| 12th Australian Armoured Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Colour Patch of the 12th Armoured Regiment | |
| Active | 1942–1943 |
| Disbanded | 13 February 1943 |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Australian Armoured Corps |
| Type | Armoured Regiment |
| Role | Armoured |
| Size | Regiment |
| Part of | 6th Armoured Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Adelaide |
| Equipment | M3 Medium Grant |
The12th Armoured Regiment was an armoured regiment of theAustralian Army, which served duringWorld War II. The regiment was formed in May 1942 as part of the6th Australian Armoured Brigade. It was originally aCitizens Military Force unit which was converted from the 18th Motor Regiment, formerly the 18th Machine Gun Regiment and previously the18th Light Horse Regiment (Adelaide Lancers).
The 12th Armoured Regiment was formed from the18th Motor Regiment and was transferred from theAustralian Light Horse to theAustralian Armoured Corps on 8 May 1942.[1][2] The regiment, along with the13th and14th Armoured Regiments,9th Motor Regiment and 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, was allocated to the newly-raised6th Armoured Brigade, itself part of the newly-converted2nd Armoured Division. The 12th Armoured Regiment was initially based inAdelaide.[3]
In July 1942, the regiment moved to Puckapunyal with the rest of the 6th Armoured Brigade. At the Armoured Fighting Vehicles School the regiment conducted Officer and Senior NCO leadership and tactics course, prior to conducting specialised training in driving and maintenance, gunnery and wireless for each squadron. The regiment trained onM3 Grant medium tanks andM3 Stuart light tanks, with support elements equipped with a range of carriers, trucks and weapons. Upon completion of elementary training, the regiment conducted squadron and regimental exercises in the Seymour district. At the completion of these manoeuvres the 12th Armoured Regiment, and the 6th Armoured Brigade in general, was at a high standard of training and was well equipped at close to war establishment.[3] The unit achievedAIF status, with at least 65% of its members volunteering for overseas service.[2]
However, by December 1942 the strategic threat to Australia had lessened as the Japanese advance had been halted following the battles of theCoral Sea andGuadalcanal, and theKokoda Track campaign. Consequently, it was assessed that the large numbers of armoured units created for the defence of Australia were no longer required, and the 2nd Armoured Division was ordered to disband. While elements of the 6th Armoured Brigade were reallocated to other divisions, the 12th Armoured Regiment was disbanded on 13 February 1943.[1]