9th Australian Infantry Divisional HQ

Discussion in 'Australian' started by DavidW, Apr 1, 2017.

  1. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Does anyone know when the HQ of 9 Aus Inf Div arrived in Egypt?

    I think it might have been November 1940, but have not been able to confirm through the on-line diaries.

    Thanks in advance.
    David.
     
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Commonwealth Divisions 1939-45, Bellis, only gives locations as
    (Formed Oct 1940)
    Australia Oct 1940 - Jan 1941
    N. Africa Feb 1941 - Dec 1942

    (Re-formed Jan 1943, for Pacific Theatre)
    Australia Jan 1943 - Aug 1943
    New Guinea Sep 1943 - Mar 1945
    Borneo Apr 1945 - Aug 1945
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  4. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Thanks folks.
    So, by February 1941, and possibly earlier.
     
  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    2 more links that might help sort it out, although having read them I am still unsure of actual dates

    Leslie Morshead - Wikipedia
    Wynter was informed that his force would become the nucleus of a new 9th Division, which he was appointed to command. Morshead and his 18th Infantry Brigade embarked for the Middle East on 15 November, reaching Alexandria on 31 December.[43] Morshead was made a Commander of Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1941.[44] Before his other two brigades could arrive from England and Australia, Wynter became seriously ill. Blamey decided to send him home and appointed Morshead to command the 9th Division on 29 January 1941.[45]


    Henry Wynter - Wikipedia
    Wynter and 18th Infantry Brigade departed the United Kingdom for the Middle East in November 1940.[19] In January 1941, the medical authorities deemed him medically unfit for further duty and ordered his return to Australia for treatment.

    Reading from the above Wynter became ill possibly in Dec 1940/Jan 1941 but [from Morshead] before the other 2 Brigades could arrive he was already ill, so I would assume they arrived Jan 1941 at the earliest - thats my guess

    TD
     
  6. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Thanks for your efforts.
    You can see why I was struggling to find a date can't you?
    I though that the 18th Brigade was from the 7th Division?
     
  7. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    The 6th Division was originally 16th, 17th and 18th Brigades each of four battalions. When the division moved overseas the 18th Brigade was diverted to the UK. After arriving in Egypt the division with the 16th and 17th Brigades moved immediately to Palestine to train and organize. The 19th Brigade was created from the extra battalions, since the brigades were now formed with three battalions each. When the 18th returned to the Middle East, it was assigned to the 7th Division.
     
  8. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Thanks David.
     
  9. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here are the arrival dates for the Australian Brigades in the Middle East:

    16th Australian Infantry Brigade- Arrived in Egypt on 12/2/40 and moved to Palestine on 13/2/40.
    17th Australian Infantry Brigade - Arrived in Egypt on 18/5/40 and moved to Palestine the same day.
    18th Australian Infantry Brigade - Arrived in Egypt 31/12/40.
    19th Australian Infantry Brigade - Raised at Kilo 89 Camp in Palestine on 23/5/40.
    20th Australian Infantry Brigade - Arrived in Palestine 26/11/40.
    21st Australian Infantry Brigade - Arrived in Palestine 25/11/40.
    24th Australian Infantry Brigade - Arrived in Egypt on 30/1/41. Moved to Palestine 31/1/41.
    25th Australian Infantry Brigade - Arrived in Palestine on 11/3/41.
    26th Australian Infantry Brigade - Arrived in Palestine on 17/12/40.
     
  10. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Many thanks David.
     

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