Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume I
402 — General Freyberg to Lieutenant-General Arthur Smith, General Headquarters, Middle East
402
General Freyberg to Lieutenant-General Arthur Smith, General Headquarters, Middle East
Your letter of 5 May.1 By now you should have received full details of all British units in Crete. The Australian and New Zealand figures have been sent to their respective headquarters.
The following is a summary of the troops organised: three British battalions of 14th Brigade; four weak and improvised battalions from Rangers, Northumberland Hussars, 7th Medium Regiment, 106th Royal Horse Artillery; five Australian battalions; seven New Zealand battalions and two other improvised units. As guns arrive I am forming artillery batteries. In addition there are some 10,000 British and Imperial troops and 10,000 Greeks without arms, 800 Greek airmen without aeroplanes, and 15,000 Italian prisoners of war.
1 Not traced.
Until the Greeks are equipped and trained, four brigade groups is the minimum garrison required for the island. Further details have been given to your Brigadier General Staff.1
1 Brigadier A. Galloway. See page 190, note 2.