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

Proposal to Use New Zealand Detachment for Garrison Duties in Greece

page 398

Proposal to Use New Zealand Detachment for Garrison Duties in Greece

427
General Freyberg to the Minister of Defence

24 September 1944

I have just received the following cable from General Wilson:

We will shortly be sending a force into Athens on the German evacuation. For association's sake I am anxious to include a New Zealand detachment, not exceeding 300. The popularity of New Zealand troops with the Greek civil population is very great. I am informed that the New Zealand reinforcements in Egypt might provide a potential source for this detachment without prejudice to the New Zealand forces operating in Italy.

I have advised General Wilson that the question is being referred to you and that I will cable him as soon as I get your reply.1

1 See also Maintenance of 2nd New Zealand Division (Nos. 387 and 389).

428
The Prime Minister to General Freyberg

26 September 1944

Your telegram of 24 September.

I feel personally that we should not send troops to Greece in view of War Cabinet's decision conveyed to you earlier,2 and in view also of the possibility of strife breaking out between various Greek factions, which might involve our interference. I must ascertain the opinion of War Cabinet, but before doing so would appreciate your own views.

2 Ibid (No. 389).

page 399

429
General Freyberg to the Prime Minister

27 September 1944

Reference your telegram of 26 September in which you ask for my views.

If it were a question of sending the force to liberate Greece the position would be different, but I feel, as you do, that at this stage it would not be advisable to take part. As you know, there are several factions in Greece, with all of which we are on friendly terms, and if we were to involve ourselves at this stage in support of one or other of the parties we might prejudice our very friendly relations with the rest of the Greek people. There is an additional reason which would make it difficult to send a detachment. Owing to the return of the 4th Reinforcements and the present rather high jaundice rate throughout the Division, our reinforcement situation will be at a rather low ebb until the 13th Reinforcements arrive and are trained. In any case, as a result of replacement schemes very few of the original New Zealand Division who fought in Greece will be available. Further, this proposal would mean making a detachment, which has always been against our policy.

I would suggest that the invitation might be declined for the reasons that the men who fought in Greece and Crete are not available and that, in any case, the reinforcement situation due to replacement schemes and illness would make it extremely difficult for us to spare personnel.

Later on, perhaps, when the position in Greece is stabilised, you might consider sending to Greece and Crete a token force of New Zealanders who fought there to hold memorial services at the graves of our fallen comrades.

Will you please cable War Cabinet's decision? In the meantime I have warned General Wilson that you may decide against sending a force to Greece.

430
The Prime Minister to General Freyberg

29 September 1944

Your telegram of 27 September.

War Cabinet have reaffirmed their decision that members of the 2nd NZEF are not to be employed in garrison duties now or after the conclusion of hostilities with Germany. They do not favour the present proposal and desire that the Commander-in-Chief should page 400 be advised that the invitation to send men to Greece must be declined. You could add that this decision is also rendered necessary by the fact that the reinforcement situation, due to the replacement scheme and illness, would make it extremely difficult to spare personnel at the present time and, further, that the men who fought in Greece and Crete are no longer available.

We are in complete accord with your suggestion to send a token force to Greece and Crete to hold memorial services at the graves of fallen New Zealanders. This matter will be given full and sympathetic consideration when you advise that the time is appropriate.

431
The Prime Minister of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs

29 September 1944

Your telegram of 26 September.1

The New Zealand Government desire that arrangements should be made for the New Zealand forces in the Mediterranean theatre to be repatriated as early as possible after the defeat of Germany, or earlier if this should be decided upon. Although it is recognised that the repatriation timetable will depend upon the prevailing circumstances with regard to shipping, &c., it is not desired that New Zealand forces should be used in occupation or internal security measures, either in Europe or the Middle East, during any such interval before repatriation.

1 Not published. In this telegram to the Dominion Governments the Dominions Secretary advised that arrangements for the occupation of certain areas in the Mediterranean theatre in the event of German disintegration or withdrawal had been considered by the British and United States Chiefs of Staff. ‘We are proceeding on the assumption that you will wish arrangements to be made for your forces in this theatre to be repatriated as early as possible after the defeat of Germany,’ the telegram ran. ‘You will, however, appreciate that the repatriation timetable will depend on prevailing circumstances with regard to shipping, &c., which may involve some inevitable delay between the cessation of hostilities with Germany and the date of embarkation. We should be glad to know if you would permit Dominion forces to be used during any such interval in occupation duties in Austria, Greece, or the Dodecanese, or for internal security duties in the Middle East should this be considered desirable.’

432
General Freyberg to the Prime Minister

30 September 1944

Reference your telegram of 29 September (No. 430).

As directed, I have cabled General Wilson quoting extracts from your cable and declining the invitation to send a force to Greece.