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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)Is your question not here? Email me, I will reply.
What is the difference between AIF CMF and AMF ?Before Federation each of the Australian colonies had their own armies composed of a mixture of Regular (paid full-time soldiers), Militia (paid part-time soldiers) and Volunteer (unpaid part-time soldiers) units. In March 1901, the Commonwealth Government assumed responsibility for defence matters and the colonial armies were merged to form the Commonwealth Military Forces. Throughout the next 47 years the Australian Military Forces (AMF), as they soon became known, remained a part-time force of citizen soldiers with only a small regular component. These forces were restricted by law to service on Australian territory, so a new force was needed, made up of men who had volunteered for overseas service. Two special volunteer forces, both known as the Australian Imperial Force, were formed for service overseas during the two world wars. The overarching military remained the AMF as it was a permanent structure. Both AIF were raised for the duration of the war. Citizens' Military Forces (CMF) units did, however, serve in Australian and Australian-mandated territory in the Pacific during the Second World War. After the Second World War, the Australian Military Forces were reorganised. The Australian Regular Army was formed in September 1947; this was to be supported by the reorganised Citizens' Military Forces. This is the structure that remains in place today, although the full-time component of the army is much larger than it was in 1947 and the part-time component has shrunk considerably and has been renamed the Army Reserve. It is only since 1980 that the Australian Army has been officially called by that name. 1939-1946: AMF- Australian Military ForcesMilitia or CMF- Citizens' Military Forces
Back to TopWhat is the difference between AIF Battalion and Australian Infantry Battalion ?Let's use the 42nd Battalion as an example. Just as each Battalion has A B C and D Companies so to can each Regiment or Expeditionary Force have a 42nd Battalion. The first AIF had about 60 Battalions of which the 42nd was but one. It was designated as 42nd Bn AIF. It ceased to exist in 1918. But a new version was raised as a Citizens Military Forces (CMF) unit. When the second AIF was raised many of the Battalions were re-raised and given the prefix 2 (or 2nd or Second). So it was that the Second 9th Battalion (2/9 Bn AIF) and lots of others came into being. That did not stop the CMF from having a 9th Battalion. Battalion numbers are often manipulated to maintain a link to a region for a particular Battalion number. For example when the 42nd became the 42nd Battalion Capricornia Regiment there is no suggestion that 43 other Battalions preceded it in that Regiment. The 42nd Battalion was NOT re-raised as an AIF unit. The structure of a Brigade had changed from 4 Battalions to 3 Battalions so 1 Battalion number went unused in each Brigade. There was, therefore, no (official) 2/42nd Battalion. The 42nd Battalion that we are dealing with here was the 42nd Battalion Capricornia Regiment during peace time. When it was mobilized for WWII service it was as a Militia (CMF) Battalion. Therefore it was allocated to a Militia Brigade (the 29th) and a Militia Division, the Third Australian Division (not the Third Division AIF). It was designated as the 42nd Australian Infantry Battalion (42 AIB). While some people referred to it as the Second 42nd (and still do) that was (and is) technically incorrect. Despite the name confusion and some ill-feeling about being called 'Chockos' the Militia units acquitted themselves with honour. None more so that 'our' 42nd. Note that in it's current form the 42nd is known as the 42nd Battalion Royal Queensland Regiment (42 RQR). Note that some Battalion numbers were 'joined' or 'linked' to make a new Militia Battalion to service the same region or area as the AIF Battalions had been raised in. For example the 57th Battalion and the 60th Battalion (AIF Battalions of WW1) were joined to create the 57/60th Battalion CMF. This does not indicate that that it is the 57th version of the 60th Battalion, merely that the two battalions have been joined. At the same time the 58th and 59th Battalion (AIF) numbers were linked to form the 58/59th Battalion CMF. It was a contrivance to keep Battalion numbers active, so as to not lose the historical links. At the end of the Vietnam war when the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) was reduced from 9 battalions to 6 the same technique was used. For a while we had 2/4 RAR, 5/7 RAR and 8/9 RAR. It is called "linking". Linked battalions can and have been "unlinked" both in WWII and since.
Was the 3rd Division the same as in WWI ?No. The Third Division in which the 42nd Bn served in the first war was an AIF Division made up of the 9th, 10th and 11th Brigades plus supports. The World War 1 AIF Divisions (1 through 5 inclusive) were not re-raised for World War II. The 2nd AIF comprised the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Divisions, AIF. The 3rd Division in which the 42nd Australian Infantry Battalion served was a Militia Division made up of the 7th, 15th and 29th Brigades plus supports.
Back to TopWhat was a "Chocko" ?"Chocko", short for Chocolate Soldier, was a derogatory name given to men and units of the Militia by men in the AIF. It was meant to indicate a 'pretty' soldier or a soldier from a 'pretty' unit that was all pomp and ceremony and no fighting ability. Soft and sweet and melts away when heat is applied. The soldiers in the AIF were volunteers and looked down on the militia as being conscripted. It was a much hated term and caused many fights and much heartache. It was also unfair. Many men in the Militia were volunteers. It was not possible to join the AIF until you were 18 and many men of 17 joined the Militia. Others were willing to fight to protect Australia but had chosen not to join the AIF to go to Egypt or Europe. Later they were allowed to transfer to the AIF (on paper) but they stayed with their Militia unit. Units in which 65% of men joined the AIF were allowed to be recognized as AIF Units (See below). Unfortunately, early in the New Guinea campaign one or two Militia units did not perform as well as hoped for. They were poorly trained, badly led in some cases and were badly outnumbered by an enemy that was experienced, battle hardened and used to winning. This led to a "I told you so" attitude amongst some AIF men. However as the war progressed the Militia units stood side by side with the AIF and did excellent work. One only has to remember the taunts and barbs of a similar nature leveled against the "eggs-a-cook" 3rd Division in WWI by the 4 'fighting' Divisions to see a similarity, both of insult and the eventual total repudiation of the slur.
Back to TopWhat was conscription ?Australian men and boys have been conscripted into the Army under four different schemes during its history. The Universal Service Scheme of 1911-1929 compelled all young men between 12 and 26 to undertake various periods of military training in a cadet or CMF unit. This scheme was abolished by the Labor government immediately following its election in October 1929. Compulsory military service was introduced with the coming of war in 1939. Early on it required only men of 21 years of age to complete three months of military training, but by mid-1942 all men between 18 and 35, and all single men between 35 and 45, were required to render military service. The scheme was suspended in 1945. A third compulsory military service scheme was implemented in 1951 and continued until 1957, with 18-year-old men being required to train initially with the Regular Army and then transfer to a CMF unit. The most recent, the fourth and most controversial compulsory service scheme was introduced in 1965. 19-year-old men were selected in a lottery according to their birth date and, unless they had previously joined the CMF, were required to serve full time in the Army for two years, which generally entailed a tour of duty in Vietnam. This system was abolished by the newly elected Labor government in December 1972. The right of the government to conscript men into the armed forces remains in force in law and is merely suspended.
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Can I wear someone else's medals ?You may wear the medals of a close relative BUT only on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day AND only on the right breast. The right to wear medals on the left breast is TOTALLY RESERVED for the person who earned them. Anything else is both illegal and an insult to the men and women who earned the medals. Back to TopWhen is ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day ?ANZAC Day is 25th April. Originally 1915 (the day of the dawn landings at Gallipoli) and observed ever since. Remembrance Day is 11th day of 11th month (11 November) to commemorate the signing of the Armistice at the end of WWI. Back to TopAerial Assassination of Admiral Yamamoto: April 18, 1943Among the routine decoded Japanese radio traffic was word that Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the architect of the Pearl Harbor attack, was conducting a one day inspection of bases in the Solomon islands. Included in the decrypts was the Admiral's complete schedule down to the minute. The information quickly moved up the chain of command and Nimitz ordered the P-38 Lightnings of the 339th fighter squadron to attempt an interception. Fitted with special drop tanks for the 600 mi (965 km) flight from Henderson field the P-38s arrived near the small island of Bougainville right on schedule. After a minute or so the enemy planes were spotted and the attack began with most of the Lightnings climbing to give cover and engage the Zeros flying escort. Four planes closed on the first Betty bomber carrying the Admiral and after two broke off the remaining pair pursued the bomber down to the jungle and in a confused affair riddled the bomber with bullets until it crashed. The second Betty with Yamamoto's chief of staff, Vice Admiral Matome Ugaki, was shot down as well.
Back to TopDetails from AWM, RSL and other sources.
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