Summer 1942 -The Marines Deploy to New Zealand
Eighty years ago in July 1942, just six months after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, the 1st Marine Division officially landed in the Pacific to prepare to fight the Japanese. https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/us-forces-in-new-zealand/arrival
In July 1942, our grandfather Gen. Rupertus, and the rear echelon of the 1st Marine Division, finally arrived in New Zealand (on July 7) to join the front echelon who had arrived with Gen. Vandegrift in June. Due to the fact it was World War II, there was a limited supply of transport ships at that time, so before they left tent city (aka Camp Lejeune) in New River, NC, they had split the division in two.
It was a rough trip, and little did the rear echelon know they would no longer have six months to train in the Pacific before meeting the enemy at Tulagi and Guadalcanal, the JCS moved D-day up to less than a month away-August 7!
AND! These young Marines and sailors had been cruising across the Pacific stuffed like sardines on passenger ships that were not combat loaded. So, these cramped, ready to revolt Marines would have to immediately get to work upon arrival.
When the ships with the cargo finally arrived on July 11 from Norfolk, VA, they had to unload the ships and reload them combat stye. This, often under pouring rain and a deadline to do it within six hours each day, so they were not discoverd by the Japanese.
Here is what General Vandegrift and General Cliff Cates had to say about this time in retrospect.
As Vandegrift said in his book, Once a Marine, “At the height of planning Bill Rupertus and the second echelon reached Wellington. This convoy naturally had to be unloaded and its equipment and supply sorted prior to combat loading, all of which added immeasurably to the prevalent confusion on Aotea Quay (harbor). Although Cliff Cates 1st Marines desperately needed some time ashore, not to mention field training, we had to keep them aboard ship to provide working parties around the clock. Rupertus phlegmatically swallowed my briefing of the confused events as he swallowed the daily air.”
It was hell,” said General Clifton Cates. “It was the most hectic 9-10 days ever, and we had no training time in New Zealand whatsoever because of this.”
By next week in 1942, the division was packed up and underway to the training area, with the Marines carrying only what they needed to live and fight. Not knowing if an enemy sub would take them out on the way.
Alas. Our troops! “Thank you” is never enough. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
No matter rank. Under this timeframe, everyone had to get at it. Serious perseverance and bravery.
Semper Fi.
