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INTRODUCTION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE ANZAC
SPIRIT by Neil Bowd.
AUSTRALIA ON THE WORLD STAGE
The World Map available in most classrooms is important in any study of
our First World War Australian Imperial Force (AIF) soldiers. Take a
good look at the world map and you will realise immediately why
Australian forces had been isolated from European Wars up to this date.
The tyranny of distance can be seen if you look at a world globe (see
below) and identify Sydney, Melbourne, Albany, Western Australia,
Indian Ocean, Egypt, Gallipoli, Turkey, France, Belgium, London,
Germany and Russia.
Due to the isolation of Australia the AIF( Australian Imperial Force)
developed a very real sense of the need to perform on the “world stage”,
as the “new boys in town”.
It will help to understand our story if the structure of AIF army units is
appreciated.
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
INFANTRY ORGANIZATION
A DIVISION = 3 BRIGADES = 12 BATTALIONS
A battalion equaled roughly 1007 men.
The Hunter Valley/ Newcastle battalions were formed on a regional basis and were
in the 3
rd
Division, 9
th
Brigade and 34
th
and 35
th
Battalions.
In addition to the 34
th
and 35
th
Battalions, the 9
th
brigade contained the 33
rd
Battalion
and the 36
th
Battalions. Two divisions fought at Gallipoli, with a further three
divisions added for combat in Europe. Overall that made five divisions and 60
battalions fighting for the AIF in Europe.
The Australians loud and raucous behaviour was obviously aimed at
gaining attention. This involved the disorderly behaviour shown in Cairo
and the glee they demonstrated in “taking the mickey” out of the British
Officer class.
In training camps in Australia and later on the way to Gallipoli, Turkey,
and Northern Europe on board transport ships the soldiers were able to
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