australia armoured formation australian_army established second world war formed february provide armoured support infantry units operating composition varied time usually comprised armoured regiments equipped grant tanks support units brigade main role existence provide pool armoured units sub units deployed augment infantry forces responsible developing specialised variants armoured vehicles elements detached support australian_army major operations end war september army armoured brigade formation disbanded war february history establishment established february reorganisation australian_army armoured units longer threat japanese forces invading australia disbanded free manpower purposes decided retain headquarters division command armoured units intended offensive operations new_guinea locations specialised formation designated need armoured support infantry forces demonstrated army experiences early main role provide detachments tanks support infantry units practical necessary deploy large armoured units jungle terrain common brigade organised self supporting regimental groups regimental groups turn provide sub units necessary logistics support form armoured component units combat operations held practice combat deployments regiments attached infantry divisions brigades squadrons troops generally operated independently combined arms forces formation main units 6th armoured regiment 9th armoured regiment equipped infantry tanks previously formed 6th armoured regiment formed august light tanks transferred new_guinea elements regiment saw combat stuart tanks lightly armoured effective 9th armoured regiment transferred equipped medium tanks brigade supporting engineer medical signals services units brigade intended operate single unit lacked armoured reconnaissance artillery combat engineer infantry units standard elements australian_army armoured brigades commander establishment disbandment brigadier combat operations units concentrated new_south_wales march april year brigade formed subsequently transferred southern queensland reorganised self supporting battalion group remaining unit redesignated june august year shipped new_guinea subsequently supported landing campaign returned australia june redesignated 1st armoured regiment meantime 4th armoured regiment added october unit previously formed equipped tanks october party armed pistols sent riot soldiers held detention need use force march 6th armoured regiment transferred 5th armoured regiment transferred formation located queensland june brigade strength men scheduled ready offensive operations october year june established training area queensland armoured units practice operating tropical conditions september brigade gained 1st armoured brigade reconnaissance squadron disbanded unit reorganised special equipment january 6th armoured regiment assigned stationed sydney area following disbandment remaining armoured brigade australian_army structure continued change late 1st armoured amphibious squadron authorised raised brigade october established year squadron operate troop carrying landing arrive time unit action end war january 6th armoured regiment transferred direct control moved victoria month change proved short lived 6th armoured regiment rejoined july squadron regiment transferred brigade april ahead remainder regiment moving victoria queensland 4th regimental groups supported australian_army offensive operations new_guinea 4th armoured regiment transferred new_guinea august came command australian_army january end war squadron 4th armoured regiment supported campaign regimental headquarters squadrons took october end war regimental groups saw action borneo campaign squadron 9th armoured regiment attached invasion remainder regiment subsequently supported early stages june 1st armoured regiment armoured squadron special equipment attached 7th division took july trials development work combat role responsible developing deploying specialised types tanks played important role guiding processes including helping subordinates overcome institutional barriers variants developed brigade included frog flame throwing tank bomb throwing 5th armoured regiment variant grant frog combat special equipment borneo campaign 4th armoured regiment issued arrive end war modifications grant sought tanks travel rivers coastal waters new tank variants brigade developed ammunition fuel trailer towed tanks trailers combat zones 4th 9th armoured regiments provided crews comparative trials british churchill tank new_guinea conditions conducted australian_army response request tanks sent new_guinea tanks alongside grants queensland subsequently region new_guinea churchill proved better suited jungle conditions australian_army later ordered delivered end war disbandment july elements australia unit headquarters 5th 6th armoured regiments 1st armoured amphibious squadron regiments preparing offensive operations including planned later cancelled invasion java leave australia units rapidly disbanded following war 1st armoured amphibious squadron dissolved august special equipment followed october year headquarters 5th 6th armoured regiments disbanded february 9th armoured regiment early year 1st armoured regiment remained active unit returned pre war designation 1st royal new south wales volunteers manned 1st armoured car squadron established service japan squadron expanded form 1st armoured regiment remains active australian_army memorial dedicated works consulted peter world war newport isbn david australia war series army canberra australian war memorial paul dust sand jungle history australian armour training operations victoria memorial isbn paul vital factor history 6th australian armoured regiment isbn history canberra isbn long final campaigns australia war series army volume vii canberra australian war memorial adrian jungle warriors australian_army world deadly jungle fighting force sydney isbn
4th Armoured Brigade (Australia)