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The Tanks: An Unofficial History of the Activities of the Third New Zealand Division Tank Squadron in the Pacific

Chapter Twelve — The Road Back

page 59

Chapter Twelve
The Road Back

It has always been said in the army that once any unit is comfortable orders are received to move. That was our position on Nissan Island. Waiting for further instructions we could not help but feel envious of the airmen who every day left the fighter or bomber strip, and generally managed to contact the enemy. Admittedly at one period we were under six hours' notice to move, and we wondered whether New Ireland was to be the next island visited. If this were to be the case, then tougher opposition could be expected and more opportunity for tank work. Nothing happened.

However, early in April information was expected, but everything turned out quite differently from what was anticipated. The squadron was called together and Major Rutherford, armed with several typed foolscap pages, broke the news that because of the shortage of manpower in New Zealand, it was necessary for men of the Third Division to fill the vacancies. Workers were required for farming, butter and cheese factories, freezing works, building and construction, sawmilling, coal mining and the railways. Experienced men were required, but as it was anticipated that insufficient men would be available, the quotas would have to be filled with inexperienced men who were willing to volunteer for the various occupations. Small cards had to be completed which gave full particulars of marital status, previous occupations and the type of work willing to be undertaken. The cogs of organisation worked quickly, and it was not long before approximately 70 men were selected to return to New Zealand. Towards the end of April these men left for New Caledonia where they were page 60to remain for a short time to recover from any malarial infection. On arrival in New Zealand they were to receive 28 days' leave and at the end of that time report for work.

Naturally our ranks were depleted and the remainder, with no definite information as to their future, wondered what next was going to happen. The only information received was that the men who were left were to form the nucleus of a squadron, and that later reinforcements would be available to bring the unit up to full strength. Every unit in the division was affected in the same way, and even the most optimistic member realised the tremendous difficulties to be faced if the division were to be reformed. The next information available was that as the division had been in the battle zone for over nine months a period of rest was necessary, and it was proposed to return all units to New Caledonia, from where it was hoped a furlough to New Zealand would be granted. We felt then that if we were to be sent to New Zealand on furlough there was little chance of being returned to New Caledonia to reform the division, and it certainly looked like the beginning of the end.

Back on Guadalcanal the reinforcements were undergoing the same procedure, and out of the men there 90 per cent, were selected to return to New Zealand for manpower. Only seven remained, therefore it was decided to return all the personnel of the rear party to New Caledonia, where the seven remaining men could form an advanced party for the main Nissan body which would be returning in the near future. The rear party arrived in New Caledonia on 27 April 1944, and two days later the manpower draft from Nissan arrived. Both parties, with the exception of the seven men not returning to industry, went direct to a transit camp where they remained for a few weeks prior to their departure for New Zealand. The men who were not interested in the manpower scheme were classified on the category list as Z. It was not long before they were called zombies or, in other words, 'the living dead.'

Two days after the manpower draft departed from Nissan, Captain Lewis, with a small party, embarked for New Caledonia. On the same ship all the tanks which had been taken north were loaded, together with any squadron equipment which was not required. On arrival at Nepoui on 17 May the tanks were unloaded, and tank drivers, who had been recalled temporarily from page 61the manpower draft for the job, took over to drive to the new camp site about 30 miles away. The road was hilly and narrow in parts and the drive was a severe test for tanks which had been in the hold of a ship for over three weeks. However, by nightfall, most of the tanks reached the camp under their own steam, although several stoppages were necessary to allow the brake drums to cool off. The next day, with the assistance of the tank transporters, the few remaining tanks were brought to the area. The convoy caused quite a lot of excitement for it seemed apparent that no tanks had been down that road before. French settlers and natives gazed in wonder and once, during a halt, a knowing Frenchman, after he had made an inspection, pointed out to his family where the driver sat.

The new camp site allocated to the squadron was formerly the officer's training school, and was situated at Moindah, approximately 130 miles from Nouméa, and about 20 miles further up the island from the area which the rear party occupied some months previously. Fortunately, the bures erected were still in good order, and there was little to be done to make the site suitable. Once again we were lucky, for a beautiful swimming pool was within the boundaries of the camp. The personnel in the camp comprised the small advanced party from Guadalcanal or, in other words, the 'zombies' from the reinforcements. Captain Brooker was in command, for he had been returned from Nissan Island to replace Lieutenant Devlin, who had been sent to hospital for a knee operation. Shortly after Captain Lewis arrived, Captain Brooker received orders to proceed to New Zealand whence he was to go to England for a course at the Camberley Staff College.

Early in June the squadron, or what was left of the squadron, arrived. The cookhouse was enlarged, a few other alterations made here and there, and later on hot showers were erected. One of the bures was used as a recreation hut and writing room, and when electricity was connected from the tank workshop's plant the hut was a popular rendezvous in the evenings. Whilst the various moves were taking place a terrific amount of letter mail and parcels had been accumulating and, as many of the unit had left for New Zealand for industry, those who remained had plenty of cakes, biscuits and shortbread for morning and afternoon tea and supper. We had little to do but wait until furlough details. page 62were announced, consequently there was plenty of time for sport. A French class was started, and other study courses were recommended. Each week a few would be selected to go to the Kiwi Club at Bourail Beach for a week's holiday, and those who were lucky enough to be picked spent a very enjoyable sojourn there. Then there was the maintenance party at Nouméa. The tanks of the reinforcements when brought back to New Caledonia were unloaded at Nouméa, and it was decided to leave them there in case they were to be returned to New Zealand. A maintenance party was necessary and personnel were changed regularly, which gave men the opportunity of having a good look at Nouméa and also to stock up with articles purchased from the American canteens. The entertainment programme was full, for apart from the two or three picture screenings a week, there were the visits from New Zealand artists. The concert party of the National Broadcasting Service, the repertory theatre party, and Henri Perm the pianist were all excellent, and the visitors must have realised how much their shows were appreciated. We were also fortunate to view the band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which was making a tour of the islands.

The strength of the squadron was approximately 100 officers and other ranks, until late in June when a furlough draft was selected. From then on further drafts left and the numbers gradually decreased. On 19 August 1944, the remainder of the squadron, with the exception of a few who had been chosen to form a rear party of the division, embarked for New Zealand on furlough. With them came all the equipment including vehicles and tanks. The force rear party followed shortly afterwards. On arrival in Auckland, each furlough party from the division marched from the boat to the train which conveyed them to the Papakura Military Camp. Speeches of welcome were made and then the men were divided into districts to facilitate their return home. All arrangements were carried out with a minimum of delay, and in a few days (in some cases hours) men were on the way home with happy thoughts in their minds about a furlough of 40 whole days and nights—not forgetting the free railway travel warrant. There was now no doubt about it. The division would never return to New Caledonia to be re-formed, therefore, except in name, the Third NZ Div Tank Squadron was finished.