Australian Armoured Units of World War II - Divisional Cavalry Regiments

Divisional Cavalry Regiments

Until the formation of the 1st Armoured division, the three AIF divisional cavalry regiments were Australia’s only armoured units. What the Australian armoured force lacked in numbers, however, was more than made up by the intense activity of these regiments in the Middle East.

While all four AIF Divisions were authorised a divisional cavalry regiment, only three regiments were eventually formed as it was wrongly believed that the 8th Division did not need armoured support in Malaya. The three AIF Divisional cavalry regiments were:

• 6th Divisional Cavalry Regiment
• 7th Divisional Cavalry Regiment
• 9th Divisional Cavalry Regiment (initially formed as 8th Divisional Cavalry Regiment)

In December 1941, four militia light horse regiments were converted to form Divisional reconnaissance battalions. These battalions were re-designated as Cavalry Regiments in late 1942. The four units were:

• 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion (ex 2nd Light Horse Regiment)
• 8th Reconnaissance Battalion (ex 8th Light Horse Regiment)
• 21st Reconnaissance Battalion (ex 21st Light Horse Regiment)
• 25th Reconnaissance Battalion (ex 25th Light Horse Regiment)

The organisation of a divisional cavalry regiment was:

• Regimental Headquarters (4 light tanks, 2 carriers)
• Administration Squadron
• Three Fighting Squadrons each with:
  • One Squadron Headquarters (2 light tanks, 2 universal carriers)
  • Two light tank troops (each with 3 light tanks)
  • Three carrier troops (each with 3 carriers)

In early 1943, the AIF divisions and three of the militia divisions were converted from motorised infantry to light infantry 'Jungle Divisions'. As part of this conversion, the AIF divisional cavalry regiments were re-formed as unarmoured commando regiments with the regimental headquarters commanding previously independent commando companies. The 3rd and 5th Divisions' cavalry regiments appear to have been disbanded. Armoured support for the jungle divisions was provided, when required, by elements of the 4th Armoured Brigade Group.