| Publication |
2012.
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| Summary/Abstract |
This article examines the history of the formation of the Australian 1st Armoured Division for
use in both the Middle East and the defence of the Australian mainland during the Second World
War, from the intellectual and policy developments leading to approval by the War Cabinet to
the equipment, manning and training issues experienced in trying to raise a formation in a
short period. It also addresses the purpose of the formation given the circumstance of the time,
and the creation and continuation of the armoured tradition in the Australian Army. It finally
looks at the way the unit was disbanded and the follow-on effects to Australian armour, briefly
addressing the impact of the armoured vehicle in Australia's primary operating environment.
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