Stalins Organ Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Someone is taking up your calling Jon - 26 June 1918 Wimmera sinks after striking mine laid by Wolf a year before. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted June 27, 2014 Author Share Posted June 27, 2014 27 June 1860 New Zealand - At 0500 hours Major Thomas Nelson marches out of Camp Waitara with between 350 and 365 men to attack Puketakauere Pa. At 0700 hours Nelson’s two 24-pounder howitzers open fire on the stockade and the British attack from two directions when a breach was opened. They are severely defeated, suffering 64 casualties. 150 years later, everyone is pretty happy with that outcome. 27 June 1942 Egypt – the New Zealand Division is surrounded by Axis forces at Minquar Qaim. During the night 27/28 June the Division executes a fighting withdrawal by assaulting through enemy positions and then back to the Alamein Line. General Freyberg is wounded in the neck by a shell-splinter and Brigadier L.M. Inglis assumes temporary command of the Division. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 30 June 1919 Egypt – the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade is formally disbanded as the first of its members leave for New Zealand. During its three and half years of existence a total of 17,723 men served in its ranks. At full strength the Brigade numbered roughly 3,500, implying casualties of about 500%, or over 100% per annum. 30 June 1942 Fiji – the responsibility for the protection of Fiji formally passes from New Zealand to the United States. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 01 July 1845 New Zealand - After a week of bombardment, Lieutenant Colonel Despard orders a futile and unsuccessful attack against the Ohaeawai Pa. About 75 Auckland volunteers take part in this engagement – the first immigrant New Zealanders to see active service in the history of New Zealand. The memorial in Saint Michael's churchyard. The inscription reads in Māori -- “ Ko te tohu tapu tenei o nga, hoia me nga heremana o te Kuini, I hinga i te whawhai ki konei ki Ohaeawai, I te tau o to tatou ariki 1845. Ko tenei urupa na nga Maori i whaka-takoto I muri iho i te maunga rongo.” In English it translates as -- “This is a sacred memorial to the soldiers and sailors of the Queen who fell in battle here at Ohaeawai in the year of Our Lord 1845. This burying place was laid out by the Maoris after the making of peace.” 01 July 1911 England - HMS NEW ZEALAND, one of three Indefatigable-class battlecruisers built for the defence of the British Empire, is launched. The ship is funded by the government of New Zealand as a gift to Britain, and she is commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1912. The New Zealand Government completed paying off the loan used to fund the ship in the 1944/45 financial year. "Pelorus Jack", the ship's mascot, in the muzzle of a twelve-inch gun (1914) 01 July 1977 New Zealand – the Defence Council authorises a new policy that will deactivate the New Zealand Women’s Army Corps and transfer all servicewomen to the remaining corps of the Army. Next thing you know they'll be wanting the vote. 01 July 2007 Lebanon – the first of two Explosive Remnants of War Disposal Teams leave the Lebanon to return to New Zealand after completing a five-month deployment carrying out battlefield area clearance. Thanks Israel. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 02 July 1951 South Korea – the New Zealand units in Korea are amalgamated to become part of the 1st (Commonwealth) Division. 02 July 2007 New Zealand – the Victoria Cross for New Zealand is awarded to Corporal Bill (Willy) Apiata for his actions in Afghanistan. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 3, 2014 Author Share Posted July 3, 2014 03 July 1915 Turkey (Gallipoli) – the first Maori contingent lands at Anzac Cove and occupies the No 1 Outpost along North Beach, which becomes known as the Maori Pa. 03 July 1942 Egypt – the 4th Brigade surprises the Italian Ariete Division, destroying some of its artillery. 03 July 1950 New Zealand - HMNZS TUTIRA and PUKAKI sail for Korea from Auckland. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 4, 2014 Author Share Posted July 4, 2014 04 July 1868 New Zealand - Te Kooti escapes from the Chathams. Te Kooti and 300 of his followers capture the schooner RIFLEMAN and sail for New Zealand. They land at Whareongaonga, just south of Poverty Bay, six days later. 04 July 1942 New Zealand - Suzanne Walker becomes first rating to join the Women's New Zealand Naval Service. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 7, 2014 Author Share Posted July 7, 2014 07 July 1941 Sergeant James Ward (75 (NZ) Sqn RAF) earns the Victoria Cross. When a night fighter attacked the Wellington he was Second Pilot of, one engine caught fire and set fire to the wing. As the aircraft flew home Ward climbed out the top of the fuselage and down onto the wing in an attempt to put the fire out.Senior RAF officers questioned whether his actions were deserving of the VC, given there was “some aspect of self-preservation.” Sgt Ward was killed over Germany two months later. He was 22 years old. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 08 July 1844 The Maori Chief Hone Heke has the flagstaff cut down at Kororareka in the Bay of Islands. He believes that the flying of the British flag deprives chiefs of their mana and Maori generally of their land. Imma hone-heke your flagpole, bro. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 9, 2014 Author Share Posted July 9, 2014 09 July 1951 The state of war with Germany is formally terminated by a number of former Allied countries. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 11 July 1845 New Zealand - Maori defenders abandon Ohaeawai Pa undefeated. British casualties are over 100 dead with scarcely any on the Maori side. Kawiti builds another stronghold at Ruapekapeka. I've been to Ruapekapeka - its design and construction was an impressive accomplishment. 11 July 1942 South Atlantic - Port Line freighter PORT HUNTER is torpedoed by U-582 off the West African coast. 88 are killed including at least seven New Zealand seamen, two of whom were 15 years old. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 14 July 1942 Egypt – The 2nd New Zealand Division captures Ruweisat Ridge after a night attack and an advance of over nine kilometres. The ridge is gained by daybreak on 15 July 1942, but the division remains unsupported by artillery or amour. They hold the ridge until dusk before being forced back. The cost is 1405 casualties, of whom all except 290 are killed or captured. This is the second time in about a week that 2(NZ)Div has had a brigade destroyed due to ineffectual support from British armour. As a result 4th Bde is pulled out and re-roled as an armoured bde, thus missing the remainder of the North African campaign. The longer term consequence is that the Division finds itself perpetually short of infantry during the Italian campaign, and eventually resorts to improvising a third infantry brigade out of re-roled gunners, surveyors, MGs, and the motor bn. 14 July 1942 Egypt - Charles Upham earns his second Victoria Cross for his actions in the Western Desert on 14 to 15 July. Despite being wounded twice, from close quarter action killing German troops and crossing open ground under heavy fire, he remained with his men to take part in the assault on Ruweisat Ridge. Later in the morning is is captured with most of the rest of the Bde, and spends the next three years tormenting his captors in a number of different PW camps. Upham remains the only combat soldier to have been awarded a Bar to his VC. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 15, 2014 Author Share Posted July 15, 2014 15 July 1942 Egypt, Western Desert - Sergeant Keith Elliott (22 Battalion) earns the Victoria Cross for his actions in the Western Desert. Under heavy fire Elliott led the platoon he was commanding to cover under a ridge, sustaining a chest wound in the process. He also charged a machine gun post single-handed and succeeded in capturing it. You can tell how bad the cock-up was by the number of medals handed out. 15 July 1942 New Zealand - The War Administration is formed. That war isn't going to administer itself, you know. 15 July 1946 New Zealand - The demobilisation of the wartime RNZAF is completed. 15 July 1965 South Vietnam - The first 120-man rotation of 161 Battery, RNZA, arrives. 15 July 1914 New Zealand - HMS PHILOMEL is commissioned for New Zealand service. She is the country's first warship. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 16 July 1940 New Zealand - the New Zealand War Cabinet begins operation. The cabinet is separate from the usual cabinet and consists of three government ministers and two members of the opposition. 16 July 1965 Vietnam - 161 Battery RNZA, stationed at Bien Hoa near Saigon, opens fire on a Viet Cong position in support of the US 173rd Airborne Brigade. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share Posted July 17, 2014 17 July 1863 New Zealand, Waikato - The British invasion force, led by Lieutenant-General Duncan Cameron, has its first significant encounter with Waikato Maori at Koheroa, near Mercer. 17 July 1940 United Kingdom - The Second Echelon comes under the control of the Commander-in-Chief Home Forces. It is part of a counter-attack force formed to repel a possible German invasion of south-east England. The Second Echelon consisted of 5 Bde plus 1/3rd of the divisional troops (engineers, field and anti-tank gunners, MR-ers, sigs, etc), effectively forming a combined arms brigade-group. For deception purposes it was called a division ... which has continued to deceive every SEALION wargame designer since. It, along with the Canadian Division, was about the only formed and equipped force in England following Dunkirk. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 22 July 1940 New Zealand - The last day for voluntary enlistment for overseas service is today. A total number of 59,644 have volunteered by this date. 22 July 1942 North Africa – On the night 21/22 July an attempt to seize the El Mrier Depression is made by 6 Brigade, but lack of armoured support causes it to be overrun. Two battalions are destroyed with a loss of about 900 men. This was not one of 8th Army's better days. 22 July 1944 Italy – the 2nd New Zealand Division takes part in the advance on Florence. Quite the turn-around from two years earlier. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 23 July 1846 New Zealand - Te Rauparaha is captured at what is now Plimmerton. He is taken to Auckland on HMS CALLIOPE. 23 July 1847 New Zealand - The last conflict of the 1843-1847 New Zealand War takes place at St John’s Wood, Wanganui. A new, different war broke out a few years later. 23 July 1917 Palestine - New Zealand Mounted Rifles undertakes reconnaissance at Beersheba to investigate reports of the abandonment of the town by the Ottoman Turks. The reports were false. 23 July 1940 Pacific - The cruiser HMS ACHILLES requisitions the Vichy French ship COMMISSAIRE ROMMEL in Suva, Fiji. Yet another victory for New Zealand over Rommel. 23 July 1994 Somalia – the New Zealand Army supply platoon is withdrawn from Somalia, about 9 months after Blackhawk Down. 23 July 2003 Pacific – deployment of the first New Zealand Defence Force personnel to serve with Operation RATA in the Solomon Islands begins. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 24 July 1918 France - Richard Travis (2nd Btn, Otago Infantry Regiment) earns the Victoria Cross for his actions in Hébuterne, France. He is killed 24 hours later while encouraging the men at various posts while under enemy bombardment. 24 July 1942 Pacific - The US assumes control in Fiji, 2 NZEF troops return to New Zealand. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 24 July 1918 France - Richard Travis (2nd Btn, Otago Infantry Regiment) earns the Victoria Cross for his actions in Hébuterne, France. He is killed 24 hours later while encouraging the men at various posts while under enemy bombardment. Can you tell me what his rank was? Michael 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Serjeant. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Travis 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 25 July 1942 Pacific - Major General Owen Herbert Mead dies when the Hudson bomber in which he was travelling to Tonga was lost at sea. He is the highest ranking New Zealand Army officer to be killed on active service. 25 July 1944 Pacific - Air strike and bombardment of Sabang, Sumatra. The Eastern Fleet includes HMNZS GAMBIA and HM Ships ILLUSTRIOUS and VICTORIOUS. Many of the FAA aircrew are RNZAF. 25 July 1973 Pacific - HMNZS OTAGO is replaced at Mururoa Atoll by HMNZS CANTERBURY. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 28 July 1914 Europe - Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. There's going to be a war! Tell your friends, and don't be last! (I heard this interview with the author of a recent book on the outbreak of WWI yesterday, The book sounds interesting) 28 July 1916 Middle East - Start of the 15 day battle for Romani, Anzacs defeat an 18,000 strong Turkish force. 28 July 1917 Western Front - New Zealand Division, in action at Ypres, stages a feint attack against Lille. After capturing La Basse Ville the Division maintained pressure on the Germans until being withdrawn from the line on August 31. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 29, 2014 Author Share Posted July 29, 2014 29 July 1942 Europe - During the night of the 28/29 July 33 New Zealand airmen are killed. One fighter pilot was on his 37th operation, all the others were serving in Bomber Command and were killed on a raid on Hamburg, the largest ever loss of New Zealand airmen in a single day. Per adua ad astra. 29 July 1965 Vietnam War - New Zealand Artillery is called in to support Australian forces at Dong Nai River. Diggers and mates. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 28 July 1914(I heard this interview with the author of a recent book on the outbreak of WWI yesterday, The book sounds interesting) Thanks for that. I found her interesting and insightful. I thought her opening comments on Putin and Russia in the present confrontation with Ukraine especially worthy. I have requested her book from my local lending library, although I am doubtful that I will manage to get through all 700+ pages before I will have to return it. But it does sound fascinating. BTW, for those who are interested, Dreadnought by Robert K. Massie has some very good portraits of the major players in Germany and Britain during the years leading up to the war, with particular focus on the naval arms race. Recommended for background. Michael 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 30 July 1914 New Zealand - Preliminary arrangements for raising and transporting a New Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas begins in this country’s military districts. 30 July 1915 Middle East - Lieutenant William Burn becomes the first New Zealander to die while serving in an Air Force. Coincidentally, he was also the first New Zealander to qualify as a military aviator. The Caudron he was Observer in suffered engine failure near Basra and safely made a forced landing. After the landing Burn and Australian pilot Lieutenant George Mertz were attacked by locals and killed. Diggers and mates. A Caudron G III aircraft leaving Basra for the attack on Nasiriyah. The aircraft in the foreground is piloted by Lieutenant G P Merz , the other by Major H L Reilly of the Indian Army. Through the great heat, engine failures with the rotary Gnome engines, on these frail aircraft, were frequent. On the outward journey Reilly's plane was forced to land in the flood waters and on the return journey, after useful work during the fighting, both aircraft had forced landings. Reilly and his mechanic, fortunately, fell amongst friendly Arabs, but Merz Lieutenant W W A Burn of the New Zealand Staff Corps were attacked on landing by well armed hostile Arabs. Armed only with revolvers (aircraft in 1915 did not carry any machine guns) they made a very gallant fight in which they killed one and wounded five of their adversaries but were eventually both killed. Australian War Museum 30 July 1941 New Zealand - the Home Guard becomes part of New Zealand's military forces. Don't panic Capt Mainwaring, don't panic! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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