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Possum -> (1/17/2001 8:59:00 AM)
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Here is a paste of my previous e-mail if you had missed it, Wild Bill
Hello Wild Bill
Sorry for the delay in response, but I only have internet access through my work
computer!
I have been trying to find more about the NZ division.
What i have found so far.
Dec 1940 Last components for the 2nd NZ division arrive in Egypt.
Dec 40 to April 41, in training, Egypt.
April 41, deployed to greece.
April 41, delay v/s XVII Korps
April 41, Evacuated to Crete
May 41, Malmo, Defend v/s 1 FJ Div + 5th MTN Div
Jun 41 - Oct 41, Rebuiling, in Egypt
Nov 18 -1941, operation "Crusader" Commences
Nov 21, Advance to Sidi Azeir, v/s XV Pz Div
Nov 23, Advance to Hill 175, v/s XV Pz Div
Nov 27/28, Advance to Tobruk perimiter, v/s Italians
Dec 1, Delay at Belhamed, v/s XV Pz & XXI Pz Divs
Jan 1942 - Jun 1942 garrison duty in Syria
August 1942 returns to Egypt
At this time the 8th (UK)Armored Brigade replaces the 4th (NZ) Infantry Brigade.
the 4th (NZ) Brigade is reformed into an Armored Brigade of 3 regiments ( the 3
former inf Bns.)
31st August, Defend at Alam el Halfa (1st El Alamein, v/s 90th Light Div
Oct 23 to 26, 1942, operation "Lightfoot" (2nd El Alamein), assault v/s XV Pz Div
Nov 2, operation " Supercharge", pursute of DAK initiated.
Dec 16, 1942, Div is used to flank the El Agheila Line.
Jan 15, 1943, Div is used to flank the Buerat Line.
Mar 6-1943 operation "Capri" A giant, Div size ambush of the 21st PZ & 164th
Light Divisions is initiated. NZ losses are 1 Sherman and 130 men. German losses
are 52 tanks and 640 men.
Mar 26, 1943, Opperation "Pugilist", advance at El Hamma, v/s 21st Pz & 164th
Light Divs
April 19, 1943, Advance to Takrouna, Tunisia.
May 1943 - Dec 1943. Conversion of 5th Brigade into a Mech. Brigade, 4th
Brigade rejoins Div. ( Div now has 2 Arm Brig., 1 Mech, and 1 Mot brig.)
Jan 1944, Arrive in italy, aqquire an unknown 5th Brigade. ( a Ghurka Brigade?)
Feb 13-14, 1944, 2nd Casino, Assault v/s 1 FJ
March 15 to 23, 1944, Casino, Assault v/s 1 FJ
sept 29, 1944, Fiumico River, Battle for Rout 9, River crossing v/s germans.
April 9, 1945, Santerno river at Massa Lomb, River crossing v/s 98th and 362nd
Divs.
References
The History of World War II, Orbis. 1984
pp 344, 363, 379, 390, 395, 565, 613, 622, 623, 788, 868, 875, 926, 928, 1082,
1085, 1086, 1395, 1399, 1401, 2125, 2127, 2139.
Purnell's history of the world wars, special, "The desert War"
Web Sites
HTTP//pages.chome.net/dryan/orders/nz.html
HTTP//www.kithobbyist.com/AMPSNewZealand/KiwisInArmor
HTTP//www.regiments.org/tfm
the three above where probably the best of a bad bunch, I spent most of my
work day today brousing the web, looking for some good references, but allas I
could find none.
I hope the above information will help.
PS for BruceAZ, I couldn't find any maps either, sorry.
PPS Belated Happy birthday Bill!!
I haven't come across much more unfortunately
BTW, I live in Adelaide, South Australia.
I got interested in the New Zealanders , after doing some checking out of the Australians in the desert. The new Zealand division, because it spent the entire war in the mediterranian front seemed a better choice for doing a combine arms force campaign; As the Australian armored force never saw any prolonged campaigning.
Also there is somthing appealing, I thing in following the adventures of an infantry division as it transforms itself into an ad hock Armored Corps.
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