Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume III
460 — General Freyberg (London) to the Minister of Defence
460
General Freyberg (London) to the Minister of Defence
I am now in London and have had conferences with branches in the War Office to ensure that they appreciate our difficulties, which are considerable. I have also discussed the possible Order of Battle for the New Zealand forces to be used against the Japanese. As you are now page 491 aware, the South-East Asia Command theatre is rapidly becoming of secondary importance. I will keep you in touch with opinion here. It is quite clear that everything to do with our redeployment for the Japanese war is being arranged in London. Allied Force Headquarters, Italy, is not in the picture. As soon as the New Zealand Government's decision regarding the possible future participation of the New Zealand forces has been made, all necessary details of the move, equipment, shipping, etc., can be quickly and expeditiously arranged here. I therefore await your policy cable before working out any plans in detail, which would of course be submitted to the New Zealand War Cabinet first in the usual way.