Bren machine gun

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: 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: PA1-q-298

Description: Photographs of New Zealand military personnel serving in North Africa and the Pacific during World War 2, 1939-1945, taken by various photographers and compiled for official purposes. Many of the group portraits are fully named in the album, many of whom are not listed above. Scenes include various views of the Kiwi Concert Party (with a named group portrait) on tour and in action, in Syria, Alexandria, Tripoli & Malta (p 1-5, 42, 137-138); New Zealanders in the RAF at Middle-Eastern stations (p 6-7, 19-23); casualties and medical officers from the El Alamein battle at a NZ military hospital, including a view of twin brothers E R & E O Riley who painted a mural while convalescing (p 8-9, 23); a group of NZ merchant seamen visited the 2nd NZEF base at Maadi with one of the soldiers at the base (A Currie, E Warner, D Duff (all from Lyttelton) and S Rogers from Wellington), with soldier W E M Cornish (also from Lyttelton). Lieutenant-General Montgomery inspecting troops and presenting awards (p 10-180 and Monty in the desert (p 63); from the Azizia region to Tripoli (p 24-36) including stacks of German bombs abandoned near Azizia, troops on leave in Tripoli, Monty visits, parades, scenes with Winston Churchill and Bernard Montgomery; inspection of troops and awards presented by General Freyberg (p 68-72, 75-76). The Libyan battle and advance to Benghazi; Xmas scenes at Maadi Camp (p 40-41), at the Helwan Hospital (p 53-54) & at Sirte (p 55-56); scenes of flooding in the desert; light naval craft in the harbour of a Western Desert port. Nursing sisters in the Western desert (p 45-49); infantry troops taking an Italian fort "Forte Giudice[?]" (p 50-51). Visit of the NZ Minister of Defence (Hon Frederick Jones (p 52-53, 84-85, 94-97, 125-127); presentation of 2 ambulances by the Hugh Baird family (Hastings) and the Sutherland Ross family (Dunedin). Clearing mines (p57-59); Divisional Signals in the desert (p 60-61); photographs taken on a German camera captured in the Sidi Barrani area (p 64-66); various sporting events including rugby championships in Tripoli (p 67-68) & Alexandria (p 72-74), hockey, tennis (p 149), swimming (p 149), and athletics in Cairo (p 127-129). An ambulance train, diesel drawn train of ambulance carriages operated by NZ engineers (p 79); NZ Spitfire fighters operating from Britain (Fl/Lt Pattison, Squad. Leader R J C Grant (DFC, DFM) & Fl/Lt Baker (DFC)); South Island airmen making a broadcast to NZ from the studios of the Canadian Broadcasting Studios in Halifax. Final phase of fighting in North Africa (p 89-93) and the surrender by General Messe, the German Chief of Staff. Scenes of the "First New Zealand Mule Pack Company" (p 129-131) for transporting ammunition and suppliesl in Tunisia; the marriage of Brigadier Kenneth MacCormick to NZ WAAC Joan Stewart Fenwick at Maadi Camp; reproductions of paintings and portraits by war artist Peter McIntyre (p 100-105, 113-114), including members of the Long Range desert Group, Benghazi, Siwa, Monty, Norman Johnston (NZ Broadcasting Unit) and entry into Tripoli. NZers at Stalag 18A Germany (photo taken by A "Carl" Carlisle); passing through Gabes & Sousse; arrival of men in NZ on home leave from Egypt (p 111-113), and office scenes showing the ballot for home leave (p 139-140); British and NZ forces repatriated from Italy on a hospital ship to Alexandria (p 115-116) and a British Embassy garden party for the troops held in the British Embassy grounds in Cairo (p 121-122, 131). Captured German weapons; the end of the North African Campaign; NZers in Britain; NZ prisoners in an Italian prison camp (photo taken by one who was repatriated (L P Halle from Wanganui); celebration of Empire Day in Cairo; command performance by unites of the Allied Forces for the King of Egypt; a group at Medinine; arrival back at Base Camp of the NZ Division after 2000 mile journey from near Tunis back to Maadi after continuous campaigning for nearly a year. Arrangement: Images in album form single numerical sequence, 2115-2555. 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 cm.

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-291

Description: Photographs of military activities and war work in New Zealand during World War 2, 1939-1945, taken by various photographers and compiled for official use. Views show the manufacture of various military weapons, machinery and vehicles and the men and women involved in the work. They include munitions (manufacture of hand grenades); Bren gun carriers, airframes, building navy trawlers and mine sweepers in Auckland; airplane construction at Rongotai, at the De Havilland Aircraft Factory; making caterpillar tracks; making sten guns; and constructing army huts. People from various military and civilian groups are shown working as fitters, flight riggers, flight mechanics; aircraft maintenance; welders, camouflage nets (made by Girl Guides). Activities include army exercises (p 106-110); river crossing exercises; preparation for a dawn departure of a New Zealand Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron; army training (p 76-97); and the New Zealand Air Training Corps for elementary instruction for youths aged 16 to 18 1/2. RNZAF training includes blind flying practice, Hawker Hind training planes, aircraft maintenance, flight mechanics, and Airspeed Oxford training planes. Other activities include the planting and growing of linen flax, used in the manufacture of planes, tires, gun covers and fighting equipment; agricultural and horticural work, including using bullock teams for breaking in new ground; army manouvres (in part in Franklin area, and in winter conditions in the South Island near the Southern Alps); territorial manoeuvres; coastal defence; Home Guard training; a remedial physical education training camp for recruits suffering from foot troubles, painful backs etc.; the making of a new raft designed in NZ which could be constructed in a few minutes and was easily transported; training despatch riders on motor bikes in the snow. Women, in different organisations including Women's National Service Corps, Women's Auxiliary Air Force and the Lady Galway Guild, were engaged in driving and maintaining military vehicles; driving for Red Cross vehicles; digging trenches; on parade; as signallers; in clerical work; hospital duties; cooking and other branches of essential war work. Pages 63-75 show the arrival in New Zealand of the American forces; and pages 111-121 portray a visit to New Zealand of Australian and Netherlands personnel from the hospital ship Oranje when the NZ Government, as a mark of appreciation for their efforts in bringing Australian and New Zealand wounded troops, placed a special train at their disposal and took them to Chateau Tongariro for rest and relaxation. 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

From: Foley, Thomas Joseph, 1914-2008 :Photographs of the Battle of Crete

Reference: PAColl-6677-6

Description: Two New Zealand soldiers with automatic Bren guns, Crete, during World War II, 1941 Inscriptions: Verso - centre - A Crete Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Gelatin silver print

Date: 1941

From: Foley, Thomas Joseph, 1914-2008 :Photographs of the Battle of Crete

Reference: PAColl-6677-5

Description: Two New Zealand soldiers with automatic Bren guns, Crete, during World War II, 1941 Inscriptions: Verso - centre - See the parachute hanging on the tree above Tom's head Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Gelatin silver print

Date: 14 May 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

By: Kaye, George Frederick, 1914-2004

Reference: DA-05744-F

Description: A New Zealand Bren gunner, C A Coleman (Taranaki) attached to the machine gunners, affords protective covering fire against any enemy forward movements to the flank of the New Zealand machine gun post on the 8th Army Front in Italy, during World War II. Photograph taken in the Cassino area on 14 May 1944 by George Frederick Kaye. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 1948

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-13911-F

Description: Photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 1/2 plate

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: Kaye, George Frederick, 1914-2004

Reference: DA-08080-F

Description: Unidentified World War 2 New Zealand soldier from the 23rd Battalion firing a Bren machine gun from a sandbagged pit in Faenza, Italy. He fires at an enemy target 400 yards away, across no man's land. Photograph taken by George Kaye. Exact date not known. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: 22 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-02532-F

Description: NZ soldier demonstrating the use of twin bren guns in the Syrian mountains during World War II. Taken on 22 June 1942 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 1940

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-00556-F

Description: Members of NZ 1st Contingent assemble Bren gun in anti-aircraft training near Maadi camp, Egypt. Taken in 1940 by a British official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic 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: Elias, M D, active 1943

Reference: DA-01510-F

Description: Soldier with bren gun, probably from 4 New Zealand Infantry Brigade on combined exercises at Kabrit, Egypt, during World War II. Photograph taken September/October 1941 by M D Elias. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: [ca 19 Nov 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

By: Kaye, George Frederick, 1914-2004

Reference: DA-04610-F

Description: New Zealand bren gunner on the alert in the forward areas in Italy. The Appennines are visible in the distance. Photograph taken in the Sangro River area circa 19 November 1943 by George Frederick Kaye. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 17 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-02158-F

Description: Maintenance carried out on bren machine gun at the Divisional Ordnance Workshops in Egypt during World War II. Taken on 17 November 1941 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: [1936-1938]

From: Morton, Errol Cliff : Photographs and negatives of Western Desert, World War 2

Reference: 1/2-180122-F

Description: View of Waiouru Army Training Camp, showing soldier using a bren gun on a tripod mount, taken circa 1936-1938 by Errol Cliff Morton. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative 112 x 70 mm

Date: [ca Jun 1940]

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-00562-F

Description: Two soldiers operating gun in anti-aircraft post at Maadi camp, Egypt. Taken circa June 1940 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: [1936-1938]

From: Morton, Errol Cliff : Photographs and negatives of Western Desert, World War 2

Reference: 1/2-180120-F

Description: View of Waiouru Army Training Camp, showing soldier using a bren gun on a tripod mount, taken circa 1936-1938 by Errol Cliff Morton. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative 112 x 70 mm

Date: [Between 1939 and 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: Fox Photos Ltd

Reference: PA1-q-285

Description: Official photographs of World War II. This album chiefly shows the NZEF, First Echelon. Many photographs have captions, the information from which is mostly given in the name headings, subjects and place headings listed above. This first album contains images numbered from 1- 310. The first two images show a group of New Zealanders who were living in England when war broke out, and who volunteered for service with the new Zealand Unit. They are shown in training in the Eastern Command. The First Echelon are shown on board ship leaving Melbourne in 1939, with a number of shipboard scenes, then being addressed on arrival in Egypt by Sir Anthony Eden. There are views of the Kiwi Club, established mainly through the initiative of Lady Lampson, with the British Red Cross Society of Cairo, for use of convalescent patients at the new General Military Hospital at Helwan. Later a swimming pool was built nearby. Lady Lampson and Sir Miles Lampson are seen in many images. Views in the desert show several scenes of an Anzac Day service in 1940; various methods of transport, including lorries, and motor bikes, and a motor railcar patrolling the rail to Mersa Matruh; training exercises in the desert with various types of guns; digging trenches; building camp structures; dugouts leading to anti-aircraft posts; and camp life. The No. 4 General Hospital at Helwan is shown at the time of its opening, with the first patient arriving; and Lieutenant J H Will (the officer commanding the 4th Field Ambulance Regiment) handing over to Major E Button who was taking charge of the new hospital. Numbers of views show the huge mail parcels arriving and being sorted in the desert. As well as photographs of events in the Middle East, there are views of manoeuvres with the Second Echelon in England. 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: [ca 1940]

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-00740-F

Description: Two-soldier team operates a Bren gun in anti-aircraft training at Maadi camp, Egypt. Taken circa 1940 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: 1940

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-00741-F

Description: A line of troops instructed in Bren gun anti-aircraft weapons handling Maadi camp, Egypt. Taken in 1940 by an official photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative

Date: [ca 8 Mar 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

By: Kaye, George Frederick, 1914-2004

Reference: DA-05374-F

Description: New Zealand soldier sets up his bren gun on a vantage point as part of an Infantry exercise, in a ruined village on the Monte Cassino Front in Italy, during World War II. Photograph taken circa 8 March 1944 by George Frederick Kaye. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative