Gentle Friends,
Recently, a forum friend, Rob, sent me a book titled: New Zealand and the Second World War: The people, the battles, and the legacy by Ian McGibbon (ISBN: 1-86958-954-8). Rob lives in New Zealand and, as I had indicated an interest in learning more about New Zealand's role in WW II, he forwarded this book to me.
The book contains an easily read summary of New Zealand's participation in the war. The topics covered include discussion of the political issues of the time, the fear of Japanese invasion, the active participation of New Zealand forces in North Africa and Italy, the role of New Zealanders in the allied navies and air forces, New Zealand's wartime economy, the role of women during the war, and a variety of other issues emerging from the war.
To fully understand the magnitude of New Zealand's commitment to the war, it is helpful for me to quote the author as he begins the final chapter:
"The Second World War cost New Zealand dearly in both blood and treasure. Every day of its duration five New Zealand servicemen or women, on average, lost their lives. On a population basis, this was more than the United Kingdom's 147 but roughly eight time less than the Soviet Union's appalling 8000, admittedly over a shorter period. The butcher's bill, 11,600 New Zealanders in all, was mercifully lighter than that exacted by the First World War, when nearly 18,000 had fallen: one in twelve of those sent overseas had been lost, compared with one in six in 1914 - 1918."
"Within the Commonwealth, New Zealand held the dubious distinction of having lost the highest proportion of its population - 6684 per million (compared with the United Kingdom's 5123 and Australia's 3232). To these fatalities must, of course, be added the many thousands of men who were maimed in mind or body by their experiences at the front. New Zealand's ratio of wounded was roughly a third higher than those of both the United Kingdom and Australia. These figures reflected the nature of New Zealand's contribution - the concentration in the naval and air spheres on combat rather than support personnel and the prolonged involvement of 2NZEF in active operations in the Mediterranean theatre."
"In terms of resources devoted to the war, New Zealand's contribution also stood up well in comparison to those of its allies. Only the Soviet Union and Britain did more. Overall, New Zealand devoted nearly a third of its national income to the war effort and from 1942 to 1944 the figure was over half, but peaking at 53 per cent in 1943. As it had pledged in the Atlantic Declaration, New Zealand had devoted all its resources to the common cause."
The book also contains many large maps and numerous pictures. My favorite picture is of the Semple Tank, which I had never before seen.
In all, this book has significantly helped me broaden my understanding of the views, problems, commitments, fears, anxieties, and contributions made by New Zealand during World War II. It is a book I am glad I had the opportunity to read and I recommend it to you highly!
Thank you, Rob, for providing it to me!
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
Recently, a forum friend, Rob, sent me a book titled: New Zealand and the Second World War: The people, the battles, and the legacy by Ian McGibbon (ISBN: 1-86958-954-8). Rob lives in New Zealand and, as I had indicated an interest in learning more about New Zealand's role in WW II, he forwarded this book to me.
The book contains an easily read summary of New Zealand's participation in the war. The topics covered include discussion of the political issues of the time, the fear of Japanese invasion, the active participation of New Zealand forces in North Africa and Italy, the role of New Zealanders in the allied navies and air forces, New Zealand's wartime economy, the role of women during the war, and a variety of other issues emerging from the war.
To fully understand the magnitude of New Zealand's commitment to the war, it is helpful for me to quote the author as he begins the final chapter:
"The Second World War cost New Zealand dearly in both blood and treasure. Every day of its duration five New Zealand servicemen or women, on average, lost their lives. On a population basis, this was more than the United Kingdom's 147 but roughly eight time less than the Soviet Union's appalling 8000, admittedly over a shorter period. The butcher's bill, 11,600 New Zealanders in all, was mercifully lighter than that exacted by the First World War, when nearly 18,000 had fallen: one in twelve of those sent overseas had been lost, compared with one in six in 1914 - 1918."
"Within the Commonwealth, New Zealand held the dubious distinction of having lost the highest proportion of its population - 6684 per million (compared with the United Kingdom's 5123 and Australia's 3232). To these fatalities must, of course, be added the many thousands of men who were maimed in mind or body by their experiences at the front. New Zealand's ratio of wounded was roughly a third higher than those of both the United Kingdom and Australia. These figures reflected the nature of New Zealand's contribution - the concentration in the naval and air spheres on combat rather than support personnel and the prolonged involvement of 2NZEF in active operations in the Mediterranean theatre."
"In terms of resources devoted to the war, New Zealand's contribution also stood up well in comparison to those of its allies. Only the Soviet Union and Britain did more. Overall, New Zealand devoted nearly a third of its national income to the war effort and from 1942 to 1944 the figure was over half, but peaking at 53 per cent in 1943. As it had pledged in the Atlantic Declaration, New Zealand had devoted all its resources to the common cause."
The book also contains many large maps and numerous pictures. My favorite picture is of the Semple Tank, which I had never before seen.
In all, this book has significantly helped me broaden my understanding of the views, problems, commitments, fears, anxieties, and contributions made by New Zealand during World War II. It is a book I am glad I had the opportunity to read and I recommend it to you highly!
Thank you, Rob, for providing it to me!
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
