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30th Battalion (New Zealand)

30th Battalion
Mortar crew of 30th Battalion firing at Japanese barges on Nissan Island
Active1940–1944
CountryNew Zealand
BranchNew Zealand Military Forces
TypeInfantry
Size~700–900 personnel
Part of14th Brigade, 3rd Division
EngagementsSecond World War
Insignia
Distinguishing Patch

The 30th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the New Zealand 3rd Division, raised for service during the Second World War. After being raised in late 1940, the battalion undertook garrison duties in Fiji and on New Caledonia during the early part of the war, before undertaking combat operations during the latter part of the Solomon Islands campaign, landing on Vella Lavella and the Green Islands in 1943–1944. The battalion was disbanded in mid-1944 to return manpower to the New Zealand economy and to provide reinforcements to the New Zealand 2nd Division, which was fighting in Italy.

History

Formed in September 1940,[1] and drawing personnel from the Canterbury and Otago districts, the 30th Battalion was initially assigned to the 8th Brigade, before eventually becoming part of the 14th Brigade, which served in the Pacific. Shortly after its establishment, the battalion undertook garrison duties on Fiji to defend against a possible Japanese attack, before handing over to US troops.[2]

Service on New Caledonia followed before the 3rd Division concentrated on Guadalcanal in August 1943. As the Solomon Islands campaign progressed, the 3rd Division was given a combat role,[3] and the 30th Battalion took part in its first combat operation of the war, landing on Vella Lavella in September 1943.[4] In February 1944, the 30th fought another battle against the Japanese, this time on Nissan Island.[5] In mid-1944, amidst a manpower shortage in New Zealand, the battalion returned to New Zealand and was broken up to return personnel to civilian industry and to provide reinforcements for the New Zealand 2nd Division, fighting in Italy.[6]

Over 2,000 personnel served in the battalion throughout the war. Of these, three were killed in action, two died of wounds, 10 were wounded in action and three died of illness or in accidents.[7] Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one Distinguished Service Order, one Distinguished Conduct Medal, two Military Medals, and three Mentioned in Despatches. One US Legion of Honor was also awarded.[8] For their service, the 30th Battalion received four battle honours: "Solomons", "Vella Lavella", "Green Islands", and "South Pacific 1942–44". In 1957, these honours were passed to the battalion's successor units: the Canterbury Regiment, the Otago and Southland Regiment, and the Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment.[9]

Commanding officers

The following officers commanded the 30th Battalion during the war:[10]

  • Lieutenant Colonel J. B. Mawson
  • Lieutenant Colonel J. Irving
  • Lieutenant Colonel H. A. Pattullo
  • Lieutenant Colonel S. A. McNamara

References

Citations
  1. ^ Bioletti 1947, Foreword.
  2. ^ Bioletti 1947, pp. 9–37.
  3. ^ Crawford 2000, pp. 140–162.
  4. ^ Bioletti 1947, pp. 71–101.
  5. ^ Bioletti 1947, pp. 102–119.
  6. ^ Bioletti 1947, pp. 127–130.
  7. ^ Bioletti 1947, p. 131.
  8. ^ Bioletti 1947, p. 132.
  9. ^ Mills, T.F. "30th Battalion, 2NZEF". Land Forces of Britain, The Empire and Commonwealth. Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 9 November 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  10. ^ Bioletti 1947, pp. 133–148.
Bibliography

Further reading

  • Gillespie, Oliver (1952). The Pacific. Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45. Wellington: War History Branch, Department of Internal Affairs. OCLC 59000607.
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