The Newcastle Covering Force was an Australian militia force responsible for protecting the strategically important Newcastle region in New South Wales and its approaches during World War II. Established on 8 April 1941, the formation's composition changed over the course of its existence, starting from a single infantry battalion support by a machine-gun unit and swelling to roughly brigade-size, with a brigade headquarters and three battalions – two infantry and one garrison – supported initially by a machine gun battalion that was later converted to a motor regiment. The unit was responsible for defending the important port and air bases in and around the town, part of Fortress Newcastle, against a feared Japanese invasion.^[1] Newcastle Covering Force was converted on 15 April 1942 to the 10th Division, a regular Australian Army unit, following a complete re-organisation of the higher command structures of the Australian Army.^[2]

Units

The following units were force assigned to the Newcastle Covering Force:^[3]

• 8th Garrison Battalion (11 December 1941 – 2 February 1942)
• 16th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment (2 September 1941 – 14 March 1942)
• HQ 32nd Infantry Brigade (2 February – 15 April 1942)
  • 8th Garrison Battalion
  • 33rd Infantry Battalion
  • 4th Infantry Battalion
• 16th Motor Regiment (14 March 1942 – 29 March 1942)

Commanding Officer

• Major General John Murray^[4]