Divisional Cavalry Regiment (New Zealand)
The Divisional Cavalry Regiment was an armoured cavalry regiment of the 2nd New Zealand Division during the Second World War and was New Zealand's first armoured unit. It served as a reconnaissance force for the 2nd New Zealand Division. Formed on 29 September 1939, the regiment embarked for Egypt on 4 January 1940. It fought with the division, as part of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, in Greece, Crete, North Africa and Italy. The regiment formed part of J Force, New Zealand's contribution to the occupation of Japan at the end of the war.
A Stuart tank from the regiment at El Alamein, July 1942
C Squadron tank during exercises in England
A Marmon-Herrington Mk I Armoured car similar to those used by the regiment during its withdrawal in Greece
Div Cav soldiers playing rugby with Syrian civilians
The 2nd New Zealand Division, initially the New Zealand Division, was an infantry division of the New Zealand Military Forces during the Second World War. The division was commanded for most of its existence by Lieutenant-General Bernard C. Freyberg. It fought in Greece, Crete, the Western Desert and Italy. In the Western Desert Campaign, the division played a prominent role in the defeat of German and Italian forces in the Second Battle of El Alamein and the British Eighth Army's advance to Tunisia.
Bernard Freyberg (pictured) would command the 2nd New Zealand Division for most of its existence
New Zealand Infantry linking up with the Tobruk garrison
New Zealand Soldier with a captured German 88mm anti-tank gun near El Alamein
New Zealand Gunners of 6th Field Regiment in action at the Sangro River