2nd Motor Brigade (Australia)  The 2nd Motor Brigade was a formation of the Australian Army during the interwar years and World War II. Initially raised in 1921 as the 2nd Cavalry Brigade in New South Wales, it was a part-time formation of the Militia. It consisted of three light horse regiments spread across several depots across the Hunter Valley and northern part of the state. During World War II, the brigade was mobilised for defensive duties in December 1941, and assumed positions along the northern coast to defend against a possible invasion. In early 1942, the brigade was converted into a motorised formation, and was redesignated as the 2nd Motor Brigade. In April 1943, when the threat of invasion had passed, it was disbanded and its manpower reallocated. The brigade was established as a formation of the part-time Militia in 1921, with the designation of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade. Based in regional New South Wales, it was headquartered in West Maitland and consisted of three light horse regiments – the 12th, 15th and 16th. These units were based in depots in the Hunter Valley and the northern part of the state including Armidale, Casino and West Maitland, with troops being drawn from the areas that had previously been assigned to the disbanded 2nd and 3rd Light Horse Brigades. By 1938, the brigade had been reduced to two regiments: the 12th/24th and 15th. It formed part of the 1st Cavalry Division, which was headquartered in Sydney. During World War II, the brigade was mobilised for full-time service in December 1941 after Japan's entry into the war. At this time, the brigade's headquarters was located at Armidale, and in the event of an invasion was tasked with defending positions along the northern coast, and preventing an enemy force from advancing inland towards the Central Tablelands. The brigade's units were dispersed as follows: the 12th Light Horse Regiment at Armidale, the 15th Motor Regiment at Coffs Harbour, and the 24th Light Horse Regiment and 1st Machine Gun Regiment at Rutherford. This lasted until January 1942 when the brigade was re-oriented towards a flank defence role in support of the garrison covering Newcastle. This resulted in the headquarters moving to Gloucester while the 24th Light Horse moved firstly to Bulahdelah and then Stroud, with the 1st Machine Gun Regiment taking over positions around Dungog. It did not see any active service at this time and was converted into the 2nd Motor Brigade in March 1942, as part of an effort to motorise or mechanise Australia's mounted forces in the early war years.