World War II - Initiation

The outbreak of the war posed a difficult problem for the Government. The uncertainty of Japan's intentions and an Opposition opposed to both the raising of an expeditionary force and conscription for home defence, the contribution Australia should and could make to the war effort in Europe in terms of soldier numbers and composition. The same problem did not affect the Royal Australian Navy or the Royal Australian Air Force who were not bound to home service by the Defence Act and already had personnel serving overseas.⁹⁴

On 15 September 1939 the Government announced the raising of an infantry division (later to become the 6^th Division) ‘for service at home or abroad as circumstances permit'. By late November it decided that the 6^th Division should leave for the Middle East with the first elements departing in January 1940. Subsequently, approval was given in February to raise the 7^th Division to increase Australia’s contribution to a Corps.⁹⁵

The German’s successful invasion of France and the Lowlands in May 1940 left Britain and the Dominions standing alone. This, with the ongoing uncertainty over Japanese intentions in the Pacific, changed both the Government’s and people’s attitude to the war to one of total commitment, including the raising of another AIF formation, the 8^th Infantry Division.⁹⁶

By May one brigade of the 6^th Division was already in Palestine, and two more convoys were on their way there. After inter-Government discussions one convoy continued to the Middle East while the other was diverted to England, subsequently to be reorganised into two infantry brigades. It was also decided that the 7^th Division should join the 6^th Division, while the 8^thDivision would be sent to Malaya as garrison troops. When Australia followed the British decision to reduce the number of Battalions in a brigade from four to three a train of re-organisation was started that provided enough resources to form a fourth AIF Infantry Division. The 9^th Division was formed from the troops in Britain, together with others in the Middle East. As a result of the experiences in Europe, an armoured division was raised in Australia at the beginning of 1941, the 1^st Armoured Division, but it was destined never to serve outside Australia. Meanwhile, Japan continued her peaceful penetration of South-East Asia.⁹⁷

WORLD WAR II - INITIATION
World War II - The Leadup	World War II - The Middle East
The outbreak of the war posed a difficult problem for the Government. The uncertainty of Japan's intentions and an Opposition opposed to both the raising of an expeditionary force and conscription for home defence, the contribution Australia should and could make to the war effort in Europe in terms of soldier numbers and composition. The same problem did not affect the Royal Australian Navy or the Royal Australian Air Force who were not bound to home service by the Defence Act and already had personnel serving overseas.⁹⁴ On 15 September 1939 the Government announced the raising of an infantry division (later to become the 6^th Division) ‘for service at home or abroad as circumstances permit'. By late November it decided that the 6^th Division should leave for the Middle East with the first elements departing in January 1940. Subsequently, approval was given in February to raise the 7^th Division to increase Australia’s contribution to a Corps.⁹⁵ The German’s successful invasion of France and the Lowlands in May 1940 left Britain and the Dominions standing alone. This, with the ongoing uncertainty over Japanese intentions in the Pacific, changed both the Government’s and people’s attitude to the war to one of total commitment, including the raising of another AIF formation, the 8^th Infantry Division.⁹⁶ By May one brigade of the 6^th Division was already in Palestine, and two more convoys were on their way there. After inter-Government discussions one convoy continued to the Middle East while the other was diverted to England, subsequently to be reorganised into two infantry brigades. It was also decided that the 7^th Division should join the 6^th Division, while the 8^thDivision would be sent to Malaya as garrison troops. When Australia followed the British decision to reduce the number of Battalions in a brigade from four to three a train of re-organisation was started that provided enough resources to form a fourth AIF Infantry Division. The 9^th Division was formed from the troops in Britain, together with others in the Middle East. As a result of the experiences in Europe, an armoured division was raised in Australia at the beginning of 1941, the 1^st Armoured Division, but it was destined never to serve outside Australia. Meanwhile, Japan continued her peaceful penetration of South-East Asia.⁹⁷