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

Special Units — 34th Anti-Tank Battery, New Zealand Artillery

page 208

Special Units
34th Anti-Tank Battery, New Zealand Artillery

275
The High Commissioner for New Zealand (London) to the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Extract]

4 September 1939

The formation of a unit comprising citizens of overseas Dominions living in or visiting this country is being considered by the War Office. New Zealanders, of whom there are a great number offering their services, are being referred to the War Office on the understanding that facilities for transfer will be considered if later a New Zealand Expeditionary Force should be formed for service in Europe1

1 The text omitted concerned the departure of the Defence Department liaison officer for New Zealand.

276
The Prime Minister to the High Commissioner for New Zealand [Extract]

8 September 1939

The Government are considering a proposal to form an Anti-Tank Battery from New Zealanders in the United Kingdom offering their services, in which case Major Duff2 is to raise the unit and command it temporarily…3

2 Major C. S. J. Duff. See page 46 for biographical details.

3 The text omitted concerned the disposal of New Zealand officers in the United Kingdom.

277
The High Commissioner for New Zealand to the Prime Minister

20 September 1939

Further to your telegram of 8 September (No. 276). As it is wished to avoid volunteers drifting away meanwhile to other units I am page 209 anxious for your reply concerning the formation of a unit here. A decision is also required regarding the liabilities of officers on the New Zealand reserve and the retired list who are in the United Kingdom.

278
The Prime Minister to the High Commissioner for New Zealand

21 September 1939

Government approval has been given to the formation of the nucleus of an anti-tank regiment as part of the organisation of the infantry division which New Zealand is now raising. Major Duff, Royal New Zealand Artillery, is to command the unit temporarily. Bona fide New Zealanders only are to be enlisted. The rates of pay will be cabled to you separately. The Liaison Officer1 is to confer with the War Office regarding accommodation, training facilities, material, &c.

Those officers on the retired list have no liability, but officers on the New Zealand Reserve of Officers may be required. Before employment is found for them by the War Office, could the names of these officers be cabled to New Zealand.

1 Lieutenant-Colonel R. S. Park. See page 47, note 2.

279
The High Commissioner for New Zealand to the Prime Minister [Extract]

26 September 1939

With reference to your telegram of 21 September (No. 278), it is assumed that the unit to be raised in the United Kingdom is to be regarded as a complete anti-tank battery. The Military Liaison Officer has been in touch with the War Office regarding facilities and it is proposed to attach the unit to a training regiment at Aldershot or Catterick. Please confirm that the enlistment age is twenty-one to thirty-five years and cable rates of pay and details regarding allotments, &c., at the earliest date as it is necessary to call up the men for interview and medical examination immediately….2

2 The names of New Zealand Territorial and Reserve personnel in the United Kingdom have been omitted.

page 210

280
The Prime Minister to the High Commissioner for New Zealand [Extract]

5 October 1939

Your telegram of 26 September (No. 279). The Anti-Tank Battery being raised in London should be completed as far as possible from New Zealanders in the United Kingdom. If the unit is required eventually for service in a European theatre of war, it will be brought up to its full establishment, but it is impossible at the present time to give a definite answer to this….1

1 The text omitted gave details of rates of pay and allowances by ranks and of the age limits for enlistment.

281
The High Commissioner for New Zealand to the Prime Minister

6 October 1939

It is reported by Colonel Park that satisfactory accommodation at Aldershot has been secured for the battery and the first reinforcement, comprising four officers and 140 other ranks, who will probably enter training on 24 October, attached to an anti-tank training regiment. It might be possible to obtain a larger number of active service personnel from applicants presenting themselves for medical examination on 9–11 October. The unit will use battle dress supplied by the Imperial authorities who will carry out the whole administration. The War Office will make per capita charge, for which please authorise payment. It is anticipated that the training period will be about four months. I shall visit the men shortly after mobilisation. With reference to your telegram of 5 October (No. 280), is the possible production of a full regiment implied in the reference to the European theatre of war? Are the Home Defence rates of pay mentioned applicable to the United Kingdom unit and are they payable in sterling or in New Zealand currency? Please telegraph your reply by tomorrow.

page 211

282
The Prime Minister to the High Commissioner for New Zealand [Extract]

9 October 1939

You are authorised to pay War Office per capita charge. The possible production of a regiment to full establishment is contemplated….1

1 Details of rates of pay and allowances and allotments to dependants have been omitted.

283
The Military Liaison Officer (London) to the Chief of the General Staff (Wellington)

20 October 1939

The War Office can equip the Anti-Tank Battery earlier if it is placed at their disposal until the arrival of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Its training programme depends on the date when its equipment comes to hand. Please advise urgently regarding the question of disposal and which contingent brings personnel for the expansion of the battery to a regiment.

284
The Prime Minister to the Hon. P. Fraser (London)

6 November 1939

Please see the Military Liaison Officer's telegram of 20 October to the Chief of the General Staff and inform the British Government that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand are pleased to place the Anti-Tank Battery now being formed in the United Kingdom at the disposal of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, provided it is released when required for service with the New Zealand Division. The remaining batteries of the regiment will be formed in New Zealand, and should the Division go overseas will proceed with the second and third contingents.

page 212

285
The High Commissioner for New Zealand to the Prime Minister

16 January 1940

The following is for the Minister of Defence from Colonel Park

With reference to the Prime Minister's telegram of 6 November, the Army Council propose that the Anti-Tank Battery raised in the United Kingdom should mobilise on or about 1 April and proceed overseas as soon as possible after that date.1 If an emergency arises and it is temporarily placed in the British Expeditionary Force in France, it will be allotted as an Army anti-tank battery. In any case, it will join the New Zealand Division later in the year. General Freyberg is being informed.

1 The battery embarked at Southampton on 17 Apr 1940 and, after travelling by train from Cherbourg to Marseilles, arrived at Alexandria on the 25th.