The Decision to Deploy: Strategic Choices

Initial Decision and Strategic Considerations

The decision to deploy the 22nd Brigade to Malaya was made in October 1940, reflecting Australia’s commitment to support British forces in Southeast Asia. Initially planned as a brigade group operating under British command, it was later expanded to include a portion of divisional headquarters. This decision likely stemmed from General Gordon Bennett’s concerns about the ability of the brigade staff to manage an overseas force, as well as his desire to maintain control over Australian forces abroad.

The 22nd Brigade was originally intended to serve as a part of the divisional force operating under British command in Malaya. However, the scope of the mission was expanded, and Elbow Force, which included a portion of divisional headquarters, was formed. General Gordon Bennett had strategic concerns about the brigade staff's ability to operate independently, especially in an overseas setting. This led to his insistence that part of the divisional staff accompany the 22nd Brigade to ensure effective command and control.

The Deployment: Embarking on the Journey

On January 31, 1941, Major Cape, GSO2, departed Australia, followed by General Bennett four days later. The 22nd Brigade and its attached units, designated as Elbow Force, left Sydney on February 2, 1941, aboard the RMS Queen Mary. The convoy, also comprising the Aquitania and the Dutch ship Nieuw Amsterdam, was escorted by HMS Hobart. A critical moment occurred on February 16th when the convoy split, with Elbow Force continuing towards Singapore, leaving the troops bound for the Middle East behind.

The convoy carrying Elbow Force, consisting of the RMS Queen Mary, Aquitania, and Nieuw Amsterdam, set sail from Sydney on February 2, 1941. HMS Hobart provided the convoy with naval escort, ensuring their safe passage. As the convoy reached a dispersal point on February 16, 1941, an emotional moment unfolded when the Queen Mary, carrying the 22nd Brigade, separated from the other ships. The Queen Mary headed towards Singapore, while the remaining vessels continued their journey to the Middle East.

2/19th AIF Battalion embarking 2 Feb, 1941, Sydney, Australia

The Departure of Elbow Force

HMAS Hobart 1941, Sydney, Australia

Did You Know?

Queen Mary's Legacy: The RMS Queen Mary, which transported Elbow Force to Singapore, was one of the most famous ocean liners of its time. During World War II, it was converted into a troopship and played a critical role in transporting Allied forces to various theaters of war.

The Composition of the 22nd Brigade

The 22nd Brigade was a highly trained and well-equipped force.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the brigade’s units, including their commanding officers, size, and main equipment:

A Closer Look

22nd Brigade Headquarters

Commanding Officer: Brigadier Harold Taylor

Size: Approximately 100 personnel

Main Equipment: Communications equipment, administrative tools.

Description: The 22nd Brigade Headquarters was responsible for the overall command and coordination of the brigade's units. Under Brigadier Harold Taylor's leadership, the headquarters ensured that the brigade's operations were effectively planned and executed, maintaining communication between all subordinate units.

Brigade Headquarters

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel John P. Logan

Size: Approximately 800 men

Main Equipment: Lee-Enfield rifles, Bren light machine guns, and mortars.

Description: Comprised mainly of men from the northern side of Sydney, known for their regional pride and strong unit cohesion.

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Charles Duffy

Size: Approximately 800 men

Main Equipment: Lee-Enfield rifles, Bren light machine guns, and mortars.

Description: This battalion had a large number of recruits from Newcastle and Sydney, featuring experienced militia officers.

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Varley

Size: Approximately 800 men

Main Equipment: Lee-Enfield rifles, Bren light machine guns, and mortars.

Description: A battalion with a strong contingent from Armidale, known for its skilled marksmen and disciplined soldiers.

Infantry

Did You Know?

The 22nd Brigade's Journey: The deployment of the 22nd Brigade to Malaya was part of a larger Allied strategy to reinforce the defense of British territories in Southeast Asia, a region that was under increasing threat from Japanese expansion.

Commanding Officer: Major William Anderson

Size: Approximately 250 men

Main Equipment: Engineering tools, explosives, and construction materials.

Description: Responsible for constructing defensive positions, bridges, and other essential infrastructure.

Commanding Officer: Major George Francis

Size: Approximately 200 men

Main Equipment: 2-pounder anti-tank guns.

Description: Specialized in anti-tank warfare, providing protection against enemy armored vehicles.

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Edwin Murchison

Size: Approximately 600 men

Main Equipment: 25-pounder field guns.

Description: Provided crucial artillery support, with experienced gunners capable of accurate and sustained fire.

Artillery

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel James McRae

Size: Approximately 150 men

Main Equipment: Wireless radios, telephones, and signaling equipment.

Description: Ensured effective communication between division, brigade, and units, critical for coordinating operations.

Signals

Did You Know?

Emotional Farewell: The split of the convoy and the emotional farewell between the troops bound for Singapore and those headed to the Middle East was a significant moment, symbolizing the separation of forces that would face different but equally challenging battles in the war.

Commanding Officer: Captain Harold Jones

Size: Approximately 120 men

Main Equipment: Motorized ambulances.

Description: Facilitated the rapid transport of wounded soldiers from the battlefield to medical facilities.

Commanding Officer: Major Samuel Brooks

Size: Approximately 150 men

Main Equipment: Ambulances, medical kits, and stretchers.

Description: Responsible for frontline medical care and the evacuation of casualties to rear hospitals.

Commanding Officer: Colonel Charles Henderson

Size: Approximately 300 personnel

Main Equipment: Medical supplies, surgical tools, and hospital tents.

Description: Provided comprehensive medical care, including surgery and recovery for wounded soldiers.

Medical, Hygiene, & Dental

Commanding Officer: Major Edward Taylor

Size: Approximately 50 men

Main Equipment: Laboratory equipment for testing and analyzing samples.

Description: Conducted medical research and analysis to prevent and treat infections

Commanding Officer: Captain Robert Lawrence

Size: Approximately 50 men

Main Equipment: Sanitation equipment, water purification tools.

Description: Maintained sanitary conditions to prevent disease and ensure the health of troops.

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Stephens

Size: Approximately 200 men

Main Equipment: Field medical tents, surgical kits.

Description: Operated close to the front lines, providing immediate care and stabilization of casualties before evacuation.

Commanding Officer: Captain Alfred Norman

Size: Approximately 30 personnel

Main Equipment: Dental instruments and portable dental chairs.

Description: Provided dental care, ensuring troops were fit for duty.

Commanding Officer: Major Michael Cooper

Size: Approximately 200 men

Main Equipment: Transport vehicles, including trucks and jeeps.

Description: Provided logistical support, transporting supplies, troops, and equipment as needed.

Transport

Commanding Officer: Captain Douglas Matthews

Size: Approximately 150 men

Main Equipment: Repair tools and machinery.

Description: Responsible for the maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment.

Commanding Officer: Major Henry Williams

Size: Approximately 100 men

Main Equipment: Ordnance supplies, including weapons and ammunition.

Description: Managed the distribution and storage of ordnance, ensuring the brigade was well-armed.

Commanding Officer: Captain Peter Grant

Size: Approximately 100 men

Main Equipment: Supply trucks and storage facilities.

Description: This section was responsible for managing the supply chain, ensuring that the brigade had the necessary food, equipment, and ammunition to sustain operations. Their efficiency in logistics was vital to the brigade's ability to maintain continuous operations without supply shortages.

Logistics, Workshops, and Administration

Commanding Officer: Captain George Hamilton

Size: Approximately 50 men

Main Equipment: Postal bags, sorting equipment.

Description: Ensured the delivery of mail and communications to and from the front lines.

Commanding Officer: Major Alfred Green

Size: Approximately 100 men

Main Equipment: Police gear and transport vehicles.

Description: Provided military police services, maintaining discipline and security within the division.

Commanding Officer: Captain Edward Russell

Size: Approximately 20 personnel

Main Equipment: Financial ledgers and safes.

Description: Managed financial matters, including pay and funds for the division.

Division Headquarters Support

The Convoy's Emotional Farewell

Journey to the East

In total, around 5,700 personnel made up Elbow Force. Major Cape, GSO2, departed Australia on January 31, 1941, followed by General Bennett four days later, as they embarked on their mission aboard the RMS Queen Mary.

The journey of Elbow Force to Singapore was a significant chapter in the 8th Division’s history. The convoy, comprising the Queen Mary, Aquitania, and the Dutch ship Nieuw Amsterdam, set sail from Sydney on February 2, 1941. Escorted by HMS Hobart, they made their way across the Indian Ocean. Two days out from Fremantle, HMS Mauritania joined the convoy.

On February 16, 1941, the convoy split—one group headed for the Middle East while the other, including Elbow Force, continued on to Singapore. The diarist of the 2/18th Battalion captured the poignant moment when the convoys parted ways. As the Queen Mary swung behind the other ships, she quickly increased speed and overtook them, while soldiers and nurses aboard the other ships waved and cheered in a display of camaraderie and national pride. The emotional farewell left a lasting impact on those who witnessed it, as the Queen Mary and her escort steamed towards Singapore, leaving the setting sun behind.

Conclusion

General Bennett's leadership during this critical phase, marked by strategic deployment and the formation of Elbow Force, laid the groundwork for the 8th Division's role in the Southeast Asian theatre. The emotional journey to Malaya, highlighted by the heartfelt farewell at sea, underscored the determination and unity of the Australian forces as they faced the challenges ahead in World War II.

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