Story Summary
Beginnings
When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, France and Britain declared war on Germany. New Zealand also declared war and became part of the Allies. It agreed to supply produce to Britain and provide troops.
Defeat in France
Poland was quickly defeated. Germany attacked France in May 1940. France was defeated, and British forces retreated from Dunkirk.
More intense effort, 1940
New Zealanders from the army, air force and navy took part in the Battle of Britain, in which Germany was prevented from invading Britain.
Italy entered the war on Germany’s side in 1940. Their combined forces were known as the Axis.
The Soviet Union joined the Allies when Germany invaded it in 1941.
Crete
New Zealand forces took part in an unsuccessful attempt to defend the island of Crete, Greece, in 1941 when German airborne forces attacked. 691 New Zealanders died and 2,180 were taken prisoner.
North Africa
From 1941 to 1943 New Zealand was involved in the campaign against Axis forces in North Africa. Māori, serving in their own battalion, achieved great distinction in this and other campaigns.
Japan
In 1941 Japan attacked territories in Asia and the Pacific and bombed Darwin in northern Australia. A territorial force was developed in New Zealand to protect against possible Japanese attack, and civilians were directed to work in key industries. US forces were stationed in New Zealand from 1942.
Pacific war
New Zealand troops supported the US against Japan in the Solomon Islands. Japanese prisoners of war were held in a camp at Featherston.
Victory
New Zealand troops fought in Italy and took part in the main air and sea campaigns contributing to Germany’s defeat in May 1945. More than 8,000 New Zealand prisoners of war were freed when the war ended in Europe.
Japan surrendered in August 1945 after atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Impact
11,625 New Zealanders died in the war. Economically, New Zealand benefited. The war also brought Māori and Pākehā together, overseas and at home. Women had also taken part – in the armed services, or working in factories or on farms.
Defence installations remained around the country, and many war memorials – mostly functional, such as halls and pools – were built.
New Zealand took an active part in the 1945 conference that set up the United Nations.
