New Zealand And Australian Division Unit History Formation

The New Zealand and Australian Division was formed at the start of the Battle of Gallipoli as a composite division under the command of New Zealand general Alexander Godley. At the start of World War I New Zealand had mustered insufficient infantry battalions to form their own division while Australia did not have enough to form a second division so the brigades were combined. After Gallipoli, the Australian 4th Brigade was moved to the newly formed Australian 4th Division while New Zealand formed their own division, the New Zealand Division.

1 Unit History

The history of the New Zealand and Australian Division was brief but distinguished. It existed as a formation only for the duration of the Gallipoli campaign, after which its constituent brigades became the veteran foundation for two new divisions; the Australian 4th Division and the New Zealand Division.

The division was the second division of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps that made original landing at Anzac Cove on April 25, 1915. The Australian 1st Division made the initial landing and the NZ & Aus Division came ashore as the day progressed. Some of the 4th Brigade would not land until the evening. The division's battalions were swiftly drawn in to the chaotic fighting on the left (or north) of the landing area. The first to enter the battle were the Auckland and Canterbury Battalions which joined the struggle on Baby 700 around midday.

The New Zealanders took up positions along Walker's Ridge which formed the extreme left flank of the landing area. The Australian 4th Brigade, which landed last, was sent to fill the gap between the left and right flanks of the Anzac perimeter, which required holding positions across the head of Monash Valley. As a result of these dispositions, by the end of the first day the immediate division of responsibility had the NZ & Aus Division holding the left flank of the landing and the 1st Division holding the right and centre.

2 Formation

New Zealand Infantry Brigade

Auckland Battalion
Canterbury Battalion
Otago Battalion
Wellington Battalion

Australian 4th Infantry Brigade

13th Battalion ( New South WalesNew South Wales NSW is Australia's most populous and oldest state, located in the southeast, north of Victoria. It was founded in 1788 and originally comprised much of the Australian mainland. During the 19th century large areas were successively separate)
14th Battalion ( VictoriaVictoria State flag ( In detail) Coat of Arms ( In detail) Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks Area — Land — Marine — Total 227 416 km² 10 213 km² 237 629 km² Population (2004) Density 5,012,300 22/km² Time zone UTC+10 (except)
15th Battalion ( QueenslandQueensland State flag ( In detail) Coat of Arms ( In detail) Capital Brisbane Governor HE Ms Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie Area — Land — Marine — Total 1 730 648 km² 121 994 km² 1 852 642 km² Population (2002) Density 3 729 000 2. 15/km² Time zone U & TasmaniaTasmania State flag ( In detail) Coat of Arms ( Full size) Capital Hobart Governor William Cox (Acting Governor) Premier Paul Lennon Area — Land — Marine — Total 68 401 km² 22 357 km² 90 758 km² Population(Sep 2003) Density 478 400 6. 92/km² Time zone UTC)
16th Battalion ( Western AustraliaWestern Australia State flag ( In detail) Coat of Arms ( In detail) Capital Perth Governor HE Lieutenant General John Sanderson Premier Dr Geoff Gallop Area — Land — Marine — Total 2 529 875 km² 115 740 km² 2 645 615 km² Population Density 1 952 280 (2003 & South AustraliaSouth Australia State flag ( In detail) Coat of Arms ( In detail) Capital Adelaide Governor HE Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann Area — Land — Marine — Total 983 482 km² 60 032 km² 1 043 514 km² Population (2002) Density 1 522 500 1. 55/km² Time z)

There was also a Maori infantry battalion.

Normally a British or dominion division contains three brigades. At the time of the landing at Anzac Cove, the intention had been to complete the NZ & Australian Division with the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade, commanded by Major General Vaughn Cox, however as the situation at the Helles landing deteriorated, General Sir Ian Hamilton directed Cox's brigade there to support the British 29th Division.

When in May 1915, the Australian and New Zealand mounted soldiers were sent to Gallipoli as infantry reinforcements, the Australian 1st and 3rd Light Horse Brigades and the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade joined the division. As mounted brigades contained fewer men than infantry brigades, and these brigades had left a portion of their strength in Egypt to attend the horses, each brigade mustered only about 1500 men and hence combined were roughly equivalent to the missing infantry brigade.

3 Battles

Battle of Gallipoli
- Landing at Anzac Cove
- Second Battle of Krithia (New Zealand Infantry Brigade)
- Battle of Sari Bair
  - Battle of Chunuk Bair (New Zealand Infantry Brigade)
  - Battle of Hill 60 (Australian 4th Brigade)

4 External Links

First AIF Order of Battle 1914-1918: New Zealand and Australian Division

New Zealand World War I divisions Australian World War I divisions New Zealand infantry divisions Australian infantry divisions

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