Prisoners of war - Libya

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: PA1-q-294

Description: Photographs of New Zealand military personnel serving in Greece, Crete, the Middle East and Egypt during World War 2, 1939-1945, taken by various photographers and compiled for official use. This album includes a number of official photographs taken for the British official records. Many of the personnel identified are listed above, but group portraits in which individuals are identified are not listed above. Many views show aspects of military training in the desert, including machine guns, rifles, manoeuvres, Bren guns, range practice, and anti-tank guns. New Zealand Divisional Cavalry. In England military training and preparation includes scenes of the New Zealand High Commissioner in London, William Joseph Jordan, watching New Zealand lumberjacks from the New Zealand Forestry Corps in a Gloucester forest felling trees for war purposes. Also related to England are scenes of the Duke of Gloucester inspecting troops, and King George VI at an investiture at Buckingham Palace investing Flight-Sergeant Williams with his Distinguished Flying Medal for gallantry in air operations. Long Range Desert patrols and expeditions into enemy territory showing the difficult terrain they had to negotiate. Views of a formation of five American-built Lockheed Hudson aircraft of the RAF Coastal Command carrying out an action patrol near Borkum, Heligoland and the Danish Coast. They are the first released photographs taken while under fire from German anti-aircraft ships, flying only 200 ft above the sea because of the weather (p 15-21). One image shows a wireless operator checking one of H.M. the King's homing pigeons, presented to the RAF to carry messages in case of a forced landing & breakdown of wireless. Arrival of NZ airmen & pilots for duty with the RAF in 1941. Gift of fruit and vegetables presented to NZ troops stationed in Fiji, transported 60 miles by boat from Kandavu, formally accepted by Brigadier Cunningham. (A number of images of Cunningham are dotted throughout the album). Views of the sinking of the Italian raider Ramb I, by HMS Leander in February 1941 (p 33-37). Scenes of a huge field bakery run by Egyptian bakers which can supply 3500 loaves each day. Also the "Waiwera Hotel - the 'ouse on the 'ill" cookhouse in the desert; and other scenes of food preparation. Relaxation organised by the YMCA, and the opening of the Lowry Hut run by the YMCA. Shipboard life on a transport ship, including games, relaxation and officers censoring mail. Floods after heavy rain in the Western Desert along the Mediterranean fringe (p 61-64). The Oranje leaving Amsterdam on her maiden voyage; used as hospital ship for Australian and New Zealand forces. Groups at the Royal Canadian Air Force Bombing and Gunnery School, all of whom are named (p 67-69). Prime Minister Peter Fraser's visit to the Middle East (p 69-72), his visit to Greece (p 93-105), and inspecting the hospital ship Maunganui (p110-111).) The No. 1 General Hospital in Greece. War damage to New Zealand House in London (p 105-106). Italian prisoners of war in a soccer match "NZ vs Italy" in Egypt (p 79-81); German parachute troops wounded and taken prisoner in Crete; captured swastikas used to hoodwink the enemy into dropping supplies. Fighting and evacuation of Crete. Evacuation of the Greek Royal party by a bodyguard of New Zealand soldiers, with views of a reception given by His Majesty the King of Greece, showing Lieutenant W H Ryan, Princess Marie, lady Palairet, Prince George, Prince Peter, and British military attache Colonel J S Blunt. Group portrait of New Zealanders in Britain training for the Fleet Air Arm (members named). Members of the New Zealand Bomber Squadron of the RAF who have been part of the raids on Germany, particularly on Berlin. (Several group portraits, some of which are named). Several photographs of unidentified men who escaped from Crete in barges. Arrangement: Images in album form single numerical sequence, 398-791 Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with faded blue cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22.0 cm

Date: 1940-1943

From: Jeffries, J Kenneth (estate) :Photographs relating to NZ Engineers in Middle East, WW2

Reference: PA1-o-913

Description: The content fields have been constructed from what can be seen of the album without removing the photographs. It should be noted that most of the photographs do have information written on their backs but that this can only be accessed by removing them from the photo corners which attach them to the pages Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s).

Date: [ca 1991]

By: Richardson, John, active 1930-1991

Reference: MS-Papers-10709

Description: Richardson summarises his experiences under `Capitaos inglisi or the Captain with the Crooked Face' and further describes his experiences in letters to John and Julie Snadden Source of title - Supplied Richardson was a prisoner of war during WWII and these papers covers his experiences in Bardia, Bari, Parama and Altamura hospitals in the Western desert and Italy, and in Camp 82 in Italy Quantity: 1 folder(s). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph and mss

Date: 1940-1943

From: Jeffries, J Kenneth (estate) :Photographs relating to NZ Engineers in Middle East, WW2

Reference: PAColl-6003-1

Description: Ships wrecked and otherwise in Tobruk Harbour, a war cemetery, railways and locomotives, a dead German paratrooper on Crete, Arabs, Italian POWs, and New Zealand troops A small group of photographs may be pre-war. They show group photographs of rugby teams on Athletic Park Wellington and some other sports groups Quantity: 47 b&w original photographic print(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: PA1-q-296

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. 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

Date: 1941-1942

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: PAColl-4161-01-072

Description: Some photographs include captions. Truck on fire at Minqar Qaim, SE of Marsa Matruh; recapture of Sidi Rezegh - NZ artillery shelling enemy positions during Libyan advance, 1942 ; The Battle of Nofilia; forces taking Sollum village; South African forces at Halfaya, 1942; British tank crew cleaning themselves up after the occupation of Capuzzo, and Mussolini statuary outside Fort Capuzzo, 1941; NZ POWs return from Bardia (recaptured by South African forces); Benghazi (near Bardia) showing airfield with wreckage enemy planes. Quantity: 30 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: 1941 - 1943

From: Lodge, Nevile Sidney 1918-1989 :[Archive of original cartoons for the Evening Post and Sports Post, 1941 to 1988]

By: Lodge, Nevile Sidney, 1918-1989

Reference: B-133-003

Description: Prisoner of war, probably a New Zealander, wearing shorts and holding a mug, standing on a ledge, fishing with pole for water bearing cactus over a barbed wire fence. The scene is likely to be in North Africa. The cartoonist himself was captured in North Africa during the Second World War and imprisoned by the Germans Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink, 255 x 180 mm Provenance: Donation:

Date: 1941-1942

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-288

Description: Official photographs from World War II, very few of which have captions. Scenes show activities relating to the New Zealand forces in the Middle East in 1941 and the beginning of 1942, including military training in the desert; social life and daily life in camps, scenes in hospitals, sporting activities and social clubs. Military leaders include General Freyberg, Brigadier Alexander Smith Falconer, Lieutenant-Colonel A S Wilder, Howard Karl Kippenberger and Field-Marshall Auchinleck. The New Zealand High Commissioner in Britain visited the tropps and can be seen inspecting the New Zealand reinforcements at Base Camp, Maadi. Several photographs show Charles Hazlitt Upham (awarded the Victoria Cross), including one portrait painted by war artist Peter McIntyre. Other paintings by Peter McIntyre are reproduced on pages 147-149, portraying the part played by New Zealanders in the Libyan offensive of November-December 1941, which McIntyre made from sketches drawn quickly on the field of battle. They include one of the NZ Infantry going into the attack at Sidi Rezegh; New Zealanders at Fort Capuzzo; the tank battle at Belhamid; New Zealand field workshops in the desert; an anti-tank gun in action at Sidi Rezegh; and tank "cavalry" scouting for Rommel's columns in the desert. The second Libyan campaign is seen in numbers of photographs. These include the advance into Libya after Fort Apuzzo fell to a New Zealand column; New Zealand engineers building a wharf at Tobruk; and German and Italian prisoners of war. Items captured include guns, German gas masks, German motor cycles, tanks, Nazi flags, and a captured whip. Three photographs show a group of four New Zealanders who fled from Benghazi on foot when unable to use vehicles after the road was cut behind them. They took about 11 days to walk 250 miles across the desert, gaining help from Arab groups on the way. (Drivers S G McKinnon (Auckland), A W Blackburn (Auckland), Corporal S Roa (Auckland) and Sergeant T W Gill (Wellington)). On pages 133-136 Middle East scenes show a group of New Zealanders arriving back at the N.Z. Base Camp after 37 days imprisonment in Bardia, Libya. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Album with dark blue cloth cover, black corners and spine; 34.5 x 22.0 cm

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: 1941-1943

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-4161-01-073

Description: Some photographs include captions. Advance into Libya. Subjects include: Occupation of Capuzzo; Maori soldiers near Nofilia; church service on a beach; craft workshop (prisoners?); military cemetery; NZ convoy coming up Tobruk corridor; Maori Battalion on route march; NZers and Free French (Lorraine Bomber Squadron); at Bardia; dog `Fritz'; Major in charge of sappers with German Teller mines; RAF liason officer who was with NZers throughout Libyan campaign; Italian prisoners with their war wounded; G Beamish (NZ war correspondent) and Lt Geoffrey Cox at Sollum Hellfire Pass signpost. Various photos of Maori Battalion including group photo of the rugby team which defeated the Div. Sigs. in the final of the NZ Divisional Rugby Championship in Tripoli (all named) Quantity: 104 b&w original photographic print(s).

Date: [ca 28 Nov 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-02004-F

Description: Captive German General Johann Theodor von Ravenstein, after his capture by the 21 New Zealand Battalion, with a British staff officer at Tobruk, Libya, during World War II. Taken circa 28 November 1941 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 17 July 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: Steward, L, active 1942

Reference: DA-10889

Description: Prisoner of war camp 116 (Palm Tree) in Libya, Benghazi, 17 July, 1942. Photograph taken by L Steward. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

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: Dixon, H R, active 1942

Reference: DA-10608

Description: Camp 116 (Palm Tree), for prisoners of war, in Benghazi, Libya. Taken by H R Dixon in 1942. Negative is covered with light scratches Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

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: Dixon, H R, active 1942

Reference: DA-10602

Description: Six prisoners of war from camp 116 (Palm Tree) in Benghazi, Libya. They had been living in the camp for about three months. Taken by H R Dixon in 1942. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: [ca 28 Nov 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-01674-F

Description: General Johann `Hans' Theodor von Ravenstein with an unidentified New Zealand soldier, after his capture by the 21 New Zealand Battalion, outside Tobruk, Libya, during World War 2. Photographer unidentified. Reproduced from a copy negative. TPA War History index card states "no neg". 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-03732-F

Description: New Zealand prisoners of war at the Advanced Dressing Station, Sidi Rezegh, Libya, circa 1941. Taken by an unidentified photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: [ca 28 Nov 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-01978-F

Description: Captive German General Johann Theodor von Ravenstein, after his capture by the 21 New Zealand Battalion, with a British staff officer at Torbruk, Libya, during World War II. Taken circa 28 November 1941 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: [ca Jan 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: PAColl-5547-065

Description: Italian prisoners of war after the attack on Bardia, Libya, during World War 2. Shows a queue of soldiers. Photograph taken circa January 1941 by an unidentified official British photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 10.2 x 12.7 cm

Date: [ca 26 Nov 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: Arundel, Roy, active 1941

Reference: DA-12348

Description: German prisoners of war in Libya, probably at a casualty clearing station near Sidi Rezagh, photographed circa 26 November 1941, by R Arundel (of 27 Machine Gun Battalion ?). Note on back of file print reads : "27 (MG) Bn" Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin, 4.5 x 6.9 cm, on backing card

Date: 27 November 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: Harper, J S, active 1941

Reference: DA-08289-F

Description: Wounded World War II prisoners of war alongside tents of the Main Dressing Station at Sidi Resegh, Libya, on the 27th of November 1941. Photograph taken by J S Harper of 20th Battalion after the Station had been taken over by the Germans. Note on back of file print reads: "6 NZ Fd Amb - MDS - Captured - Libya" Note on back of file print reads: "2 Libyan Campaign - Captured MDS" Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).