New Zealand and the War. Chapter 3 of The Story of the Anzacs

Anzac Cove, looking south

The leader of the Opposition, Sir Joseph Ward, declared that his side of the House would co-operate with the Government in expediting the despatch of the troops, and in taking any other measures necessary to secure the safety of New Zealand and the Empire. It is interesting to notice that New Zealand's offer of help was cabled to the Imperial Government on August 2nd, two days before the outbreak of war. No more striking proof could be offered of her alertness to the gravity of the situation, or her desire to play her part worthily in so terrible a crisis. 

It was, of course, impossible that New Zealand should instantaneously recognise the tremendousness of the issue with which the Empire was confronted : this was not recognised even by England herself until some weeks or months after the war had begun. But the guarantees just quoted were a sign that she was prepared to do her utmost, and to do it quickly. On August 5th, the Governor-General read to a packed Parliament the announcement that war had broken out with Germany. On August 6th, a message was received from His Majesty the King which may be put on record here, though it was addressed to the Dominions in general:

"I desire to express to my people of the Oversea Dominions with what appreciation and pride I have received the messages from their representative Governments during the last few days. These assurances of their support recall to me the generous sacrifice and help given by them in the past to the Mother Country. I have been strengthened in the discharge of the great responsibility which rests upon me by the confident belief that in this time of trial my Empire will stand united, calm and resolute, trusting in God."

A subsequent cable stated that His Majesty had received with great gratitude the announcement of the Ministry's readiness to call for volunteers for an Expeditionary Force, should circumstances make this step necessary. The Governor, in reply, stated that New Zealand would support the Empire through good fortune and bad, and was prepared to make any sacrifice to preserve her heritage and birthright. The Prime Minister declared that an Expeditionary Force would be required, but that its destination must remain uncertain.

He called for volunteers, and the response was prompt and splendid: thousands of men came forward in both Islands. As early as the 6th August there were in Auckland alone over 1,000 applicants. The Maoris had already offered their services : on the memorable Fourth itself the members of the Arawa tribe at Rotorua telegraphed to the Prime Minister and offered their services to their King and Country in whatever cause and at whatever time they might be asked to fight. They added that their fervent prayer was "God save the King." 

A week later Mr. Massey announced that the Maoris had offered to provide forces up to the number of 15,000 if necessary. He added significantly that the 'Maori was a 'good fighter. A few days later it was officially announced that the First Expeditionary Force would amount to 7,ooo or 8,000 men, and that the Dominion had been divided into four Military Districts, - Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago. It was stated that the first section of the Expeditionary Force would be despatched from Wellington at the earliest opportunity, and that that Force was now under the control of the Imperial authorities.

At this period it was thought that the destination of the troops would be Europe, and an official statement to that effect was actually made in the House. The feeling inspiring the country was expressed in a statement made in a New Zealand newspaper that "if men leave the Dominion they will want to go to the firing line," and that "those who offer their services will be prepared to do what is required of them, and to go to India, Egypt !- the Continent of Europe, with a strong preference for the scene of action, if this goal is attainable." 

The idealism of the Dominion was forcibly interpreted and stimulated by the language of its press. It was pointed out that the men whom New Zealand was sending forth were the flower of the country, those on whose sturdy strength and heroism she relied for her very life. They had learned to play the game, to play indeed many games, in time of peace, and now War had called them to the greatest game of all. The country felt that her life and liberty were being defended in Flanders, and the idealism born of that conviction had turned farmers, tradesmen and clerks into the nucleus of a splendid army. 

It was shown that the average New Zealander was physically strong and fit, intellectually keen, and very ready to be led by a true leader. The sequel showed that he was quick to learn his drill, ready in adapting himself to the conditions of camp life, loyal to all efficient superiors and sensitive to just reproof. Such were the personnel and spirit of the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

The New Zealand Army was not long in finding work. It must have always been obvious that in case of war the first duties of Britain's Southern Dominions would be the destruction of enemy shipping in the Pacific, and the seizure of enemy colonies. Owing to the nature and institution of the Australian Navy, the former task fell to the larger Dominion : but as far as concerns the occupation of German colonies, New Zealand drew first blood. On August 15th the troopships Moeraki and Monawai left Wellington for an unnamed destination. They contained between eleven and twelve hundred men -Infantry, Mountain Battery and Machine Gun Sections, Field and Railway Engineers, Signallers, Survey Corps and Medical Corps. They proceeded to a rendezvous near Auckland, where they were joined by an escort of warships.

It may be noted that the "Australia" and ""Melbourne" met the Expedition at Noumea and formed part of the convoy.

The flotilla steamed to Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, and thence proceeded to Samoa. This possession lies about 1,600 miles north of Auckland : its total area is about 1,000 square miles, and it comprises several islands. The largest of these is Savaii (660 square miles), but the most fertile and important is Upolu, containing the harbour and capital town of Apia. Samoa has always been dear to Englishmen as being the chosen home of Stevenson ("Tusitala"). Its history is chequered and romantic, turning as it has latterly done on the civil wars between Malietoa, the weakling unwisely supported by Britain and America, and the great and magnanimous chief Mataafa. 

This quarrel for a long time embroiled the three civilised powers chiefly interested in Samoa - Great Britain, the United States and Germany. In 1889 an agreement known as the Berlin Treaty was ratified, by which the powers aforesaid should establish a joint protectorate over the island. The joint administration, however, caused considerable friction, which was increased by a fresh outbreak of native warfare. In 1900 the Berlin Treaty was abrogated, and the greater part of Samoa passed under the direct control of Germany, Great Britain receiving compensation in other parts of the world, and the United States withdrawing from all islands west of Tutuila. 

Samoa is of supreme strategic importance as regards control of the Pacific, and the Germans had erected on it a powerful wireless station. Most of the trade of the islands was done with Germany, and since she occupied them the trade of Australia and New Zealand has suffered severely. It must have been obvious that so rich a prize would at once be seized by one or other of the British Dominions.

On August 31st the Governor received information that Samoa had surrendered to the Royal Navy, and had been occupied on August 29th by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The Expedition took the enemy completely by surprise : the Governor was not in the town of Apia when it arrived. The troops were landed smartly, and occupied Apia without resistance. The British flag was hoisted at 12.-0 P.M., and Colonel Logan immediately took over control from the German forces. On the next day a Union Jack brought from New Zealand was hoisted, and the Proclamation read in the presence of the Naval and Military Officers, native chiefs, etc. A salute of 21 guns was fired by H.M.S. "Psyche." The German Governor was sent to Suva (Fiji) with other prisoners. It is noteworthy that the New Zealand Expeditionary Force was the first Imperial Force to secure German territory for the Imperial Crown.

We may now return to New Zealand and the preparations there made for the despatch of the main Expeditionary Force.

It had been announced by the Prime Minister that directly the Force left New Zealand they would become Imperial troops and would act under the direction of the Imperial authorities. He added that the main command would be given to Major-General Sir A. J. Godley. This distinguished officer was born in County Cavan (Ireland) in 1867. He was staff officer in the Mashonaland Field Force, when he commanded a column under Major-General Carrington, and was Mentioned in Despatches. He served through the Boer War, and was in Mafeking throughout the siege. After the relief, he took an active part in the war, and was again Mentioned in Despatches. He was appointed Commandant of the New Zealand Forces in 1910. His present appointment was received with the greatest satisfaction, both by the forces themselves and by the people of New Zealand. 

As early as August 10th, the first portion of the New Zealand section left by special train for Wellington, amid scenes of great enthusiasm. It was thought at this time that their departure from New Zealand would occur almost immediately, as on the 14th of August the Governor said that he had received a telegram from the Home authorities to this effect. He added that he knew the honour of the Empire and New Zealand would le upheld by every single man in the force, and that they would show they were not going to be trodden on or dictated to by a Power which wished to establish such a supremacy as to make it impossible for any other nation in the world to exist."

Ten transports had been provided for the troops, but the departure was postponed, and in the meantime, the soldiers were subjected to a strict course of training. Drill, musketry instruction and other duties took up the hours of the daylight, and the camps presented all the features of typical Active Service camps. The long route marches in particular were an earnest of the exacting work reserved for the men later in Egypt. On September 24th at an official farewell given to the Auckland section of the Expeditionary Force, the Prime Minister expressed his confidence that the troops would do their country credit, in whatever part of the world they might find themselves. He continued in words fitly representing the spirit of the soldiers themselves:

"You will meet men representing other nations and other Dominions of the British Empire; you will see what the World has never seen before, men of almost every clime, language, race and creed bound together by one idea and one belief, that within the British Empire and under the British flag there is more justice, morality and freedom than has been granted to any other nation. In consequence of that belief millions of men have made up their minds to keep the Empire intact, to restrict tyranny and oppression to the uttermost and to keep flying, the Flag, that has braved the battle and the breeze."

The departure of the Force, as might have been expected, was carried out with as much secrecy as possible; but on November 20th the "New Zealand Herald" was able to announce that it had left the Dominion. It is now possible to state that the embarkation took place during the middle of October. The local contingents embarked at their respective ports, and were then ordered to Wellington, where a strong convoy of warships was waiting to escort them to their destination. The departure took place at an early hour of the morning: but this did nor prevent a considerable crowd from assembling on the beach and the higher ground above the harbour. 

The sight was indeed an inspiring one, most inspiring of all being the masses of sturdy khaki clad soldiers, their faces lit up with satisfaction that the long-awaited-for moment had at last come. The Expedition moved out with the Imperial cruisers a few miles in advance and the Japanese cruisers to the right abreast of the squadron, but several miles away. The other flank and rear were protected by light cruisers. It was thus that the New Zealanders steamed forth to their unknown destination. 

But before we deal with their voyage and disembarkation, a word must be said about the work of the Australian Navy.