Post by Dave Homewood on May 9, 2023 22:33:11 GMT 12
This is a surprise to me. I have always been under the impression that New Zealand formed its first tank brigade at the end of the fighting in North Africa when 18th, 19th and 20th Infantry Battalions were converted into Armoured Regiments in the 4th Armoured Brigade. However is seems nearly two years earlier the NZ Army formed a Tank Brigade in New Zealand. This is from the New Zealand Herald dated 17th of October 1941:
THE TANK BRIGADE
MOBILISATION OF MEN
DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND
More than 4OO men from the Auckland area who wore mobilised yesterday to form part of the new Army Tank Brigade left by special train last for Waiouru camp, where the Armoured fighting Vehicle School was established last month. The first draft to leave the district to join the brigade, the men marched from the drill hall, through Queen Street, to the railway station, being led by the band of the 1st Battalion, Auckland Regiment. Animated scenes were witnessed at the railway station, the departure platform being crowded by more than 1000 relatives and friends.
The men will be instructed by officers and non-commissioned officers of the brigade who have been receiving an advance course of a highly intensive nature for the past month. The school is commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel H. B. M. Groves. MC and bar. Royal Armoured Corps, and the instructional staff consists largely of experienced officers and non-commissioned officers who returned to New Zealand last month after serving in tank brigades in action in the Western Desert and Greece.
The Northern Military District will probably be required to supply about 1000 men for the brigade and a careful selection has been made. Many are technicians and others have specialised mechanical and engineering knowledge which can readily be adapted to the driving and maintenance of tanks.
THE TANK BRIGADE
MOBILISATION OF MEN
DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND
More than 4OO men from the Auckland area who wore mobilised yesterday to form part of the new Army Tank Brigade left by special train last for Waiouru camp, where the Armoured fighting Vehicle School was established last month. The first draft to leave the district to join the brigade, the men marched from the drill hall, through Queen Street, to the railway station, being led by the band of the 1st Battalion, Auckland Regiment. Animated scenes were witnessed at the railway station, the departure platform being crowded by more than 1000 relatives and friends.
The men will be instructed by officers and non-commissioned officers of the brigade who have been receiving an advance course of a highly intensive nature for the past month. The school is commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel H. B. M. Groves. MC and bar. Royal Armoured Corps, and the instructional staff consists largely of experienced officers and non-commissioned officers who returned to New Zealand last month after serving in tank brigades in action in the Western Desert and Greece.
The Northern Military District will probably be required to supply about 1000 men for the brigade and a careful selection has been made. Many are technicians and others have specialised mechanical and engineering knowledge which can readily be adapted to the driving and maintenance of tanks.
