Description
Physical description
A pair of shoulder patches to 3 Australian Infantry Division, being a horizontally oriented white oval with a broad black outer border. The badge has a grey backing cut flush with the black oval.
History note
This badge was theoretically worn between 1940 – 1945, but from 1942 it would have been worn only by prisoners of war. (See history below).
.
The signs of the first five CMF (Citizen Military Force), or Militia, Infantry Divisions were replicated by those of the first five all-volunteer 2nd AIF (Australian Imperial Force) Infantry Divisions, but with the AIF formations having a grey outer border. The overall sizes of the badges were the same, which meant that the inner motif was smaller on AIF badges. In this case, the white on black oval motif of the 3rd Infantry Division CMF (Glyde 420) is reflected by the same motif worn by the 8th Infantry Division, the third AIF infantry division to be raised.
.
The grey backing indicates that this badge once had the grey border associated with AIF units, hence the identification of HQ 8th rather than 3rd Division. The fact that the border has been cut off flush with the central motif could denote a change of status to CMF, either for the unit or an individual wearer. (For an account of the complex subject of the grey border, including circumstances where the border had to be removed, see Glyde, pp. 226 – 228.)
Formation / unit history.
.
The 8th Division AIF was authorised on May 22 1940 and Divisional HQ was formed on 4 July 1940 in Sydney. There were numerous changes in subordinate formations and units in the early stages, partly as a result of the priority need to complete the 9th Division, forming in the Middle East. The first deployment for 8th Division was the 22nd Brigade Group with a detachment of Divisional HQ to Malaya in February 1941. The 27th Brigade Group and the balance of Divisional HQ followed in August 1941. The third Brigade, 23rd, was retained in Australia as part of Northern Territories Force. The Division fought, but with its Brigades separated, in Johore during the Japanese attack in December 1941. The 2/30th Battalion of 27th Brigade executed a highly successful ambush on advancing Japanese forces on 14th January 1942 but the Allied defenders were forced to retreat to Singapore Island, leaving the mainland on 31 January. In the subsequent defence of the Island 8th Division, with the inexperienced 44th Indian Infantry Brigade under command, was given the vulnerable causeway and north-west sector. By this time, the Division's effectiveness had been diluted by losses and the arrival of some 2,000 barely trained and newly arrived recruits. The Japanese attacked on 8 February, their main effort falling on the 22nd Brigade sector. Despite early heavy losses, the Japanese were able to secure landings and exploit inland. Allied retreat to the interior of the Island was followed by the surrender of the garrison, including the bulk of the 8th Australian Division, on 15 February 1942. Neither the Division nor the two lost Brigades were reformed.