23rd Brigade (Australia)
| 23rd Brigade | |
|---|---|
memorial plaque for the 23rd Brigade in Bicentennial Park, Darwin
|
|
| Active | 1940–46 |
| Country |
 Australia
|
| Branch | Australian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | ~3,500 men |
| Part of |
8th Division (1940–42) 12th Division (1942–43) 3rd Division (1943–46) |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Arnold Potts |
The 23rd Brigade was a brigade of the Australian Army. Formed in 1940 for service during the Second World War, the brigade was initially a formation of the Second Australian Imperial Force assigned to the 8th Division, however, after its subunits were captured by the Japanese in 1942 it was reformed with Militia battalions and was mainly used in a garrison role until late in the war when it was committed to the fighting on Bougainville. It was disbanded in 1946.
Formed in July 1940 at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, Victoria for service during the Second World War, it was initially raised as a unit of the Second Australian Imperial Force, attached to the 8th Division. Upon formation it consisted of three infantry battalions—the 2/21st, 2/22nd and 2/40th Battalions—although later both a pioneer and a machine gun battalion were added to its establishment. The brigade's first commander was Brigadier Edmund Lind.
When the 8th Division was sent to Malaya in early 1941, the 23rd Brigade remained in Australia where it deployed to Darwin until Japanese intentions became clearer. Nevertheless, ultimately its subunits experienced the same fate that befell the rest of the division. Broken up and sent piecemeal to reinforce the garrisons at Rabaul, Ambon and on Timor, the 2/21st, 2/22nd and 2/40th Battalions were all eventually destroyed or captured by the Japanese.
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