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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume II

13 — The acting Prime Minister of New Zealand1 to the acting Prime Minister of Australia2

13
The acting Prime Minister of New Zealand1 to the acting Prime Minister of Australia2

9 May 1941

You will have received the telegram of 7 May from the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs stating that the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, would welcome the suggestion that the Australian and New Zealand Divisions should be reformed into an Anzac Corps after they have been re-equipped, and that General Freyberg should be selected as Corps Commander in succession to General Blamey.3 War Cabinet has discussed the matter, and it is felt that the reconstitution of the Anzac Corps would give the greatest satisfaction to both the divisions and would be most warmly welcomed by the peoples of Australia and this country, to whom the undying traditions of Anzac are an illustrous part of their common heritage. An early expression of your views on the proposals contained in the Secretary of State's telegram would be gladly received by the New Zealand Government.4

1 Hon. W. Nash. Mr. Fraser had left New Zealand on 3 May on a visit to the Middle East and the United Kingdom. He arrived in Cairo on 15 May.

2 During the absence of the Australian Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies, in the United Kingdom in 1941, the Hon. A. W. Fadden was acting Prime Minister.

3 General Blamey had been appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, on 23 Apr 1941.

4 There is no trace of a reply to this telegram.