5th Battalion (Australia)

5th Battalion (Australia) was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army that served during both World War I and World War II. Raised in 1914 as part of the First Australian Imperial Force, it fought at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. The battalion was re-raised as a part-time unit in the Citizen Military Forces between the wars and saw action in the South West Pacific during the early stages of World War II.

History

The 5th Battalion was originally formed in New South Wales in August 1914, shortly after the outbreak of World War I, as part of the First Australian Imperial Force. After initial training at Liverpool, the battalion embarked for Egypt in October 1914, where it formed part of the 2nd Brigade within the 1st Division. The battalion's first major action was the landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign, where it endured heavy fighting against the Ottoman Army at positions like Lone Pine. Following the evacuation from Gallipoli in December 1915, the battalion was transferred to the Western Front in France and Belgium in 1916. There, it participated in many of the Australian Corps' major battles, including the Battle of Pozières during the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Bullecourt, and the Third Battle of Ypres at Passchendaele. The battalion was disbanded in 1919 after the Armistice. It was re-formed in 1921 as a part-time unit within the Citizen Military Forces, based in Sydney. During World War II, the battalion was mobilised and assigned to the 8th Brigade as part of the New Guinea Force. In early 1942, it was deployed to New Britain and was effectively destroyed during the Japanese invasion of Rabaul in February 1942, with most survivors becoming prisoners of war. The battalion was not re-raised during the war. It was briefly revived between 1960 and 1987 as part of the Royal New South Wales Regiment.

Structure and organisation

As part of the First Australian Imperial Force, the battalion was organised into four rifle companies and a headquarters company, a standard structure for Australian infantry battalions of the era. It was a component of the 2nd Brigade within the 1st Division. During the interwar period, as a Citizen Military Forces unit, it was part of the 2nd Division's 8th Brigade. Its depots and headquarters were located at Victoria Barracks in Paddington, Sydney. Upon mobilisation for World War II, the battalion retained a similar organisation but was equipped for warfare in the South West Pacific.

Battle honours

The 5th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours for its service: Anzac, Krithia, Lone Pine, Somme 1916–18, Pozières, Bullecourt, Messines 1917, Ypres 1917, Passchendaele, Lys, and Amiens. For World War II, it received the honour Rabaul. These honours are emblazoned on the battalion's colours and perpetuated by the Royal New South Wales Regiment.

Commanding officers

Notable commanding officers of the battalion included: Lieutenant Colonel William Holmes, who commanded during the Gallipoli Campaign and later became a major general; Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Lloyd, who commanded on the Western Front; and Lieutenant Colonel John Mitchell, who commanded the battalion during the defence of Rabaul in 1942. Other officers who commanded the battalion at various times included Lieutenant Colonels D. S. Wanliss, G. G. E. W. Maitland, and J. M. L. Maclean.

Notes

Category:Australian World War I battalions Category:Australian World War II battalions Category:Military units and formations established in 1914 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1987 Category:Infantry battalions of the Australian Army