1st Machine Gun Battalion (Australia)

1st Machine Gun Battalion
Members of the 1st Machine Gun Company around Chuignolles, 23 August 1918
Active1918–1919
CountryAustralia
BranchAustralian Army
TypeInfantry
RoleDirect and indirect fire support
Size~ 900 personnel
Part of1st Division
EngagementsWorld War I
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Iven Mackay
Insignia
Unit colour patchA two toned rectangular organisational symbol

The 1st Machine Gun Battalion was an infantry support unit of the Australian Army that was raised for service during World War I as part of the all volunteer Australian Imperial Force. It was one of five such units raised as part of the AIF during the war. Formed in March 1918, the battalion consisted of four machine gun companies, which had previously existed as independent companies assigned mainly at brigade level. The battalion consisted of 64 medium machine guns, and took part in the final stages of the war, seeing action during the Allied defensive operations during the German spring offensive and then the Allied Hundred Days Offensive, which finally brought an end to the war. The battalion was disbanded in mid-1919 during the demobilisation of the AIF.