World War, 1939-1945 - Campaigns - Syria

Date: 1942

From: New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. Historical Publications Branch : Photographs of North African and Italian campaigns in World War II

By: Paton, Harold Gear, 1919-2010

Reference: PAColl-D-0172

Description: Mounted photograph of a New Zealand signaller and a linesman from the French Free Force up a pole. Photograph taken by H Paton, May 1942 Inscriptions: Verso - top right - DA2528; Recto - beneath image - Title Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print, 380 x 255 mm mounted on card

Date: 1939 - 1944

From: Baker, Frederick (Lieutenant-Colonel), 1908-1958 :Maps related to the North African Campaign, World War, 1939-1945

By: Baker, Frederick, 1908-1958; Baker, Edna Mavis, 1909-1987; Baker, Francis Gordon Frederick, active 1989; Institut Geographique National (France). Annexe au Levant

Reference: MapColl-502hkm/1939-/Acc.39537

Description: Coverage of this topographic map is mainly of the countries of Syria and Lebanon. Boundaries are shown between parts of the countries of Palestine, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. Roads, railways and pipelines are referred to in a key. See record for the World War II map folder at MapColl--f502hkm/1939-/Acc.39541 Accompanied by a canvas and leather combined message case and map bag. See MapColl--f502hkm/1939-/Acc.39542 Other Titles - Syria and Lebanon Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Baker was Commander of the 28th Battalion (Maori Battalion) when engaged in active service in North Africa Quantity: 1 map(s) accompanied by a set of chinagraph pencils attached to cardboard folder with wooden spine measuring 39.7 x 30 cm.. Physical Description: Printed map, coloured Provenance: Owned by Frederick Baker and donated by Gordon Baker, November 1989 Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - from MS-Group-0079. Deed of gift at 10/11 dated 22 Nov 1989.

Date: [ca 1939-1945]

Reference: PA1-o-1537

Description: Photograph album comprising photographs and postcards taken and collected by GMC who served in the Middle East during World War II. Includes photographs of Middle East cities, harbours, buildings and portraits of New Zealand soldiers. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: 170 x 250 mm Provenance: Purchased at auction, 2009

Date: 28-29 May 2007 - 28 May 2007 - 29 May 2007

From: Methven Heritage Project - RSA and Arable oral history project

By: Sandys, Joseph Francis, 1922-

Reference: OHInt-0920-15

Description: Interview with Joseph (Joe) Francis Sandys. Born in 1922 in Liverpool, England. Background parents Margaret Sandys (nee Bolton) and Joseph Sandys and siblings. Educated at St Alexander's Catholic school, Bootle, Liverpool, until 14 years old. Describes first jobs as butcher's boy, grocer boy, laundry and ship galley boy. Details voyage to New Zealand, jumping ship in Wellington and getting work at Lane Walker Rudkin in Christchurch. Says he gave himself up and spent two weeks in Paparua prison on remand and that Harvey Rudkin supported him in court case with shipping company. Talks about working at Exide Batteries, Taylors Drycleaners and Public Works Department at Staveley. Says went to Methven to make concrete pipes for Surrey Hills. Describes volunteering for World War Two service at 17 years old, telling them he was 21. Describes training at Trentham in 1940, and going on 'New Amsterdam' to Sydney in 1941 with the 5th Reinforcements. Details trip to Port Tewfik, Egypt via Ceylon on board the 'Aquitania'. Describes training with mines at Maadi Camp, and being assigned to 13th Railway Construction Company. Talks about going to Mersa Matruh and El Alamein. Says he was chainman to Charlie Ensor from North Canterbury. Details his role and railway construction, use of Indian labourers, sand storms and getting bombed and strafing. Talks about working for ten months in Beruit and Syria, helping South Africans put in a tunnel by the sea front. Mentions contact with the Vichy army. Says division went to Bari, Italy and disbanded, and he was allotted to 7th Field Engineers. Describes work as mine sweeper during Cassino campaign. Refers to first job at Scissors Bridge, being held up at Rimini, and being taken prisoner overnight with 8th field engineers and 23rd Battalion. Expands on horrifying experience of Monte Cassino, minnie whopper shells, dead bodies, dry rations and V for Victory cigarettes. Refers to British bombing the monastery and the Americans bombing a hospital. Talks about driving through snow to Trieste, meeting Tito's outfit (Yugoslav troops), and escorting German prisoners of war back to Egypt. Mentions waiting at Maadi Camp to go home. Describes voyage home on the 'Strathaird' and hearing about the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Recalls arrival home from World War two. Wife Agnes Sandys talks about Joe meeting her family and getting engaged. She comments on nursing her mother, their marriage 9 October 1945 and the birth of their children. Joe Sandys talks about working in the council yards in Methven and Highbank power house. Says purchased fish and chip shop with loan from Dan Smith. Describes problems running the business and filing for bankruptcy. Outlines jobs as barman at the Canterbury Hotel (known as the Brown pub, Methven) and Pudding Hill sawmill until he cleared his debts. States he worked 26 years at garage owned by George Goldsmith, Campbell MacPhail and Gluyas Motors. Describes activites after his retirement in 1982. Mentions buying state house with State Advances loan. Expands on visit to England to see where he was bought up. Refers to meeting relatives and his sister and husband visiting New Zealand. Abstracted by - Nicola Robertson Interviewer(s) - Kathryn McKendry Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016774 - OHC-016775 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Adobe PDF Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6037, OHDL-001832. Search dates: 1922 - 2007

Date: [ca 1941-1943]

From: Middlemass, William Gladstone, 1905-1995 :Photographs, chiefly taken during Middlemass's service as a dentist during World War II

By: Weigel, William George, 1890-1980

Reference: PA1-o-1835

Description: Contains images chiefly of Libya, but also of Syria, taken circa 1941-1943 by William Gladstone Middlemass during his service in World War II as a military dentist. - Album contains mostly military content with a focus on the New Zealand Dental Corps. Dental clinics in tents in a variety of desert locations are shown, and there is an image of the I Camp Dental Hospital building. Some images show the set-up of facilities. A variety of unidentified personnel (both dentists and patients) are shown during treatment. Soldiers are also seen in desert camps digging bunkers, cooking, eating, drinking, smoking, shaving, training, and doing administrative tasks. An informal image shows General Freyberg with his soldiers. Also contains a group portrait of soldiers [dental corps?] in New Zealand photographed by George Weigel. - Military convoys feature as well as individual vehicles, including a motorbike and a staff car that has been bombed. One utility vehicle has a silver fern logo painted on the back and in another images a convoy is photographed snaking up Halfaya Pass. Further images depicts an official visit with a woman and [French Foreign Legion?] soldiers, a desert graveyard in Libya with the graves of Sergeant Jaspers (died 15 Nov 1941) and an unidentified German prisoner of war (died 28 Nov 1941), bombed buildings, and soldiers canned food supplies. - Scenic and tourist shots include water wheels and river scenes in Syria, desert landscapes, local people and their dress, the collection of rocks by workers, donkeys, camels, the marble arch on the border of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, a marble statue with a woman holding an ear of wheat, a ruined fortress, the village of Matruh, the town of Bardia, and an unidentified seaside location. Recreational images include a day at the races, swimming in the ocean, and a garden cocktail party for Colonel Fuller on his departure with Brigadier Inglis and Major MacCallum also identified. Album also contains images of men in tradition dress during an unidentified ceremony [welcome?]. - Loose prints are stored in an envelope interleaved between the cover and first page of this album. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Photograph album with white and blue textured leather cover containing silver gelatin photoprints

Date: 9 Nov 2000

From: Second World War oral history project - Crete

By: Wildey, Peter Benjamin, 1913-2013

Reference: OHInt-0729-16

Description: Peter Benjamin Wildey born Dunedin 1913. Describes family background, cadet training at Otago Boys High School, being promoted to sergeant in Territorials and course studied at Otago University. Recalls declaration of World War II, process of enlistment, posting to Narrow Neck in Auckland, with reference to Col Clifton, attachment to 7th Field Company and embarking May 1940 on `Acquinta'. Mentions other units on board. Recalls arrival in Egypt and briefly describes Maadi Camp. Mentions journey to Greece and involvement in Battle of Cape Matapan. Refers to Salonika and Mt Olympus, enemy attacks on Sappers, bridge being blown up by mistake at Corinth and effects of this mistake on Australian troops. Describes German invasion on 20 May [1941], fighting paratroopers, lack of communication with Headquarters, withdrawal of New Zealand troops from Maleme aerodrome, attack by Stukas, German occupation of Galatos, with reference to Kippenberger's organisation of counter attack, withdrawal, march over mountains to Sphakia, evacuation and journey back on the `HMS Abdiel', and casualty rate for 7th Field Company in Greece and Crete compared with other battalions and casualities. Mentions role of 28 Maori Battalion on Crete. Mentions Jim Wynyard, former All Black. Refers to `Shufti kite' [reconnaissance plane]. Recalls return to Maadi Camp, training in Egypt before desert war, German presence in Cyrenaica, posting to Divisional Headquarters as reconnaissance officer, fate of ship and number of New Zealanders killed when ship sank. Mentions New Zealand Division's posting to Syria, with reference to Col Hansen. Other topics mentioned include: Bailey Bridge, `Jock Columns' , Battle of Alamein and effect of Artillery's creeping barrage', role of engineers and New Zealand method of lifting mines, rain storm at Fuka after Alamein and New Zealand involvement at El Agheila with reference to Nofilia and Major [Murray] Reed, officer in charge of 7th Battalion. Describes getting permission to marry and being married at Ismailia garrison church. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Megan Hutching Accompanying material - completed questionnaire Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009474-009476; OHLC-004840-004842 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s). 1 interview(s). 3.24 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3071, OHDL-001156. Search dates: 2000

Date: [ca 1942-1944]

By: Andrews, Noel Edwin, 1921-; Hawkins, D A, active 1940s; Gordon, V C, active 1941; Spence, A J, active 1941; Allen, K C (Senior Sergeant), active 1940s

Reference: PAColl-0529

Description: Photographs collected by Don Sinclair for an unpublished history of the 19th Armoured Regiment of campaigns in Syria, Egypt, and Crete. They include: soldiers in a foxhole at Minqar Qaim; "Hun" prisoners under guard in 19th Batallion area, Crete; troops arriving by ship at Piraeus; military camps in Italy and Syria; a shot down German Stuka aeroplane; examples of propaganda; tanks in use and damaged; aerial photography; a man mending bicycles; troops on the deck of the HMAS Nizam; a ruined church at Galatos (?); soldiers on the beach in Crete; German soldiers being addressed informally possibly by Goering; soldiers in Syria with a snowman; soldiers at Ed Duda, Egypt; and Private Smith of Taranaki Company at the Syria ski school. Other names given are: Laurie Boyes, Harry Laudimore(?), Ted Toseland, G Palmer, N Andrews, V Gordon, G Arthur, T Hermon, Tom Senior, Laurie Boyer, George Greenwood, Cyril Muir, Eric Boyton, D Dawson, M Goodin, Brigadier L M Inglis, Snow(?) Coleman, Cliff Stark, Ewan Taylor, Jim Warden, Pat Paterson, George Baxter, Bill Lowry, Harold McMillan. Most of the photographs are captioned with notes presumably by Don Sinclair. Quantity: 34 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 1942-1943

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: PAColl-4161-01-066

Description: Photographs include: NZEF Ski Unit (9th Army Ski School course in the Lebanons?); NZEF gunners on manoeuvres in the Middle East (with some captions in Arabic); army surveyors in Syria, 1942; visit of Duke of Gloucester; Hygiene Section spraying swamps (anti-malaria campaign); American Red Cross flour distribution in Kurdish village (Northern Syria); French Independence Day celebrations in Beirut; NZ Pipe Band in Place des Canore, Beirut; Palestine Auxillary Territorial Service Police (ATSMP Palestine Division); boxing & wrestling championship (Gunner Steers & Private Lister); NZ soldiers at an Arab feast; troops on a route march through an ancient Roman gateway in Syria; etc Quantity: 53 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 1941 to 1942

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-297

Description: Photographs of New Zealand military personnel serving in the Middle East and England during World War 2, 1939-1945, taken by various photographers and compiled for official purposes. Many individuals identified in the album are listed above. Scenes include physical training at the School of Instruction, Maadi Camp; reproductions of paintings by war artist Peter McIntyre (p 1-2, 93); scenes with His Excellency the Governor-General of NZ, Sir Cyril Newall, visiting Samoa and Fiji in 1942 (p 2-7); New Zealand members of ski units including members of the Maori Battalion at the Ninth Army Ski School in Syria; NZEF and Red Cross distribution of flour to Syrian people; parade through Aleppo. Officers, nursing sisters and Lady Freyberg at Anzac Day service at Maadi Camp in 1942; the visit of the NZ High Commissioner to a "west coast port", William Jordan and officers of NZ ships; arrival of pilots and observers for the RAF; scenes with King George VI & Queen Elizabeth visiting RAF Bomber Command, and the King watching landing exercises in Scotland. New Zealanders after withdrawing from the Libyan engagement; engineers constructing roads, lines of communication and supply in Transjordan; working with Arabs, reconstructing ancient wells; NZers in Amman. Group of NZers at Rouen sent back to Germany when arrangement with German authorities for mutual repatriation of prisoners broke down; NZ medical personnel repatriated from Italy to the Middle East under the Geneva Convention (many named); the Duke of Gloucester visiting the NZ camp at Maadi; locomotives being unlaoded on lighters and NZ engineers in their living quarters on the lighters at a Syrian port. The Pacific War Council in the Cabinet Room at the White House. Entertainment and sport for NZ troops in the Middle East included cricket, racing, bathing in the Dead Sea, boxing and wrestling championships. Campaign against malaria, widening and deepening drains; participation at the Western desert battle front; Visit of a party of NZers to a bandit stronghold in Syra (p 62-64); Sergeant James Allen Ward's VC with illustrations (p 71-72); Winston Churchill visiting NZers in the Western Desert (p 77-80, 82); the Alamein front; the NZ General Hospital at Beirut in Syria housed in former French barracks (p 86-90). A studio party in New York for Unted Servicement; a New York Bond Party; and later, a group of NZers in New York. RNZAF training in Canada (group portrait); NZers in North Western Alaska, and a group of wireless operators in Canada. Recipients of awards (named above); Kiwi Concert Party. Pursuit of the Axis Forces and war material abandoned by Germans and Italians (p 104-125); advance to Tripoli (p 128-138). Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with faded blue cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22 cm

Date: 1942

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, 1862-1922

Reference: PA1-q-289

Description: Official photographs from World War II, many of which have captions giving names, information about activities taking place, and places. Some of the names noted are listed above. The album opens with a number of reproductions of paintings by New Zealand war artist Peter McIntyre (10 paintings (p 1-4)), 1 of McIntyre sketching in the field (p 9), and 7 further paintings (p 16-17, p 91, p 109)). Pages 17-22 have scenes with His Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand Sir Cyril Newall visiting Samoa and Fiji in 1942. Page 24-25 show trainees at the Ninth Army Ski School in Lebanon in 1942, some men chosen from the 28th New Zealand (Maori) Battalion, and some from the 22nd Battalion. Duties included reconnaissance, fighting patrols and rescue work for snow-bound troops. Different occasions are shown including an Anzac day parade and service on 25th April 1942, and a ceremonial parade in Aleppo on 30th April 1942; a group of New zealanders who were at Rouen ready for repatriation when arrangements with german authorities for the mutual repatriation of Prisoners of War broke down, all of whom were returned to Germany; groups of NZ medical personnel who were part of PoW protected personnel which took place between Italy and the Middle East Allie Forces (p 45-46); a group of Australians and New zealanders in the German prison camp Marlag & Milag Nord; a race meeting and sports activities in Transjordan, including races with 6 Arab horses and 6 donkeys which were loaned by the Arab Legion. A group of NZ soldiers visited the stonghold of a tribe of bandits in Syria (p 77-80); scenes in Crete "the price paid by German air invaders"; Winston Churchill being welcomed in the desert; scenes of nurses, convalescents, hospital wards around the 3rd New Zealand General Hospital in Beirut (p 102-106); recipients of recent awards, many not named (p 112-114); a group of NZ airmen who were survivors of a ship which was sunk en route to Britain; Kiwi Concert Party; and a sequence showing the pursuit by a New zealand convoy of the Axis Forces in the Western Desert during the early days of the November advance (p 126-137, showing equipment abandoned by the retreating forces including German special mobile anti-tank guns and trucks, but also the problems with landmines)l. The final views show the advance to Tripoli. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with dark blue cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22.0 cm

Date: 15 Sept 1942

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-02631-F

Description: Local women laying ballast on railway track under the direction of the New Zealand Railway Construction Company in Syria, World War II. Photograph taken on 15 September 1942 by M D Elias. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 22 May 1942

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: Paton, Harold Gear, 1919-2010

Reference: DA-02484-F

Description: A lighter carrying a locomotive approaches wharf at a Syrian port during World War II. Photograph taken on 22 May 1942 by H Paton. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: Jun 1942

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-06750-F

Description: Local inhabitants carrying spray equipment during an anti malaria campaign in Syria, organised by the New Zealand Hygiene Section, during World War II. Photograph taken in June 1942 by Harold Gear Paton. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 9 Jul 1942

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: Elias, M D, active 1943

Reference: DA-02539-F

Description: NZ soldiers trout fishing using rifles near the Syrian and Turkish border during World War II. Photograph taken on 9 July 1942 by M D Elias. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 13 May 1942

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: Paton, Harold Gear, 1919-2010

Reference: DA-02528-F

Description: Member of a NZ line gang working on an overhead line along with a member of the Free French Forces in Syria during World War II. Photograph taken on 13 May 1942 by H Paton. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 5 May 1942

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-02475-F

Description: The 26 NZ Battalion marching past the saluting base at Dier el Zor, Syria, during World War II. Photograph taken on 5 May 1942 by H Paton. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 26 May 1942

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: Paton, Harold Gear, 1919-2010

Reference: DA-02500-F

Description: Members of NZ Divisional Cavalry (officers and NCOs) visit native villagers in Syrian hills during World War II. This tribe is said to have wiped out an entire company of French soldiers which attempted a punitive expedition prior to the war. Photograph taken on 26 May 1942 by H Paton. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 22 May 1942

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: Paton, Harold Gear, 1919-2010

Reference: DA-02486-F

Description: Group of New Zealanders on a lighter at a Syrian port during World War II. Photograph taken on 22 May 1942 by H Paton. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 29 Apr 1942

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: Elias, M D, active 1943

Reference: DA-02458-F

Description: A crowd of Syrian women and children during the distribution of flour organised by New Zealand troops in combination with the American Red Cross in Syria during World War II. Photograph taken on 29 April 1942 by M D Elias. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 30 Apr 1942

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-02460-F

Description: Military brass band of 6 NZ Infantry Brigade in ceremonial parade through the streets of Aleppo, Syria, during World War II. Photograph taken on 30 April 1942 by H Paton. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative