Second Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the volunteer expeditionary force of the Australian Army in the Second World War. It was formed following the declaration of war on Nazi Germany, with an initial strength of one infantry division and related auxiliary components. After considerable expansion of this force, three divisions were sent to the Middle East and North Africa, while the 8th Division was sent to garrison British Malaya and Singapore.
Members of the 9th Division parade at Gaza Airport in late 1942
A Second AIF recruiting poster
1st Armoured Division M3 Grant tanks in June 1942
Infantrymen from the 6th Division at Tobruk, January 1941
Expeditionary warfare is a military invasion of a foreign territory, especially away from established bases. Expeditionary forces were in part the antecedent of the modern concept of rapid deployment forces. Traditionally, expeditionary forces were essentially self-sustaining with an organic logistics capability and with a full array of supporting arms.
Alexander the Great fighting in India
Empire of Alexander the Great
"Yermak's conquest of Siberia", a painting by Russian artist Vasily Surikov depicting the Russian conquest of Siberia.
A squadron of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force off New Britain in September 1914