Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume II
12 — The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand2
12
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand2
The Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, has intimated that he would welcome the suggestion which has been made that the 6th Australian Division and the New Zealand Division should again be formed into an Anzac Corps when they have been re-equipped. General Wavell observes that the formation of the Anzac Corps in Greece gave satisfaction and was appreciated by both divisions. He proposes that the Corps should be stationed in Palestine for that country's defence and recommends that General Freyberg should be selected to command it.
page 9Subject to the concurrence of His Majesty's Governments in the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom favour the proposed re-formation of an Anzac Corps and the suggested appointment of Freyberg as Corps Commander. We are, however, anxious that Freyberg should continue as Commander of the Allied forces in Crete for the present.
I should be glad to learn as soon as possible whether the above suggestions commend themselves to the Australian and New Zealand Governments.