Darwin Mobile Force
| Darwin Mobile Force | |
|---|---|
 The Darwin Mobile Force marches in battle order near the Vestey meatworks in April 1939 | |
| Active | 1938–1940 |
| Country |  Australia |
| Branch | Australian Army |
| Part of | HQ 7th Military District |
| Engagements | Second World War |
The Darwin Mobile Force was a mixed force of infantry and artillery raised by the Australian Army prior to the Second World War.[1] It was the first regular infantry field force in the Australian military.[2] Attached to the 7th Military District, they were used to garrison Darwin, Northern Territory, along with 9th Heavy Battery and the 7th Fortress Engineers, RAE.[3]
History
It was formed in response to growing concerns about the potential for war, which had resulted in the Australian government seeking to increase the readiness of the military through the creation of a number of regular army mobile forces to defend strategic locations around the country. Due to the provisions of the Defence Act (1903) which prohibited the establishment of permanent infantry forces,[4] however, it was decided to raise the force as a unit of the Royal Australian Artillery, even though the majority of the force would be infantry.[5][6]
With a total establishment of 12 officers and 233 other ranks, the force consisted of a headquarters wing and reconnaisance group, an artillery group, a medium machine gun group, a mortar group and a rifle company.[5] The force's commanding officer was Major A.B McDonald.[5] Recruiting for the force was undertaken in all Australian states and resulted in over 3,000 applications, with preference being given to men who were currently serving in the Militia.[7] Applicants were required to be between 18 and 30 years of age and were subject to high standards of medical and dental fitness.[7]
The force came into being on 14 November 1938, concentrating at Liverpool, New South Wales where equipment was issued and training undertaken.[8] Training was completed by February 1939 and the following month the force paraded through the City of Sydney, after which the advance party embarked upon the ‘’Marella’’. A week later the rest of the force sailed upon the ‘’Montoro’’, stopping at Brisbane before continuing on to Darwin.[9]
Following their arrival on 29 March 1939, the troops parade through Darwin before taking up residence in the abandoned Vestey’s meatworks. Training was continued, including a number of field exercises, but these were punctuated by other tasks including unloading of ships, construction of roads and fixed defences and guard duties.[3] Over time the force’s vehicles and other equipment arrived.[10]
Following the outbreak of the Second World War, the government announced the establishment of an all volunteer force for overseas service—the Second Australian Imperial Force—and early in 1940 the Darwin Mobile Force began to be broken up as men volunteered to join the AIF.[11] They moved from Vesteys meatworks to Larrakeyah Barracks and on 20 August 1940 the unit was renamed the Darwin Infantry Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel P.H.G. Cardale.[12] This unit was later renamed the 19th Battalion, while the artillery group became the 18th Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery.[13]
Although the force did not receive any battle honours and ultimately did not see any action during the war, arguably its contribution to Australia’s defence was in the personnel it provided to the Army. The force’s commanding officer, McDonald, went on to command the 2/16th Battalion in the Syrian campaign.[13] Of the officers who served in the Darwin Mobile Force, two rose to general officer rank,[Note 1] while four reached brigadier[Note 2] and two the rank of colonel.[13] Of the other ranks that served, over 100 were eventually commissioned as officers, while a similar number of became warrant officers or senior non commissioned officers in the AIF.[13]
Notes
Footnotes
- ^ Francis Hassett and R.L Hughes, Phillips 2000, p. 16.
- ^ H.G Bates, N.L Currie, Maurice Austin and D.R. Jackson, Phillips 2000, p. 16.
Citations
- ^ Phillips 2000, p. 3.
- ^ Phillips 2000, p. 8.
- ^ a b Phillips 2000, p. 12.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 141.
- ^ a b c Phillips 2000, p. 7.
- ^ "Darwin Mobile Force, Royal Australian Artillery". Orders of Battle.com. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ a b Phillips 2000, p. 8.
- ^ Phillips 2000, p. 9.
- ^ Phillips 2000, p. 10.
- ^ Phillips 2000, p. 14.
- ^ Phillips 2000, p. 15.
- ^ Phillips 2000, pp. 15–16.
- ^ a b c d Phillips 2000, p. 16.
References
- Grey, Jeffrey (2008). A Military History of Australia (3rd ed.). Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521697910.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Phillips, Bill (2000). A Tribute to the Darwin Mobile Force. Coffs Harbour, NSW: Phillips Publications. ISBN 095780346X.