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General Freyberg to the Minister of Defence

Reference your telegram of 13 August regarding ancillary units.

As directed, I advised the Deputy Chief of the Imperial General Staff¹ at the War Office that in view of manpower difficulties the New Zealand Government had decided that personnel of all ancillary units, including the 21st Mechanical Equipment Company and 19th Army Troops, would have to be used as reinforcements for the 2nd New Zealand Division or be returned to New Zealand in exchange for the equivalent number of reinforcements for the 2nd New Zealand Division. The Deputy Chief of the Imperial General Staff appreciated the position and undertook to advise General Headquarters, Middle East. It is understood that the remaining personnel of all ancillary units not absorbed in the 2nd New Zealand Division will be returned with the next draft irrespective of time of service overseas.