Start with
- Taylor, R.J. Kiwis in the desert: the North African campaign, 1940-1943
- Includes maps, illustrations, and a number of Peter McIntyre paintings. A chronology and bibliography appear on the last 3 pages. VC citations for Upham, Elliott and Ngarimu.
- Wright, M. Desert duel: New Zealands North African War, 1940-43
- A useful introduction which offers a straightforward illustrated account. Maps, references and a bibliography are included. 1. Egypt. 2. Crusader. 3. Minqar Qaim. 4. El Alamein. 5. Tebaga Gap.
Other sources
- Cox, G. A tale of two battles
Author was Freyberg’s intelligence officer. Describes the battle of Sidi Rezegh at the heart of the Crusader campaign in the Western Desert, 1941.
- Gardiner, N. Freyberg’s circus: reminiscences of a Kiwi soldier in the North African campaign of World War II
Reminiscences of a soldier in 24 Infantry Battalion and 27 (Machine-Gun) Battalion.
- Hedley, A. Fernleaf Camp: New Zealanders at Maadi Camp, 2009
Maadi Camp was about 17km from Cairo and was the base for the 76,000 New Zealanders who served in the North African campaign.
Hutching, M. (ed.) The desert road: New Zealanders remember the North African campaign
Oral histories. Introduction: New Zealanders in the North African campaign, by Ian McGibbon. Interviewees: Victor Henderson, William Bowling, Clifford Vause, Eleanor Fraser, Ian Johnston, Donald Ross, Howard Anderson, Watt McEwan, Jean Chalmers, James Barclay, Ronald Verity, Breynton Campbell, Lawrence Wright, George Mackay, Edward Gibbs, Maiki Parkinson.
- Murphy, W.E. The relief of Tobruk
Official war history. Read an online edition of this book at NZETC New Zealand Official War Histories.
Paton, H. Private Paton's pictures: behind the lines with Kiwi soldiers in North Africa 1941-1943,2003
Harold Paton's photographs show how war really was, not how Hollywood has since portrayed it - "long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror".
Reddish, A. El Alamein: a tank soldier’s story
Awards and casualties, p. 90 (no names listed). Includes maps and illustrations.
Roll of honour, p. 56. Honours and awards, p. 56. Commanders of New Zealand patrols, p. 57.
- Scoullar, J. L. Battle for Egypt: the summer of 1942
Official war history. Read an online edition of this book at NZETC New Zealand Official War Histories.
- Stevens, W.G. Bardia to Enfidaville
Official war history. Read an online edition of this book at NZETC New Zealand Official War Histories.
Thompson, M. Our war: the grim digs: New Zealand Soldiers in North Africa, 1940-1943, 2005.
The book is divided into two parts, the first of which gives a chronological view of the campaigns; the second of which is titled Reflections and allows the soldiers to describe the realities of life in the desert, combat, being wounded, and death.
Walker, R. Alam Halfa and Alamein
Official war history. Read an online edition of this book at NZETC New Zealand Official War Histories.
Websites
- The North African campaign
- Detailed information from New Zealand History online
The 28th Maori Battalion in North Africa
For further information, search the catalogue:
