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The Second World War was the greatest conflict ever to engulf the world. It took the lives of 50 million people, including one in every 150 New Zealanders, and shaped the world that we have lived in ever since. New Zealand was involved for all but three of the 2179 days of the war — a commitment on a par only with Britain and Australia.
- Further Information
Official histories of the New Zealand's participation in the...
- Further Information
The Second World War remains the world’s greatest conflict, and New Zealand's participation in it was this country’s most significant national effort. Although the Great War of 1914-18 cost the lives of more New Zealanders, the Second World War involved a larger mobilisation of people and resources. About 140,000 men and women served ...
- Beginnings
- Defeat in France
- More Intense Effort, 1940
- Crete
- North Africa
- Japan
- Pacific War
- Victory
- Impact
When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, France and Britain declared war on Germany. New Zealand also declared war and became part of the Allies. It agreed to supply produce to Britain and provide troops.
Poland was quickly defeated. Germany attacked France in May 1940. France was defeated, and British forces retreated from Dunkirk.
New Zealanders from the army, air force and navy took part in the Battle of Britain, in which Germany was prevented from invading Britain. Italy entered the war on Germany’s side in 1940. Their combined forces were known as the Axis. The Soviet Union joined the Allies when Germany invaded it in 1941.
New Zealand forces took part in an unsuccessful attempt to defend the island of Crete, Greece, in 1941 when German airborne forces attacked. 691 New Zealanders died and 2,180 were taken prisoner.
From 1941 to 1943 New Zealand was involved in the campaign against Axis forces in North Africa. Māori, serving in their own battalion, achieved great distinction in this and other campaigns.
In 1941 Japan attacked territories in Asia and the Pacific and bombed Darwin in northern Australia. A territorial force was developed in New Zealand to protect against possible Japanese attack, and civilians were directed to work in key industries. US forces were stationed in New Zealand from 1942.
New Zealand troops supported the US against Japan in the Solomon Islands. Japanese prisoners of war were held in a camp at Featherston.
New Zealand troops fought in Italy and took part in the main air and sea campaigns contributing to Germany’s defeat in May 1945. More than 8,000 New Zealand prisoners of war were freed when the war ended in Europe. Japan surrendered in August 1945 after atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
11,625 New Zealanders died in the war. Economically, New Zealand benefited. The war also brought Māori and Pākehātogether, overseas and at home. Women had also taken part – in the armed forces, or working in factories or on farms. Defence installations remained around the country, and many war memorials – mostly functional, such as halls and pools ...
Nov 25, 2016 · 17 September: Soviet Union invades Poland. 27 September: Germans take Warsaw. 29 September: Germany and Russia partition Poland. 3 October: First Echelon 2 NZEF begins training at Burnham, Trentham, Hopuhopu and Papakura. 4 October: New Zealand government announces formation of a Māori battalion for 2 NZEF.
Nov 1, 2019 · A second world war swept the globe, dragging New Zealand once more onto the battlefield, this time in the Pacific as well as Europe. In the likes of Crete, Greece and North Africa and on Pacific islands Kiwis served and died. At home, women joined those in reserved occupations to support the war effort until finally the Axis powers were defeated.
Sep 17, 2024 · There have been many books written on New Zealand's involvement in World War Two. Here are some examples - check out your local public or school library to see what they have. New Zealand and the Second World War : the people, the battles and the legacy by I C McGibbon. Flight path by David Hill. Here come the marines : Warkworth, 1943 by ...
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Although the Great War of 1914-18 cost the lives of more New Zealanders, the Second World War involved a larger mobilisation of people and resources. About 140,000 men and women served overseas, 104,000 in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, the rest in British or New Zealand naval or air forces. In total, 194,000 men and 10,000 women ...
