Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume III
358 — Memorandum from Commander, South Pacific Area, to Major-General Barrowclough — Plans for Movement of the 3rd New Zealand Division
358
Memorandum from Commander, South Pacific Area, to Major-General Barrowclough
Plans for Movement of the 3rd New Zealand Division
1. In effecting preliminary dispositions for future offensive operations in the South Pacific Area, it is tentatively planned to move the 3rd New Zealand Division into a concentration area in the Solomons, preparatory to active combat employment at a date later in the year. To meet the tentative schedule of other troop movements, the movement forward of the 3rd New Zealand Division should be initiated about 15 August 1943.
2. It is desired that you present this proposal to the General Officer Commanding, New Zealand Military Forces, and to the War Cabinet, with a view to determining whether or not these agencies are prepared to take the necessary action to support this plan.1
3. In the event of a favourable response to this query, this Headquarters will be in a position to establish a firm plan, which upon adoption will be communicated as a definite proposal to the New Zealand authorities.
(Sgd) H. R. Thurber,2 Acting Chief of Staff
1 The file copy of this memorandum is minuted by General Puttick: ‘Original handed to P.M. in War Cabinet 14 Jun 1943’.
2 Vice-Admiral H. R. Thurber, USN.