History
This Division began to form in Egypt in February 1916, after a decision to essentially duplicate the original AIF which had now withdrawn from Gallipoli. Delays in assembling the artillery meant that the Division could not depart for France before June 1916. It entered the front line near Armentieres late that month and then took part in the following battles and engagements:
1916
- The Battles of the Somme 1916
– The Battle of Pozieres including the fighting for Mouquet Farm
1917
- Operations on the Ancre
- German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
- The Arras offensive
– The First attack on Bullecourt (11 April) - The Battle of Messines (7-10 June)
- The Third Battles of Ypres
– The Battle of the Menin Road (20 – 25 Sep)
– The Battle of Polygon Wood (26 Sep – 3 Oct)
– The First Battle of Passchendaele (12 Oct)
1918
Australian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918 (in which the infantry brigades were reduced from four battalions down to three).
- The First Battles of the Somme, 1918
– The First Battle of Arras, 1918 (28 Mar)
– The Battle of the Ancre (5 Apr; 12 and 13th Australian Brigades only)
– The actions of Villers-Bretonneux (24-25 Apr) - The capture of Hamel (4 July; 4th Australian Brigade only)
- The Battle of Amiens (8-11 Aug)
- The Second Battles of the Somme 1918
– The Battle of Albert (21-23 Aug)
The Division was not selected to advance into Germany.
Order of Battle
Divisional headquarters
Headquarters, under whose command came the Infantry Brigades and the other divisional troops listed below
4th Australian Brigade
13th Australian Infantry
14th Australian Infantry
15th Australian Infantry
16th Australian Infantry
4th Australian Machine Gun Company. Left to move into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
4th Australian Trench Mortar Battery. Formed in July 1916
12th Australian Brigade
45th Australian Infantry
46th Australian Infantry
47th Australian Infantry
48th Australian Infantry
12th Australian Machine Gun Company. Left to move into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
12th Australian Trench Mortar Battery. Formed in July 1916
13th Australian Brigade
49th Australian Infantry
50th Australian Infantry
51st Australian Infantry
52nd Australian Infantry
13th Australian Machine Gun Company. Left to move into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
13th Australian Trench Mortar Battery. Formed in July 1916
Divisional Troops
4th Australian Pioneer Battalion. Formed in Egypt in March 1916
23rd Australian Machine Gun Company. Joined June 1917. Merged into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion. Formed in February 1918 by merging the 4th, 12th, 13th and 23rd Australian Machine Gun Companies
4th Australian Divisional Train. A unit of the Army Service Corps made up of 753, 754, 755 and 756 Companies ASC
4th Australian Mobile Veterinary Section
4th Australian Divisional Employment Company. Joined January 1917
Divisional Mounted Troops
B Squadron, 13th Australian Light Horse. Joined March 1916, left July 1916
4th Australian Cyclist Company. Left June 1916
Divisional Royal Artillery
10th Australian Brigade RFA
11th Australian Brigade RFA
12th Australian Brigade RFA. Left in January 1917
24th Australian (Howitzer) Brigade RFA. Absorbed into other units in January 1917
4th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
V.4.A Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA. Formed in July 1916, left February 1918
X.4.A, Y.4.A and Z.4.A Medium Mortar Batteries RFA. Formed in July 1916; in February 1918, Z was broken up and the other batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each
Divisional Royal Engineers
4th Australian Field Company RE
12th Australian Field Company RE
13th Australian Field Company RE
4th Australian Divisional Signal Company RE
Divisional Royal Army Medical Corps
4th Australian Field Ambulance RAMC
12th Australian Field Ambulance RAMC
13th Australian Field Ambulance RAMC
Divisional memorials
