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{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox Military Unit
| unit_name = 9th Brigade
|unit_name=9th Brigade
|image=9th Brigade (New Zealand) Headquarters in Trieste Italy 1945.jpg
| dates = 1945-1952
|image_size=300
| allegiance = [[New Zealand]]
|caption=9th Brigade Headquarters in Trieste, Italy, 1945
| branch = [[New Zealand Army]]
|dates= 1945–1948
| type = Infantry
| command_structure = [[2nd New Zealand Division]]
|country={{flag|New Zealand}}
|allegiance=
|branch=[[File:NZARMYCREST34.jpg|25px]] [[New Zealand Army|New Zealand Military Forces]]
|type= [[Infantry]]
|role=
|size=[[Brigade]]
|command_structure=[[2nd New Zealand Division]]
|garrison=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|identification_symbol=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
* [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]]
* [[Occupation of Japan]]
|notable_commanders=[[William Gentry]]<br/>[[Leslie Potter (army officer)|Leslie Potter]]
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
}}
}}

The '''9th Brigade''' was a formation of the [[New Zealand Army|New Zealand Military Forces]] raised for service in [[Italy]] with the [[New Zealand Expeditionary Force|Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force]] during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. As part of the 2nd New Zealand Division, it participated in [[Operation Grapeshot]] in 1945. It then provided the New Zealand contingent for the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]] (BCOF) before being disbanded with the conclusion of the force.
The '''9th Brigade''' was a formation of the [[New Zealand Army|New Zealand Military Forces]] raised for service in [[Italy]] during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. As part of the [[2nd New Zealand Division]], it participated in [[Operation Grapeshot]] in 1945. It then provided the basis of [[J Force]], the New Zealand contribution to the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]].


== History ==
== History ==

=== Formation ===

{{command structure
|name= Order of Battle<br>9th Brigade
|date=1945
|parent=[[2nd New Zealand Division]]
|subordinate=
*[[Divisional Cavalry Regiment (New Zealand)|Divisional Cavalry Battalion]]
*[[22nd Battalion (New Zealand)|22nd Battalion]]
*[[27th Machine-Gun Battalion (New Zealand)|27th Battalion]]
}}
9th Brigade was initially formed only "on paper" as part of the [[Operation Cascade]] deception scheme in 1942. Thomas and Lord, Part One, page 50, say that HQ NZ Maadi Camp was allocated the deception identity "HQ 6 NZ Division," the NZ Infantry Training Depot became notionally "9 NZ Infantry Brigade;" and the Northern, Central, and Southern Companies became 31, 32, and 33 "Battalions."<ref>Malcolm Thomas and Cliff Lord, 'New Zealand Army Distinguishing Patches 1911–1991,' Published by Malcolm Thomas & Cliff Lord, Wellington, 1995, Part One, p.50.</ref> The deception identities lasted until 1944.

The brigade was formed as a real formation for the first time in Italy in early 1945 for service in the last stages of the campaign and placed under the command of Brigadier [[William Gentry]]. The [[Divisional Cavalry Regiment (New Zealand)|Divisional Cavalry Regiment]],{{sfn|Loughnan|1963|pp=381–385}} [[22nd Battalion (New Zealand)|22nd (Motor) Battalion]]{{sfn|Henderson|1958|pp=416–417}} and the [[27th Machine-Gun Battalion (New Zealand)|27th (Machine Gun) Battalion]] became the brigade's three battalions.{{sfn|Kay|1958|pp=463–467}} All three units lost their respective specialist roles and were reorganised as regular infantry battalions.{{sfn|Kay|1967|pp=384–389}}{{#tag:ref|Although the Divisional Cavalry was reorganised and retitled as a battalion, rather than a regiment, it would retain the cavalry terms of squadron and troop for company and platoon respectively{{sfn|Loughnan|1963|p=383}}|group=Note}} During the [[Spring 1945 offensive in Italy|final offensive in Italy]] in April 1945, a number of additional units were also temporarily placed under the direct command of 9th Brigade. These units included [[19th Battalion (New Zealand)|19th Armoured Regiment]] (equipped with [[M4 Sherman|Sherman tanks]]); C squadron, [[4th Queen's Own Hussars|4th Hussars]] ([[Kangaroo (armoured personnel carrier)|Kangaroo armoured personal carriers]]); and 31 Battery, [[7th Anti-Tank Regiment (New Zealand)|7th Anti-Tank Regiment]] ([[M10 tank destroyer|M10 Tank Destroyers]] and towed [[Ordnance QF 17-pounder|17-pounder anti tanks guns]]).{{sfn|Kay|1967|pp=403–538}}


=== World War II ===
=== World War II ===
[[File:22nd Battalion (New Zealand) crossing the Piave River Italy 1945.jpg|305px|thumb|{{centre|22nd Battalion crossing the Piave River, April 1945}}]]
It was formed in Italy in early 1945 for service in the last stages of the campaign. Upon formation, the brigade consisted of elements that were raised from divisional cavalry and machine gun battalions that were reorganised as infantry, alongside other non essential servicemen.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Second World War - The Army|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/wars-second-world-war/page-3|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=6 December 2020|website=1966 Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Te Ara}}</ref>
The first engagement of the 9th Brigade was during [[Operation Buckland]] in which the [[Eighth Army (United Kingdom)|British 8th Army]] intended to cross the [[Senio|Senio river]] and advance into the [[Po Valley]]. The operation was part of a much larger [[Operation Grapeshot|Allied offensive into northern Italy]]. The attack by the 2nd New Zealand division began on the evening of 9 April 1945. [[5th Infantry Brigade (New Zealand)|5th]] and [[6th Infantry Brigade (New Zealand)|6th Brigades]], supported by [[Churchill Crocodile|flame-thrower tanks]] of [[51st (Leeds Rifles) Royal Tank Regiment|51st Royal Tank Regiment]],{{sfn|Kay|1967|p=406}} attacked across the Senio river, capturing a bridgehead. The next morning, 9th Brigade sent 27th battalion (in Kangaroos and supported by tanks of 19th Armoured Regiment) to cross the Seino and capture the town of [[Cotignola]], linking the respective bridgeheads held by the New Zealanders and the [[8th Infantry Division (India)|8th Indian division]] on their right flank.{{sfn|Kay|1967|p=422}} By the end of the day the remainder of the Brigade had crossed and the New Zealanders had advanced six miles to the [[Santerno|Santerno river]].{{sfn|Kay|1967|p=427}} 9th Brigade would remain in reserve until the 13 April when it relieved 5th Brigade and took up the advance on the division's left.{{sfn|Kay|1967|p=443}} The brigade advanced in Kangaroos and completed occupation of the far bank of the [[Sillaro|Sillaro river]] by the morning of the 15th. The advance of the brigade was only limited by the rate at which the canals and drains could be bridged so that the accompanying kangaroos and Shermans could cross. {{sfn|Kay|1967|p=462}} The brigade reached Villa Fontana on the 17th{{sfn|Kay|1967|p=465}} and then attacked across the Gaiana on the evening of 18th. 9th Brigade's attack was preceded by an unprecedented barrage of 72,500 artillery shells and supported by flame-throwing tanks.{{sfn|Kay|1967|p=475}} The Divisional Cavalry and 22nd Battalion led the attack and by morning had both reached their respective objectives.{{sfn|Kay|1967|p=478}} The brigade would advance another two miles beyond the Gaiana until it was relieved by 5th Brigade on the night of 19/20 April.{{sfn|Kay|1967|p=480}} During the period 13–19 April the casualties of 9th Brigade were 80 killed and 317 wounded, while 747 enemy prisoners had been captured.{{sfn|Kay|1967|p=481}}

The brigade returned to the front on 27 April, by which time the Allies had crossed the [[Po (river)|river Po]] and bridged the [[Adige]].{{sfn|Kay|1967|p=513}} 9th Brigade passed through 6th Brigade and rapidly advanced eastwards facing little resistance.{{sfn|Kay|1967|p=518}} It reached [[Mestre]] by the 28th, crossed the [[Piave (river)|Piave river]] on the 30th and arrived in [[Trieste]] in the afternoon of 2 May, the [[Surrender of Caserta|German surrender in Italy]] having come into effect at midday.{{sfn|Kay|1967|pp=520–542}}


=== Postwar ===
=== Postwar ===
Following the [[Surrender of Japan|unconditional surrender of Japan]], the brigade formed the basis of [[J Force]], the New Zealand contribution to the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]]. 9th Brigade arrived in Japan in March 1946 and was assigned to occupation duties in the [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]].{{sfn|Brocklebank|1997|p=55}} In July, Gentry was replaced as commander by [[Leslie Potter (army officer)|Leslie Potter]], who would retain command until the disbandment of J force (except for a brief period in 1947 when he was on leave).{{sfn|Brocklebank|1997|p=220}} A composite Guard Battalion was regularly formed from a company drawn from each of the brigade's three battalions and a fourth from supporting units (which occasionally included [[RNZAF]] and [[RAAF]] detachments). The Guard battalion carried out both ceremonial and non-ceremonial guard duties at a number of government sites in Tokyo, including the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace|Imperial Palace]].{{sfn|Brocklebank|1997|pp=141-144}} 9th Brigade was disbanded when J Force was withdrawn in September 1948.{{sfn|Brocklebank|1997|p=207}}
After the surrender of Germany and Italy, and followed by the Japanese unconditional surrender, the brigade was transferred to the BCOF with all of its composite units, however, the majority in Japan were new.


== Organisation ==
== Distinguishing Patch ==
The distinguishing patch of 9th Brigade was a red diamond worn on the left shoulder. In 1947 the 22nd and 27th battalions were respectively designated as the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the [[Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment|New Zealand Regiment]].{{sfn|Henderson|1958|p=460}}{{sfn|Kay|1958|p=514}} The red diamond continued to be worn by these battalions, although they were subsequently disbanded in 1948. The patch returned when the 2nd battalion was reformed in 1959 and from 1964 was worn as a dress distinction for personnel posted to 1st and 2/1st battalions of the [[Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment]]. Since 2007 the patch has been awarded to all personnel who successfully complete combat corps training.<ref>{{Cite web|last=New Zealand Defence Force|date=2020-07-21|title=Journey to the Red Diamond: From basic training to Infantry — Part One |url=https://nzdefenceforce.medium.com/journey-to-the-red-diamond-from-basic-training-to-infantry-part-one-53a8c118a9d9 |access-date=2021-12-26 |publisher=New Zealand Defence Force |via=Medium|language=en|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211226184957/https://nzdefenceforce.medium.com/journey-to-the-red-diamond-from-basic-training-to-infantry-part-one-53a8c118a9d9 |archive-date = 2021-12-26 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Notes==
{{Empty section|date=December 2020}}
;Footnotes
{{reflist|group=Note}}


;Citations
⚫
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


⚫
== References ==
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite book|last=Brocklebank|first=Laurie|title=Jayforce|work= New Zealand and the Military Occupation of Japan 1945-48|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1997|location=Auckland|isbn=019-558362-0}}
*{{Cite book|last=Henderson|first=Jim|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-22Ba.html|title=22 Battalion|work= The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45|publisher=Historical Publications Branch|year=1958|location=Wellington}}
*{{Cite book|last=Kay|first=Robin|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-27Ba.html|title=27 (Machine Gun) Battalion|work=The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945|publisher=Historical Publications Branch|year=1958|location=Wellington}}
*{{Cite book|last=Kay|first=Robin|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-2Ita.html|title=Italy Volume II : From Cassino to Trieste|work= The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945|publisher=Historical Publications Branch|year=1967|location=Wellington}}
*{{Cite book|last=Loughnan|first=R. J. M.|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2DiCa.html|title=Divisional Cavalry|work=The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945|publisher=Historical Publications Branch|year=1963|location=Wellington}}
*{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Second World War - The Army|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/wars-second-world-war/page-3 |access-date=3 January 2021|website=1966 Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Te Ara}}
{{refend}}


[[Category:Infantry brigades of New Zealand in World War II]]

[[Category:Military history of New Zealand during World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1945]]

Latest revision as of 00:56, 23 August 2023

9th Brigade
9th Brigade Headquarters in Trieste, Italy, 1945
Active1945–1948
Country New Zealand
Branch New Zealand Military Forces
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
Part of2nd New Zealand Division
Engagements
Commanders
Notable
commanders		William Gentry
Leslie Potter

The 9th Brigade was a formation of the New Zealand Military Forces raised for service in Italy during the Second World War. As part of the 2nd New Zealand Division, it participated in Operation Grapeshot in 1945. It then provided the basis of J Force, the New Zealand contribution to the British Commonwealth Occupation Force.

History[edit]

Formation[edit]

9th Brigade was initially formed only "on paper" as part of the Operation Cascade deception scheme in 1942. Thomas and Lord, Part One, page 50, say that HQ NZ Maadi Camp was allocated the deception identity "HQ 6 NZ Division," the NZ Infantry Training Depot became notionally "9 NZ Infantry Brigade;" and the Northern, Central, and Southern Companies became 31, 32, and 33 "Battalions."[1] The deception identities lasted until 1944.

The brigade was formed as a real formation for the first time in Italy in early 1945 for service in the last stages of the campaign and placed under the command of Brigadier William Gentry. The Divisional Cavalry Regiment,[2] 22nd (Motor) Battalion[3] and the 27th (Machine Gun) Battalion became the brigade's three battalions.[4] All three units lost their respective specialist roles and were reorganised as regular infantry battalions.[5][Note 1] During the final offensive in Italy in April 1945, a number of additional units were also temporarily placed under the direct command of 9th Brigade. These units included 19th Armoured Regiment (equipped with Sherman tanks); C squadron, 4th Hussars (Kangaroo armoured personal carriers); and 31 Battery, 7th Anti-Tank Regiment (M10 Tank Destroyers and towed 17-pounder anti tanks guns).[7]

World War II[edit]

22nd Battalion crossing the Piave River, April 1945

The first engagement of the 9th Brigade was during Operation Buckland in which the British 8th Army intended to cross the Senio river and advance into the Po Valley. The operation was part of a much larger Allied offensive into northern Italy. The attack by the 2nd New Zealand division began on the evening of 9 April 1945. 5th and 6th Brigades, supported by flame-thrower tanks of 51st Royal Tank Regiment,[8] attacked across the Senio river, capturing a bridgehead. The next morning, 9th Brigade sent 27th battalion (in Kangaroos and supported by tanks of 19th Armoured Regiment) to cross the Seino and capture the town of Cotignola, linking the respective bridgeheads held by the New Zealanders and the 8th Indian division on their right flank.[9] By the end of the day the remainder of the Brigade had crossed and the New Zealanders had advanced six miles to the Santerno river.[10] 9th Brigade would remain in reserve until the 13 April when it relieved 5th Brigade and took up the advance on the division's left.[11] The brigade advanced in Kangaroos and completed occupation of the far bank of the Sillaro river by the morning of the 15th. The advance of the brigade was only limited by the rate at which the canals and drains could be bridged so that the accompanying kangaroos and Shermans could cross. [12] The brigade reached Villa Fontana on the 17th[13] and then attacked across the Gaiana on the evening of 18th. 9th Brigade's attack was preceded by an unprecedented barrage of 72,500 artillery shells and supported by flame-throwing tanks.[14] The Divisional Cavalry and 22nd Battalion led the attack and by morning had both reached their respective objectives.[15] The brigade would advance another two miles beyond the Gaiana until it was relieved by 5th Brigade on the night of 19/20 April.[16] During the period 13–19 April the casualties of 9th Brigade were 80 killed and 317 wounded, while 747 enemy prisoners had been captured.[17]

The brigade returned to the front on 27 April, by which time the Allies had crossed the river Po and bridged the Adige.[18] 9th Brigade passed through 6th Brigade and rapidly advanced eastwards facing little resistance.[19] It reached Mestre by the 28th, crossed the Piave river on the 30th and arrived in Trieste in the afternoon of 2 May, the German surrender in Italy having come into effect at midday.[20]

Postwar[edit]

Following the unconditional surrender of Japan, the brigade formed the basis of J Force, the New Zealand contribution to the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. 9th Brigade arrived in Japan in March 1946 and was assigned to occupation duties in the Yamaguchi Prefecture.[21] In July, Gentry was replaced as commander by Leslie Potter, who would retain command until the disbandment of J force (except for a brief period in 1947 when he was on leave).[22] A composite Guard Battalion was regularly formed from a company drawn from each of the brigade's three battalions and a fourth from supporting units (which occasionally included RNZAF and RAAF detachments). The Guard battalion carried out both ceremonial and non-ceremonial guard duties at a number of government sites in Tokyo, including the Imperial Palace.[23] 9th Brigade was disbanded when J Force was withdrawn in September 1948.[24]

Distinguishing Patch[edit]

The distinguishing patch of 9th Brigade was a red diamond worn on the left shoulder. In 1947 the 22nd and 27th battalions were respectively designated as the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the New Zealand Regiment.[25][26] The red diamond continued to be worn by these battalions, although they were subsequently disbanded in 1948. The patch returned when the 2nd battalion was reformed in 1959 and from 1964 was worn as a dress distinction for personnel posted to 1st and 2/1st battalions of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. Since 2007 the patch has been awarded to all personnel who successfully complete combat corps training.[27]

Notes[edit]

Footnotes
  1. ^ Although the Divisional Cavalry was reorganised and retitled as a battalion, rather than a regiment, it would retain the cavalry terms of squadron and troop for company and platoon respectively[6]
Citations
  1. ^ Malcolm Thomas and Cliff Lord, 'New Zealand Army Distinguishing Patches 1911–1991,' Published by Malcolm Thomas & Cliff Lord, Wellington, 1995, Part One, p.50.
  2. ^ Loughnan 1963, pp. 381–385.
  3. ^ Henderson 1958, pp. 416–417.
  4. ^ Kay 1958, pp. 463–467.
  5. ^ Kay 1967, pp. 384–389.
  6. ^ Loughnan 1963, p. 383.
  7. ^ Kay 1967, pp. 403–538.
  8. ^ Kay 1967, p. 406.
  9. ^ Kay 1967, p. 422.
  10. ^ Kay 1967, p. 427.
  11. ^ Kay 1967, p. 443.
  12. ^ Kay 1967, p. 462.
  13. ^ Kay 1967, p. 465.
  14. ^ Kay 1967, p. 475.
  15. ^ Kay 1967, p. 478.
  16. ^ Kay 1967, p. 480.
  17. ^ Kay 1967, p. 481.
  18. ^ Kay 1967, p. 513.
  19. ^ Kay 1967, p. 518.
  20. ^ Kay 1967, pp. 520–542.
  21. ^ Brocklebank 1997, p. 55.
  22. ^ Brocklebank 1997, p. 220.
  23. ^ Brocklebank 1997, pp. 141–144.
  24. ^ Brocklebank 1997, p. 207.
  25. ^ Henderson 1958, p. 460.
  26. ^ Kay 1958, p. 514.
  27. ^ New Zealand Defence Force (2020-07-21). "Journey to the Red Diamond: From basic training to Infantry — Part One". New Zealand Defence Force. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26. Retrieved 2021-12-26 – via Medium.

References[edit]

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