9th Division (Australia)

9th Division (Australia)

The 9th Division was a division of the Australian Army that served during World War II. It was the fourth division of the Second Australian Imperial Force and was formed in the United Kingdom in late 1940 from infantry brigades and support units which had been previously raised in Australia and sent there to defend against a possible invasion following the Fall of France. It is considered to be one of the most decorated Australian divisions and has the distinction of spending more time in combat than any other. In common with both the 6th and 7th Divisions, the 9th Division was one of only a few Allied army units to serve with distinction in the Middle East and the South West Pacific Area. During the course of its service, the 9th Division took part in the Siege of Tobruk and fought during both battles of El Alamein before being brought back to Australia in 1943 to take part in campaigns in New Guinea and Borneo. Following the end of the war, the division was disbanded in early 1946.