32nd infantry battalion australian_army raised initially personnel south_australia western_australia battalion served france belgium world war disbanded raised 32nd unit time militia wars battalion served home defence unit victoria second world war battalion merged 14th battalion 14th 32nd battalion serving firstly garrison troops australia new_guinea taking fighting campaign july battalion disbanded war battalion raised right forerunner formed raised amalgamated unit known 32nd battalion city regiment unit remained existence battalion honours traditions maintained 5th 6th battalion history world war raised august south_australia overseas service volunteer commanding officer lieutenant colonel companies recruits south_australia companies formed perth western australia underwent training hill training camp sailing transport joining rest battalion adelaide end august battalion recruits previously worked miners farmers completing basic training battalion left australia november aboard bound egypt arrived amidst aftermath failed gallipoli campaign saw reorganisation expansion preparation dispatch france belgium fighting germans western egypt battalion newly formed attached period training battalion shipped france june join fighting western following month spending short period sector battalion committed time july days taking position trenches 32nd took fighting committed 8th brigade initial assault extreme left australian focused position known suffered casualties battalion total casualties entire war roughly percent effective strength result losses mainly support role remainder time committed attacks assault role continued suffer casualties attrition trench warfare spending bitter winter undertaking defensive duties early battalion took operations pursuit german forces retreated line found flank protection role second battle september battalion heavily committed fighting wood near belgium employed support role 8th brigade assault led 29th 31st battalions following assault brigade adopted defensive posture supporting efforts remainder half 5th division mainly undertook reserve role result little involvement german spring offensive winter battalion entered trenches sector occupying positions near january remaining march april 8th brigade moved taking defensive positions canal german advance stalled involved series minor advances road july taking operations allies sought regain initiative later allies launched offensive beginning august offensive 32nd battalion took operations area august september allies sought breach fighting final engagement war september october joint australian american attack removed line rest training preparation operations order losses australians suffered previous months number australian battalions disbanded time provide reinforcements remained 32nd battalion received large number reinforcements victorian 29th battalion subsequently disbanded line armistice declared november battalion final series battles battalion led later awarded victoria_cross leadership bravery conflict battalion suffered casualties killed march personnel repatriated australia battalion merged 30th battalion subsequently disbanded members battalion received following decorations victoria_cross member order british empire officers order british empire military crosses bars distinguished conduct medals military medals bars seven mentions despatches foreign awards inter war years time later known militia organised numerical designations wartime battalions formed melbourne victoria amalgamation 8th infantry regiment 32nd infantry regiment 29th light horse regiment battalion drew personnel south west western suburbs melbourne territorial designations adopted unit came known year battalion motto approved formed alliance time 2nd brigade 3rd military district initially battalion manpower maintained compulsory training scheme suspended following election government force maintained volunteer basis second world war following japan entry second world war december battalion called defensive duties attached 2nd brigade battalion provided garrison troops vital installations melbourne august transferred western_australia attached 6th brigade based september army wide reduction came battalion amalgamated 14th battalion 14th 32nd battalion early 14th 32nd battalion carried amphibious warfare training queensland deployed area new_guinea july battalion remain mainland new_guinea years command lieutenant colonel strategy employed australians campaign larger japanese forces area march battalion took major battle war launched assault bacon hill captured april 14th 32nd battalion withdrawn australia preparation involvement future operations july decision unit end war apparent course conflict battalion suffered casualties killed action died wounds causes members battalion received following decorations service british seven post second world war australia time military force raised guise battalion raised albeit amalgamated unit linked battalion 32nd battalion known variously west melbourne regiment australian_army reorganised divisions result reorganisation greatly reduced infantry battalions disbanded altogether remained gave old regional regimental ties reformed newly raised state based regiments result 32nd absorbed forming company known company battalion received battle honours service second world war time entrusted honours bestowed 32nd battalion separate battalion formed abolition divisions unit honours traditions bound 5th 6th battalion unit remains existence today 32nd battalion colours laid john august battle honours awarded following battle honours world war road wood line france flanders egypt world war south west pacific commanding officers following officers commanded world war lieutenant colonel lieutenant colonel lieutenant colonel lieutenant colonel
32nd Battalion (Australia)