World War, 1939-1945 - Military personnel, New Zealand - Greece

Date: [Circa 1941]

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

By: McIntyre, Peter, 1910-1995

Reference: PA1-q-287

Description: Official photographs from World War II, very few of which have captions. General Freyberg is seen in many images, with different groups of officers and soldiers, and reviewing of New Zealand troops on parade. He is also shown receiving the Greek Military Cross from the Greek Minister of War, Stelios Dimitrakakis. The New Zealand Bomber Squadron is shown with their "Wellington Devil"; R.A.F. bombers with some New Zealand airmen returning from a raid on Berlin; and airmen from NZ joining the fighter force receiving final training on a Spitfire. There are scenes of activities associated with entertainment and sports. These include a pipe band of a South Island Battalion recently arrived in the Middle East, taken at Maadi, circa 1941, and one picture of four buglers; the Kiwi Concert Party performing in the Middle East (p 118-125); and sports including boxing, athletics, discus throw, tug-of-war, rowing and swimming. New Zealand Division Athletics Championships in Cairo (p 82-87). One set of photographs (p 58-68) were taken by a German photographer who was killed in Crete. They show Axis destroyers at Piraeus, in readiness to transport Nazi parachute troops and airborne infantry to an island airfield in the Aegean Sea used as a base for the invasion of Crete; Nazi bombers with groups of soldiers waiting to board a troop carrier; and two aerial views, one showing a Junker troop carrier nosed down into the Cretan Sea, and one showing wrecked German troop transports on Maleme aerodrome. Views of HMS Leander in the Middle East (p 70-75, 98-99). New Zealand crew members W. Hickford (Wanganui), E. Drabble (Auckland), J. Stewart (Wellington), A L Poad (Auckland) and K Newson (Wellington) are named in image no. 952 (p 71); a large range-finder in action; group of officers (identified in reference no. DA-01901); clothes-washing; mending clothes; serving the rum ration; a church service; gunners with a captured Breda gun (D.L. Graham-Cameron (Gisborne) and J. Kelly (Waitara)); repairing a torpedo; and deck hockey. The opening of the Lowry Hut at Maadi on 16th July 194l shows general Freyberg and Mrs Freyberg, Mrs A P F Chapman who was attached to the New Zealand YMCA which operated the hut, which was presented by her father Thomas Henry Lowry; and general scenes inside and outide the hut. The other club shown in this album is the New Zealand Forces Club in Cairo, with a mural painted by war artist Peter McIntyre. There are also reproductions of some of his paintings on p 101 and 104-105. Ambulances were presented to the NZEF through the British American Ambulance Corps and the Anzac War Relief Fund, Maadi, with a number of photographs showing different types of ambulance, and a mobile surgical unit. At the reception of the Anzac War Relief Fund in New York they gave a demonstation of the Australian Indian type of ambulance which would be sent to the Middle East, at which the Hon. J G Coates, Nola Luxford were present, and at which the American president of the fund presented the Wings of Mercy badge to the Hon. Frank Langstone. A group of wireless operators and air gunners who attended the No. 11 W.A.G. course at Mountain View Air Station (Canada), p 111. (For full names see information noted on reference nos. DA-01417 to DA-01418, and DA-01420). Many photographs are related to the postal service, showing huge piles of incoming parcels and letters for the troops, with men sorting, collecting and receiving their mail. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with dark blue cloth cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22 cm

Date: 1943-1944

From: O'Sullivan, Vincent Gerard, 1937- : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-8612-090

Description: Reports, correspondence and other papers copied from the British Public Record Office, relating to Mulgan's activities in Greece during World War II Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1941, 1944

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: PAColl-4161-01-101

Description: Includes images of troops on board ship and disembarking; Acropolis and other Greek ruins; groups of inidentified NZ soldiers, etc Includes photographs of sketch maps of Peneios Gorge; Mt Olympus area; dispositions of 16 Aust Inf Bde at Brallos; also topographical map indicating action at Tempe, 18 Apr 1941 Aerial photograph showing the seaside town of Kalamata under bombardment, 2 Jul 1944 Greek Minister of War pinning the Greek Military Cross on Brigadier E Barrowclough, 1942; No 1 General Hospital; several unidentified photos Quantity: 48 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 1941

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: DA-01146-F

Description: World War II New Zealand soldiers standing in the snow in the Olympus area, Greece, prior to the German advance. Taken 1941 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 1943-1944

From: O'Sullivan, Vincent Gerard, 1937- : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-8612-089

Description: Reports, correspondence and other papers copied from the British Public Record Office, relating to Mulgan's activities in Greece during World War II Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1944, 2002

By: Mulgan, John Alan Edward, 1911-1945

Reference: MS-Papers-11370

Description: Folder comprises a photocopy of Mulgan's handwritten diary kept in Greece while Mulgan served as a British Liaison Officer. Also typed transcript of diary written by Helen Mulgan. Diary begins Wednesday, 19 January 1944 and continues with brief daily entries until Sunday, 22 October 1944. Recounts military activities, intellegence reports, liaisons with soldiers and friends, weather conditions, social events and recreation drinking, medical situations and accounts of military attacks and campaign battles. Source of title - Transcribed from item Accompanying material - Letter from Mr V O`Sullivan advising the identification of Mulgan's diary in Dobrski's military collection in London is in backfile. Mulgan served with the 4th Battalion of the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment in World War Two. In May 1943 he was posted to the British unit Force 133 in Greece. Awarded the Military Cross for military activities during the Greek campaign. Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss (photocopy) & typescript Provenance: Mulgan's diary is in the collection of Count Dobrski who was a Polish Count. Dobrski was also known as Colonel Dolbey and he was Mulgan's Commanding Officer in Cairo. Donor/Lender/Vendor - Donated by Mrs H Mulgan, Wellington, Nov 2012

Date: 27 Nov 2000

From: Second World War oral history project - Crete

By: Edwards, Patira Kingi, 1919-2005

Reference: OHInt-0729-08

Description: Patira Edwards born Poroti, Whangarei 1919, moving with family to Portland. Mentions father worked for Portland Cement works. Refers to parents' iwi affiliations and reason for not claiming Tainui ancestry. Describes jobs held before enlisting for World War II, period at Papakura and Hopuhopu Camps and going overseas with 3rd Echelon, travelling on the `Batory'. Refers to Captain Tahi. Describes accommodation at Maadi Camp, joining 28th Battalion and march through sand storm to join 2nd Echelon troops. Describes Christmas while overseas and refers to Hangi. Briefly mentions getting dysentery in Alamein. Recalls leaving on the `Cameronia' for Greece, arrival at camp at Hymettus and posting near Mt Olympus. Talks about attack by Germans and retreat from Mt Olympus. Mentions Colonel George Dittmer. Recalls sailing on `Glengyle' to Crete. Briefly mentions Suda Bay and morale after Greece. Recalls German invasion 20 May 1941 and attack and counter attack on Maleme aerodrome. Describes how Captain Harding Leaf was killed. Recalls evacuation and journey back to Alexandria on HMS Abdiel. Mentions war service after Crete - North Africa and Italy. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - Completed questionnaire attached to abstract + partial transcript Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009449-009450 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 transcript(s) (partial). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 1.45 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3063, OHDL-001148. Search dates: 2000

Date: 7 Dec 2000

From: Second World War oral history project - Crete

By: Dyson, Richard Herbert, 1917-2006

Reference: OHInt-0729-07

Description: Richard Herbert (Bert) Dyson born New Brighton, Christchurch 1917. Recalls joining Artillery Section of School cadets while at school in Christchurch, going to annual camp with Territorials in Otago and joining Territorials in Wellington. Mentions commencing work with Department of Industries and Commerce in Wellington. Gives reasons for enlisting for World War II and describes process of enlistment, Hopuhopu camp and OCTU (Officer Cadet Training Unit) at Trentham Camp. Mentions Ike Parkinson at Hopuhopu. Recalls leaving New Zealand 6 February 1940 on the `Empress of Canada', disembarking at Port Tewfik, getting to Maadi Camp, and going to Baggush in the Western Desert. Briefly describes World War One uniforms, and recalls infantry reaction to World War One vintage guns. Refers to General Connor in charge of fighting desert war. Recalls attending Signals course in Palestine and refers to terrorist activity, `monkey vehicles', `number 11' radio set, field telephone, `Bombay bowlers' and journey to Amiriye. Mentions dust storm at Amiriye, route to Aliakmon Line, camp at Kokisia and Vale of Tempe. Describes evacuation from Porto Rafti beach by HMS Kandahar and journey to Crete. Mentions Brigadier Howard Kippenberger. Briefly mentions `Oakes Force'. Refers to Jan Peart, AA QMG (AA Quartermaster General). Recalls night before battle and describes telephone call between [General] Freyberg and Brigadier Puttick. Comments on importance of Maleme Aerodrome. Recalls being attacked by German Air Force on way to Sfakia (Sphakia) and evacuation from Sfakia on HMS Nizam. Gives opinion why Greece and Crete were defeats. Refers to influence of Anthony Eden on Churchill's decision-making. Compares Crete with Gallipoli. Compares American Sherman tanks with British tanks. Mentions burial of dead at Suda Bay cemetery and reception to be held on board HMS Ajax. Recalls journey back to New Zealand on board `Dominion Monarch' and arrival at Lyttelton. Gives reasons for not joining RSA [Returned Soldiers Association] or Crete Veterans' Association after the war. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - Completed questionnaire attached to abstract + copies of NZEF Times, Eight Army News, Christmas no of Crusader and copy of `Lily Marlene' [in German] Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009447-009448 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 transcript(s) (partial). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 2.12 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3062-1, OHDL-001147. Search dates: 2000

Date: 1943-1944

From: O'Sullivan, Vincent Gerard, 1937- : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-8612-088

Description: Reports, correspondence and other papers copied from the British Public Record Office, relating to Mulgan's activities in Greece during World War II Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 1941, [1986?]

By: Craigie, George Milton, 1916-1994

Reference: MS-Papers-4165

Description: An account of Craigie's escape and a description of his return visit to Crete in 1986, with a photograph of the boat used in 1941 Accompanying material - Accompanied by a letter from the donor containing background information Craigie served as a gunner with the 6th Field Regiment, NZ Artillery. On 29 April he and ten other soldiers escaped from the advancing Germans by sailing a small boat from Kulamata in southern Greece. They landed in Crete 8 days later. Quantity: 1 folder(s) (5 leaves). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph and typescript (photocopies)

Date: during World War 2

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

By: Rowe, E K S, active 1941

Reference: DA-10979-F

Description: World War 2 soldiers of 19 NZ A Tps Company using a tractor to construct a bridge on Olympus Pass, Greece. Photograph taken by E K S Rowe. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: [ca 1941]

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: 1/4-019200-F

Description: Group at an afternoon reception given by His Majesty the King of Greece to New Zealand soldiers who acted as bodyguard to the Greek Royal party during their evacuation from Crete. From left to right: Lieutenant W H Ryan; Princess Katherine of Greece; Marie, Princess George of Greece; Prince George; Prince Peter; His Majesty King of the Hellenes; and Colonel J S Blunt (British military attache to the Greek Army). Official photograph taken circa 1941 by an unidentified photographer. Source of descriptive information - Notes on file print. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative Processing information: Description updated 26 September following information from a researcher.

Date: [1941]

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: DA-01006-F

Description: NZ troops, possibly of 21 NZ Battalion, on way forward by train. Taken 1941 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: Mar 1941

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: DA-10647-F

Description: Shows soldiers in the foreground looking across sea to Piraeus. Photograph taken March 1941 by V C Gordon. Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: 1941

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: DA-14595-F

Description: World War II soldiers from New Zealand, C Danks and W Stark, with a dead German paratrooper, Crete, Greece. Photograph taken in 1941 by an unidentified photographer. Source of descriptive information - Notes on file print. Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative Provenance: R D Coats collection

Date: [1941]

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: DA-01180-F

Description: Captain C A Borman and Lieutenant A C Hultquist (MP for Bay of Plenty), both Signals officers, in the snow at Servia Pass, Northern Greece. Taken 1941 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: [1943 or 1944]

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

Reference: DA-12924-F

Description: John Mulgan (left), and two other World War II soldiers from New Zealand, photographed in Greece by an unidentified photographer. Soldiers to right of Mulgan unidentified. Other - Note on file print reads "John Mulgan coll'n" Source of descriptive information - Notes on file print. Dated from information in DNZB relating to when Mulgan was in Greece. Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: 1941

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

By: Carroll, J A, active 1939

Reference: DA-10791-F

Description: Original caption from back of file print reads: "Our first taste of grass and trees on Greece. Photograph taken in 1941 [by J A Carroll] the day after the 24th NZ Bn arrived in Greece by the Ajax" Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: [ca 1941]

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

By: Blanchard, R H, active 1941

Reference: DA-03715-F

Description: 2nd NZEF 6th Field Ambulance equipment in Velestinon, Greece, after a German aerial attack. Photograph taken by R H Blanchard circa 1941. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: May 1941

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency

By: Tweeddale, R R, active 1941

Reference: DA-13085-F

Description: Signals mess queue, New Zealand Division headquarters, Crete, Greece, May 1941, (photographed by R R Tweeddale?). The group includes ( Ken Hodge (seated), Noel Barrett, Johnson, Danny Calder, Sandy Ross, E V Jones (Baldy), Trebelco, Eric Bell Cliff Deverall, Scotty Clark, Ern and Mexted ? NB - List of names transcribed from back of file print ) Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative