List of British Commonwealth divisions in the Second World War facts for kids
During World War II (1939-1945), many countries fought together as part of the British Empire. This included Britain itself, along with nations like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, plus many colonies. To fight effectively, armies are organized into large groups called divisions. A division is a big military unit, usually made up of around 10,000 to 20,000 soldiers, with different types of troops like infantry (foot soldiers), artillery (big guns), and sometimes tanks.
The British Empire's army divisions were quite flexible. They often changed their makeup, with soldiers and units moving between different divisions. This meant that a division might include troops from various parts of the Empire, not just one specific country. This list shows some of the important army divisions that served the British Empire during the war.
Contents
Australian Army Divisions
Australia played a big part in the war, sending many soldiers to fight in different parts of the world. Their divisions were mostly infantry, meaning they were made up of foot soldiers. They also had armoured divisions, which used tanks.
- 1st Australian Infantry
- 2nd Australian Infantry
- 3rd Australian Infantry
- 4th Australian Infantry
- 5th Australian Infantry
- 6th Australian Infantry
- 7th Australian Infantry
- 8th Australian Infantry
- 9th Australian Infantry
- 10th Australian Infantry
- 11th Australian Infantry
- 12th Australian Infantry "Northern Territory Force"
- 1st Australian Armoured
- 2nd Australian Armoured
- 3rd Australian Armoured
Canadian Army Divisions
Canada's soldiers were known for their bravery and played key roles in major battles, especially in Europe. Some Canadian infantry divisions later changed into armoured divisions, meaning they started using tanks more.
- 1st Canadian Infantry
- 2nd Canadian Infantry
- 3rd Canadian Infantry
- 3rd Canadian Infantry (CAOF)
- 4th Canadian Infantry later 4th Canadian Armoured
- 5th Canadian Infantry later 5th Canadian Armoured
- 6th Canadian Infantry
- 6th Canadian Infantry (CAPF)
- 7th Canadian Infantry
- 8th Canadian Infantry
- Veterans Guard
- 4th Canadian Armoured (formed from the 4th Canadian Infantry)
- 5th Canadian Armoured (formed from the 5th Canadian Infantry)
New Zealand Army Divisions
New Zealand also sent strong divisions to fight alongside other British Empire forces, particularly in North Africa and Italy.
- 1st New Zealand Infantry
- 2nd New Zealand Infantry
- 3rd New Zealand Infantry
- 4th New Zealand Infantry
- 5th New Zealand Infantry
South African Army Divisions
South Africa's divisions fought in North Africa and Italy. One of their infantry divisions later became an armoured division, showing how armies adapted during the war.
- 1st Mounted Command
- 1st South African Infantry later 6th South African Armoured
- 2nd South African Infantry
- 3rd South African Infantry
- 6th South African Armoured
See also
- List of British divisions in World War II
- List of Indian divisions in World War II
- List of British Empire brigades of the Second World War
- List of British Empire corps of the Second World War
- Military history of the British Commonwealth in the Second World War
