Hi guys, can anyone help with 2NZEF info??

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by Reganpatrick79, Apr 14, 2010.

  1. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    Regan,
    it depended very much on the capabilities of the ship. The Jason and Nino Bixio were relatively new and could do 16knts or so. The older ones such as the Ariosto and Scillin could only manage about 8.
    The faster boats seem to have been routed from Benghazi in a more direct route.Sometimes cutting through the Corinth Canal.
    The slower ships took the Coastal route and went through the channel between Kerkennah and the Tunisian mainland. It was usual to turn for Sicily after reaching Cap Bon.
    Tembien was given an estimated time of almost 4 days be she was to have stood at anchor the first night.
     
  2. KiwiKav

    KiwiKav Junior Member

    Hi Regan, I have all his Military Records, but they aren't very specific when it comes to places of action, R&R Depots etc. I have only just discovered that the 64th Gen Hospital he was admitted to was situated in Alexandria. The British secconded the Victoria College for the duration of the War and that was where the Hospital was situated. His records mention a NZ Field Ambulance but position unknown. I have sent of to Trentham to see if I can squeeze some more info from them as well. I too am a NZ'er. Born Hamilton 1939 and moved to Aus with wife and 3 children in 1977. Now retired. Hope to hear back as you gain more info. Regards, Terry.
     
  3. Reganpatrick79

    Reganpatrick79 Junior Member

    Hi Terry, I have my grand fathers records and have spend the past few months putting together a time line of his service history I have worked out his movements from boarding the Mauritania right through to when he arrived back in NZ I could email you a copy of what I have if you like? It may be of some use?? I can tell you that 365 men from the 5th reinforcements were posted to the 22nd battalion my grand father was amoung these men, so if this is of any use to you I'll forward it on, just send me an email address and I'll send it through. Also I'm not sure whether you have checked out our social site for 2NZEF on the top tool bar on this web page you'll see a spot called 'quick links' if you click on that and scroll down to 'social groups' you'll find the 2NZEF group we're putting together, there are a few photos etc you're quite welcome to join and contribute any photos etc you may have?

    Kind Regards

    Regan Harris
     
  4. KiwiKav

    KiwiKav Junior Member

    Hi Regan, Thanks so much for your offer and yes I would be interested in what you have. tka46265@bigpond.net.au However my Father travelled to Egypt with the Machine Gun Company (MG) and is listed in No 2 Platoon in that Company on the last page of the Ake Ake Kia Kaha magazine. On arrival and after further training he was posted to 27th MG Battalion. I am still trying to trace his movements from there until his admission to the NZ Field Amb and then to 64th Gen Hos. I have just received today the Book of the Official History of the 27th MG Battalion. It will be a great read. It is part of the Official Library on the History of WWII. Damn expensive but well worth it, I believe. It appears to map out the Battalion's history from the time it was re-formed at the beginning of WWII until its final campaign as part of J Force. Of course the main interest for me will be the 1941 to 1942 period when my Father was still with them and I am hoping I may be able to fit the jigsaw together.
    Will let you know of any references there are to 22 Battalion. I will also check out the 2NZEF you speak of as well.
    Kind regards, Terry.
     
  5. pcfrog

    pcfrog Junior Member

    Regan:
    The 5th reinforcements went to Egypt where they met up with part of the 22 Battalion that had been shipped striaght from Greece to Egypt. The remainder of the 22nd, minus carriers, bren guns, radios and most of their other useful gear went to Crete. They were not reinforced due to the shipping being able to penetrate the air and sea cordon around the island. I also have a full copy of the Battalion's War Diary and this does not mention any reinforcements on Crete. The diary does however record the arrival of 365 O/Rs to reinforce the Battalion on 16 June 1941 at Garawi Camp. Your g/father was probably one of these.
     
  6. Gplusa

    Gplusa Junior Member

    I apologise in advance if I'm highjacking this older thread.

    I have a first cousin-once removed (my mother's cousin) who died at Maleme serving in the 20th Battalion. I was wondering if there is any information today detailing which company soldiers were assigned to within that battalion. I have the opportunity to visit the battlefield site and would like to get a better feel for where he may have been on the 22nd May. I have a map detailing the relative positions of the companies (4, from memory) but nothing about the make up of those companies. I'm not currently in NZ, so I don't have the opportunity to go to Waiouru etc. Is anyone able to shed any light on this, or point me in the right direction of suitable websites or mail addresses ? I've done some digging around, but maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. Many thanks in advance.

    Grant
     
  7. Moraghan

    Moraghan Junior Member

    Hi guys I'm trying to reseach my grand fathers war history and have hit a brick wall. My family are convinced my Grand father fought in Crete in ww2. I cannot prove this however I know from his file he arrived in Egypt on the 16th of May and was assigned to the NZEF 22 Battalion. Does anyone know whether the 5th Reinforcements were sent to bolster the crete defences in the last days before the battle for crete (20th May-31st)

    Any help would be great......

    My father also sailed from New Zealand with the 5th Reinforcement on the New Amsterdam in April 1941. His unit was the 14th LTAA, but he did not go to Crete. Although Dad did go to Lebenon. After the North Africa campaign finished Dad was assigned to the 4th Fld Reg until he left Italy as part of the Tongario furlong. By the way, what was your grandfather's number?
     

Share This Page