Australian Imperial Force

Australian Imperial Force (AIF) (see also Anzac). Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer expeditionary forces sent overseas by Australia in two world wars. The Defence Act (1903) precluded service outside Australian territory on other than a voluntary basis, and in August 1914 the government announced the despatch of a force of 20, 000 men, a target met within a few weeks. A second division was raised soon after, and both served at Gallipoli during the Dardanelles campaign between April-December 1915. After evacuation to Egypt the AIF was greatly expanded and reorganized. Five infantry divisions went to the western front in March 1916 while mounted elements comprising two more divisions remained in the Middle East to fight the Turks. Over 331, 000 men served in its ranks, of whom 60, 000 were killed. It was officially disbanded on 1 April 1921. The 2nd AIF was raised with the outbreak of war in September 1939, by voluntary enlistment for overseas service. Three infantry divisions served in the Middle East and a fourth was captured at Singapore in February 1942. Thereafter the AIF in Europe was withdrawn to defend the homeland and fought in the Pacific until the Japanese capitulation. Its strength was 286, 000 in September 1945, and it was disbanded on 30 June 1947.

— Jeffrey Grey