The New Zealand Special Company - Special Forces

[Dave Homewood]

Does anyone know anything about the New Zealand Special Company? This was a special forces unit formed in early 1941 by the New Zealand Army, and the men were sent to a place called Wilson's Promontory, which is a peninsular in Victoria, Australia. There they formed part of the Australian Special Service and the men were trained in black ops, guerilla warfare, hand to hand combat, explosives and all sorts of specal forces type stuff.

I've met a chap who was in the unit in 1941, Bob O'Brien, who trained up there in early-mid 1941 but came home to NZ before the Japs entered the war. The unit was however formed because they knew war with Japan was inevitable.

I'd like to discover more about this unit. Were they NZ's first special forces unit of WWII? I'm sure they predate the LRDG, and the NZ Commando and Z Force, etc.

Does this unit have links to the NZ Commando (which was mainly Fijian soldiers with NZ NCO'sand officers, kicking Jap butt behind the lines all over the Pacific, a really successful, mean and sadly forgotten force). Did they have links with Z Force at all?

I mean, did any of these early guys go onto serve in the later special forces units?

Bob went to Italy and commanded an anti tank unit, where he won a Military Cross at Monte Cassino. He's an amazing old chap.

Are there any books on the Special Company or that mention it? I found one book on Google Books on Wilson's Promontory which mentioned the unit in a mere sentence or two. It would be a shame if no-one rememebrs this early special combat unit.

[the_flying_surfer]

Have climbed Mt Oberon and had a good look around Wilsons Prom, an awesome place. Found this link...
home.st.net.au/~dunn/locations/no7itc.htm

Only refers to "2 Independent Companies" from NZ.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks for that Rhys. And happy birthday too.

[30sqnatc]

This would be a good place to start - National Archives file

'Narrative of two special companies formed in New Zealand and trained in Australia 1945 - 1945'

agency series accession box / item sep record no. part alternative no.
WAII 1 1614 / DA 401.1/1

[Dave Homewood]

Hmm, I might have to look at that if I get down to Wellington again. Thanks.

[phasselgren]

Dave,
This book has some information about these units.
ANZAC Elite: The airborne and special forces insignia of Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Cliff Lord and Julian Tennant
ISBN 0-908876-10-6
Pages: 160
The book is focused on insignias but has short histories of Australian/NZ airborne units and "special forces". Maybe you can find a copy at the library.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks, I'll have a look for it.

[billellingham]

My late father, Major Bill Ellingham (42614) was O C of 1st Independent Coy, trained at Tidal River, Victoria, Aust 1941, and I have his kept memorabilia including how and why the Coys were formed, training schedules, orders, names of personel, reunion date, etc. I have been trying to find more "Official" history but as this was a secret "Hush Hush" operation very little seems to be available.

[phasselgren]

Oct 14, 2011 10:36:30 GMT 12 billellingham said:

My late father, Major Bill Ellingham (42614) was O C of 1st Independent Coy, trained at Tidal River, Victoria, Aust 1941, and I have his kept memorabilia including how and why the Coys were formed, training schedules, orders, names of personel, reunion date, etc. I have been trying to find more "Official" history but as this was a secret "Hush Hush" operation very little seems to be available.

I assume you know about the history of Fiji Commandos on www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2IP-Comm.html. Another unit but I read that some if its personnel came from the Independent Companies.

A few years ago I downloaded an US Intelligence document from WW2 called British Commandos. It had some information about the Australian and NZ Independent Companies. I do not remember where I found it but I can mail you a copy.

Maybe you have the best possibility to write their history yourself. Your father´s documents must be a good start.

Peter

[lindaking18]

My father was a member of the Hush Hushites. I have been looking for information about the Special Force and I have a
Copy of" Narrative of the Two Special Companies which were formed in New Zealand and trained in Australia 1941"
Compiled by S sgt CR Larsen Archives Section Army HQ
Dated 29 May 1945.
Any further information would be great as I am in the process of
putting together my Family History.

[maps]

My Father was a member of a "hush hush"Special forces group that went to Australia for training in unarmed combat parachuting etc some of that training was also done in Queensland and trained in jungle conditions , I think some of them were bound for coast watchers to be posted on islands to observe Japanese movements
Some of the NZer's were part of Z and M forces others returned to NZ after completing their training some time in May 1941 and went to Fiji to form a Guerrilla force of Fijians they eventually formed the Southern Independent Commandos / Guerrilla Troops these were also known as the Fijian Commandos they then split and went into different operations within the 3rd Division and American Pacific forces some stayed with the Fijian Commando's they were attached to the American forces before the 3rd Div was formed and were involved in behind lines operations when the Americans landed on Guadalcanal protecting the flanks and pinpointing the Japs positions most of their fighting was hand to hand because of the dense jungle
My Father told me that some were split from the Fijians (another group he really enjoyed being with) and were posted to the NZ 3rd Div He was with the 35th battalion in action in Vella Lavella, Green Island ,New Caledonia they had trained with the Americans in amphibious assault and they also developed assault groups fast moving in jungle conditions most of his platoons work was carried out behind enemy lines before landings were carried out
I think were originally regular force I know he had other postings as he also fought in Rabaul that I know of
most of what he told us was of the 35th battalion as he said he had enjoyed his time with this group and the others involved in these operations and got to meet up with some of his mates who were still with the Fijian Commando's
The two groups of independent commandos are mentioned on the Australian Memorial to the special forces in Victoria and in Cairns the double Diamond insignia of the Australian commando groups are shown there

I would certainly like to find out more of this group as well. my father did not tell us much about what they got up to only the good bits as you would expect
You will more than likely find out more about this group from the American reports of the Marine divisions movements and recounts during the war in the Pacific before and during operation Cartwheel
At the end of the war he held the rank of Major in the Divisional Cavalry Detached unit with J Force

[comms]

I have quite a bit of info plus photos from my Grandfather...there was an association and they held reunions

[dgsg]

Sept 26, 2010 15:29:38 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Does anyone know anything about the New Zealand Special Company? This was a special forces unit formed in early 1941 by the New Zealand Army...

Were they NZ's first special forces unit of WWII? I'm sure they predate the LRDG...

According to various records, the LRP/LRDG was formed in June 1940, so looks like they were still one of the first SF units of WWII (British Commandos were formed June 1940 too it seems), certainly the first manned predominantly by Kiwis, even if it was officially a British unit.

[Deleted]

My late Father-in-law was an Army member of the NZ Independent Companies (NZIC) and trained in Australia either late 1940 or early 1941.  Personal war history was discussed infrequently over the years however the family do know he attended several reunions for members of the NZ independent Companies, referred by him as the "Hush Hush Brigade". They even had their own tie (forest green with a three-part emblem scattered randomly across the tie), a silver fern in the centre, a silver/kiwi above the fern and a gold boomerang below the silver fern.  The boomerang presumably denoting the Australian training venue. My father-in-law later served in in the 2nd NZEF in both Egypt and Italy.  Our understanding is the NZIC he was associated with were scattered through several Battalions and were expected to be on-call for whenever their services might be required.  Family understanding is the group were attached to MI6 during the war.  In the end, his particular NZIC was not called together to operate in the theatre of war.    I have just begun to research this specialist unit so if anyone is able to enlighten me further or point me in a direction for my own research, your assistance would be gladly appreciated.

[michaeleivers]

I realize that this is a posting which is seven years old; however I can tell you that my late father was trained as a commando in or about 1941 in Australia.  The New Zealand force was disbanded because of the "Commando Edict" issued by Germany and then later Japan: that all prisoners captured operating as commandos would be executed and not treated as POW's.  I think that the Australian unit went on to raid Singapore harbor.  My father was shipped to Egypt as Regimental Color Sargent so that he could train other troops for scouting roles - I think.  He asked to be relieved of all rank and rejoined his East Coast mates as a Sargent in C Squadron Div Cav.  eventually 2nd Lieutenant Robert (Bob) George Eivers.  His role in Div Cav was a scouting one; I understand that his commando training was useful as the Allies moved up through Italy to Trieste. 

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Michael. Is your father still around these days?

[hildaren]

hi

from Robin Kays Chronology.
 9 May 1941

No.1 special Company (16 Officers and 235 ORs) embarked on AORANGI at Auckland for training in Australia.


5 July 1941

No.2 special Company (5 officers and 235 ORs) embarked on AORANGI  at Auckland for training in Australia.


hildaren

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks!