| First Army | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1942–1946 |
| Country |
 Australia |
| Branch | Australian Army |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
John Lavarack Vernon Sturdee Horace Robertson |
| Insignia | |
| Unit Colour Patch |
 |
The HQ of the First Aust Army of World War II was formed at on 15 April 1942 from the former HQ 1 AUST CORPS (AIF).[1]
HQ First Army controlled 5 Infantry Division in Townsville, the new 1 Aust Corps (ex HQ Southern Command) defending South Queensland and 2 Aust Corps ( ex HQ Eastern Command) defending New South Wales.
When 1 Aust Corps was sent to New Guinea in August 1942, 2 Aust Corp moved to South Queensland, and New South Wales came under HQ Second Aust Army.
During the rest of 1942 and early 1943 the units under command varied, and by August 1943, they controlled 11 Brigade at Merauke (Dutch New Guinea), Torres Strait Force at Thursday Island, 4 Infantry Division at Townsville, 3 Armoured Division at , and 2 Aust Corps on the Atherton Tableland.[2]
In May 1944 HQ First Aust Army moved to Mareeba to prepare for a more active role. In October 1944 they moved under Lieutenant General Vernon Sturdee, to Lae in the Australian territory of New Guinea.[3] Here they controlled 2 Aust Corps at Bougainville Infantry Division on New Britain, 6 Infantry division at Aitape and 8 Infantry Brigade at Madang. Fighting continued in all of these areas until the japanese surrender
The HQ First Aust Army was disbanded in March 1946.
References[]
- ↑ "The Japanese thrust". Australian War Memorial. 1957. http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/6345410. Retrieved 21 February 2014. page 25 referring to this
- ↑ Wigmore p,280
- ↑ "The final campaigns". Australian War Memorial. 1963. http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10079022. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
The original article can be found at First Australian Army and the edit history here.