2 NZ Division « Steven's Balagan

Category: 2 NZ Division

Planning my New Zealand Carriers In Italy for Crossfire

New Zealand Universal Carrier - Rimini, Italy - September 1944

My Kiwis in Italy Project isn’t going well. I still haven’t started painting my the New Zealand infantry of 2 (NZ) Division in Italy. Sigh. But I do continue to make plans. I know I’ve got to do at least one carrier platoon when I finally get around to this. So I want to get my thinking straight about carriers in British / Commonwealth Leg Infantry Battalions and Motor Infantry Battalions. And Crossfire has that silly single APC carries a platoon thing, which is doubly silly for a 4-man universal carrier.

Kiwi Vehicle Names in WW2

I’ve posted on Kiwi Vehicle Camouflage during WW2 but didn’t spend any time researching specific vehicles. Some of the Kiwi vehicles during World War 2 were named e.g. “Discord” and “Katipo”. I thought I’d have a look at my books and see what came up. This is inspiration for my Kiwis in Italy – Steven’s Wargaming Project.

Kiwis in Italy – Steven’s Wargaming Project

Kiwi Sherman from Cover of 4th New Zealand Armoured Brigade in Italy

They have been on my to do list for years – Kiwis in Italy or, more technically, 2 (NZ) Division in the Italian Campaign of 1943-45. I’m thinking a Crossfire Battalion of infantry and some armour to support them. Here are my overly extravagant Kiwi plans for 2020.

Kiwis in Italy – Two Crossfire Battle Reports from Bruce Stewart

Bruce Stewart has a collection of Kiwis for the Italian Campaign. He posted a couple of Crossfire after action reports on Facebook and gave me permission to repost them here. One of them is for my own 2 Companies a Side – A Generic Crossfire Scenario. The second is a scenario from the Italian 1944. Bruce games with 1/56 figures and 1/48 – 1/50 vehicles. Being from Facebook these are predominantly photographic reports.

Long Range Desert Group of WW2

Major R. A. Bagnold, Royal Corps of Signals instigated the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) on 10 Jul 1940. It’s main purpose was long range reconnaissance in the Libyan desert. The men quickly gained a reputation as the best navigators in the desert during WW2. The LRDG operated from Sep 1940 until Mar 1943. Technically it was part of the British Army but initially at least the LRDG was staffed by Kiwis of the 2 New Zealand Division.

2 New Zealand (NZ) Division in Megablitz

A Megablitz order of battle based on the Historical Order of Battle of 2 NZ Division for Italy 1943.

Sources for New Zealand’s Involvement in WW2

An annotated bibliography for Kiwi involvement in WW2. The primary source for this subject is the The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945 (NZETC, 2005). It is very comprehensive extending to 50 volumes when I last counted – although many are general NZ history rather than WW2. It is available on-line, and if you search around you can find hard copies.

2 New Zealand (NZ) Division

Most Kiwis fighting during World War II fought as part of 2 New Zealand Division. For the moment I’ve just written aspects of their time in Italy 1943-45.

Timeline of New Zealand’s Involvement in WW2

So far I’ve just roughed out a skeleton on which to hang the detail of the Kiwi involvement in WW2.

Kiwi Vehicle Camouflage during WW2

Kiwi Armour 1 - Rear - Sherman III - A Squadron - 19 Armoured Regiment, Nov-Dec 1943

During WW2 the 2 New Zealand Division adopted British camouflage patterns on their vehicles. This is one of my WW2 Painting Guides. I focus on the Italian Campaign because this is my particular interest. The illustrations are a small selection from Jeffrey Plowman and Malcolm Thomas’s books of the Kiwi Armour series. These are great resources with many more illustrations. I recommend them.

2 NZ Division Timeline – Sango River to Orsogna

This WW2 timeline picks up 2 New Zealand Division as they enter the line in Italy and goes through to the fighting around Orsogna.

WW2 Painting Guide: Kiwi and British in the Mediterranean 2006

During WW2 the 2 New Zealand Division adopted British uniforms. So this painting guide covers both Kiwi and British, but only in the Mediterranean. This is one of my WW2 Painting Guides.

2 NZ Division Timeline – Rimini Airfield, Italy

This WW2 timeline picks up 2 New Zealand Division as they, in conjunction with 3 Greek Mountain Brigade, approach Rimini. The timeline covers the period 12-21 Sep 1944.

Order of Battle of 2 New Zealand Division

Order of battle for 2 New Zealand Division during WW2. The organisations are primarily based on Phillips (1957, p. 27), Doherty (1999), and Plowman, J. and Thomas, M. (2000, 2002). I have ignored HQ (unless it included armoured vehicles), transport, support, administration, and band elements.

Steven's Balagan

Category: 2 NZ Division

Planning my New Zealand Carriers In Italy for Crossfire

Kiwi Vehicle Names in WW2

Kiwis in Italy – Steven’s Wargaming Project

Kiwis in Italy – Two Crossfire Battle Reports from Bruce Stewart

Long Range Desert Group of WW2

2 New Zealand (NZ) Division in Megablitz

Sources for New Zealand’s Involvement in WW2

2 New Zealand (NZ) Division

Timeline of New Zealand’s Involvement in WW2

Kiwi Vehicle Camouflage during WW2

2 NZ Division Timeline – Sango River to Orsogna

WW2 Painting Guide: Kiwi and British in the Mediterranean 2006

2 NZ Division Timeline – Rimini Airfield, Italy

Order of Battle of 2 New Zealand Division

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