PACIFIC WAR - TALK NZBU COMMENTATOR VIVIAN SPENCER

"The Third New Zealand Division" - a talk by Vivian Spencer, Commentator for the New Zealand Broadcasting Unit.

The Third Division of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force has left New Caledonia for Guadalcanal. Spencer speaks about the formation of the unit, and how it has spent the time while on the island.

The Second Division fought for many years against the axis powers, and finally triumphed in Africa. Many of the men who ended up in the Third Division would have gone to Africa also, but when the Japanese entered the war in December 1941, New Zealand appeared to be in danger of invasion. Some Pacific Islands needed reinforcements, and the New Zealanders who were sent to those parts formed the nucleus of what later became the Third Division.

This Division, under Major General Barrowclough, spent a considerable period in New Caledonia - partly as garrison troops, stationed at strategic points throughout the island, and partly carrying out training to prepare them for warfare in the islands. For best defence, isolated groups of men were scattered throughout the island. They were far away from towns and villages, and were encouraged to make their own sporting facilities. The YMCA did its best to provide sports equipments, comforts, reading and writing facilities for the men - and especially in the early days the well-lighted YM marquees were greatly appreciated to help to pass the evenings with entertainment. Since then, entertainment and study courses have continued to be provided.

Spencer closes by praising the New Zealand soldiers' conduct while staying in New Caledonia.