1st Division (New Zealand)
| 1st Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 November 1941 – 1 April 1944 |
| Country |
 New Zealand
|
| Branch |
 New Zealand Military Forces
|
| Role | Home defence |
| Part of | Northern Military District |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Disbanded | 1 April 1944 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Harold Eric Barrowclough (1942) |
The 1st Division was one of three New Zealand Army home defence divisions formed during World War II. The unit was established on 1 November 1941 and was responsible for protecting the northern region of New Zealand's North Island from invasion. The 1st Division was placed on alert during the early months of the Pacific War, but no threat developed. The division was greatly reduced in size during 1943 and was disbanded on 1 April 1944.
As part of the preparations for the possible outbreak of war in the Pacific, the defensive forces stationed in New Zealand were expanded in late 1941. On 1 November, three new brigade headquarters were raised (taking the total in the New Zealand Military Forces, as the New Zealand Army was then known, to seven), and three divisional headquarters were established to coordinate the units located in the Northern, Central and Southern Military Districts. The division in the Northern Military District was designated the Northern Division, and comprised the 1st and 12th Brigade Groups. The 1st Brigade Group had been formed prior to World War II; the 12th Brigade Group was one of the new headquarters; both of these units were part of the Territorial Force and were manned by part-time reservists.
The New Zealand Military Forces was further expanded following the outbreak of the Pacific War. The Territorial Force was fully mobilised on 10 January 1942, and reinforced by 7000 men who had originally enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force for overseas service. The role of the Territorial Force was to counter any Japanese landings in New Zealand, and it was organised into both mobile and fortress units. The Home Guard would support the Territorial units in the event of an invasion. During early 1942, camps were constructed for the 1st Brigade Group in South Auckland and the 12th Brigade Group at Kaikohe. The 1st Brigade subsequently moved to a camp near Warkworth. Later in the war, a divisional camp was constructed near Whangarei.
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