Hi Roddy, All the Official New Zealand Histories are online here. New Zealand World War II History | NZETC
Roddy, There are selected War Diaries available at the National Archives Kew: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/records/C46340-new-zealand-forces-collection. I haven't been able to find an other references to actual copies of the Diaries myself (not that my skills are the be all and end all), but I am still looking. The site Andy mentions iin the above post is very good. Access to these volumes for m have been most beneficial. Mark
Thanks for the suggestions... I have originals of all three Armoured Regt histories and have taken a decko at the NA Files...the problem with the latter is that they are all the '3rd copies' and miss all the annexes etc. What I am after are details of the following: A. The NZ armd veh numbering system(s) B. The veh census numbers for the vehs with 4 Armd Bde C. Any details of census numbers for carriers, OP tanks and the like. Geoff Plowman and Dick Taylor have been excellent sources over the years but - quite rightly - do not want to reveal all their sources... Need to do the same for S African vehs as well... Canada is much more easy with their International Lending Service - I have now seem most of their relevent war diaries...and have one hell of a job to get everything databased. Many thanks to all Roddy
Thanks for the suggestions... I have originals of all three Armoured Regt histories and have taken a decko at the NA Files...the problem with the latter is that they are all the '3rd copies' and miss all the annexes etc. Many thanks to all Roddy Fair enough. Good luck with your search. Mark
Hi Roddy, I have a sneaky suspicion that the official histories don't have any details like what you are looking for. I would suggest the best place would Archives New Zealand at Archives New Zealand. Te Rua Mahara o te KÄwanatanga
It is indeed the NZ National Archives you want Roddy, though you will find the costs of remote searches prohibitive. The online documents mentioned above are the Official War Histories. The War Diaries (and other docs) are not digitised so you would need to visit in person or pay for a researcher to get access. If you are not in NZ, perhaps it's time you visited. BTW it is Jeff Plowman, not Geoff: my co-author on The Battles for Monte Cassino: Then and now.
Hi to all. I am seaching 4th NZ Bde, 19th & 20th NZ Bn., 4th & 5th Fd. Rgt. War Diaries [1942] but i am not able to find something on NZ National Archives or on WO179. Can you give me an help? Thanks in advance. Enzus
Enzus, The unit diaries are detailed as below: Unit Diaries The unit diaries of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2 NZEF) were collected systematically to provide material for later histories of New Zealand’s efforts in the Second World War. Unit Diaries from the war are held at Archives New Zealand Wellington under Unit name. A list in the Finding Aids [WAII] gives the unit diaries and dates. Each individual diary part/file usually covers a calendar month. A number of diaries are available on microfilm. Middle East Unit Diaries [WAII 1 DA 1-397] Pacific Unit Diaries [WAII 1 DAZ 1-543] Medical and Hospital Unit Diaries (also other material) [WAII 4] (War - Archives New Zealand. Te Rua Mahara o te KÄwanatanga) They aren't available online, you will need to get a NZ member or a researcher to copy them. Or pay the NZ Archives to copy them for you. Mark
Hi Mark, thanks so much for your big help. I found the pdf files about NZ WD list!! Now i need to understand how ask a copy to NZ Archives or find a reasearcher. NZ is too far ... Enzus
Enzus, The following links may help: Our Research Services - Archives New Zealand. Te Rua Mahara o te KÄwanatanga Price List - Archives New Zealand. Te Rua Mahara o te KÄwanatanga Mark
Ropey - Thanks...yes of course Jeff - knew that especially as I have just bought a copy of your Monte Cassino tome - After the Battle standards are still very high - excellent work... Roddy
Hi Mark, Now i need to understand how ask a copy to NZ Archives or find a reasearcher. NZ is too far ... Enzus I come from there and haven't found a reasonably priced researcher, especially with current exchange rates! Using a pro or an archivist will cost you a bomb if you only have a general interest, even if it is only in that named list of units. If I was at home I would happily help out if I could get there myself, but I now live in the UK...
I come from there and haven't found a reasonably priced researcher, especially with current exchange rates! Using a pro or an archivist will cost you a bomb if you only have a general interest, even if it is only in that named list of units. If I was at home I would happily help out if I could get there myself, but I now live in the UK... Got any relo's that would help??? Mark
I come from there and haven't found a reasonably priced researcher, especially with current exchange rates! Using a pro or an archivist will cost you a bomb if you only have a general interest, even if it is only in that named list of units. If I was at home I would happily help out if I could get there myself, but I now live in the UK... Ropey, I am in Wellington and am happy to help if I can. Unfortunately I work during the week so can only get down to the archives at lunch for a short period of time. Due to that as well I can't do general research as such but am happy to copy/take photo of the records you are after. Feel free to PM me
Ropey, I am in Wellington and am happy to help if I can. Unfortunately I work during the week so can only get down to the archives at lunch for a short period of time. Due to that as well I can't do general research as such but am happy to copy/take photo of the records you are after. Feel free to PM me I just might take you up on that in future - I have some work on Greece to be done. My daughter's boyfriend was helping out but they broke up. Sob.
No worries, I have a bit of interest in the Greece/Crete campaign so might even be something I am after.
Saw a request for info on ww2f about 6th Fd Regt NZEF in Italy, I was going to suggest the war diary but I cant find one . All I can find on British TNA website is one from 1941. Where are all the NZ war diaries ?
In New Zealand - look upthread. And there's one NZ War Diary I really want to see, too (25 Battalion at Cassino) - surely there's a Kiwi out there who can smell the killing to be made. It must be said that their official histories are superb, but I've never even seen one of their diaries.
