1st Motor Brigade (Australia)

The 1st Motor Brigade was a formation of the Australian Army during the interwar years and the early part of World War II. Initially raised in 1921 as the 1st Cavalry Brigade in Queensland, it was a part time formation of the Militia. It consisted of three light horse regiments spread across several depots in the southeast part of the state. During World War II, the brigade was mobilized for defensive duties in December 1941, and assumed positions north of Brisbane to defend against a possible invasion. In early 1942, the brigade was converted into a motorized formation, and was redesignated as the 1st Motor Brigade. In July 1943, when the threat of invasion had passed, it was disbanded and its manpower reallocated to operational formations.