Leatherneck diary: Footage of US forces in New Zealand during the Second World War taken by the National Film Unit. This particular film was based on the diary of a US Marine – Private Bob Hatch.
US Marine Corps troops playing baseball in Newtown Park in 1942.
Take me out to the ball game: On 31 January 1943, 25,000 spectators packed into Wellington’s Athletic Park to watch an exhibition game of baseball between two US Marine teams.
Read a report from the Evening Post (1 February 1943) on the game.
Film produced in 1944 by the US Army Signal Corps in co-operation with the New Zealand National Film Unit about the wartime experiences of American troops stationed in New Zealand. This reel highlights New Zealand's provision of food to US troops serving in the Pacific, while in return the Americans supply New Zealand with airplanes, tanks and other arms under the lend-lease policy of President Roosevelt.
Major-General Leonard F. Wing, commander of the US 43rd Infantry Division, issues a farewell statement before his division departs New Zealand in July 1944. Read the transcript
View departure photos in the Norm Hatch Collection
Marinesnz.com is the website of The Kāpiti US Marines Trust and part of a major project to collect, preserve and promote World War II US Armed Forces history from 1942-1944 in the Kāpiti district, north of the capital city Wellington, New Zealand. While our focus is the history surrounding Camps Russell, MacKay and Paekākāriki’ we also have an interest in Marines camps in other parts of the Wellington region and in the social history and friendships between Kiwis and Americans during this brief but all-important encounter.
KUSMT 1 Grange Park Avenue Raumati South, Paraparaumu 5032 New Zealand
Email: info@marinesnz.com