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

367 — Lieutenant-General Puttick to Major-General Barrowclough

367
Lieutenant-General Puttick to Major-General Barrowclough

26 June 1943

If you agree, give the following message to Admiral Halscy from me:

‘Reference your message of 24 June [No. 365]. Fully appreciate your Fiji problem. Regret the necessity for the reduction of the 3rd Division and submit the following proposal. The Division would be materially strengthened if one Fijian battalion from Fiji could be added to it for scouting and raiding and Fiji would suffer less disappointment. I suggest that when the despatch of the present United States garrison from Fiji becomes possible, lower strength in Tonga could be accepted and our second-line New Zealand battalion now there could then reinforce Fiji. Would appreciate your early decision.’3

3 Admiral Halsey replied on 27 June that he approved the addition of one Fijian battalion to the 3rd Division provided it entailed no reduction in the number of Fijian troops then in the Solomons.