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The First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from August 15, 1914, following Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Known at the time as the AIF, it is today referred to as the 1st AIF to distinguish from the 2nd AIF which was raised during World War II.

1 History

The 1st AIF was a purely volunteer force for the duration of the war. In Australia, two referendums on conscription were defeated, thereby preserving the volunteer status but stretching the AIF's reserves towards the end of the war. A total of 331,814 Australians were sent overseas to serve as part of the AIF, which represented 13% of the white male population. Of these, 18% (61,859) were killed. The casualty rate (killed or wounded) was 64%. About 2,100 women served with the 1st AIF, mainly as nurses. Close to 20% of those who served in the 1st AIF had been born in the United Kingdom but all enlistments had to occur in Australia (there were a few exceptions). As a volunteer force, all units were demobilized at the end of the war.

Originally the Australian government pledged to supply 20,000 men organised as one infantry division and one light horse brigadeBrigade is a term from military science which refers to a group of several battalions (typically two to four), and directly attached supporting units (normally including at least an artillery battery and additional logistic support). A brigade is smaller plus supporting units. By the end of the war, the 1st AIF comprised 5 infantry divisions and the most part of 2 mounted divisions. The 1st AIF was predominantly a fighting force — the proportion of combat troops to non-combatants (medical, logistical, etc.) was only exceeded by the New Zealand Expeditionary ForceThe New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) was the title of the military expedition sent from New Zealand to fight for Britain in World War I. Upon the outbreak of war, New Zealand immediately offered to provide two brigades — one of infantry and one of m.

When originally formed in 1914, the AIF was commanded by General William BridgesMajor General Sir William Throsby Bridges ( February 18 1861- May 18 1915) served with Australian forces during World War I, and was the first Australian to reach the rank of General. He was also the first Australian general to be killed during the war, a, who also assumed command of the infantry division. After Bridges' death at Gallipoli in May, 1915, command transferred by default to General William Birdwood, commander of the Australian and New Zealand Army CorpsThe Australian and New Zealand Army Corps was a First World War army corps of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force that was formed in Egypt in 1915 and operated during the Battle of Gallipoli. The corps was disbanded in 1916 following the evacuation of G. Birdwood was officially confirmed as commander of the AIF on September 14September 14 is the 257th day of the year (258th in leap years). There are 108 days remaining. Events 786 Harun al-Rashid becomes the Abbasid caliph upon the death of his brother al-Hadi 1752 The British Empire adopts the Gregorian calendar, skipping elev, 1916, while also commanding the I Anzac CorpsThe I Anzac Corps was an Australian and New Zealand World War I army corps formed in Egypt in February 1916 as part of the reorganization of the Australian Imperial Force following the evacuation of Gallipoli in November 1915. This corps, along with the I.

After the war finished, all AIF units went into camp and began the process of demobilisation. The exceptions were an Australian Flying Corps squadron and a casualty clearing station, which participated in the occupation of the RhinelandThe Rhineland Rheinland in German) is the general name for the land on both sides of the river Rhine in the west of Germany. A geographical term originally, it has also acquired some political and cultural connotations, becoming a political entity as the. The 7th Light Horse Regiment was sent to occupy the Gallipoli peninsula, along with a New Zealand regiment. In general, while the British appreciated the fighting qualities of the Australian soldiers, they were not considered docile enough to act as an occupying garrison, and so no Australian infantry were called upon. There were 92,000 soldiers in France and a further 60,000 in England, 17,000 in the Middle East plus nurses in Salonica and India, all to be transported home. By May 1919, the last troops were out of France, 70,000 now encamped on Salisbury Plain. By September, only 10,000 remained. General John Monash, the senior Australian commander, was repatriated on December 26, 1919, making him one of the last to leave. The 1st AIF officially ceased to exist on April 21, 1921.