21: The Kiwis Who Shook Rommel: A short History of the 2nd New Zealand Division

Episode Title: The Kiwis Who Shook Rommel: A Short History of the 2nd New Zealand Division

Summary:

From the sun-scorched deserts of North Africa to the rugged mountains of Italy, one Allied formation earned a reputation for toughness and tenacity that was respected by friend and foe alike: the 2nd New Zealand Division.

In this episode, we quickly trace the incredible wartime journey of this elite fighting force under the command of Lieutenant-General Bernard Freyberg.

We cover their baptism by fire in Greece and Crete, their role in the victory at El Alamein, and their grinding attritional battles at Monte Cassino.

Join us as we explore the stories behind their famous nickname, "Freyberg's Forty Thousand Thieves," the unparalleled bravery of double Victoria Cross recipient Charles Upham, and the controversial "Furlough Mutiny" that threatened to derail their campaign.

Discover why even their greatest adversary, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, considered them to be among the finest soldiers in the world.

This is a short taster of episodes to come.

Key words:

#Military History

#Second World War

#WWII

#New Zealand History

#2nd New Zealand Division

#Bernard Freyberg

#El Alamein

#Monte Cassino

#North African Campaign

#Italian Campaign

#Anzac

#Victoria Cross

#Charles Upham

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