Australia in T2K (Long)

[RN7]

I can't remember who wrote this article or exactly were I first came across it (I think one of the 2300AD forums), but does anybody think that Australia could field land forces of this size in T2K?


The Australian Army

Location (as of July 1, 2000) and approximate strengths of the major military units of the Australian Army. First, it contains an order of battle giving command structures, locations, and subordinate units. This is followed by a brief history and current status rundown of each of the major units listed, as of July 1, 2000. Referees are allowed considerable freedom in manipulating this data to suit the needs of their campaign. The order of battle includes units of other nations under Australian control. This includes the divisions from New Zealand and Jordan as well as the entire Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Strengths of units are given in overall personnel to the nearest five hundred or one hundred if under one thousand and current major weapon (tanks, assault guns, warships and combat aircraft) strength. Most of these units have additional numbers of heavy weapons, light armoured vehicles, soft-skinned vehicles, utility aircraft and small boats. They have also acquired non-issue equipment by various means. While the Australian Army officially maintains the original order of battles of most units they are now almost completely organised into ad hoc groups usually comprising the remnants of a brigade and attached supporting arms.

ORDER OF BATTLE

I Australian Corps (3rd Australian Expeditionary Force)
Current Location: South West Iran

1st Australian Armoured Division

1st Infantry Brigade (Mechanised)
1st Armoured Regiment
8th Medium Regiment (Self-Propelled), RAA
1st Combat Engineer Regiment (Mechanised), RAE
5th Battalion (Mechanised), RAR
7th Battalion (Mechanised), RAR
1st Forward Support Battalion (Mechanised)

2nd Infantry Brigade (Mechanised)
4th Cavalry Regiment (Mechanised)
12th Medium Regiment (Self-Propelled), RAA
6th Combat Engineer Regiment (Mechanised), RAE
1st Battalion (Mechanised), RAR
2nd Battalion (Mechanised), RAR
2nd Forward Support Battalion (Mechanised)

6th Infantry Brigade (Mechanised)
5th Armoured Regiment
1st Medium Regiment (Self-Propelled), RAA
2nd Combat Engineer Regiment (Mechanised), RAE
8th Battalion (Mechanised), RAR
9th Battalion (Mechanised), RAR
6th Forward Support Battalion (Mechanised)

Divisional Troops
2nd Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance)
16th Air Defence Regiment, RAA
21st Support Engineer Regiment, RAE
1st Signal Regiment, RASigs
1st Aviation Regiment, AAAC
1st Military Intelligence Battalion
1st Military Police Battalion
1st Logistic Support Battalion
1st Medical Support Battalion

2nd Australian Armoured Division

1st Armoured Brigade
6th Armoured Regiment
7th Armoured Regiment
22nd Medium Regiment (Self-Propelled), RAA
31st Combat Engineer Regiment (Mechanised), RAE
10th Battalion (Mechanised), RAR
22nd Forward Support Battalion (Mechanised)

11th Infantry Brigade (Mechanised)
11th Light Horse (QMI) (Mechanised)
11th Medium Regiment (Self-Propelled), RAA
11th Combat Engineer Regiment (Mechanised), RAE
31st Battalion (Mechanised), RQR
42nd Battalion (Mechanised), RQR
11th Forward Support Battalion (Mechanised)

13th Infantry Brigade (Mechanised)
3rd Medium Regiment (Self-Propelled), RAA
13th Combat Engineer Regiment (Mechanised), RAE
11th Battalion (Mechanised), RWAR
16th Battalion (Mechanised), RWAR
28th Battalion (Mechanised), RWAR
13th Forward Support Battalion (Mechanised)

Divisional Troops
10th Light Horse (Reconnaissance)
19th Air Defence Regiment, RAA
24th Engineer Support Regiment, RAE
4th Signal Regiment, RASigs
4th Aviation Regiment, AAAC
4th Military Intelligence Battalion
4th Military Police Battalion
4th Logistics Support Battalion
4th Medical Support Battalion

The New Zealand Division

4th Infantry Brigade
16th Field Regiment, RNZA
2nd/1st Battalion, RNZIR
3rd (Auckland (Countess of Ranfurly's Own) and Northland) Battalion, RNZIR
7th (City of Wellington's Own and Hawke's Bay) Battalion, RNZIR

7th Infantry Brigade
1st Field Regiment, RNZA
1st Battalion, RNZIR
2nd (Canterbury and Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast) Battalion, RNZIR
4th (Otago and Southland) Battalion, RNZIR

1st Armoured Regiment
Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles Squadron
The Waikato Mounted Rifles Squadron
The Otago Hussars Squadron
1st Squadron, New Zealand Scottish

Jordanian 5th Armoured Division
40th Armoured Brigade
60th Armoured Brigade

1st Cavalry Brigade
1st Royal New South Wales Lancers (Reconnaissance)
15th Northern Rivers Lancers (Reconnaissance)
16th Hunter River Lancers (Reconnaissance)
21st Medium Regiment (Self-Propelled), RAA
6th Aviation Regiment, AAAC
21st Forward Support Battalion (Mechanised)

The Special Air Service Regiment
152nd Signal Squadron, RASigs
1st Commando Company
4th Commando Company (Tank Attack)
1st Squadron, SAS Regiment
2nd Squadron, SAS Regiment
171st Aviation Squadron, AAAC

II Australian Corps
Current Location: Far North Queensland, Papua New Guinea and Eastern Indonesia

2nd Australian Division

5th Infantry Brigade
23rd Field Regiment, RAA
5th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
1st Battalion, RNSWR
3rd Battalion, RNSWR
4th Battalion, RNSWR
1st Battalion, RPIR
5th Forward Support Battalion

7th Infantry Brigade
5th Field Regiment, RAA
7th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
9th Battalion, RQR
25th Battalion, RQR
49th Battalion, RQR
4th Battalion, RPIR
7th Forward Support Battalion

8th Infantry Brigade
7th Field Regiment, RAA
8th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
2nd Battalion, RNSWR
17th Battalion, RNSWR
41st Battalion, RNSWR
3rd Battalion, RPIR
8th Forward Support Battalion

Divisional Troops
2nd Light Horse (QMI) (Armoured)
14th Light Horse (QMI) (Reconnaissance)
17th Air Defence Regiment, RAA
22nd Support Engineer Regiment, RAE
8th Signal Regiment, RASigs
2nd Aviation Regiment, AAAC
2nd Military Intelligence Battalion
2nd Military Police Battalion
2nd Logistics Support Battalion
2nd Medical Support Battalion

4th Australian Division

16th Infantry Brigade
24th Field Regiment, RAA
16th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
19th Battalion, RNSWR
45th Battalion, RNSWR
53rd Battalion, RNSWR
6th Battalion, RPIR
16th Forward Support Battalion

17th Infantry Brigade
25th Field Regiment, RAA
17th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
15th Battalion, RQR
26th Battalion, RQR
47th Battalion, RQR
2nd Battalion, RPIR
17th Forward Support Battalion

18th Infantry Brigade
26th Field Regiment, RAA
18th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
30th Battalion, RNSWR
13th Battalion, RNSWR
56th Battalion, RNSWR
5th Battalion, RPIR
18th Forward Support Battalion

Divisional Troops
12th Light Horse (Reconnaissance)
24th Light Horse (Armoured)
27th Air Defence Regiment, RAA
26th Engineer Support Regiment, RAE
6th Signal Regiment, RASigs
9th Aviation Regiment, AAAC
6th Military Intelligence Battalion
6th Military Police Battalion
6th Logistics Support Battalion
6th Medical Support Battalion

3rd Infantry Brigade (Airborne)
3rd Cavalry Regiment (Airborne)
4th Light Regiment (Airborne), RAA
3rd Combat Engineer Regiment (Airborne), RAE
3rd Battalion (Parachute), RAR
4th Battalion (Parachute), RAR
6th Battalion (Parachute), RAR
51st Battalion (RFSU), FNQR
5th Aviation Regiment, AAAC
3rd Forward Support Battalion (Airborne)

1st Commando Regiment
126th Signal Squadron, RASigs
2nd Commando Company
3rd Commando Company
6th Commando Company
3rd Squadron, SAS Regiment
Special Forces Unit, PNGDF

Northern Command
Current Location: Northern and Western Australia.

3rd Australian Division

4th Infantry Brigade
2nd Field Regiment, RAA
4th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
5th Battalion, RVR
6th Battalion, RVR
8th/7th Battalion, RVR
4th Forward Support Battalion

9th Infantry Brigade
13th Field Regiment, RAA
9th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
10th Battalion, RSAR
27th Battalion, RSAR
12th/40th Battalion, RTR
9th Forward Support Battalion

10th Infantry Brigade
10th Field Regiment, RAA
10th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
38th Battalion, RVR
52nd Battalion, RVR
58th Battalion, RVR
The Pilbara Regiment (RFSU)
10th Forward Support Battalion

Divisional Troops
3rd South Australian Mounted Rifles (Reconnaissance)
17th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse (Armoured)
18th Air Defence Regiment, RAA
23rd Support Engineer Regiment, RAE
3rd Signal Regiment, RASigs
3rd Aviation Regiment, AAAC
3rd Military Intelligence Battalion
3rd Military Police Battalion
3rd Logistics Support Battalion
3rd Medical Support Battalion

5th Military District

7th Military District

2nd Cavalry Brigade
8th Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance)
9th Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance)
10th Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance)
101st Field Regiment, RAA
The North West Mobile Force (RFSU)
23rd Forward Support Battalion

Australian Theatre
Current Location: South Eastern Australia (NSW, Vic, Qld)

III Australian Corps

3rd Australian Armoured Division

2nd Armoured Brigade
7th Australian Horse (Mechanised)
6th New South Wales Mounted Rifles (Mechanised)
21st Riverina Horse (Mechanised)
102nd Field Regiment, RAA
32nd Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
24th Forward Support Battalion

3rd Armoured Brigade
9th Light Horse (Mechanised)
18th Adelaide Lancers (Mechanised)
23rd Light Horse (Mechanised)
103rd Field Regiment, RAA
33rd Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
25th Forward Support Battalion

4th Armoured Brigade
8th Light Horse (Mechanised)
13th Light Horse (Mechanised)
20th Victorian Mounted Rifles (Mechanised)
104th Field Regiment, RAA
34th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
26th Forward Support Battalion

Divisional Troops
5th Light Horse (QMI) (Reconnaissance)
27th Engineer Support Regiment, RAE
9th Signal Regiment, RASigs
7th Military Intelligence Battalion
7th Military Police Battalion
7th Logistics Support Battalion
7th Medical Support Battalion

1st Australian Division

12th Infantry Brigade
6th Field Regiment, RAA
12th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
29th Battalion, RVR
32nd Battalion, RVR
22nd/37th Battalion, RVR
12th Forward Support Battalion

14th Infantry Brigade
14th Field Regiment, RAA
14th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
21st Battalion, RVR
23rd Battalion, RVR
59th Battalion, RVR
14th Forward Support Battalion

15th Infantry Brigade
15th Field Regiment, RAA
15th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
43rd/48th Battalion, RSAR
44th Battalion, RWAR
50th Battalion, RTR
15th Forward Support Battalion

Divisional Troops
4th Light Horse (Armoured)
19th Light Horse (Reconnaissance)
20th Air Defence Regiment, RAA
25th Engineer Support Regiment, RAE
5th Signal Regiment, RASigs
8th Aviation Regiment, AAAC
5th Military Intelligence Battalion
5th Military Police Battalion
5th Logistics Support Battalion
5th Medical Support Battalion

5th Australian Division

19th Infantry Brigade
28th Field Regiment, RAA
19th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
Queensland University Regiment (Infantry)
Adelaide University Regiment (Infantry)
Western Australia University Regiment (Infantry)
19th Forward Support Battalion

20th Infantry Brigade
29th Field Regiment, RAA
20th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
14th Battalion, RVR
57th Battalion, RVR
60th Battalion, RVR
20th Forward Support Battalion

21st Infantry Brigade
30th Field Regiment, RAA
35th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
18th Battalion, RNSWR
20th Battalion, RNSWR
55th Battalion, RNSWR
27th Forward Support Battalion

Divisional Troops
Sydney University Scouts (Reconnaissance)
Monash University Regiment (Armoured)
28th Engineer Support Regiment, RAE
11th Signal Regiment, RASigs
8th Military Intelligence Battalion
8th Military Police Battalion
8th Logistics Support Battalion
8th Medical Support Battalion

6th Australian Division

22nd Infantry Brigade
32nd Field Regiment, RAA
36th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
33rd Battalion, RNSWR
35th Battalion, RNSWR
61st Battalion, RQR
28th Forward Support Battalion

23rd Infantry Brigade
33rd Field Regiment, RAA
37thCombat Engineer Regiment, RAE
24th Battalion, RVR
39th Battalion, RVR
46th Battalion, RVR
29th Forward Support Battalion

24th Infantry Brigade
34th Field Regiment, RAA
38th Combat Engineer Regiment, RAE
34th Battalion, RNSWR
36th Battalion, RNSWR
54th Battalion, RNSWR
30th Forward Support Battalion

Divisional Troops
Melbourne University Rifles (Reconnaissance)
University of New South Wales Regiment (Armoured)
29th Engineer Support Regiment, RAE
12th Signal Regiment, RASigs
9th Military Intelligence Battalion
9th Military Police Battalion
9th Logistics Support Battalion
9th Medical Support Battalion

3rd Cavalry Brigade
27th Light Horse (Mounted)
28th Light Horse (Mounted)
29th Light Horse (Mounted)

1st Military District

2nd Military District

3rd Military District

7th Commando Regiment
5th Commando Company
7th Commando Company
8th Commando Company

The Tactical Assault Group (SAS)

6th Military District
Current Location: Tasmania

The Tasmanian Defence Brigade
22nd Light Horse Regiment (Tasmanian Mounted Infantry)
26th Light Horse Regiment (Tasmanian Mounted Infantry)
12th Infantry Battalion (The Launceston Regiment)
40th Infantry Battalion (The Derwent Regiment)
50th Infantry Battalion (The Tasmanian Rangers)

Abbreviations

AAAC: Australian Army Aviation Corps
FNQR: Far North Queensland Regiment
PNGDF: Papua New Guinea Defence Force
QMI: Queensland Mounted Infantry
RAA: Royal Australian Artillery
RAAC: Royal Australian Armoured Corps
RAE: Royal Australian Corps of Engineers
RAIC: Royal Australian Infantry Corps
RAR: Royal Australian Regiment
RASigs: Royal Australian Corps of Signals
RFSU: Regional Force Surveillance Unit
RNSWR: Royal New South Wales Regiment
RNZA: Royal New Zealand Artillery
RNZIR: Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
RPIR: Royal Pacific Islands Regiment
RQR: Royal Queensland Regiment
RSAR: Royal South Australia Regiment
RTR: Royal Tasmania Regiment
RVR: Royal Victoria Regiment
RWAR: Royal Western Australia Regiment
SAS: Special Air Service

UNIT HISTORY AND CURRENT STATUS

ARMOURED DIVISIONS

1st Australian Armoured Division
A pre-war regular division known as the 1st Division with 1st Brigade (Mechanised) based in Darwin, NT, 2nd Brigade (Motorised) in Sydney, NSW and 6th Brigade (Motorised) in Brisbane, Qld. The full division was upgraded to armoured status and brought to a combat ready state during the defence build-up of 1995 and 1996. In early 1997 the division was deployed to the Middle East as the core component of the Australian contribution to the widening war between the West and the Soviet Union. The division came under the control of the US Central Command when it arrived at Saudi Arabian ports in February 1997. Attached to the US XVIII Airborne Corps the division was deployed to Iran, disembarking at the port of Abadan on May 3rd and deploying to combat straight off the boat. The division passed through the hard pressed US 82nd Airborne Division to drive the Soviet 104th Guards Air Assault Division out of its positions at Khorramshahr. Several Soviet counter attacks against the Khorramshahr/Abadan pocket were repelled after the 82nd Airborne was withdrawn. In concert with the US 24th Infantry Division (Mechanised) the division attacked northwards from early June towards Ahvaz as part of the US Congress mandated offensive. The attack stalled at the end of July when Soviet forces counterattacked. The division covered the withdrawal of the 24th Infantry from Ahvaz and was itself forced back to Khorramshahr. Tactical nuclear weapons were first used in late August and the division suffered heavy casualties from these weapons. After repelling a Soviet 7th Guards Army attack on October 6th the division launched limited counterattacks to tie down Soviet forces in support of Operation Pegasus II, the allied deep offensive. In late October the division began its drive on Ahvaz, overrunning the Soviet 261st Motorised Rifle Division and cutting off the badly mauled Soviet 24th Guards Motorised Rifle Division which was destroyed by the 24th Infantry. While the 24th Infantry took Ahvaz, the division leapfrogged northwards capturing Dezful. By the new year the two divisions had secured the entire Khuzestan Plain and linked up with the 82nd Airborne. On 26/1/98 the division linked up with the newly deployed 2nd Australian Armoured Division and the New Zealand Division to form I Australian Corps. Most of 1998 was spent in local security missions attempting to deal with the growing crisis caused by the GNE of late 1997. The Soviet 7th Guards Army launched another offensive in early August but this attack was repelled. In June 1999 the Soviets again launched an offensive but this faltered because of the collapse of their Iraqi allies leaving the Australians in control of the Khuzestan Plain.
Subordination: I Australian Corps
Current Location: Ahvaz, Iran
Manpower: 5,000
Major Weapons: 46 Waler-120, 7 M1A2, 2 M1A1

2nd Australian Armoured Division
The division headquarters was formed 18/11/95 at Holsworthy Barracks, NSW and took under command the pre-war reserve 11th Brigade based in Townsville, Qld and the 13th Brigade from Perth, WA. The newly formed 1st Armoured Brigade in Sydney, NSW, brought the division to full strength. Mobilised under the general mobilisation order after the first US troops crossed the East German border in December 1996, the division was brought to full strength and began intensive training for conversion to armoured levels. The division was deployed along with the headquarters of I Australian Corps to Saudi Arabia during June/July 1997 to reinforce US Central Command and the 1st Australian Armoured Division. The division was responsible for security of the vital Saudi Arabian ports and oil fields along the north west coast of the Persian Gulf. Deployed to Iran on the eve of 1998 the division linked up with the 1st Australian Armoured under I Australian Corps control. After defeating two separate Soviet attacks the division has remained as a security force for the Khuzestan Plain, vital for its agriculture.
Subordination: I Australian Corps
Current Location: Dezful/Shushtar, Iran
Manpower: 5,500
Major Weapons: 48  Waler-AGV

3rd Australian Armoured Division
The division was formed 26/1/96 at Victoria Barracks, Brisbane with three brigades, the 2nd Armoured based in Wagga Wagga, NSW, the 3rd Armoured based in Woodside, SA and the 4th Armoured based in Puckapunyal, VIC. The division was deployed to South Australia, where it took advantage of this state’s large military training areas and defence infrastructure to train and equip for mechanised combat. SA was hit the hardest by the GNE with eight nuclear warheads detonating within 24 hours on "Ash Sunday," November 2, 1997, causing considerable destruction and nuclear fallout. The GNE and subsequent chaos decimated 7th Division and it was almost destroyed during its attempts to bring order to SA. The division was pulled out as part of the general evacuation of Adelaide during the summer of 97/98 and was transferred to Puckapunyal, Vic for rest and refitting. Once it was ready for operations again, in late 1999, the division was used to cover the general evacuation from the interior of Australia. Since then the 7th Division has provided the primary covering force for the line of control through central NSW and south eastern Queensland. The divisions main role is long range fire sweeps into uncontrolled areas, assisting local governments and trying to wipe out marauder groups and challenges to Australian Theatre’s authority.
Subordination: III Australian Corps
Current Location: Central NSW
Manpower: 14,000
Major Weapons: 98  Waler-AGV

Jordanian 5th Armoured Division
A pre-war crack regular Jordanian division stationed at the capital Amman. The division was deployed to Saudi Arabia under the command of the US Central Command in January 1999. Soon the division was rotated into the combat zone in Iran and came under control of I Australian Corps which it has since remained subordinate to. Brigadier HRH Prince Abdullah the oldest son of HRH King Hussein the Hashemite King of Jordan commands the division.
Subordination: I Australian Corps
Current Location: Basra. Iraq
Manpower: 3,500
Major Weapons: 45  Khalid 2

INFANTRY DIVISIONS

1st Australian Division
The division was formed as a reserve formation on 26/1/96 at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne with three brigades; the 14th based in Melbourne, Vic, the 15th based in Puckapunyal, Vic and the 16th with units across SA, WA and Tas. The division was mobilised on 1/1/97 and tasked with the security of southern and central WA including Perth, Kalgoorlie and the Pilbara. The division was severely damaged by the nuclear strikes on the Perth region and suffered heavy casualties trying to quell civil disturbance during the summer of 97/98. After the division’s positions in the west became untenable it was withdrawn to Victoria in late 1998. The division was brought up to full strength during a spell of rest and recovery at Puckapunyal Barracks, Vic. Australian Theatre then allocated the division the ‘fire brigade’ role for security in the 3rd Military District area.
Subordination: III Australian Corps
Current Location: Victoria
Manpower: 16,000
Major Weapons: 14  Leopard 1

2nd Australian Division
A pre-war reserve division with 5th Brigade based in Sydney, NSW, 7th Brigade in Brisbane, Qld and 8th Brigade in Newcastle, NSW. The division was upgraded to ready reserve status (about half full time personnel) and brought to a combat ready state during the defence build-up of 1995 and 1996. Mobilised in December 1996 as the US entered the war against the Soviet Union the division was deployed in security roles across North Eastern Australia. The division deployed its 7th Brigade to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in late 1997 to quell increasing urban and rural violence caused by the global destruction of the general nuclear exchange (GNE). When Indonesia attacked PNG in January 1998 the 7th Brigade held of the Indonesian 17th and 18th Airborne Brigades’ assault on Port Moresby. Reinforced by the rest of 2nd Division the Australian and PNG counterattack overrun the remaining Indonesian forces south of the highlands during operations in February. 2nd Division, reinforced by the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment then began a series of amphibious and airmobile strikes against the Indonesian cantonments across the northern shore of PNG. On the 3rd July 1998 the division captured Jayapura in West Papua (Irian Jaya) nominally Indonesian territory. Coming under II Australian Corps, the now veteran 2nd Division became the main force in the 1999 offensive into Eastern Indonesia. This offensive quickly captured the rest of West Papua, the Moluccan Islands and East Timor. The Australian forces meet little effective resistance as most of the Indonesian battle ready units, warships and combat aircraft had been destroyed the year before in Papua New Guinea. In fact many of the local communities greeted the Australians as liberators from Javanese control. 2nd Division spent the rest of 1999 and most of 2000 establishing II Corps authority across the newly occupied Indonesian territory. With the growing schism between II Corps commanding general MAJGEN Thurston and the Governor-General, Australian Theatre Commander and effective head of what is left of a central Australian government, GEN Walker, 2nd Division has declared its support to II Corps. The division is no longer responding to orders directly from Northern Command or Australian Theatre, it is only loyal to II Corps.
Subordination: II Australian Corps
Current Location: Ceram, Ambon, Morotai, Halmahera and Timor
Manpower: 7,500
Major Weapons: 10  Leopard 1, 8  OH-58D

3rd Australian Division
A pre-war reserve division the 3rd included the 4th and 12th Brigades in Melbourne, Vic and the 9th Brigade in Adelaide, SA. The division was called out on 20 December 1996 as the war in China and Germany escalated into global conflict. Deployed to the Northern Territory and North West WA the division became the primary security force of Northern Command. The GNE hardly effected the division, as all nuclear strikes on Australia were to the south of its operational area and prevailing monsoonal winds at this time were northerly. Also the low population of northern Australia meant the division was spared the heavy toll of the post GNE disease outbreaks and civil disruption. The division is still controlling the Northern Command enclaves at the vital resource extraction centres across North Western Australia.
Subordination: Northern Command
Current Location: North and North West Australia
Manpower: 10,000
Major Weapons: 10  Leopard 1, 6  OH-58D

4th Australian Division
The division was formed 26/1/96 at Victoria Barracks, Sydney with three brigades, the 16th based in Sydney, NSW, the 17th based in Brisbane, Qld and the 18th based in Newcastle, NSW. The division was filled with many ready reserve soldiers and recalled ex-servicemen, all with at least one years full time service, which enabled the division to come to a combat ready level reasonably quickly. The division took over security roles for the South Eastern corner of Australia during 1997 and was being prepared for service in the Middle East when the GNE caused considerable destruction. The division was able to avoid direct damage from the nuclear exchange but was heavily pressed in diaster relief and, at sometimes, quite brutal suppression of civil disorder. With the south east generally calm after the summer of 97/98 and with the 3rd Australian Armoured Division, 5th and 6th Australian Divisions deployed in the area, the 4th was moved by sea to PNG to reinforce II Australian Corps for the counteroffensive against the Indonesian forces. While 2nd Australian Division moved down the northern coast of PNG, 4th Division assaulted Indonesian forces on Manus Island and then prepared for the assault against Rabual. The two Australian brigades that landed at Rabual, not only faced the defending Indonesian brigade but the full fury of a volcanic eruption. The Rabual area was evacuated after 4th Division quickly offered diaster relief to the local population and most of the Indonesian forces that had surrendered after being caught between the ‘the frying-pan and the fire-place’. While 2nd Division moved into Eastern Indonesia in early 1999, 4th Division took up a rear area security task. This was no easy mission since it was responsible for the entire New Guinea Island; the world’s second largest island with the most rugged terrain in the world. 4th Division is still in control of New Guinea and is in fact the only effective authority in this region, something which II Corps exploits to the full. The division is no longer responding to orders directly from Northern Command or Australian Theatre; it is only loyal to II Corps.
Subordination: II Australian Corps
Current Location: Papua New Guinea, Irian Jaya, Far North Queensland
Manpower: 10,000
Major Weapons: 4  OH-58D

5th Australian Division
The division was formed on 25 April 1997 and was primarily made up of newly trained conscripts, though its 28th Brigade and some divisional elements comprised pre-war reserve training units. The division was tasked with security for the state of New South Wales and was intended to relieve the 3rd Australian Division in northern Australia, so that this formation could be deployed to the Middle East. The GNE and the Indonesian invasion of PNG ended these plans and the 5th Division has stayed on in NSW providing local security and disaster relief since its formation. The division was brought up to strength in early 1999 by comb-outs of surplus Navy and Air Force personnel. The division currently forms a border guard force across the ‘Newell Line’ in central NSW.
Subordination: III Australian Corps
Current Location: East NSW
Manpower: 16,000
Major Weapons: 0

6th Australian Division
The division was formed on 25 April, 1997 and was primarily made up of newly trained conscripts, with some divisional elements comprising pre-war reserve training units. The division was tasked with security for the state of Victoria and was intended to relieve the 2nd Australian Division in northern Australia and PNG, so that they could be deployed to the Middle East. The GNE and the subsequent Indonesian invasion of PNG ended these plans and the 6th Division was deployed to Queensland to secure the supply lines to II Corps in PNG. While the division was readied to deploy to PNG, the success of the Australian counter invasion meant it wasn’t required and since the required transport wasn’t available anyway the division stayed in South and Central Queensland. The division was forced to withdraw to the south east corner of Queensland due to increasing lawlessness and now forms a powerful guard force against any incursions into the controlled zone.
Subordination: III Australian Corps
Current Location: South East Queensland
Manpower: 14,000
Major Weapons: 0

The New Zealand Division
The ‘fireball’ division was formed on 10 February, 1997, comprising the 4th and 7th Brigades and was deployed to the Middle East as reinforcements to the 3rd Australian Expeditionary Force later in the year. All division elements had arrived in Saudi Arabian ports by October 1997. The division is made up of motorised and mechanised infantry, equipped with HMMWV and M113 vehicles, the divisional armoured regiment is a mix of Scorpion light tanks and M1s supplied by the US Army. The division has been under I Australian Corps since early 1998 and has partaken in all the battles for the Khuzestan Plain area of Iran.
Subordination: I Australian Corps
Current Location: Khorramshahr, Iran
Manpower: 3,500
Major Weapons: 10  M1A1

MILITARY DISTRICTS

1st Military District
A pre-war administrative command responsible for an area roughly aligned to the state of Queensland. Headquartered in Victoria Barracks, Brisbane the district took over all remaining civil authority as well as local naval and air forces in Queensland on 1/1/99. Given the regional security role several battalions of local infantry were raised across the district to provide local defence. These forces operated on a one month active/one month inactive rotation. Due to infrastructure damage and increasing lawlessness the districts area of authority has been reduced to an area south east of a line from the town of St. George to the coast at Bundaberg with a small enclave around Rockhampton and Gladstone.
Subordination: Australian Theatre
Current Location: South East Queensland
Manpower: 10,000
Major Weapons: 6  Leopard 1

2nd Military District
A pre-war administrative command responsible for an area roughly aligned to the state of New South Wales. Headquartered in Victoria Barracks, Sydney the district took over all remaining civil authority as well as local naval and air forces in NSW on 1/1/99. The district’s area of authority has been reduced to the area east of the Newell Highway in central NSW. Several inland cantonments are under military authority but beyond these areas and the periodic fire sweeps most of NSW is on its own.
Subordination: Australian Theatre
Current Location: East NSW
Manpower: 45,000
Major Weapons: 0

3rd Military District
A pre-war administrative command responsible for an area roughly aligned to the state of Victoria. Headquartered in Victoria Barracks, Melbourne the district took over all remaining civil authority as well as local naval and air forces in Victoria on 1/1/99. The district controls virtually all of the state of Victoria, except for a few isolated areas.
Subordination: Australian Theatre
Current Location: Victoria
Manpower: 40,000
Major Weapons: 0

5th Military District
A pre-war administrative command responsible for an area roughly aligned to the state of Western Australia. Headquartered in Irwin Barracks, Perth the district took over all remaining civil authority as well as local naval and air forces in Western Australia on 1/1/99. The 5th Military District has been reduced to the area between Perth and Albany in the south-west corner of WA. Also some cantonments in the north centred on the Pilbara are under the control of a brigade from the 3rd Australian Division. The district is under heavy pressure from the wild lawless elements operating out of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and is maintaining its area of control through particularly harsh martial law.
Subordination: Northern Command
Current Location: South West Western Australia
Manpower: 6,000
Major Weapons: 0

6th Military District
A pre-war administrative command responsible for an area aligned to the state of Tasmania. Headquartered at Battery Point, Hobart the district took over all remaining civil authority as well as local naval and air forces in Tasmania on 1/1/99. However after this date the district ceased responding to central authority on the Australian mainland. The district controls most of Tasmania on a collective basis with local civilian authorities and is intent on ignoring the rest of the world, beyond the odd mainland, Japanese and French trading vessel.
Subordination: None
Current Location: Tasmania
Manpower: 5,000
Major Weapons: 0

SEPARATE BRIGADES AND REGIMENTS

1st Cavalry Brigade
The brigade headquarters was formed 17/10/95 at Puckapunyal, Vic and took under command pre-war reserve armoured regiments from NSW and newly formed units. The brigade was structured and trained as an armoured reconnaissance formation on a TO&E very similar to a US Army Armoured Cavalry Regiment. Fully equipped with modern vehicles the brigade deployed to the Middle East with Headquarters I Australian Corps to act as its heavy reconnaissance and screening force. While I Corps secured Saudi ports the brigade was attached to 1st Australian Armoured Division in Iran. The brigade entered combat against Soviet mechanised forces in support of Pegasus II offensive. 1st Cavalry Brigade operated as far north as Kabir Kuh in support of 1st Armoured Division’s drive on Dezful. In 1998 the brigade patrolled the Iraqi border with frequent cross border operations to disrupt Iraqi logistic support of Soviet forces. The brigade suffered heavy casualties in the July 1999 Soviet offensive and it was temporary cut off by advancing Iraqi divisions. However remaining a fighting force behind Iraqi lines contributed to their collapse and the depleted brigade was able to link up with the rest of I Corps. After rest and refit the brigade has taken on a ‘fire brigade’ mission to reinforce threatened areas of the Khuzestan Plain.
Subordination: I Australian Corps
Current Location: Khuzestan Plain, Iran
Manpower: 800
Major Weapons: 20  Waler-AGV

2nd Cavalry Brigade
The brigade was formed 26/1/96 at Robertson Barracks, Darwin, NT as Northern Command’s reconnaissance formation. The 2nd Cavalry was never brought up to full mechanised scales with half of its squadron’s relaying on motorised transport.
Subordination: Northern Command
Current Location: Darwin, NT
Manpower: 2,500, 1,000 cavalry
Major Weapons: 14  Waler-AGV

3rd Cavalry Brigade
The brigade was raised on 12/3/99 at Puckapunyal, Vic as a fully horse mounted formation.
Subordination: III Australian Corps
Current Location: Dubbo, NSW
Manpower: 2,000 cavalry
Major Weapons: 0

3rd Infantry Brigade (Airborne)
A pre war regular brigade headquartered at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Qld. The 3rd Brigade was kept at a high state of readiness as Australia’s strategic reserve until April 1996 when it was deployed in a lightning strike against Bougainville separatists in PNG. The brigade combined with local forces and carried out a successful strike on the separatists and was able to re-open the contested Pangua copper mine. The brigade returned to Townsville, Qld in early 1997 and resumed its role as a regional ready reaction force. In response to the Indonesian invasion of PNG the brigade launched a successful airborne assault on Wewak, PNG. From this base the brigade was able to disrupt Indonesian lines of communication through the successful counterattack by PNG forces and the 2nd and 4th Divisions. During the successful counter invasion of eastern Indonesia in early 1999, the brigade was responsible for capturing East Timor. The brigade launched its second airborne assault on the town of Biablo from where it interdicted East and West Timor. Local counterattacks from Indonesian security forces were defeated by the brigade linking up with local anti Indonesian forces. The brigade was withdrawn to Cairns, Qld in October 1999 and replaced in East Timor by units of the 2nd Division. The brigade now serves as a reserve force for II Australian Corps and is no longer accepting orders from Northern Command or Australian Theatre.
Subordination: II Australian Corps
Current Location: Cairns, Queensland
Manpower: 1,500
Major Weapons: 10  OH-58D

The Special Air Service Regiment
The regimental headquarters of the Australian SAS was deployed to the Middle East to take operational control over several special forces sub-units.
Subordination: I Australian Corps
Current Location: Dezful, Iran
Manpower: 350
Major Weapons: 0

1st Commando Regiment

Subordination: II Australian Corps
Current Location: Port Moresby, PNG
Manpower: 250
Major Weapons: 0

7th Commando Regiment

Subordination: Australian Theatre
Current Location: Sydney, NSW
Manpower: 400
Major Weapons: 0

The Tactical Assault Group (SAS)

Subordination: Australian Theatre
Current Location: Melbourne, Vic
Manpower: 200
Major Weapons: 0

The Tasmanian Defence Brigade

Subordination: 6th Military District
Current Location: Tasmania
Manpower: 2,500, 1,000 cavalry
Major Weapons: 0