HQ Fifth Australian Division (1942–1945)

The 5th Australian Division was formed in 1942 with headquarters based in Aitkenvale in Townsville, as it was believed that North Queensland was a prime site for invasion by Japanese forces.  In mid-1942, Major General Edward Milford was appointed commanding officer of the 5th Division under Lieutenant General James Durrant, the Commander in Chief Northern Command in Queensland. The anticipated invasion never eventuated and in August 1943, the 5th Division was deployed to the Salamaua campaign on the north coast of New Guinea and later in 1945, to the New Britain campaign.