| Defenders
of Australia: The Third Australian Division 1916-1991 by Albert Palazzo |
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From the nation's founding
in 1901, the primary means of Australia's defence has been its citizen
soldier. In times of peace and war, the Australian Army and the nation
have benefited from a long tradition of service by citizens who temporarily
gave up ordinary roles in the community to defend their country. While
the greatest need was during the dark days of the two world wars,
even in periods of peace Australians have come forward to serve the
nation and prepare for its defence. Of the Australian Army's citizen soldier formations, the longest serving was thet 3rd Division. It was raised in 1916 and fought with distinction in the trenches of the Western Front in World War I. Between the two World Wars the 3rd Division remained alert to the growing danger of Germany and Japan, and its members prepared to face the coming threat. When World War II began the Division again came forward, first to help form the 2nd Australian Imperial Force, and later to turn back the Japanese threat from the north. Throughout the Cold War the 3rd Division again awaited the government's summons, a call which fortunately never came. In 1991, after 75 years of service, the 3rd Division was disbanded. With its passing, a great and distinguished formation of the Australian Army came to an end. Yet while the 3rd Division is no longer a part of the Army, its memory, traditions and battle honours live on, and the spirit of the citizen soldier continues to shape the future of Australian defence. |
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