3rd Brigade (Australia)
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| 3rd Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1914–1944 1967–Present |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Australian Army |
| Part of | 1st Division |
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The 3rd Brigade is a combined arms brigade of the Australian Army, based around the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment. It was originally formed in 1914 for service during World War I, taking part in the fighting at Gallipoli and on the Western Front in Europe. During World War II the Brigade was used in a defensive role before it was disbanded in 1944. It was re-raised in 1967 for service during the Vietnam War and later went on to provide the nucleus of the deployment to East Timor during the Australian-lead intervention in 1999. Today, the Brigade is currently based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, Queensland, and is presently Australia's rapid deployment force. The brigade is currently commanded by Brigadier John Caligari, DSC AM.
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[edit] History
The 3rd Brigade was initially formed in August 1914. As part of the Australian 1st Division the Brigade saw action during the Gallipoli Campaign and on the Western Front. During World War Two the Brigade participated in the defence of Darwin until it was disbanded in April 1944.
The 3rd Brigade was re-raised in 1967 as the 3rd Task Force. In 1981 the 3rd Task Force was redesignated the 3rd Brigade and re-joined the 1st Division. The Brigade provided the majority of the Australian Army combat units to INTERFET in 1999, with the Brigade Headquarters overseeing the force's operations along the tense East Timorese-Indonesian border. In May 2006 headquarters elements of the Brigade deployed to East Timor to command all Australian forces operating in East Timor as part of Operation Astute.
[edit] Current composition
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The 3rd Brigade currently consists of:
- Brigade Headquarters
- B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment (Bushmaster IMV)
- 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (light infantry)
- 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (light infantry)
- 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (parachute infantry)
- 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (L119 Howitzer)
- 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion
- 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment
- 3rd Combat Signals Regiment
All the Brigade's units, except for 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) and 'A' Field Battery of the 4th Field Regiment are based in Townsville. 3 RAR and 'A' Field Battery are based in Sydney where they form the main combat elements of Australia's parachute battalion group.
Under reforms announced in 2006, 3 RAR will convert to a pure light infantry battalion and relocate to Townsville.
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- "3rd Brigade Community Home Page". Australian Army. http://www.defence.gov.au/Army/hq3bde/default.asp.
