Whose Name We Share

25 Across the seas in Europe, however, whilst the celebrations and enjoyments of this beautifully organised debutante ball went on in Australia, Nazi Germany would be in full swing. Founded on the 30 th January 1933, Germany would be clawing its way out of The Great Depression on the foundations of the Nazi Party. The hatreds sown in the hearts of many during the Great War would come to a head and in September of 1939 the Germans would invade Poland, starting World War II. “ ‘In consequence of a persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her, and that, as a result, Australia is also at war” – Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies. The Battery’s good life in the CMF would draw to a close in early 1941 as the 3 rd Field Brigade would yet again be reorganised, this time into a Regimental structure. The new structure, adopted in late 1940, would cut down to Regiments consisting of 2 batteries of 4.5-Inch guns and the now disbanded 103 rd Battery would make up ‘D’ Troop in the 7 th and 8 th Field Batteries. They retained their Howitzers until 1942 until a newly raised 9 th Field Battery needed the equipment. Australia entered the war on the 3 rd September 1939 and it can be reasonably assumed that as a CMF unit, the 103 rd Battery’s participation consisted of home defence between 1939 and 1940. Upon its disbandment in 1941, however, the now ex- members of the 103 rd Battery would see out their service with the 3 rd Field Regiment. Once more, unto the breech.

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE4NTMz