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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ต.ค. 2024
- Tripoli to Takrouna - 2 New Zealand Division's last campaigns in North Africa
With Glyn Harper
Part of the Torch to Tunis series on WW2TV
• Torch to Tunis
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On 23 January 1943 the New Zealanders were the first Commonwealth troops to enter the city of Tripoli. Following that thy continued to Takrouna, which became the site of the last major action by New Zealand troops in North Africa. Following the Battle of the Mareth Line, Axis forces were driven back into Tunisia. On 19 April New Zealand forces prepared for an assault on Takrouna, then held by the Italian CCLXXXV Paratroopers Battalion "Folgore", elements of the Italian 66th regiment and one German platoon.
Glyn Harper QSM is a New Zealand historian who specialises in the military history of the 20th century. He has published several books on New Zealand's participation in the First and Second World Wars. Before becoming a writer, he served for eight years in the Australian Army before transferring to the New Zealand Army. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in 2001 from the University of New England with a thesis on Howard Kippenberger, a New Zealand general of the Second World War. He then served as the official historian for New Zealand's military deployment to East Timor from 1999 to 2001. He retired from the New Zealand Army in 2001 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He became a lecturer at Massey University in Palmerston North, and was made an associate professor in military studies the following year. In 2003 he was appointed director of the Centre for Defence Studies. He is currently Professor of War Studies at Massey University, and supervises doctoral students.
Kippenberger: an Inspired New Zealand Commander by Glyn Harper
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The Battle for North Africa: El Alamein and the Turning Point for World War II by Glyn Harper
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Glyn's previous WW2TV appearances
Kiwis in Crete 1941 • Kiwis in Crete 1941
New Zealand Forces in North Africa: The Second Battle of El Alamein
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What an excellent channel this is which I have only just discovered. My father was in the 8th reinforcements, 23rd Battalion. He was on the 5 pounder antitank guns at the Battle of Medenine but they never fired a shot! After the Tunisian campaign concluded, The NZ Div moved to Italy. I have his war diary and he was on Mt Trocchio when Kippenberger lost his foot on a mine. His diary quote is " ...we were on the side of Mt Trocchio for 2 days/3 nights but it was the worst place I was ever in during the war. After 1 day and 1 night, a cobber and myself moved back 100 yards to a large rock that we were able to get under like a cave. We hid there all day and did nothing. The Germans stopped firing as they didn't know where we were.. This position cost us half our platoon during the period. Cassino fell and at 0500 hrs; we were told of this by Lt Smillie that the Germans had all gone. I didn't get into Cassino myself. When Gen Kippenberger got wounded, he was below me on the mountain about halfway down he hill. He had moved around the hill to get a better view of Cassino when he stepped on a mine. Looking forward to seeing more on the Italian campaign as I have a rich record from my fathers diary all the way through to Trieste in the north.
Welcome aboard
Six pounder probably the US made 57mm copy.
That diary extract is very special. Thx for sharing. I am Kip’s gt. grandson.
I recall a story of the New Zealand artillery perfecting the concentration of artillery fires and spreading their tactics among the larger 8th Army artillery units. That might have been from Jon Parshall’s presentation earlier this year or it might have been from some random source I read years ago. Unfortunately that’s how my brain functions these days. In any case, really informative episode.
Aside from the excellent performance of the New Zealanders during the critical Medenine battles, Woody and Glyn made the point that New Zealand, Australia, and all the commonwealth countries that fought in North Africa had a stake in the outcome as a point of National interests. I'm not so sure about South Africa and India, but I do agree that it was a global effort for the allies. Brilliant use of AT artillery by the 5th NZ Brigade, beating Rommel at his own game. It made me think of Crecy and Agincourt and the defense by longbowmen; a brilliant and lovely show.
I really enjoy hearing of 2NZEF contribution to 8th Army’s campaigns. I look forward to Glynn talking about their campaigning in Italy.
World class. Your dedication to history is noteworthy. Thank you from California. Redding California USA.
Doesn't get better Paul.
A brilliant presentation by Glyn, great to hear about the NZ forces, so much forgotten about.They fought with bravely and courageous tenacity. Thanks Glyn and Paul
It is great to have this outstanding presentation on New Zealand's emense contribution to the Allied war effort!
That was good to hear from Glyn of the Kiwi & Maori contribution in NA - Another great episode from Woody @WW2TV
Thanks Phil, Glyn is very very good
Professor Glynn Harper has, probably mistakenly, understated the New Zealand commitment to WW2. There were not 15,000 New Zealanders involved in the fighting worldwide, there were 140,000 New Zealanders deployed overseas. The fatal casualties alone amounted to more than 11,000. Including Territorial Army and Home Guard units, New Zealand mobilised 350,000 troops in total.
He was talking about all Maori in the armed forces and not just the Maori Battalion
15000 specifically Maori troops is what Glyn said, not the entire NZ contribution
@@jammyscouser2583 there were allot off part Maoris there who made out they were just white too avoid too many Questions.
From what I read all Māori were volunteers, unlike white New Zealanders who were conscripted.@@seanodwyer4322
Excellent
Looking forward to this
Fantastic presentation by Glyn as usual. Great detail and illustrations. Look forward to seeing Glyn again. Many thanks
Wonderful presentation, thank you Dr. Harper and Woody. I'm left speculating about the successes and failures that Rommel experienced in N. Africa. What "percentage" of his failure at El Alamein, Medenine, et al could be attributed to Ultra compromise? Particularly at Medenine, it seems that the defenders knew exactly where, when, and with what resources the Germans would launch their attack. This depth of intelligence stacks the odds heavily in favor of the defenders. Particularly so given the terrain and arrival of replacements/new equipment.
That is intriguing. Perhaps a call for David O'Keefe is in order?
@@davidlavigne207 ULTRA ULTRA ULTRA - That ought to summon him
Howdy folks. Glyn gave us a clear and comprehensive account of the operations by the New Zealand forces as the Allies trapped the Axis forces in Tunisia. Great maps help tell the story. Outstanding.
Thanks for asking Glyn about the supposed Rommel quote. It always seemed a bit of a stretch, i wonder how and where the rumor origionated
The decision to maintain 2NZ Division in the Mediterranean theatre after Tunisia was a tragedy., NZ had already suffered disproportionately high casualties and would go on to being committed to the strategically ill-considered Italian campaign and battle for Monte Casino.
Sadly i have just found this brilliant show. Although don't completely agree with some of the content, but we can agree to disagree. When i was reading about the NZ 22 battalion, where a kiwi solider meet a American, who was moaning about fighting in the war for 6 months, The Kiwi looked with some distain as he had been fighting for 3 years.
I'm the host and I don't always agree with my guests. History is all about opinions
If you can get hold of this book by Gerald Hensley, "Beyond the Battlefield" it gives a fascinating insight into the 1939-1945 period of NZ and its Allies. It will certainly give you the background. Another book that fills in some background on what you are discussing, is a book by Haddon Donald DSO, MC "In Peace and War a civilian soldier's story.
wally- our neighbour was in 22nd batt and won M.M. on 15-3-1944. My Dad had rows with him over the pile off photos beside his bed that he took off body s off the krauts he personnally killed in w.w.2. Personnally ahh thought he was a Deadly psyhco killing machine as he allways had a black ura light around his stocky body , and where we lived on Highway 50 he was cruel too the farm animals and only ate meat. when our Deadly O'Dwyer family was at his farm house for social ocassions we were only allowed around his swimming pool and Television lounge , and not allowed in his bedroom because off the 100 plus photos off those pooor poor Germen soilders he butcherd in W.W.2. He took a bullet on 15-3-1944 at cassinno and ahh took a supernatural bullet on 15-3-2019 = the 2 christchurch arab mosque attacks. in hindsight strage how there were 102 photos on his bedset and 102 arabs shot on 15-3-2019 at christchurch. Hope ahh meet him in next realm as we must have something in common. @@@@ ''Bird's off a feather flock together.''
Ugh I missed the live show, grrr….
Woody, Medenine was a big German defeat but Rommel didn't "Fuck up" as you say, rather Monty could thank Ultra, I mean can one imagine what 161 panzers and 2 inf. div. under the personal leadership of Rommel could do to an army taken by surprise. Thanks Glyn
Its just a turn of phrase
The map at 4' shares with Montgomery's similar map the peculiar feature of omitting Takrouna. Why did that omission occur? Sir Brian Horrocks v warmly praised the Kiwi victory at Takrouna.
I had 4 uncles there, my mums two brothers and a brother in-law, married to my mums sister and my dads brother
Stopping Hitler was in everyone's interest. Fortunately, the 2nd NZEF was as good as they were.
Such a shame that on their return home Maori soldiers were barred from pubs and denied farms afforded to non Māori soldiers
Has anyone got the details of Allied KIA, wounded, and captured by country in North Africa ? English, Welsh, Scots, India, NZ, Aus, etc..
It would be complicated, and the person compiling would need to be clear how they define "North Africa" as lots of loses were at sea and in the air
I would have thought every country would have these details, I'm a novice at searching so don't know where to start, although I did find something in regard to NZ's losses but haven't got them now.@@WW2TV
There are unit losses of course. You can find roll of honours for nearly all of the units, but breaking them down to a broad category like North Africa would be really hard