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

Role of New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Event of German Invasion

Role of New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Event of German Invasion

They accepted our offer with alacrity and were most appreciative and most helpful about equipment. They assigned to us a position of great importance, as we were made part of General Headquarters Reserve and formed a striking force composed of:

  • 1st Canadian Division

  • 1st Armoured Division

  • New Zealand Expeditionary Force (United Kingdom)

I decided that the quickest method of training was to take out the force and make it work together as such over the actual country page 140 we were to guard. I wish the people of New Zealand could know the wonderful effect the presence of our men had upon the people at Home here. I also wish they could have seen the fine sight of 6000 bronzed New Zealanders marching across the Sussex Weald.

We paid weekly visits back to our camp at Aldershot to pick up the transport and the additional arms and equipment as they arrived, leaving again for Sussex as soon as possible. For these operations I organised the Second Echelon into three mobile columns:

The Covering Force, commanded by Brigadier Miles, comprised of—

The 5th Infantry Brigade Group, commanded by Brigadier Hargest, comprised of—

  • 21st Infantry Battalion

  • 22nd Infantry Battalion

  • 23rd Infantry Battalion

The 7th Infantry Brigade Group, commanded by Brigadier Barrowclough, comprised of—