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Today in History


JonS

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04 September 1916

Africa - British forces capture Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. One of the ships, the cruiser HMS HYACINTH, has a significant number of New Zealanders in her crew.

04 September 1989

Africa - The first contingent of New Zealand Army engineers is sent to Namibia to serve with the United Nations Transitionary Assistance Group.

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08 September 1863

New Zealand - The first action seen by the newly formed Forest Rangers was a skirmish at Lusk’s Clearing near Mauku on 8 September 1863.

08 September 1943

Pacific - RNZAF fighter strength in the forward area in the South Pacific is increased to two squadrons at Guadalcanal and one in reserve at Espiritu Santo over the period 8-22 Sept.

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11 September 1928

New Zealand - Australian aviator Charles Kingsford-Smith landed his aircraft “Southern Cross” at Wigram near Christchurch, making his the first flight across the Tasman Sea. Among the crew was radio operator Tom McWilliams, a New Zealander.

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12 September 1918

Western Front - Sergeant John Laurent (2 Btn, NZ Rifle Brigade) earns the Victoria Cross for actions at Gouzeaucourt Wood. While leading a party of twelve in an onslaught against an enemy support line he managed to completely disorganise the enemy line and capture a number as prisoners.

12 September 1939

New Zealand - Voluntary enlistment opens for the Special Force to serve in the Second World War. On the first day enlistments totaled 5,419.

12 September 1945

Singapore - The first Evacuation Flight arrives from New Zealand. During twelve return flights 156 New Zealand and two Australian ex-POWs are repatriated.

12 September 1994

fmr Yugoslavia - Kiwi Company, an infantry-company group of 250 personnel, deploys to Santici Camp near Vitez, 60 kilometres north-west of Sarajevo. It is NZ's largest deployment since the Vietnam War.

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15 September 1916

Western Front - At 0620 hours the New Zealand Division takes part in its first major action near Flers, as part of the Somme offensive. In 23 days of constant fighting 1,560 New Zealanders are killed and 5,440 are wounded. Sergeant Donald Forrester Brown (2 Btn, Otago Infantry Regiment) earns the Victoria Cross for his efforts in advancing under heavy fire. He is killed in action on 1 October.

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16 September 1922

New Zealand - In response to the Chanak Crisis in Turkey, New Zealand offers volunteer troops for an expeditionary force: 790 former officers, 11,187 other ranks, and 300 nursing sisters offer services. The force is not raised.

16 September 1945

Pacific - Japan surrenders Hong Kong. HMNZS ARBUTUS is present.

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18 September 1915

New Zealand - Advance Party of the 1st & 2nd Battalions New Zealand Rifle Brigade depart for France.

18 September 1943

Solomon Islands – part of the 3rd New Zealand Division, mostly 14 Brigade, arrive on Vella Lavella to relieve United States Army units on the island and to clear it of Japanese forces. The island is finally declared secure on 9 October.

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  • 3 weeks later...

06 October 1943

The first element of the 2nd New Zealand Division sails for Italy from Egypt. A total of 5,827 all ranks are convoyed in the DUNOTTAR CASTLE and the REINA DEL PACIFICO. The advance party left Egypt 10 days earlier.

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07 October 1942

“N” Force deploys from New Zealand to Norfolk Island, on board HMNZS MONOWAI, numbering 62 officers and 1,402 other ranks.

07 October 1950

HMNZS ROTOITI departs Auckland for service in the Korean War, this is the ship's first deployment there.

07 October 1952

The first group of 14 Squadron personnel arrives in Cyprus. The squadron was to be on duty with the Middle East Air Force for two and a half years.

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08 October 1918

Western Front - The Second Battle of Le Cateau takes place, in which the NZ Division advances 17 kilometres, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. 8 to 12 October.

08 October 1978

Singapore - The 28 ANZUK Brigade is disbanded on following the decision of the British and Australians to withdraw their forces. The New Zealand troops remain.

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09 October 1939

New Zealand - Recruiting begins for the 28 (Maori) Battalion for service in the Second World War.

09 October 1943

Italy – the first convoy of 2nd New Zealand Division troops arrives in Taranto harbour.

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14 October 1914

Wellington - The armoured cruiser HMS MINOTAUR and the Japanese battlecruiser IBUKI arrive in Wellington Harbour in preparation for their role as escorts for New Zealand troopships on their passage to Egypt for service in the First World War.

14 October 1915

London - In the House of Lords Lord Milner and Lord Ribblesdale urge the evacuation of Gallipoli.

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17 October 1914

New Zealand - The first contingent of Maori men to volunteer for service in World War I enters training camp. Ake ake kia kaha.

17 October 1918

Western Front - As part of 'The 100 Days', The NZ Division plays a successful role in the Battle of the Selle River, forcing the Germans back and out of their new defensive line that had been taken up following the Allies forcing them back from the Hindenburg Line. 17 to 25 October.

17 October 1966

Manila - New Zealand is one of the signatories of a 'Declaration of Peace' which stresses the need for a peaceful settlement to the Vietnam War. Oh well.

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21 October 1899

New Zealand - The First Contingent, comprising 11 officers, 231 men, and 251 horses sail from Wellington aboard the SS WAIWERA bound for South Africa. This is the first time that New Zealand soldiers embark for overseas service. There will be a total of 10 contingents sent to the war in South Africa.

21 October 1914

West Australia - The convoy carrying the main body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, travelling to serve in the First World War, arrives at Hobart, Australia.

21 October 2008

Waiouru - Medals stolen from the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum on 2 December 2007 are formally handed back to the museum. The medals are placed in the Valour Alcove for viewing.

96 medals were stolen from locked, reinforced glass cabinets in the museum. Included in the theft were nine Victoria Crosses:

* Brig Leslie Andrew, 1917

* Sgt Keith Elliott, 1942

* Capt Samuel Frickleton, 1917 (plus his DCM and MM)

* Sgt John Gildroy Grant, 1918

* Sgt John Daniel Hinton, 1941

* Sgt Alfred Hulme, 1941

* Maj Reginald Stanley Judson, 1918

* Lt Col Harry John Laurent, 1918

* Capt Charles Upham, 1941-42 (VC and bar)

Also stolen were two George Crosses (David Russell, Ken Hudson) and an Albert Medal (Randolph Ridling)

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22 October 1914

Australia - The main body of NZEF troops leaves Hobart for Albany, Western Australia.

22 October 1942

Pacific - “T” Force is deployed from New Zealand to Tonga for service in the islands; it numbers 41 officers and 702 other ranks.

22 October 1943

Italy - The second convoy bringing 2(NZ)Div to Italy arrives in Taranto harbour.

22 October 1999

East Timor - The remainder of the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment begins deploying to the Suai area as part of the expansion of INTERFET (International Force in East Timor). This deployment becomes the first of seven New Zealand Battalion group rotations to East Timor.

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23 October 1915

The Mediterranean - The troopship MARQUETTE is sunk on its way to Salonika by a German U-boat. Among the drowned are 32 New Zealanders, including 10 nurses.

23 October 1942

Egypt – 2 New Zealand Division participates in the Battle of El Alamein. 2 NZ Div is tasked to break through enemy defences, which are protected by minefields, and eventually seizes almost all its first night objectives. The battle lasts until 2 November and occasions the withdrawal of Rommel’s forces from Egypt.

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29 October 1914

Near East - The Ottoman Empire (Turkey) enters the war as an ally of Germany and Austria-Hungary. New Zealand troops will face Ottoman troops at Gallipoli and also in Sinai-Palestine during the course of the First World War.

29 October 1942

Pacific - The advance party of 3 New Zealand Division departs from Wellington bound for New Caledonia. By the end of February 1943 over 13,000 New Zealanders have been transported there.

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