– 351 –

Index

• Achilles, HMS—

  • Battle of River Plate, 61.

  • Defence of NZ, 88.

  • Escort of—

    • 3rd Echelon, 173 et seq.

    • Forestry units, 217–19.

  • Under Admiralty Orders, 17.

• Africa, East—

  • Air attack from, risk of, 101, 104.

  • Infantry brigade groups to be raised, 71.

• Africa, West, infantry brigade groups to be raised, 71.

• Africa, South. See South Africa.

• Alanbrooke, Field-Marshal Viscount, Chief of Imperial General Staff, 26.

• Alexander, Rt. Hon. A. V., First Lord of the Admiralty, 304.

• Aliakmon line (see also Greece, Campaign in)—

  • Concentration of 2nd NZ Division on, 250.

  • Wilson organises, 248, 251.

  • Wilson's report on, 260.

• Allen, Col Sir S., 23, 26, 30, 118.

• Anti-aircraft defences, manned in NZ, 8.

• Anzac Corps, 263, 272, 273, 287, 315.

• Armed merchant cruisers, provision of, by New Zealand, 18, 20.

• Armoured Brigade, formation of, 190, 197.

• Army Council—

  • Equipment of 2nd NZEF, 37–8.

  • Provision by NZ of—

    • Railway, Forestry, and Army Troops units, 215–16.

    • Survey Battery, 227–8.

• Army Troop units. See NZ Engineers—Army Troops Companies.

• Australia, Japanese attack on, possibility of, May 1940, 102.

• Australia, Commonwealth Government—

  • Australia, despatch of forces from, 42, 43, 46–50.

  • Crete, reinforcement of, Nov 1940, 193–4.

  • Defence policy, exchange of views with NZ, 46, 338–40.

  • Diversion of 6th Aust Division to UK, 95–6, 98–9, 104–5, 109–10.

  • 1st Echelon, informed of despatch of, 44–5, 48.

  • 2nd Echelon, postponement of embarkation suggested, 91, 92.

  • Greece—

    • Asks UK to assist forces in, 272–3.

    • Concurs in despatch of troops to, 241, 243.

  • Japan, attitude of, views on, 43.

  • Malaya, reinforcement of, 71, 159–60.

  • Proposes diversion of AIF to India or South Africa, 109–11.

  • Special Division, despatch of overseas, 42–50.

• Australia, HMAS, escort of 2nd Echelon, 85 et seq.

  – 352 –

• 6th Australian Division—

  • Anzac Corps, co-operation with 2nd NZ Division, 263, 272.

  • Arrival at Helwan, Aug 1940, 69.

  • Concentration of, 70–1, 96, 102.

  • Despatch of units to Middle East from UK, 70–1, 146, 147, 151–5, 164.

  • Diversion to UK, 94–9, 104–5, 107.

  • Embarkation of third convoy, 92, 98.

  • Employment in Western Desert, 189.

  • 1940 Libyan Campaign, role in, 81–2.

• Australian Imperial Force—

  • Crete, employment in, 285, 287, 299, 301, 310, 311, 312, 321.

  • Curtin opposes despatch overseas, 48–9.

  • Greece, despatch to, 241, 243.

  • Middle East, concentration in, 70–1, 96, 105, 109, 164, 165.

  • Palestine, in reserve in, 164.

• Australia, Prime Ministers of, 42.

• Badoglio, Marshal P., reluctant to fight UK, 10.

• Baggush. See Maaten Baggush.

• Bagnold, Brig R. A., Long Range Desert Group, 232–6.

• Baillie-Grohman, Vice-Admiral H. T., commanding officer Ramillies, 61, 268.

• Balbo, Marshal I., reluctant to fight UK, 10.

• Balkans—

  • Appreciation by Freyberg on situation, 192.

  • 1940 Libyan campaign, effects of, 80.

  • Situation in, appreciations, 101, 192, 241, 266.

• Barrowclough, Maj-Gen H. E., 115, 131, 134, 140, 142, 146, 280.

• Bartholomew, Gen Sir W., 197.

• Batterbee, Sir H. F., High Commissioner for United Kingdom in New Zealand, 17, 51, 195–6, 228–31.

• Beamish, Air Commodore G. R., 303.

• Berendsen, Sir C., 24, 50, 329–31.

• Blamey, Gen Sir T. A.—

  • Anzac Corps, 263, 287.

  • Crete—

    • Evacuation of, 312, 330.

    • Reinforcement of, Nov 1940, 194.

  • Greece, reports on operations, 272–4, 277.

  • Middle East, regrouping of forces in, 187.

• Blunt, Col J. S., British Military Attaché, Greece, 298.

• British Expeditionary Force (see also United Kingdom Military Forces)—

  • Despatch to France, 18, 156–7.

  • Interchange of officers with Dominion forces, 62–3.

  • Re-equipment after Dunkirk, 117, 156–7, 236.

• Bulgaria (see also Outbreak of War—Bulgaria)—

  • British and US interests, protection in, 15.

  • Greek attitude to war with, 16.

  • Turkey's attitude to war with, 16.

  • Yugoslavia's attitude to war with, 16.

• Burma, employment of 2nd NZEF in, 19, 21.

• Burnham military camp, mobilisation of 1st Echelon, 35.

  – 353 –

• Cairo—

  • 1st Echelon garrisons, 118.

  • Fifth Column activities, 64, 65, 66.

  • 2nd NZEF responsible for security, 64.

• Canberra, HMAS, escort of—

  • 1st Echelon, 56, 61.

  • 2nd Echelon, 84 et seq.

  • 3rd Echelon, 167, 174 et seq.

• Casey, Rt. Hon. R. G.—

  • Australian Minister to USA, 14.

  • Despatch of AIF overseas, 47, 48, 49, 50.

• Cassels, Gen Sir R. A., C-in-C, India, 160.

• Casualties—

  • Crete, 305–6, 313, 322.

  • Greece, 280–1, 322.

• Chamberlain, Rt. Hon. A. N.—

  • Prime Minister of UK, 3.

  • Speech in Commons, 2 Sep 1939, on invasion of Poland, 3.

• Chiefs of Imperial General Staff, 26.

• Chifley, Rt. Hon. J. B., Prime Minister of Australia, 42.

• Churchill, Rt. Hon. W.—

  • Congratulates Freyberg on Crete command, 288.

  • Crete, defence of, 291–2, 305, 307.

  • 2nd Echelon in UK, employment of, 78, 181.

  • Egypt, defence of, 142–3.

  • Escort for 1st Echelon, 52, 60–1.

  • Freyberg, views on appointment as GOC 2nd NZEF, 30–1.

  • Greece, views on strategic situation, 252–3, 274, 279.

  • Greek campaign, statement in Commons, 279.

  • Middle East, views on strategic situation, 265–7.

  • NZ's assistance, appreciation of, 56, 175.

  • Prime Minister of UK, 3.

• Civil aviation—

  • Civil aircraft and aerodromes requisitioned, 8.

  • Resources, use of, 19, 22.

  • Restrictions, 8.

• Clifton, Brig G. H., 45–6.

• Coast defences, manned in NZ, 2, 8.

• Commando (‘Layforce’), role in Crete, 301, 308, 309, 311.

• Conference, Five Power, proposal by Italy, 3.

• Corps units, provision of, 36, 37.

• Crete—

  • Defence of—

    • British responsibility, 193, 268, 277, 285–9.

    • Churchill's views on, 291–2, 305.

  • Evacuation of troops from Greece to, 268, 276, 277, 280–1, 291, 323.

  • Freyberg appointed to command garrison, 280, 282, 285, 287, 294, 321, 326.

  • German threat to, 277.

  • Relief of Greek garrison by Aust and NZ troops, 193–6.

  • Strategic importance, 193, 290, 291, 319, 325–7.

• Crete Campaign—

  • Air attack, German, estimates of, 286, 290.

  • Air support, 285 et seq.

    – 354 –

  • Casualties, 305–6, 313, 322.

  • Convicts, support of, 294–5.

  • Cretan Militia, 295.

  • Defence of, NZ Government's views, 290–1.

  • Defences, report by Freyberg on, 297.

  • Evacuation, 308 et seq., 330–2.

    • Of Royal party, 296, 297–8, 300.

    • Of unarmed troops, 293.

    • Report by Fraser, 329–32.

  • Fraser—

    • Comments on, 322–5.

    • Report on, 313–15.

  • Freyberg—

    • Appreciations of situation, 285–8, 291, 293, 297.

    • Reports on, 299 et seq., 321–2, 329.

  • Garrison—

    • Organisation of, 295, 297.

    • Reinforcement of, 289, 291, 297, 301, 302, 304–5, 306, 318.

  • German attack—

    • Begins, 299.

    • War Office appreciation of, 285, 286, 289, 290.

  • German occupation of Greece, effects of, 241.

  • Greek Army—

    • Employment and training, 293–7.

    • Collapse of, views of Commander, 307.

  • Lessons of campaign, Fraser's views, 324–5.

  • Maori Battalion, 315, 321.

  • Morale, 297, 307, 313.

  • Puttick commands NZ troops, 287–8.

  • Red Cross, German observance of, 318–19.

  • Royal Navy, support of, 285 et seq.

  • Situation reports, 299 et seq.

  • Special Order of the Day (Freyberg), 288.

  • Special Service Commando, role of, 301, 308, 309, 311.

  • UK Government's observations on, 325–7.

  • Wavell—

    • Defence of Crete, 285 et seq.

    • Report on, 316–19.

  • Weston succeeds to command, 312.

• Crump, Brig S. H., 45–6, 66, 142, 146.

• Cunningham, Admiral of the Fleet Viscount, C-in-C, Mediterranean, 160, 239, 261, 289, 305, 310, 313, 314, 315, 320, 330–2.

• Curtin, Rt. Hon. J.—

  • Leader of the Opposition, Australia, 48–9.

  • Prime Minister of Australia, 42.

• Cyprus, German threat to, 277, 290, 326.

• D'Albiac, Air Vice-Marshal Sir J. H., AOC British Air Force in Greece, 271.

• Danzig—

  • Incorporation in Reich, 4.

  • Status as Free City, 4.

• Declarations of War. See Outbreak of War.

  – 355 –

• Dewing, Maj-Gen R. H., Director of Military Operations and Plans, War Office, 131–3, 136.

• Dill, Field Marshal Sir J. G., 26, 131, 139, 239–40, 247 et seq.

• Divisional Cavalry Regiment. See NZ Divisional Cavalry.

• Divisional Reconnaissance Unit. See NZ Divisional Reconnaissance Unit.

• Divisional Signals. See NZ Divisional Signals.

• Duff, Brig C. S. J., 45–6, 208–9.

• Duigan, Maj-Gen Sir J. E.—

  • Appointment of 2nd NZEF officers, 45, 47, 51.

  • Chief of the General Staff, NZ Military Forces, 26, 28.

  • Discussions with Freyberg, 29, 51.

  • Visit to ME, 201.

• Dunkirk, re-equipment of British Expeditionary Force after, 117, 156–7, 236.

• Eden, Rt. Hon. R. A.—

  • Greece, British assistance to, 239 et seq., 247 et seq.

  • Welcomes 1st Echelon, Egypt, 59.

• Egypt—

  • Defence of, 64, 65, 142–3, 144–6, 160–2, 163, 164, 266.

    • Appreciations by Freyberg, 64, 65–6, 78–80, 142–3, 144–6, 148, 162–3, 341–9.

  • 1st Echelon arrives in, 58–60.

  • 2nd Echelon arrives in, 155.

  • 3rd Echelon arrives in, 180–1.

  • German—

    • Attack on, likelihood of, 72, 145, 161, 164, 171, 266.

    • Threat to, Fraser's views, 325.

  • Italian attack on, likelihood of, 72, 137.

  • Italians cross frontier, 78.

  • Lines of Communication, Inglis commands, 75.

  • Morale, 269.

  • 2nd NZEF—

    • Location of, 38, 41, 55.

    • Puttick commands, 67–8, 75, 76, 77, 231.

  • 2nd NZEF's role in security of, 64, 65.

  • Situation in, Apr 1941, 269, 277.

  • Situation on Italy's Declaration of War, 66.

• Equipment. See 2nd NZEF—Equipment.

• Escort. See Naval escort.

• Evetts, Lt-Gen J. F., 308, 330–1.

• Examination Services, established in NZ, 2.

• Fadden, Rt. Hon. A. W., Prime Minister of Australia, 42, 243, 272.

• Falla, Brig N. S., Commandant 2nd NZEF Base, 64, 66, 79, 113, 115 et seq., 142, 146, 235, 264, 291.

• Fanning Island—

  • Defence of, by New Zealand, 18.

  • Return of Leander from, 20.

• Far East (see also countries in—e.g., Malaya)—

  • Japan, threat to British interests, 70, 158–9.

  • NZ Government's views on situation, Aug 1940, 170–2.

  • Reinforcement of, 70, 71.

  • Royal Navy, despatch to, 158.

  • Strategy, UK Chiefs of Staff review, Jun 1940, 158–9.

  – 356 –

• Fergusson, Sir C., appointment of Freyberg, 31.

• Fifth Column—

  • German, in Italy, 9.

  • In Cairo, 64, 65, 66.

• Fiji—

  • NZ Army Troops Company, use in, 178, 226.

  • Reinforcement by New Zealand, 19, 22, 71, 157, 159, 162, 166, 168, 172, 175, 201.

• Finland. See Outbreak of War—Finland.

• Five Power Conference, Italy proposes, 3.

• Fleet Air Arm, UK requirements in personnel, 17, 20.

• Forster, A., appointed Head of State, Danzig, 4.

• France—

  • At war with Italy, 11.

  • Collapse of, effect in Middle East, 70, 187.

  • Concentration of naval forces in Mediterranean, 89.

  • Defence of Western Mediterranean, 101, 158.

  • Employment of 2nd NZEF in, 24, 25, 102, 119.

  • United Kingdom, assistance to, 156–7.

• Fraser, Rt. Hon. P.—

  • Appointment of GOC, 2nd NZEF—

    • Report on, 29–31.

    • Report on negotiations in UK, 23–9

  • Crete—

    • Campaign, report on, 313–15.

    • Evacuation of, 310, 312, 329–32.

    • Requests support for garrison, 304–5, 306.

    • Warning on situation, 310.

  • Despatch of 2nd NZEF overseas, report on, 55–6; views on, 50.

  • Escort for 1st Echelon, reports on, 56, 60–1.

  • Greece and Crete campaigns, comments on, 322–5.

  • Prime Minister of NZ, 2, 13.

  • Visit to England 1939, report on, 29–31, 55–6.

  • Visit to ME, 299, 304–5, 310 et seq., 322.

• Freyberg, Lt-Gen Sir B.—

  • Balkans, appreciation of situation, 192.

  • Churchill's views on appointment of, 30–1.

  • Crete—

    • Appointed C-in-C, 280, 282, 285, 287, 294, 321, 326.

    • Appreciations, 285–7, 291, 293.

    • Commands Greek troops on, 293–4, 296.

    • Evacuation urged, 308–9.

    • Leaves, 312.

    • Recommends use of NZ troops for garrison duty, Nov 1940, 194.

    • Report on defences, 297.

    • Situation reports, 299 et seq.

    • Special Order of the Day, 288.

  • Egypt—

    • Appreciation on defence of, Jul 1940, 142–3, 148, 341–9.

    • Arrangements for reception of 1st Echelon, 51, 52–4.

    • Authorised to use 2nd NZEF in defence of, 65.

    • Reports on situation, 1940, 64, 65–6, 78–80, 144–6, 162–3.

    • Return to, from UK, 78–9, 142, 146.

    – 357 –

  • 1st Echelon—

    • Inspects, 57.

    • Reports on voyage and arrival in Egypt, 58–60.

  • 2nd Echelon in UK, reports on, 131–46, 181.

  • France, recommends despatch of 1st and 2nd Echelons to, 119.

  • Fraser, consultations with, in London, 23.

  • GOC 2nd NZEF—

    • Charter as, 31–2.

    • Fraser's report on appointment, 29–31.

    • Offers services as, 23.

    • Powers, 33.

    • Views on selection of, 24–6.

  • Greece and Crete campaigns—

    • Report on, 320–2.

    • Report on musketry in, 328–9.

  • Greece—

    • Commands British troops in, 283.

    • Destruction of messages in, 239.

    • Employment of 2nd NZ Division, 323.

    • Reports on campaign, 280, 282, 283–4, 320–2.

    • Special Order of the Day on Embarkation for, 244–5.

  • Middle East—

    • Recommends constituting 2nd NZEF in, 162.

    • Views on strategic situation, Jul 1940, 162–3.

  • New Zealand, visit to, 29, 51.

  • 2nd NZEF—

    • Accepts command of, 27.

    • Appreciations on role of, 200–1, 205, 206–7.

    • Command and staff appointments, 47, 50.

    • Fitness for operational role, 76, 191, 196–8, 200–1, 205, 206–7, 264.

    • Reports on, 64–6, 74–6, 136–46, 181, 187–8, 196–8.

    • Strength of, 237–8.

  • Strategic situation, general, views on, Nov 1940, 191–2.

  • UK—

    • Views on German invasion of, 75, 78, 120, 131, 133–5, 138, 139, 142, 144–5, 162, 163, 191, 201, 341–2.

    • Visit to, 64, 66, 67, 113, 128, 133, 137.

• Galloway, Lt-Gen A., 190, 296.

• Gentry, Brig W. G., 45, 67.

• George VI—

  • Inspects 2nd NZEF (UK), 143.

  • Message of welcome to 1st Echelon, 60.

• Germany (see also Outbreak of War—Germany)—

  • Alliance with Italy, 9.

  • Defeat of, primary object of UK, 101.

  • Position of, appreciation by Freyberg, 191–2.

  • Possible plans for attack on Egypt, 72, 145, 161, 164, 171.

• Godley, Sir A., visits 2nd NZEF (UK), 143.

• Gort, Field-Marshal Viscount, 28, 30.

• Greece—

  • AIF, despatch to, 241, 243.

    – 358 –

  • British assistance to, 192, 193, 200, 205, 239–41, 245, 248, 255, 256, 259–63, 266.

    • Churchill's views, 252–3.

    • Gratitude for, 275, 278.

    • NZ Government's views on, 242–3, 257–8.

  • British forces, withdrawal of, 275, 277, 278.

  • Bulgaria, attitude to war with, 16.

  • Capitulation of Government, 275, 278.

  • Crete, withdrawal of forces from, 193.

  • Evacuation of King and Government to Crete, 267–70, 275.

  • Macedonia—

    • Views of Papagos on withdrawal from, 247.

    • Withdrawal of advanced troops to, 240.

  • Mechanical transport sent to, 205.

  • Morale, 270.

  • 2nd NZEF, despatch to, 241–5, 246, 250, 258.

  • NZ troops reported in, 198–204.

  • Prime Minister of, commits suicide, 270.

  • Railway Survey Company in, 202.

  • Rescue of New Zealanders from, 283–4.

  • Special Order of the Day, on embarkation for, 244–5.

  • UK—

    • Decision to assist, 239–41.

    • Offer of assistance accepted, 240.

  • Wilson, commands British forces, 240, 248, 251.

• Greece, Campaign in—

  • Air support, 239, 248, 250, 255, 261–3, 272, 273, 279, 282, 319, 320, 322.

  • Agreement between British and Greek commands, text of, 250–1.

  • Agreement, withdrawal from, views of British Minister to Greece, 255.

  • Aliakmon line—

    • Defence of, 247 et seq.

    • Wilson to organise, 248, 251.

  • Anzac Corps in, 263, 272, 273.

  • Appreciations—

    • By Chiefs of Staff, 253–5, 259–63, 270–1.

    • By NZ Government, 257–8.

    • Of situation, 245–6, 249–50.

  • Blamey's report on situation, 20 Apr 1941, 272–4.

  • British forces—

    • Disposition of, 247, 248, 250, 251, 260.

    • Evacuation of, 243, 267–9, 271, 273 et seq.

    • Freyberg commands, 283.

    • In action, 265.

    • Papagos suggests withdrawal of, 268.

    • Wilson to command, 240.

  • Casualties, 279–81, 322.

  • Churchill's views, 252–3, 274, 279.

  • Fraser's comments on, 322–3.

  • Freyberg's reports on, 280, 282, 283–4, 320–2, 329.

  • German Air Force, disposition of, 262.

  • German movements, estimated time-table of, 254, 260.

    – 359 –

  • Greek forces—

    • Disposition of, 240, 247–51, 253–4.

    • Morale, 270.

  • 2nd NZ Division prepares defensive position, 263.

  • 4th NZ Infantry Brigade, 276–7, 283, 320, 321.

  • 5th NZ Infantry Brigade, 283, 320.

  • 6th NZ Infantry Brigade, 280, 281, 283, 320.

  • New Zealand Government's views on situation, 273–4.

  • Papagos, views on withdrawal to Aliakmon line, 247.

  • RAF—

    • Disposition of, 261, 263.

    • Withdrawal, 271.

  • Rearguard actions, 282, 284, 288, 293.

  • Special Order of the Day, 282.

  • Thermopylae line, defence of, 269, 271, 272, 274, 275.

  • UK Cabinet's approval of campaign, 256.

• Greece, George II, King of—

  • Attitude, general, 248, 255–6.

  • Determination to honour military agreement, 255.

  • Evacuation from—

    • Crete, 296, 297–8, 300.