From the Southern Cross to the Northern Lights : New Zealanders in the Arctic convoys, 1941-45 : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History at Massey University, New Zealand
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Date
2022
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Massey University
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Abstract
The Arctic convoys, which ran between 1941 and 1945, were an important part of the Second World War. They cemented the commitment of the western Allies and the Soviets to the cause, delivered critical supplies to the Soviet Union, and helped enable the opening of a new front in Europe that was crucial to the war effort. They were also notoriously dangerous, battling the weather as much as the enemy, and the cost in lives and ships was high. Many New Zealanders served in these convoys, primarily as part of the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, or the Fleet Air Arm. Several earned awards for their service. Despite this, their contributions are relatively unknown in New Zealand, and they are largely missing from the country’s existing historiography of the Second World War. Until recently, piecing together a picture of their individual and collective contributions to the convoys was difficult due to the scattered and incomplete nature of records, and their participation was not seen as a ‘New Zealand’ effort, where much of the historiography has been focussed. This research sought to identify as many of these New Zealanders as possible, to understand the parts they played in the Arctic convoys and the impact this had on both the war effort, and their lives afterwards. Their contribution was considerable, and for many, it profoundly changed their lives. It is time that their efforts, long overlooked, were acknowledged.