The New Zealand Expeditionary Force in World War II (Men-at-Arms)

The New Zealand Expeditionary Force in World War II (Men-at-Arms)
Wayne Stack (Author)

New!: $17.95 $12.01 (as of 03/03/2013 01:28 PST)

World War I

In 1939, New Zealand was far less well prepared for war than it had been in 1914. Nevertheless, more than 140,000 New Zealanders - nearly 9 per cent of the dominion's total population - enlisted to fight overseas 'for King and Country' during World War II. Of these, 104,000 served in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, whose major component became 2nd NZ Infantry Division; by 1944 this was the largest division in the British and Commonwealth armies, with a strength of about 40,000 men in infantry and supporting artillery, armoured, engineer and service units.

Initially thrown into the doomed campaign to halt the German blitzkrieg on Greece and Crete (1941), the division was rebuilt under the leadership of a World War I VC-winner, MajGen Sir Bernard Freyberg, and became the elite corps within Montgomery's Eighth Army in the desert. After playing a vital role in the victory at El Alamein (1942) the 'Kiwis' were the vanguard of the pursuit to Tunisia. In 1943-45 the division was heavily engaged in the Italian mountains, especially at Cassino (1944); it ended the war in Trieste, facing down Tito's advancing communist partisans. Meanwhile, a smaller NZ force - briefly designated 3rd NZ Division - supported US forces against the Japanese in the Solomons and New Guinea (1942-44).

Fully illustrated with specially commissioned colour plates, this is the story of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force's vital contribution to Allied victory in World War II.

• Rank: #32260 in Books
• Published on: 2013-03-19
• Released on: 2013-03-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 9.76" h x .20" w x 7.24" l, .41 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

Description #1 by eBay:

Osprey Men-at-Arms - World War II - Allies New Zealand Expeditionary Force in World War I, The (MINT/New)Manufacturer: Osprey Product Line: Men-at-Arms - World War II - Allies Type: Softcover Code: OSPMAA473 Copyright Date: 2011 Author: Wayne Stack Page Count: 48 Product Description:The New Zealand Expeditionary Force earned an elite reputation on the Western Front In World War I, and the New Zealanders war effort was a defining moment in their national history. The statistics are astonishin

Description #2 by eBay:

author wayne stack format paperback language english publication year 05 10 2011 series men at arms subject history military subject 2 military history title the new zealand expeditionary force in world war i author stack wayne publisher osprey pub co publication date oct 18 2011 pages 48 binding paperback dimensions 7 25 wx 9 80 hx 0 25 d isbn 1849085390 subject history military world war i description although comparatively small in number the new zealand expeditionary force in world war i 1

Description #3 by My Kits Direct:

Men-at-Arms 473; Stack. The New Zealand Expeditionary Force earned an elite reputation on the Western Front In World War I, and the New Zealanders' war effort was a defining moment in their national history. The statistics are astonishing: of the total population of New Zealand of 1 million, no fewer than 100000 men enlisted, and of those, 18000 were killed and 58000 wounded. In other words, 15 percent of the male population of New Zealand became casualties. Famously, the NZEF was first committed at Gallipoli in 1915, but NZ cavalry regiments also helped defend Egypt and fought in Palestine with Allenby's famous Desert Mounted Corps. On the Western Front the Kiwis were called the 'Silent Division' for their fieldcraft and their uncomplaining professionalism. This book is both a tribute and a history of the large contribution made by a small nation; 48 pages.