Click to return to Home. Subject to Crown Copyright.

ANZAC HISTORY Histories of Units of the First AIF and the First NZEF.   
NZEF

A Digger History Associate site 

Home Intro & Index Site Map Aust Histories Badges ANZAC Corps Aust Lt Horse NZ & A Div 1st Division 2nd Division 3rd Division 4th Division 5th Division Diaries NZEF NZ Infantry NZ Mounted blank blank 2

The New Zealand Expeditionary Force 

(NZEF) 

(aka The Main Body) 1914/1921

OVERVIEW

From the age of 12 all males in New Zealand received military training. In 1911 New Zealand formed a 25,000, part-time national militia. Most of the men who volunteered to join the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) in August 1914 came from this Territorial Army.

Under the command of General Godley, the NZEF joined with the Australian Imperial Force in Australia. The two forces were sent to Egypt for training with British weapons. It was decided to put Australian and New Zealand forces together to form the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). Some were used to defend Suez but most of them were sent to the Gallipoli Front. The ANZACs suffered over 33,600 losses (over one-third killed) by the time they were ordered to withdraw in January 1916. The New Zealand troops were then transferred to the Western Front in France.

An unidentified New Zealander outside his dugout in a trench during World War I. A sign above the 'door' reads "Whangamomona" which may be where the soldier hails from.  Note the slouch hat worn Aussie style.

During the First World War over 124,000 New Zealanders, almost 10 per cent of the population, joined the army. Of these, 100,000 served overseas and the high percentage who served on the front-line is reflected in the fact that they suffered 58,000 casualties, including 17,000 men killed.

The Defence Act of 1909 

provided the pattern of Territorial training to replace the Volunteers and for all schoolboys to become a part of the Senior Cadets after leaving school. The minor changes which were suggested by Lord Kitchener during his visit to New Zealand in 1910 were implemented in 1911.

When World War I started in 1914 New Zealand had three years of military organization upon which to build her war effort. At this time the only rifles in the Dominion were old pattern .303 Lee Enfield rifles and these served to arm the New Zealanders at Gallipoli.

The efficiency of the organization can be seen in that the Expeditionary Force of 360 officers and 8,067 men left New Zealand two months after war was declared. This force, together with its reinforcements was known as the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF). However, it is more generally known in New Zealand as the Main Body. In Egypt, February 1916, the Expeditionary Force was reorganised as a Division.

For the first two years of the war the Volunteers kept up the supply of reinforcements to the Main Body, but 1 August 1916 it was decided that compulsion for all would be a more just method of raising additional forces, so the Military Service Act became law. In all, over 124,000 men from a total of 250,000 eligible males served with the Expeditionary Force.

The 1911 Defence Act divided New Zealand into Four Military Districts, each of which had four infantry regiments. The 17th (Ruahine) Regiment was formed in 1914. 

  • The New Zealand Expeditionary Force had four Regiments: 
    • 'Auckland', 
    • 'Wellington', 
    • 'Canterbury' and 
    • 'Otago'. 

These were named after Provinces and each had a Service Company from the Regiments in the respective Military District:

  • 'Auckland' Regiment: 
    • 3rd (Auckland), 
    • 6th (Hauraki), 
    • 15th (North Auckland), and 
    • 16th (Waikato) Regiments.
  • 'Wellington' Regiment: 
    • 7th (Wellington West Coast), 
    • 9th (Hawke's Bay), 
    • 11th (Taranaki), and 
    • 17th (Ruahine) Regiments.
  • 'Canterbury' Regiment: 
    • 1st (Canterbury), 
    • 2nd (South Canterbury), 
    • 12th (Nelson), and 
    • 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiments.
  • 'Otago' Regiment: 
    • 4th (Otago), 
    • 8th (Southland), 
    • 10th (North Otago), and 
    • 14th (South Otago) Regiments.

Each of these 'Provincial' regiments had one battalion in Gallipoli and three battalions in France. Battle Honours were earned for the sixteen Regiments by these service companies who wore the badges of their respective regiments. 

Members of the NZ Force that occupied Somes Island circa 1915

The 5th (Wellington) Regiment was part of the Samoa Expedition and later its personnel were used to help form the New Zealand Rifle Brigade from whom the 5th get their battle honours for World War I.

In 1921 the New Zealand Military Districts were reduced to three (Northern, Central and Southern) each having four infantry regiments. This was the end of the use of a system of numerical titles.

 The NZEF was disbanded on 31 December 1921.

  • The 1st (Canterbury) Regiment amalgamated with the 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment to become The Canterbury Regiment.
  • The 4th (Otago) Regiment amalgamated with the 10th (North Otago) Rifles to become The Otago Regiment.
  • The 8th (Southland) Regiment amalgamated with the 14th (South Otago) Rifles to become The Southland Regiment.
  • The 9th (Hawke's Bay) Regiment re-absorbed the 17th (Ruahine) Regiment to become The Hawke's Bay Regiment.
  • The 12th (Nelson and Marlborough) Regiment amalgamated with the 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiment to become The Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regiment.


The twelve Regiments each supplied Service Companies to the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) for World War 2.

The four Northern District Regiments (Auckland, Hauraki, North Auckland and Waikato) each had a company in the 18th, 21st, 24th and 29th Battalions.
The four Central District Regiments (Wellington, Wellington West Coast, Taranaki and Hawke's Bay) each had a company in the 19th, 22nd, 25th and 36th Battalions.
The four Southern District Regiments (Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Nelson Marlborough West Coast) each had a company in the 20th, 23rd, 26th, 30th and 37th Battalions.
These regiments inherited the battle honours of the above battalions.

New Zealand Division

The New Zealand Division was formed in Egypt in March 1916 from the New Zealand and Australian Division. The 2nd New Zealand Brigade was formed to make the Division up to full strength. This Brigade was made up from drafts for the 1st New Zealand Brigade and was a duplication of the 1st Brigade. The Division went to France in April 1916, and  it served there until the Armistice.

Battles and Engagements

  • France and Flanders.

    • Flers - Courcelette. 15 - 22 Sep 1916.
      Morval. 25 - 28 Sep 1916.
      Le Transloy. 1 - 18 Oct 1916.

     

    • Messines. 7 - 14 Jun 1917.
      Polygon Wood. 26 Sep - 3 Oct 1917.
      Broodseinde. 4 Oct 1917.
      Passchendaele. 12 Oct 1917.

     

    • Arras. 28 Mar 1918.
      Ancre. 5 Apr 1918.
      Albert. 21 - 23 Aug 1918.
      Second  Bapaume. 31 Aug - 3 Sep 1918.
      Havrincourt. 12 Sep 1918.
      Canal Du Nord. 27 Sep - 1 Oct 1918.
      Cambrai. 8 - 9 Oct 1918.
      The Persuit to the Selle. 9 - 12 Oct 1918.
      The Selle. 17 - 25 Oct 1918.
      The Sambre. 4 Nov 1918, including the Capture of Le Quesnoy.

Infantry Units

  • 1st New Zealand Brigade. (From the New Zealand and Australian Division).

    • 1st Battalion Wellington Regt. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 2nd Battalion Wellington Regt. Jan 1917 - 11 Nov 1918

    • 1st Battalion Canterbury Regt. Mar 1916 - Jan 1917. Assigned to the 2nd New Zealand Brigade.

    • 1st Battalion Auckland Regt. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 2nd Battalion Auckland Regt. Jan 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 1st Battalion Otago Regt. Mar 1916 - Jan 1917. Assigned to the 2nd New Zealand Brigade.

  • 2nd New Zealand Brigade. (Formed in Jan 1916 and joined the Division on its formation).

    • 2nd Battalion Wellington Regt. Mar 1916 - Jan 1917. to the 1st New Zealand Brigade.

    • 1st Battalion Canterbury Regt. Jan 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regt. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.
      2nd Battalion Auckland Regt. Mar 1916 - Jan 1917. Assigned to the 1st New Zealand Brigade.

    • 1st Battalion Otago Regt. Jan 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 2nd Battalion Otago Regt. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

  • 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade. (Formed Nov 1915 and joined the Division on its formation).

    • 1st Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 2nd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 3rd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 4th Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

Pioneers.

New Zealand Pioneer Battalion. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

Artillery Units

  • 1st New Zealand Brigade.

    • 1st New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 3rd New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 7th New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 8th New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - Apr 1916. Assigned to the 4th New Zealand Brigade.

    • 15th New Zealand (Howitzer) Battery. Apr 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

  • 2nd New Zealand Brigade. (Became an Army Field Artillery Brigade Dec 1916).

    • 2nd New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - Dec 1916. With Brigade to AFA.

    • 5th New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - Dec 1916. With Brigade to AFA.

    • 6th New Zealand (Howitzer) Battery. Apr 1916 - Dec 1916. With Brigade to AFA.

    • 9th New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - Dec 1916. With Brigade to AFA.

    • 10th New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - Apr 1916. Assigned to the 4th New Zealand Brigade.

  • 3rd New Zealand Brigade.

    • 4th New Zealand (Howitzer) Battery. Apr 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 11th New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 12th New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 13th New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - 11 Nov 1918.

    • 14th New Zealand Battery. Mar 1916 - Apr 1916. Assigned to the 4th New Zealand Brigade.

  •  4th New Zealand Brigade. (After reorganisation). Broken up Apr 1917 the Batteries were divided between the 1st and 3rd New Zealand Brigades 

    • 8th New Zealand Battery. Apr 1916 - Apr 1917. Broken up.

    • 10th New Zealand Battery. Apr 1916 - Apr 1917. Broken up.

    • 14th New Zealand Battery. Apr 1916 - Apr 1917. Broken up.

    • 16th New Zealand (Howitzer) Battery. Jan 1917 - Apr 1917. Broken up.

  • 4th New Zealand (Howitzer) Brigade. (Reorganised Apr 1916).

    • 4th New Zealand (Howitzer) Battery. Mar 1916 - Apr 1916. Assigned to the 3rd New Zealand Brigade.

    • 6th New Zealand (Howitzer) Battery. Mar 1916 - Apr 1916. Assigned to the 2nd New Zealand Brigade.

    • 15th New Zealand (Howitzer) Battery. Mar 1916 - Apr 1916. Assigned to the 1st New Zealand Brigade.

 

Mounted Units

  • Wellington Mounted Rifles. Formed in New Zealand Aug 1914 from the Territorial Force units in the Wellington Military District. Assigned to the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • Canterbury Mounted Rifles. Formed in New Zealand Aug 1914 from the Territorial Force units in the Canterbury Military District. Assigned to the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • Auckland Mounted Rifles. Formed in New Zealand Aug 1914 from the Territorial Force units in the Auckland Military District. Assigned to the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • Otago Mounted Rifles. Formed in New Zealand Aug 1914 from the Territorial Force units in the Otago Military District. Attached to the New Zealand and Australian Division.

Infantry Units

  • 1st Battalion Wellington Regt. Formed in New Zealand Aug 1914 from the Territorial Force units in the Wellington Military District. Assigned to the New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • 2nd Battalion Wellington Regt. Formed in Egypt Feb 1916. Assigned to the 2nd New Zealand Brigade.

  • 1st Battalion Canterbury Regt. Formed in New Zealand Aug 1914 from the Territorial Force units in the Canterbury Military District. Assigned to the New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regt. Formed in Egypt Feb 1916. Assigned to the 2nd New Zealand Brigade.

  • 1st Battalion Auckland Regt. Formed in New Zealand Aug 1914 from the Territorial Force units in the Auckland Military District. Assigned to the New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • 2nd Battalion Auckland Regt. Formed in Egypt Feb 1916. Assigned to the 2nd New Zealand Brigade.

  • 1st Battalion Otago Regt. Formed in New Zealand Aug 1914 from the Territorial Force units in the Otago Military District. Assigned to the New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • 2nd Battalion Otago Regt. Formed in Egypt Feb 1916. Assigned to the 2nd New Zealand Brigade.

  • 1st Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Formed in New Zealand Apr 1915. Assigned to Egypt Nov 1915 and joined the 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade.

  • 2nd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Formed in New Zealand Apr 1915. Assigned to Egypt Nov 1915 and joined the 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade.

  • 3rd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Formed in New Zealand Sep 1915. Assigned to Egypt Mar 1916 and joined the 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade.

  • 4th Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Formed in New Zealand Sep 1915. Assigned to Egypt Mar 1916 and joined the 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade.

  • Maori Battalion. Formed in New Zealand Oct 1914. Assigned to Egypt Feb 1915. Eventually joined with the Otago Mounted Rifles to form the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion.

  • New Zealand Pioneer Battalion. Formed Feb 1916 from the Maori Battalion and the Otago Mounted Rifles, a second Maori contingent joined Aug 1915. Eventually joined the New Zealand Division.

Artillery Units

  • 1st New Zealand Battery. Joined the 1st New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • 2nd New Zealand Battery. Joined the 1st New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • 3rd New Zealand Battery. Joined the 1st New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • 4th New Zealand (Howitzer) Battery. Joined the 1st New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • 5th New Zealand Battery. Joined the 2nd New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • 6th New Zealand (Howitzer) Battery. Joined the 1st New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand and Australian Division.

  • 7th New Zealand Battery. Joined the 1st New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand Division.

  • 8th New Zealand Battery. Joined the 1st New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand Division.

  • 9th New Zealand Battery. Joined the 2nd New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand Division.

  • 10th New Zealand Battery. Joined the 2nd New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand Division.

  • 11th New Zealand Battery. Joined the 3rd New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand Division.

  • 12th New Zealand Battery. Joined the 3rd New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand Division.

  • 13th New Zealand Battery. Joined the 3rd New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand Division.

  • 14th New Zealand Battery. Joined the 3rd New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand Division.

  • 15th New Zealand (Howitzer) Battery. Joined the 4th New Zealand (Howitzer) Brigade, New Zealand Division.

  • 16th New Zealand (Howitzer) Battery. Joined the 4th New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand Division.
 

Email

 Search Help Sign Guestbook Read Last Post The Ode   FAQ  Digger Forum 

Click for newsClick to go to top of page

   Hit Counter since 1st September, 2003   

ANZAC HISTORY Histories of Units of the First AIF and the First NZEF.