World War II Official album. 1227-1668

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. Includes photographs of New Zealand fighter and bomber pilots serving with the Royal Air Force, and several British Official photographs relating to New Zealand fighter pilot with the RAF, James Allen Ward, who was awarded the Victoria Cross. Most individuals identified in the album are listed above.

Scenes include a visit by NZ soldiers to stables run by the Egyptian Government at Heliopolis; a NZ military band on tour in Palestine as part of a recruiting campaign; the arrival of the first party of Women's War Service Auxiliary in Egypt, and scenes of their life in the Welfare Section and at the New Zealand Forces Club (p 7, p 146-149); and RNZAF trainees at the Air Observer School, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada.

Life, military training and manouevres in the Western desert; ordnance workshops; the advance in the Western Desert; a NZ medical unit, a mobile surgical unit; hospital scenes (p 100, 103-105, 111).

Sporting and entertainments include a wood-chopping "Axemen's Carnival" in South England; rugby matches in the Western Desert (p 29, 37-38, 82-83, 85, 93, 101-103, 107, 109); swimming (probably at Baggush; p 38-40, 44); and Christmas celebrations in the desert, including the Kiwi Concert Party (p 122-129); and a view of the YMCA Hostle at Alexandria.

Inspection of NZ reinforcements in Egypt by William J Jordan (NZ High Commissioner in London); General Auchinleck presenting decorations to NZ soldiers, and reviewing NZ troops on the eve of the Libyan Campaign (p 49-57, 111-115); the Western Desert Battle, NZers bringing in German Prisoners of War; German General von Ravenstein captured by NZ troops, and scenes of various captured German vehicles, gas masks, a Nazi whip, and weapons; the Libyan advance (p 63-72); and the Railway Construction Unit in the Western Desert.

Scenes of a New Zealand fighter squadron in Malaya (p 80-81, 87-89).

NZers in Tobruk (p 96-99); one view of NZers at a Prisoner of War Camp in Germany (Stalag VI B) taken by Lieutenant Rangi (p 108); NZers arriving back at Base Camp after 5 weeks of imprisonment at Bardia, some of whom are named (p 117-121); four NZ soldiers who walked from Benghazi to west of Gazala (listed above); manouevres after the Libyan Campaign.

Presentation of decorations by General Freyberg to members of the 2nd NZEF in hospital; views of a NZ Spitfire Squadron operating with the RAF Fighter Command, the planes subscribed for by the people of NZ (p 138-141); reproductions of paintings by war artist Peter McIntyre (p 133-138).

Arrangement: Images in album form single numerical sequence, 1227-1668. Follows sequence established in PA1-q-294.

Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s).

Physical Description: Album with faded blue cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22.0 cm