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Divisional Signals

Foreword

page vii

Foreword

black and white photograph of coat of arms

windsor castle

by lieutenant-general the lord freyberg, vc

The author of this volume, Mr Allan Borman, has been given a responsible job, because in writing this history he is telling the story of one of the most efficient units of the New Zealand Division. For that reason I am glad to write this foreword, because it gives me the chance of placing upon record the debt the Division owes to the skill and devotion of our Signal Service.

The 2nd New Zealand Divisional Signals, under Major Agar, were the first unit of our Expeditionary Force to see active service in World War II. At short notice, they took over the signals of the Western Desert Corps, and took part in Lord Wavell's Libyan campaign in December 1940. From that victorious start, they continued to serve with great efficiency and devotion throughout the whole of the war. They were set a very difficult task in Greece and Crete in 1941, and through all the heavy fighting in the Western Desert, including the Battle of Alamein. They fought right through to Tunis, where they finished in May 1943. When the Division moved to Italy, they fought continuously, and finished their active service in the final dash which liberated Trieste in May 1945.

page viii

The efficiency of a highly trained technical unit depends upon the quality of the men from which the rank and file are drawn, and also to a great extent upon the men responsible for their training. In both respects we as a Division were well served. New Zealand sent men from the Post and Telegraph Department to maintain our Signal Units, and we were fortunate indeed to have senior officers of the quality of the late Colonel Sam Allen, a Regular soldier, and those that followed, Colonels Agar, Grant, Pryor, Ingle and Foubister.

The Divisional Signals had six years' hard service in a series of most difficult campaigns. I am glad to pay a tribute to this excellent unit, and I hope this history will have the wide circulation it deserves.

black and white signature of Bernard Freyberg

Deputy Constable and Lieutenant-Governor

Windsor Castle