A very different post WWII Australian Defence Force

[Volkodav]

I intend to expand more on this as I have many ideas, but I will kick it off with three major changes from reality.

Instead of forming a full-time Regular Army in the post-WWII era, Australia retains its citizen army structure, but with an enhanced regular cadre, including specialist units, supporting it. The greatest single change is that the RAR is never raised as a regular force; rather, several integrated units are formed to provide a regular core for light infantry, armoured infantry, airborne and marine brigades and a special forces Sqn.

While continuing with the acquisition of carriers, Australia plans to operate them as part of cruiser squadrons rather than as the centre of ASW escort groups. This leads to a structure of one carrier, one cruiser, one large destroyer and two fast ASW escorts per Sqn.

The RAAF, like the Army, becomes very reliant on reserves, with the majority of squadrons being predominantly reserve or integrated reserve and regular units.

 

[Rule of cool]

Would the occupation of Japan, 1 then 2 infantry battalions to Korea and 15-year commitment of an infantry battalion to Malaya be undertaken with Reservists? Would the RAAF and RAN contributions to Korea and the Malayan Emergency be undertaken with Reservists?

 

[Volkodav]

The regular army wasn't formed until 1947, and the RAR not until 1948. Australia could have quite easily maintained activated militia units for these missions and continued to stand up units as required.

 

[Rule of cool]

The Darwin Mobile Force was formed from the Permanent Military Forces in 1938 and lasted until the 2AIF was formed, so the germ of the Regulars existed a decade before the RA was formed. It would be difficult to snuff out the idea, although I imagine it be possible and practical to slow the growth of the RA for some time.

In the end however I think a long, active service army would be required. Perhaps a conscript army with a 2 year term would replace the CMF as the main force.

 

[Volkodav]

The Darwin Mobile Force was formed from the Permanent Military Forces in 1938 and lasted until the 2AIF was formed, so the germ of the Regulars existed a decade before the RA was formed. It would be difficult to snuff out the idea, although I imagine it be possible and practical to slow the growth of the RA for some time.

In the end however I think a long, active service army would be required. Perhaps a conscript army with a 2 year term would replace the CMF as the main force.

Well I did start with the suggestion of an expanded regular cadre. And thank you, I hadn't heard of the Darwin Mobile Force.

I was aware of the permanent force artillery and engineers, as well as the Staff Corps.

The regular infantry won't like me saying this, but they aren't that special when compared to adequately funded and equipped reserve infantry units. Same with armour, in particular if provided with adequate support to maintain their vehicles.

When I was a reservist I had a much higher opinion of the regs than I do now. Having worked with them closely as a civilian specialist, I found I had greatly overrated them in the past. Some individuals were exceptional, but many weren't half as good as they thought they were. I often found myself in the situation of being surprised at what they didn't know and couldn't do, that had been business as usual for a number of reserve units I worked with.

Before anyone jumps down my throat, I should mention a large number of reservists i worked with went full-time for a number of years for operations and even deployed. Someone who does something part-time for many years as a volunteer can do very well if they switch to full-time, especially in comparison to a full timer who has only been in for a year or two.

 

[Rule of cool]

I've often wondered where the troops came from to provide the extra men for the two RAR btns that went Pentropic in 1960. These days I think they came from the Regulars freed up by the end of 50s CMF conscription, but that's only a guess.

I recently read that 9 infantry btns was about the limit of the infantry force that could be trained for the 2-year conscription period.

I also read the reason we went with the 2 CMF divisions is because we couldn't afford a large standing Army.

I don't know how you fit that, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Perhaps you could transition from 2 CMF divisions to 1 active and 2 reserve divisions using a 2-year active conscription term somewhere around 1957-60.