New Zealand. Army. 2nd NZEF. 18 Battalion

Date: 1940-1943

By: Jenkin, John Martlew, 1915-2005

Reference: MS-Papers-10469

Description: Includes programmes; map of Cairo issued to NZ Expeditionary Force; `NZ Abroad', magazine of 18th (Auck) Battalion, NZASC, 2nd NZEF (includes list of those in the battalion); letter to Zillah Thompson of Masterton from Jack, 4 May 1943; copy of `Tobruk Truth', a daily summary from BBC broadcasts, Dec 1941 Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, typescript and printed matter

Date: 1941-1942 (transcribed 1983)

By: Loftus, Harold, 1896-1994

Reference: MS-Papers-2408

Description: The diaries cover the period Feb 1941-Jun 1942. The letters are to Loftus's wife, Isabel, Mar-Jun 1942 Source of title - Supplied title Accompanying material - Biographical notes by Alan Loftus Loftus served with 18 Battalion and saw action in the Greek, Crete and Egyptian campaigns. He was captured near El Alamein in July 1942 and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war in Stalag VIIIB in Germany. Quantity: 5 folder(s) (166 leaves). 0.05 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs and typed transcripts (all photocopies)

Date: 1940-1942

By: Crump, Spencely Noel Stanley, 1916-1995

Reference: MS-Papers-6905

Description: The letters contain an account of Crump's service during the Second World War. He describes his training at Ngaruawahia Camp in Sep-Dec 1939, the trip to Egypt on the `Orion' and further training at Maadi Camp. He also provides accounts of action against German forces in Greece, Crete and North Africa as well as his invaliding back to New Zealand in May 1942. Source of title - Supplied title Crump served as a lieutenant and later a captain with 18 Battalion, 2nd NZEF Quantity: 18 folder(s). 0.20 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs and typescripts

Date: 5 Dec 2000

From: Second World War oral history project - Crete

By: Burn, Colin Henry, 1915-2003

Reference: OHInt-0729-01

Description: Colin Henry Burn born Nelson 1915. Recalls school days in Nelson including Nelson Technical High School and one year at Nelson Boys' College. Recalls employment on leaving school and describes work as a tractor (bulldozer) driver in the bush. Mentions Ellis & Bernand. Recalls outbreak of World War II and enlisting 1940. Describes enlistment process and training at Papakura Camp. Briefly compares with Hopuhopu camp. Mentions travelling to Sydney on `Empress of Russia' joining the `Acquitania' in Sydney. Recalls hearing Lord Haw Haw on radio while on board ship. Explains joining 18 Battalion on arrival in Crete. Refers to Long Range Desert Group. Describes countryside around Maadi Camp, move to Helwan, feelings about Cairo, going around brothels while on patrol duty and arrival in Greece. Mentions camp at Hymettus near Athens. Talks about number of casualities, prisoners etc from 18 Battalion in Greece and describes physical shape on arrival in Crete. Describes activity around Maleme Aerodrome. Mentions slit trenches. Describes German invasion on 20 May, [1941] feelings about being captured by Germans and march to prisoner-of-war camp. Describes conditions of POW camp on Crete and nationalities of prisoners in camp. Talks about change to prison camp in Solonika. Describes barracks at Stalag VIII B (Lamsdorf). Recalls Red Cross and briefly describes Red Cross parcels. Refers to working party on railways at Niklasdorf and being sent to work at coal mine at Milowitz, Poland, Aug 1944-Jan 1945. Describes being moved from coal mine and conditions on march through Poland, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Sudetenland, Austria to Regensburg. Recalls being liberated by United States Army and arrival at RAF aerodrome. Talks about conditions on return to England. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - Completed questionnaire attached to abstract Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009429-009432 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 3.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3057, OHDL-001142. Search dates: 2000

Date: 24 Nov 2000

From: Second World War oral history project - Crete

By: Coates, Robert Desmond, 1918-2001

Reference: OHInt-0729-02

Description: Robert Desmond (Roy) Coates born Auckland 1918. Recalls attaining junior National Scholarship to attend Auckland Grammar. Mentions Edmund Hillary. Talks about parents business and Depression. Refers to Stonex and Ambury. Recalls position with Auckland City Council and mentions mayors, George Hutchison and Ernest Davis. Discusses enlisting for World War II and gives reasons why many people enlisted. Mentions term `PBI' (`Poor bloody infantry'). Recalls training at Hopuhopu and describes camp. Describes geographical make up of 18th Battalion and refers to commanding officer, John Gray. Recalls travelling overseas on the flagship `Orion'. Refers to cruiser `Ramillies' which accompanied convoy. Talks about arrival at Port Tewfik and getting to Maadi Camp. Contacted Gout and describes treatent. Mentions Tipperary Club in Cairo. Describes `anti-sex' school set up by King Fuad and refers to location of military brothel area, the `Berker' (Sharia Wagh El Berket). Also refers to New Zealand Forces' Club and Tuis. Discusses time in Greece and Crete. Talks about Charles Upham. Recalls German invasion on 20 May 1941 and location of 18th Battalion. Mentions events at Maleme aerodrome and effects of Germans gaining control. Recalls fighting in desert at end of 1941. Mentions operation Crusader, fighting at Sidi Rezegh, taking Bardia, attack on Belhamed, 4th Brigade going to Belhamed, wounding of [General Bernard] Freyberg, `break out' at Mersa Matruh, Qattara Depression, `Kaponga Box', Alamein and briefly mentions Long Range Desert Group. Describes life after World War II which included accountancy study and becoming City Treasurer with Auckland City Council, later working for Engineering Department. Refers to building of Civic Centre. Talks about Roy [Raoul] Courlander, a member of 18th Battalion. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - Completed questionnaire attached to abstract Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009433-009436 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s) (+ partial transcript). 1 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 4 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3058, OHDL-001143. Search dates: 2000

Date: 15 Jul 1940-12 Jul 1943

By: Wood, Keith James, 1915-1987

Reference: MS-Papers-1773

Description: Four diaries kept while Wood served with the 18th Auckland Battalion, 1st echelon, 2NZEF. Entries begin 15 Jul 1940 in Egypt and provides an account of service there and his return to NZ, 12 Jul 1943. Source of title - Supplied Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.09 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs

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: [1939-1945]

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-14130

Description: German Tiger tank photographed in Italy during the Second World War Note on back of file print reads: `one of the Regiments first actions in Italy - 18 NZ Bn' Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: 23 July 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-13849-F

Description: Member of the 18th Battalion during World War II, with the division's first captured Tiger tank. Taken by an unidentified photographer on the 23rd of July 1944, not far from Taranelle, Italy. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: 16 December 1943

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-13840

Description: German Panzor 4 tank photographed in Italy on the 16th December 1943. Note on back of file print reads: `Jerry counter attacks on 16 Dec 43 along lateral road Ortona Orsogna, using flame throwers and Mark IV Specials - counter attack fails and 18 Armd Regt is tops with 21 Bn' Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: 1939-1945

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-13850-F

Description: Member of the New Zealand 18th Battalion with a captured Tiger tank, on the edge of a cornfield in Italy. Taken by unidentified photographer between 1939 and 1945. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

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

Reference: DA-14632-F

Description: New Zealand soldiers of 18th Battalion, on a tank on the Biferno River, Italy, during World War 2. They are near Termoli, and moving towards the Sangro River. Soldiers, and photographer, unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: [between 1939-1945]

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-13621-F

Description: New Zealand soldiers by an Italian machine gun turret emplacement, in Italy during World War II. Photograph taken in Italy by an unidentified photographer. Other - Note on back of file print reads: "18Bn Hitler line Italian MG turret emplacement" Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative