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Chapter One
Papakura

So many histories which describe the march of events in the Pacific commence with the words, 'on the morning of Sunday, 7 December 1941', that one has hesitation in using them. Yet the the birth of the 36th Battalion 2 NZEF must be attributed to the surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbour. At once the Pacific became the focal point of attention. It soon became apparent how little had been done to safeguard Britain's eastern possessions, while she had concentrated her resources for the life and death struggle for her own shores.

Before the close of the old year the Japanese forces had begun their irresistible advance south. The Philippines had been invaded; Shanghai had been occupied; Hong Kong had surrendered. Wake, Guam, the Gilberts and part of Malaya were in the hands of the enemy. The foe was at the gates of Singapore. Samoa had been shelled, and there appeared to be nothing which could stand in the way of the enemy's progress. The dark cloud of invasion loomed over the New Zealand horizon. This was the situation in which the New Zealand Government made its bold decision to fulfil its commitments and to defend with every available man those outposts which would have to fall before our country could be attacked. So it was that three infantry battalions were sent immediately to join the New Zealand garrison which was already established in Fiji.

With this background, let us follow the progress of one of these battalions; one which has known the rigours and hardships of tropical soldiering; which, like others, has had its lighter moments; which, after two longs years of garrison duties, at last found justification in action; page 10and in which every man has been proud to serve, and, in serving, has been imbued with the spirit that only a really fine unit can give.

Under the command of Lieutenant 'Colonel J. W. Barry, the 36th Battalion was formed at Papakura Military Camp on 29 December 1941. The nucleus of the battalion was the Central District eighth reinforcements, who had just returned from final leave, expecting an early departure to join their brothers in arms, the Second Division in the Middle East. From a body of reinforcements the change had to be effected to a mixed infantry battalion, with its headquarters company, three rifle companies and a machine gun company.

The original officers were drawn largely from the Tank Brigade, some from the Divisional Cavalry and from the eighth reinforcements. The following were the original senior officers:—

CO, Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Barry; 2-I-C, Major B. H. Pringle; adjutant, Captain W. B. Cameron; quartermaster, Captain N. J. T. Webster; HQ company, Major W. H. Allen; A company, Major W. Huse; B company, Captain A. H. Johnston; C company, Captain I. H. Macarthur; D (support) company, Captain I. G. O'Neill.

There were hectic last days at Papakura as 1941 drew to a close. Christmas had been celebrated a week before its time, as we had anticipated that we would be leaving early for the Middle East theatre of operations. No time was lost in festivities. Equipment was pouring in, and had to be allocated and packed immediately. The tremendous task of preparing rolls, marching in men from all parts of the country, who were arriving in small drafts at all hours, was expeditiously handled by the battalion orderly room staff. Finally the advanced party embarked for overseas at Auckland on 2 January 194a. It consisted of A company and one platoon of MMGs, a total of 176 men, who disembarked at Suva on 6 January. The main job was to get the camp ready for the arrival of the remainder of the battalion, while the liaison officer spent much time acquiring a knowledge of the tactical situation and of the role the battalion was to play in the defence of Suva.

The 36th Battalion now became part of the 8th Infantry Brigade, which was responsible for the defence of the Suva side of Fiji and which already comprised the 29th Battalion and the 34th Battalion. The brigade was under the command of Brigadier L. G. Goss, and it was part of the Pacific Section of 2 NZEF, which early in the year page 11became known as the Third New Zealand Division. Shortly after our arrival Brigadier Goss was succeeded by Brigadier R. A. Row who, except for the final few months in Fiji, when he was relieved by Brigadier Hunt, remained in command of the Brigade till after the action in the Solomons. Embarkation of the main body took place on 10 January, also from Auckland, and we had a very calm passage in delightfully sunny weather, growing hotter each day. We reached Suva on 14 January, and trucks were awaiting to transport us to Samambula Camp, some four miles out of Suva.