"A Few Memories of a Civilian Soldier" Topic

"After forty-four years, memories of one's service with the 1940-45 Middle East NZEF are easy enough to resurrect from the cobwebs, but I fear not so easy to record.

To lead up to a tour of duty with the 28th (Maori) Battalion.

At the beginning I marched into Narrowneck with an early formation of the 21st Auckland Battalion and during the ensuing 4 ½ years I had many postings with various units, finishing up as 2/ic of the 24th Battalion. Of all experiences in the 2NZEF I consider myself very fortunate that fate decreed I was of the thousands who fought with the 28th. My period with them remains an outstanding and proud memory.

I joined the Battalion while it was in a static position in Syria near the village of Arsal (or the soldiers interpretation being the Village of a thousand A---holes), a few miles from Baalbeck in the Beka Valley, which area is prominent in the present day Lebanon, Syrian, Palestinian, bloody fighting. My arrival, which was then my first posting to a combat unit, was one of trepidation for most of the Battalion were seasoned men fresh from the First Libyan Campaign, from whence they had arrived with ample supplies of enemy equipment of all descriptions…"
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Amicalement
Armand

That is a fascinating site. The pics of Maori carriers in Tunisia are quite something, fitted out with all kinds of weaponry.

Wonderful pictures and great stories.

Glad you enjoyed it my friends!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand