2/10th Armoured Regiment (Australia)

The 2/10th Armoured Regiment was formed in Western Australia[1] in July 1941 as part of the 2nd Armoured Brigade of the 1st Armoured Division.[2][3] Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel K.A Hall,[4] the regiment conducted its initial training at Puckapunyal, Victoria, prior to being equipped with M3 Stuart and M3 Grant tanks. In mid-1942, the 2/10th Armoured was relocated to near Narrabri, New South Wales, where the division conducted large-scale exercises.[5] In November 1942, following the reorganisation of the 1st Armoured Division,[3] the regiment was transferred to the 1st Armoured Brigade to replace the 2/6th Armoured Regiment when that regiment deployed to New Guinea.[6]

By January 1943, manpower shortages in the Australian Army and the changing strategic situation facing the Allies in the Pacific meant that large armoured formations were no longer required. As a result, the decision was made to reduce the size of the 1st Armoured Division. At this time, as part of the 1st Armoured Brigade, the 2/10th Armoured Regiment was relocated to Western Australia to undertake garrison duties.[3] When the 1st Armoured Division was disbanded in September 1943[7] the regiment survived as part of the independent 1st Armoured Brigade Group.[8] The 2/10th Armoured Regiment was disbanded in September 1944 along with the headquarters of the Brigade Group,[3] and its personnel were reallocated to other units.[9][10]

The following is a list of officers that commanded the 2/10th Armoured Regiment:

• Lieutenant Colonel K.A Hall (July 1941 – April 1942);
• Lieutenant Colonel R.E Wade (April 1942 – December 1943);
• Lieutenant Colonel G.H Hardy (December 1943 – February 1944);
• Major H.S Foley (February – April 1944);
• Lieutenant Colonel J.F.P Burt (April 1944 – September 1944).[4]