalion.
dates= 1915-1919
country= Australia
allegiance=
branch= Australian Army
type= Infantry
role= Line Infantry
size=
command_structure= Australian 5th Brigade
current_commander=
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors= Brown over Green
identification_symbol=
march=
mascot=
battles= World War I
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=

The 20th Battalion was raised in March 1915 in Liverpool, New South Wales as part of the new 5th Brigade, 2nd Division. A small number of the 20th original recruits had already served with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force in New Guinea. The battalion left Australia in June and trained in Egypt from June until August. The 19th landed at Anzac Cove on 22 August 1916.

The Battalion played a minor part in the attack on August Offensive. For the majority of time the battalion was stationed at Gallipoli it was deployed to the defence of Russell's Top. The Battalion remained at Gallipoli until the evacuation on 20 December 1915.

The battalion returned to Egypt for further training, the 20th Battalion then proceeded to France. It arrived there on 22 March 1916 and proceeded to a position near Pozieres. The battalion took part in the first major battle at Pozières. The Battalion served in the line twice during the battle. After a rest in a quieter sector in Belgium, the entire 2nd Division returned to the south again in October.

In 1917 the 20th was involved in the attack on German forces after their retreat to the Hindenburg Line. The battalion also took part in three other major battles in 1917, Second Bullecourt, Menin Road and Poelcappelle in Belgium.

In 1918 the 20th helped to repel the German Spring Offensive. On 20 April 1918 the 20th Battalion was disbanded.

References

[http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11206.asp Australian War Memorial]