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
Size	245 men all ranks
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. It was the first regular infantry field force in the Australian military, although due to legislative restrictions that existed at the time it was established as part of the Royal Australian Artillery. Its formation marked a rare departure from the traditional Australian focus upon part-time citizen forces and is arguably a key moment in the development of a professional standing army. Attached to the 7th Military District, the Darwin Mobile Force were used to garrison the strategic port of Darwin in the Northern Territory, along with 9th Heavy Battery and the 7th Fortress Engineers, RAE, and to provide personnel with training and command experience. The force ceased to exist in August 1940 when its personnel were broken up and sent to other units.

The Darwin Mobile Force 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, 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. Such was the uniqueness of the force at the time that its establishment received a considerable amount of media attention.

With a total establishment of 12 officers and 233 other ranks, the force consisted of a headquarters wing and reconnaissance group, an artillery troop of 18-pounder guns, a medium machine gun section, a mortar section and a rifle company. The force's commanding officer was Major Alex MacDonald. 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, although some members were also currently serving in the Permanent Military Force. Applicants were required to be between 18 and 30 years of age and were subject to high standards of medical and dental fitness, and successful recruits were signed on for an engagement of five years, of which two years and nine months was to be spent in Darwin.