7th Division
The 7th Division was an Australian Army infantry division that served in the Middle East and the South West Pacific during the Second World War.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The 7th Division was an infantry formation of the Australian Army, raised during the Second World War as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force. Authorized on 28 February 1940, it was the second division created for the 2nd AIF after the outbreak of war. Major General John Lavarack became its first commanding officer on 4 April 1940. The division was organized around three infantry brigades, although its composition changed several times during the early stages of its existence as brigades were transferred between Australian divisions and as formations completed their training. The division moved to the Middle East in late 1940, training in Palestine and Egypt before becoming involved in operations against Italian and Vichy French forces. Its 18th Brigade took part in the capture of Giarabub in Libya and later served in the defense of Tobruk during the siege of 1941. The remainder of the division formed a major part of the Allied campaign in Syria and Lebanon, advancing against Vichy French forces from June to July 1941. The fighting included operations around Merdjayoun, Jezzine, Damascus, Damour and Beirut. Two members of the division received the Victoria Cross during this campaign: Lieutenant Arthur Roden Cutler and Corporal Jim Gordon. Following Japan's entry into the war, the division returned toward Australia in early 1942. Some elements were diverted to Java and captured after the Allied surrender there, while the main body reached Australia in March. After training and defensive duties in Queensland, the division deployed to New Guinea in 1942. Its brigades played central roles in the Battle of Milne Bay, the Kokoda Track campaign and the Battle of Buna–Gona. Milne Bay was a particularly significant operation because the Allied victory there represented the first outright defeat of Japanese land forces during the war. The Kokoda fighting involved prolonged actions in difficult terrain, including Isurava, Templeton's Crossing, Efogi, Ioribaiwa and Oivi–Gorari. The division also suffered heavily at Buna–Gona. During 1943 and early 1944, the 7th Division conducted extensive operations in north-east New Guinea. After the Allied airborne landing at Nadzab, its troops advanced through the Markham and Ramu valleys and helped capture Lae. The division then fought in the Finisterre Range, including the Battle of Shaggy Ridge, where Australian forces attacked Japanese positions around Kankiryo Saddle and other strategically important features. These operations were constrained by difficult terrain and dependence on air supply. The division returned to Australia in stages in 1944 and undertook extensive retraining, including amphibious exercises, in preparation for further operations. In June 1945 it moved to Morotai and subsequently participated in Operation Oboe, the Allied campaign in Borneo. Its final major operation was the amphibious assault on Balikpapan in Dutch Borneo, which began on 1 July 1945. Brigades captured and secured key areas around Balikpapan, including airfields, high ground and approaches to the town, while continuing operations against Japanese resistance. The war ended before the division could undertake further planned operations. It was disbanded in 1946. The formation was sometimes called the “Silent Seventh,” reflecting a perception that its achievements received less public recognition than those of other Australian divisions. This reputation was associated in part with wartime censorship surrounding the division's role in the Syria–Lebanon campaign. The 7th Division was one of only three Australian divisions to serve in both the Middle East and the South West Pacific Area. Its wartime legacy is also represented by memorial activity, including a school built at Situm in 1964 through the Australian 7th Division AIF Association as a gesture of gratitude for local assistance in New Guinea.
History
The 7th Division was established as the second Australian Second Imperial Force division raised after the outbreak of the Second World War. Approval was granted in February 1940, and Major General John Lavarack was appointed its first commander in April. Its brigade structure changed during 1940 and 1941 as formations were exchanged with other Australian divisions and as units assembled in different theaters. The division trained in Australia and the Middle East before embarking for the Mediterranean area in October 1940. In North Africa and the Levant, the division undertook operations against Italian and Vichy French forces. The 18th Brigade participated in the capture of Giarabub and later joined the defense of Tobruk. Meanwhile, the 21st and 25th Brigades formed the principal Australian component of the Allied invasion of Syria and Lebanon in June and July 1941. The campaign involved advances along the coast and through the interior, battles around Merdjayoun and Jezzine, the capture of Damascus and the advance toward Beirut. After the armistice, the division performed garrison duties in the coastal zone and around Aleppo. Japan's rapid advance in the Pacific prompted the withdrawal of Australian formations from the Middle East. The 7th Division began returning to Australia in January 1942, although a group of its personnel was diverted to Java and subsequently captured. The main body reached Adelaide in March and then moved through New South Wales to Queensland for defensive duties and further training. In August, the 21st Brigade was sent to Port Moresby to reinforce Australian forces on the Kokoda Track, while the 18th Brigade deployed to Milne Bay. The Milne Bay force defeated a major Japanese landing attempt. Other divisional units fought through the Kokoda campaign and later at Buna–Gona, suffering substantial casualties in both areas. After returning to Australia in early 1943, the division was reorganized for jungle warfare, reducing its manpower by approximately 4,000 personnel. It returned to New Guinea later that year and advanced from the Nadzab area through the Markham and Ramu valleys toward Lae. The capture of Lae was followed by operations in the Finisterre Range. The division's brigades fought for positions around Kankiryo Saddle and Shaggy Ridge during a difficult campaign marked by steep terrain, strong Japanese defenses and demanding supply arrangements. The main Japanese positions were overcome by early 1944, after which the division gradually returned to Australia. In 1944 the formation undertook a lengthy period of preparation in Queensland, including amphibious training and large-scale exercises. It moved to Morotai in June 1945 for the final phase of its wartime service. On 1 July, it conducted the Allied landing at Balikpapan in Dutch Borneo. The 18th and 21st Brigades led the initial assault while the 25th Brigade remained in reserve before taking over parts of the captured area. The division secured Balikpapan and advanced against remaining Japanese positions, including areas near airfields and river crossings. The end of the war brought its operational history to a close, and the 7th Division was disbanded in 1946.
- 1946
Disbandment
[1]The 7th Division was disbanded after the conclusion of the Second World War.
- 1945
Balikpapan landing
[1]The division took part in the amphibious assault on Balikpapan in Dutch Borneo as part of Operation Oboe.
- 1943
Nadzab, Lae and the Ramu Valley
[1]Following the Allied landing at Nadzab, divisional forces advanced through the Markham and Ramu valleys and contributed to the capture of Lae.
- 1943
Battle of Shaggy Ridge
[1]The division conducted a sustained advance through the Finisterre Range against Japanese positions around Shaggy Ridge and Kankiryo Saddle.
- 1942
Return to Australia
[1]The division withdrew from the Middle East and reached Australia in March, although elements diverted to Java were captured.
- 1942
Milne Bay and Kokoda
[1]The division deployed to New Guinea and fought at Milne Bay, on the Kokoda Track and at Buna–Gona.
- 1941
Giarabub and Tobruk operations
[1]The 18th Brigade took part in the capture of Giarabub and later helped defend Tobruk during the siege.
- 1941
Syria–Lebanon campaign
[1]The division fought Vichy French forces in Syria and Lebanon, including actions around Damascus, Damour and Beirut.
- 1940
Division authorized and raised
[1]The Australian government approved the formation of the 7th Division on 28 February as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force. Its first commander, Major General John Lavarack, was appointed on 4 April.
- 1940
Deployment to the Middle East
[1]The division embarked for the Middle East in October after changes to its brigade composition and a period of collective training.
Products and positioning
A wartime Australian Army infantry division rather than a commercial brand. Its historical identity centered on expeditionary operations, combined-arms support, jungle warfare and amphibious operations across the Middle East, New Guinea and Borneo.
Marketing campaigns
- 1945Balikpapan
Borneo
As part of Operation Oboe, the division conducted an amphibious assault on Balikpapan, securing landing areas, high ground, an airfield and the town while advancing against Japanese defenses.
Outcome. The Allied force captured Balikpapan and surrounding objectives before Japan's surrender ended the campaign.
- 1943Markham and Ramu valleys
Papua New Guinea
After the Nadzab airborne operation, the division moved through the Markham and Ramu valleys toward Lae and the Finisterre Range.
Outcome. Lae fell on 16 September 1943, opening the way for subsequent operations into the Finisterre Range.
- 1943Battle of Shaggy Ridge
Papua New Guinea
The division attacked Japanese positions in the Finisterre Range, including Beveridge's Post, Trevor's Ridge, Pallier's Hill, Shaggy Ridge and Kankiryo Saddle.
Outcome. The main Japanese positions were captured by early 1944.
- 1942Milne Bay
Papua New Guinea
The 18th Brigade helped defend the strategically important airfield area at Milne Bay against a major Japanese assault, supported by Australian militia, air force personnel and United States engineers.
Outcome. The Allied defenders defeated the Japanese landing force, producing the first outright defeat of Japanese land forces in the war.
- 1942Kokoda Track
Papua New Guinea
The division reinforced Australian forces resisting the Japanese advance across the Owen Stanley Range. Fighting occurred around Kokoda, Isurava, Templeton's Crossing, Efogi, Ioribaiwa, Imita Ridge and later Oivi–Gorari.
Outcome. Australian forces halted and reversed the Japanese advance, although the campaign imposed severe casualties and logistical difficulties.
- 1942Buna–Gona
Papua New Guinea
The 21st Brigade returned to fight alongside United States forces in the assault on Japanese beachhead positions at Buna and Gona.
Outcome. The Allied forces captured the beachheads after costly fighting.
- 1941Giarabub and Tobruk
Libya · Egypt
The division's 18th Brigade captured the Italian-held position at Giarabub and later served in the defense of Tobruk during the siege.
Outcome. Giarabub was captured and the Tobruk garrison maintained its defense, although the division suffered significant casualties.
- 1941Syria–Lebanon campaign
Syria · Lebanon
The 7th Division formed the core of the Australian contribution to the Allied campaign against Vichy French forces. It advanced through coastal and inland axes, fought around Merdjayoun and Jezzine, entered Damascus and helped capture Beirut.
Outcome. An armistice ended the campaign in July 1941, after which the division undertook garrison duties.
Brand decisions
1943
Conversion to a jungle divisionStrategyBackground
Operations in New Guinea required formations adapted to tropical terrain and different logistical conditions.
Action taken
The division was converted to the Jungle Divisional establishment, reducing its manpower by approximately 4,000 personnel.
Aftermath
The reorganized formation conducted the New Guinea operations around Lae, the Ramu Valley and Shaggy Ridge.
1942
Redeployment from the Middle East to AustraliaStrategyBackground
The Japanese advance in the Pacific led Australia to recall formations serving in the Middle East. A British request to divert the division to Burma was declined by the Australian government.
Action taken
The division was transported back toward Australia, with some elements diverted to Java and the main body sent to Australia.
Aftermath
The division was reorganized for the defense of Australia and subsequently deployed to New Guinea.
Sources1 sources
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