The history of the Australian Army Corps spans over a century, evolving through various conflicts, reorganizations, and changes in military structure. Below is a timeline of the development of the Australian Army Corps from 1899 to 2024, followed by an outline of their current online associations and resources.
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1. Early History (1899 - 1918)
- 1899 - Boer War: Australian colonial forces, composed of irregular mounted units, were deployed to fight in the Second Boer War. These forces were precursors to the modern Australian Army Corps.
- 1901 - Federation: Australia became a federation, and the colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. The Australian Army was officially established.
- 1914-1918 - World War I: The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) was formed, and various corps emerged during the war, notably:
- Australian Light Horse (cavalry)
- Australian Infantry
- Australian Engineers
- Australian Field Artillery
- Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC)
- Australian Army Service Corps (AASC)
The most famous Australian military operation of World War I was the Gallipoli Campaign (1915), where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) were involved.
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2. Interwar Period (1919 - 1939)
- After World War I, the AIF was disbanded, and the military reorganized into a militia-based system with citizen forces. New corps were formed to provide peacetime training and preparation.
- 1920: The Australian Military Forces (AMF) was restructured, and some corps were officially created, such as:
- Royal Australian Engineers (RAE)
- Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (RAAMC)
- Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC)
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3. World War II (1939 - 1945)
- The Australian Army expanded significantly, forming a new AIF for overseas service. Corps that played vital roles during this period include:
- Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC)
- Royal Australian Artillery (RAA)
- Australian Army Signal Corps (later Royal Australian Corps of Signals)
Australian forces fought in major theaters such as the Pacific, North Africa, and Europe.
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4. Post-War Era (1946 - 1970s)
- After World War II, Australia was involved in several post-war conflicts, including:
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Malayan Emergency (1948-1960)
- Vietnam War (1962-1973)
- The military underwent further reorganization, professionalization, and modernization. Corps such as the Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT) and Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) were formalized.
- 1952: The Australian Army Aviation Corps was established.
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5. Modern Period (1980s - 2024)
- 1999 - East Timor: The Australian Army played a major role in the UN peacekeeping mission in East Timor.
- 21st Century: The Australian Army has been involved in numerous peacekeeping missions, as well as active military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Pacific region.
- Current Corps (as of 2024): The modern Australian Army consists of several corps, including:
- Royal Australian Infantry Corps (RAInf)
- Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC)
- Royal Australian Engineers (RAE)
- Royal Australian Artillery (RAA)
- Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs)
- Australian Army Aviation Corps (AA Avn)
- Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC)
- Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT)
- Australian Army Intelligence Corps (AAIC)
- Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (RAAMC)
- Royal Australian Army Dental Corps (RAADC)
- Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME)
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6. Online Associations and Links (2024)
The Australian Army and its corps maintain a significant online presence for recruitment, historical information, veteran support, and public engagement. Here are some of the major links:
1. Official Australian Army Website:
- [Australian Army Official Website](https://www.army.gov.au)
- This is the central portal for information about the Australian Army, its units, recruitment, news, and more.
2. Australian Army Facebook Page:
- [Australian Army Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/7thBrigade/)
- Regular updates, engagement with the public, and news on Australian Army activities.
3. Royal Australian Infantry Corps (RAInf):
- [RAInf Corps](https://www.army.gov.au/our-people/units/royal-australian-infantry-corps)
- Dedicated page to the history, function, and operations of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.
4. Australian War Memorial:
- [Australian War Memorial](https://www.awm.gov.au)
- A comprehensive site with history on all conflicts involving Australia, including army units and their involvement.
5. Royal Australian Armoured Corps Association:
- [RAAC Association](https://australianarmouredcorpsassociation.com.au)
- Provides support and news to veterans of the RAAC and its historical background.
6. Royal Australian Engineers Association:
- [RAE Association](http://www.raefoundation.org.au)
- This is the association for current and former members of the Royal Australian Engineers.
7. Defence Jobs Australia (Recruitment):
- [Defence Jobs Australia](https://www.defencejobs.gov.au)
- The primary recruitment portal for all branches of the Australian Defence Force, including Army Corps positions.
8. Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs):
- [RA Sigs Association](http://www.rasigs.com)
- An organization that connects former and current signal corps members.
9. Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL):
- [RSL Australia](https://www.rslaustralia.org)
- Provides services and support to Australian veterans, including members of the Army Corps.
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Conclusion
The Australian Army Corps have undergone significant changes since their origins in the late 19th century. They have evolved through the experience of global conflicts, peacekeeping, and modernization, making significant contributions to Australia's military efforts. The Army's online presence reflects this rich history, offering resources for recruitment, veterans, and military history.