Second Australian Imperial Force

Second Australian Imperial Force
Members of the 9th Division parade at Gaza Airport in late 1942
Active	1939–1947
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Role	Expeditionary warfare
Size	307,000
Nickname(s)	2nd AIF
Engagements	World War II Middle East North African Campaign Greece and Crete Campaigns Syria–Lebanon Campaign Pacific Malaya Campaign Dutch East Indies New Guinea Campaign Borneo Campaign
Commanders
Notable commanders	Sir Thomas Blamey

The Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF, or Second AIF) was the volunteer expeditionary force of the Australian Army in the Second World War. It was formed following the declaration of war on Nazi Germany, with an initial strength of one infantry division and related auxiliary components. After considerable expansion of this force, three divisions were sent to the Middle East and North Africa, while the 8th Division was sent to garrison British Malaya and Singapore.

Under the Defence Act 1903, neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force (PMF) could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to do so. The Second AIF fought against Nazi Germany, Italy, Vichy France and Japan. After the war, Australia's wartime military structures were demobilised and the 2nd AIF was disbanded, although a small cadre of its personnel became part of the Interim Army that was established in 1947, and from which the Australian Regular Army was formed in 1948.