12th Battalion (Australia)

The 12th Battalion was raised for the First Australian Imperial Force during the First World War. The battalion was recruited from South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia and formed part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. It served throughout the war, firstly during the Gallipoli Campaign and then on the Western Front.

History
The battalion was raised within two weeks of the declaration of war and left Australia two months later. The battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December. The 3rd Brigade was the covering force for the Anzac landing on 25 April 1915, and went ashore at around 4.30 am. In August contributed two companies to the attack on Lone Pine. The battalion served at Gallipoli until the evacuation in December.

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt. In March 1916, it sailed to France and deployed to the Somme. The battalion's first major action in France was at Pozières in July 1916. Later the battalion fought at Ypres, in Belgium, before returning to the Somme in winter. In 1917, the battalion returned to Belgium to take part the Third Battle of Ypres.

In 1918, the battalion helped to stop the German spring offensive in March and April. The battalion subsequently participated in the greatest Allied offensive of 1918, launched near Amiens on 8 August 1918. The battalion continued operations to late September 1918.

The battalion returned to Australia in November for demobilisation and discharge.

Legacy
The current 12th/40th Battalion Royal Tasmania Regiment draws lineage from the 12th Battalion and wears the 12th Battalion's unit colour patch.