Monthly Midday and Evening Military History Presentation Series
For some years, the Engineer Corps Memorial Centre (ECMC) from Linton Camp and now in partnership with the Palmerston North City Council/City Library has been hosting a series of these presentations in Palmerston North. They range across a wide spectrum of military heritage and history topics, presented by experts, world-renowned historians and speakers from the local, national and international scene.
MMMHP sessions are normally held on the second Thu in each month, Feb through Nov, in the Heritage Section (Second Floor, PN City Library). EPLP sessions are normally held on Tue evenings (except for Mon in Apr) in the months of Apr, Jun, Aug and Nov, in the PN City Library Mezzanine Floor (entrance off alleyway between George Street and The Square). Other military history presentations by visiting historians and book launches/releases are also programmed throughout each year and will be advised separately. Event invite posters will confirm all timings and venues for these activities.
MONTHLY MIDDAY MILITARY HISTORY PRESENTATION (MMMHP) SERIES (2024)
The 2024 MILITARY HISTORY PRESENTATION SERIES (V7 – Apr 2024)
The Engineer Corps Memorial Centre (ECMC) as part of the RNZE Charitable Trust (RNZE CT) and in partnership with the Palmerston North City Library (PNCL), will host the following:
8 Feb (MMMHP) – “28th Maori Battalion” in the Second World War and the “75th Anniversary of the song “Blue Smoke” release, by Ruma Karaitiana, Rangitane
14 Mar (MMMHP) – “The 80th Anniversary of the Battle for Cassino” (Feb-Mar 1944), by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Glyn Harper, QSM
26 Mar (HM EPLP) – (BRIG) Sir Geoffrey Peren: His Lifelong Connection with the Land”, by LTCOL DR Peter Wood, ONZM, in Room SGP 3.42, Massey University Campus
11 Apr (MMMHP) – “The Royal NZ Army Medical Corps and Awapuni Medical Memorial, by Deployable Health Organisation, Joint Services Group, NZDF (Linton Camp).
24 Apr (Wed – EPLP) – “The 160th Anniversary of QAMR”, by LTCOL Jacob Murray, RNZAC, Commanding Officer, Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifle (QAMR), Linton Military Camp.
9 May (MMMHP) – “The 60th Anniversary of Konfrontasi – the Borneo/Malaysia Conflict”, by WO1 (Rtd) Dave Hayward, MBE, MSM, RNZIR, 4th Sergeant Major of the NZ Army
13 Jun (MMMHP) – “The 25th Anniversary of the East Timor/Timor L’este Conflict”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Glyn Harper, QSM
25 Jun (Tue – EPLP) – “The 80th Anniversary of the RNZAF Flying Boats and other aircraft of 5 Sqn, RNZAF”, by GPCAPT (Rtd) Rick Bulger and SQNLDR (Rtd) Hugh Francis, RNZAF
11 Jul (Thu – MMMHP) – “The 80th Anniversary of the D-Day (Normandy) Landings in France”, by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson, former Chief of the RNZN
8 Aug (Thu – MMMHP) – “30th Anniversary of UNPROFOR and the Bosnian Conflict”, by BRIG (Rtd) Phil Gibbons, ONZM, Senior National Officer, Op RADIAN 3
27 Aug (Tue – EPLP) – “Operation DRAGOON – Second D-Day into France in August 1944”, by Dennis O’Rourke, RNZN and NZ Police (Rtd)
12 Sep (MMMHP) – “70th Anniversary of RNZN Support to the Borneo/Malaysia Conflict”, by CDR (Rtd) Richard Jackson, RNZN
10 Oct (Thu – MMMHP) – NZ Land Wars Month – “The Battle for Orakau”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Cliff Simons, ED,
22 Oct (Tue – EPLP) – “NZ Forces into Samoa in the First World War, in 1914”, by LTCOL DR Peter Wood, ONZM, RNZIR, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC
11 Nov (Mon – EPLP) –Remembrance Day – “The Italian Campaign in 1944” – 80th anniversary commemorative presentation, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Glyn Harper, QSM
28 Nov (Thu – MMMHP) – “The 80th Anniversary of 3rd (NZ) Division in the Pacific”, by LTCOL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC
(Note: These presentations and topics may change according to speaker availability. Also, that all the 2020-2023 audio recordings and Powerpoint presentations are on the “nzsappers” website (Heritage Audio Section). For 2024, all EPLP = Evening Public Lecture Presentations will be held at the PN City Library Mezzanine Floor (entrance off the alleyway between George Street and The Square) and MMMHP = Monthly Midday Military History Presentations will be on Level 2 (Heritage Section) of the Palmerston North City Library (PNCL).
The 2023 MMMHP Programme (click to expand)The Engineer Corps Memorial Centre (ECMC) as part of the RNZE Charitable Trust and in partnership with the Palmerston North City Library (PNCL), will host the following presentations:
9 Feb (MMMHP) – “A Conscripted Society – NZ in the Second World War”, by Dr David Littlewood, Massey University
9 Mar (MMMHP) – “The Signals Corps Centenary”, by LTCOL Jared McGregor, RNZ Sigs
13 Apr (MMMHP) – “The Battle of Gate Pa – Pukehinahina in 1864”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Cliff Simons, ED
24 Apr (Mon – EPLP) – “Muddle, Myth and Meaning – Another Viewpoint on the Gallipoli Campaign in the First World War”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Glyn Harper, QSM
11 May (MMMHP) – “The Battle of Manners Street (Wellington on 3 April 1943)”, by LTCOL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC
8 Jun (MMMHP) – “Vietnam War Presentation”, by WO1 (Rtd) Dave Hayward, RNZIR, ex Sergeant Major of the NZ Army
27 Jun (Tue – EPLP) – “The RNZAF (Permanent Air Force) Centenary”, by SQNLDR (Rtd) Jim Rankin, DSD, RNZAF
13 Jul (Thu – MMMHP) – “The Battle of Kolombangara and NZ cruisers in the Pacific”, by CDR (Rtd) Richard Jackson, RNZN
10 Aug (Thu – MMMHP) – “70th Anniversary of the End of the Korean War (Armistice on 27 June 1953)”, by COL (Rtd) Don Jones, ex-Defence Attache to Korea (in Seoul, 2018-2022)
29 Aug (Tue – EPLP) – “To the Sangro and Orsogna” – 80th Anniversary of the NZ Division on the ‘Winter Line’ in Italy, in 1943, by LTCOL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM
14 Sep (MMMHP) – “RNZN selected presentation”, by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson, RNZN, ex Chief of Navy
12 Oct (Thu – MMMHP) – NZ Wars Month – “Te Kooti’s War, 1868-72”, by LTCOL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC
11 Nov (Sat – EPLP) – “Armistice Day – The Battle for Passchendaele”, by Dr Andrew Macdonald, FRHistS, RNZRSA Official Historian
30 Nov (Thu – MMMHP) -“From Tripoli to Takrouna” – 80th Anniversary of 2nd NZ Division’s last campaigns in North Africa, 23 January-13 May 1943, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Glyn Harper, QSM
(Note: These presentations and topics may change according to speaker availability. Also, that all the 2020-2022 audio recordings and Powerpoint presentations are on the “nzsappers” website (Heritage Audio Section). For 2023, all EPLP = Evening Public Lecture Presentations will be at the PN City Library Ground Floor (entrance on George Street and MMMHP = Monthly Midday Military History Presentations will be on Level 2 (Heritage Section) of the PN City Library.
The 2022 MMMHP Programme (click to expand)
The 2022 MMMHP Programme V7 Sep 22
The Engineer Corps Memorial Centre (ECMC) as part of the RNZE Charitable Trust and in partnership with the Palmerston North City Library (PNCL), will continue to host these presentations. The 2022 Programme includes:
10 Feb (MMMHP) – “The Singapore Strategy – Part 2” (80th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, in February 1942), by CDR (Rtd) Richard Jackson, RNZN
10 Mar (MMMHP) – “The NZ Army Staff College at Massey University and Linton Military Camp” (80th anniversary of both, 1942), by LTCOL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZ Defence College (NZDC)
14 Apr (MMMHP) – “The First Battle of the Somme in 1916” by LTCOL (Rtd) Prof Glyn Harper, QSM, Professor of War Studies at Massey University
27 Apr (EPLP) – WW1 “Global Catastrophe” presentation by Assoc Prof Maartje Abbenhuis, Auckland University
12 May (MMMHP) – “Life as a Beefeater in the Tower of London” by WO1 (Rtd) Partrick Nolan, RNZEME (now RNZALR)
9 Jun (MMMHP) – “Soldiers Without Guns – (Operation BIG TALK) – Part 2 – The continuing Bougainville and PNG peace talks”, by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson, RNZN
21 Jun (Tue – EPLP) – “First Battle of Alamein, including Alam Halfa Ridge and Ruweisat Ridge” (80th anniversary, 1942), by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Glyn Harper, ex – Massey University
14 Jul (Thu – MMMHP) – “Operation FARAD – Multinational Force Observers (MFO), Sinai” (40th anniversary of establishment/NZ involvement), by MAJ (Rtd) Mike Pettersen, MNZM, RNZE
11 Aug (Thu – MMMHP) – “Able Seaman Just Nuisance, RN”, by WGCDR Peter Hurly, RNZAF
30 Aug (Tue – EPLP) – “Balkans Blitzkrieg – NZ’ers in the Greek Campaign in WW2”, by LTCOL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC
8 Sep (MMMHP) – “Titokowaru’s War – South Taranaki,1868-69”, by LTCOL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC
13 Oct (Thu – MMMHP) – NZ Wars Month – “The Musket Wars in the early 1800’s”, by LTCOL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC (in Heritage Section, PNCL)
11 Nov (Fri – EPLP) – “A Tale of Two Myths., 1914-15”, by Dr Ian McGibbon, ONZM, General Editor (War History) at the Ministry of Culture and Heritage
24 Nov (Thu – MMMHP) – “Hunting the Bombers – the Luftwaffe Night Fighter Campaign”, by PO(EWO) (Rtd) Dennis O’Rourke, MNZN, RNZN
(Note that all the 2020-22 audio recordings and Powerpoint presentations are on the “nzsappers” website (see letterhead above). EPLP = Evening Public Lecture Presentations are at the Globe Theatre and MMMHP = Monthly Midday Military History Presentations are at the Globe Theatre on a Thu, unless otherwise shown.)
The 2021 MMMHP Programme (click to expand)
2021 MILITARY HISTORY PRESENTATION SERIES (V3 – Jan 21)
The Engineer Corps Memorial Centre (ECMC) as part of the RNZE Charitable Trust and in partnership with the Palmerston North City Library (PNCL), will continue to host these presentations in Level 2 (Heritage Section) of the City Library and at the Globe Theatre. The 2021 Draft Programme includes:
11 Feb (MMMHP) – “The Knife Edge – Battle for Crete, by Dr Aaron Fox (Postponed from May and Aug 20)
11 Mar (MMMHP) – PN Military History and the Manawatu Mounted Rifles and other local military units (1870 to 1914), by LTCOL Peter Wood, PhD, Director of the NZ Wars Study Centre, NZ Defence College
8 Apr (MMMHP) – “Operation GRAPPLE – Nuclear testing on Christmas Island”, by Roy Sefton, QSM (RIP 11 Jan 21 – speaker to be replaced as a memorial presentation and details to be confirmed soon)
13 May (MMMHP) – “The Long-Range Desert Group (LRDG)” in WW2, by WGCDR Peter Hurly, RNZAF
10 Jun (MMMHP) – “75th Anniversary of the Formation of the UN” presentation, by Assoc Prof Bethan Greener, Massey University
22 Jun (EPLP) – PN Military History – Awapuni Racecourse and PN Showgrounds (by Leanne Hickman) and the Maori Battalion Hall, (by Maj (Rtd) George Kereama, RNZIR)
8 Jul (MMMHP) – “Operation BIG TALK – The Bougainville and PNG peace talks”, by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson, RNZN
12 Aug (MMMHP) – “Bloody October – The NZ Division before Passchendaele”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Chris Pugsley, ONZM, FRHistS
24 Aug (EPLP) – Launch of the book “Images of War II (WW2)”, by Prof Glyn Harper, QSM and MUP
9 Sep (MMMHP) – “175 Years of the NZ Army”, by Lt Col IJ Brandon, RNZE, CO, 2nd Engr Regt, Linton Camp
14 Oct (MMMHP) – NZ Wars month – “The Wellington War 1847-48 – Boulcott Farm and Battle Hill, etc”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Chris Pugsley, ONZM, FRHistS
11 Nov (EPLP) – Placeholder – 2020 WW2 Conference Papers/book launch – TBA
25 Nov (MMMHP) – Air/RNZAF topic, “USAAC Bombing of Japan in WW2”, by Dennis O’Rourke, MNZM
The 2020 MMMHP Programme (click to expand)
2020 MILITARY HISTORY PRESENTATION (MMMHP/EPLP) SERIES (Nov 19)
The Engineer Corps Memorial Centre (ECMC) from Linton Camp, in partnership with the Palmerston North City Library, will continue to host these presentations in Event Central, Ground Floor (George Street) of the City Library. The 2020 Programme includes:
20 Feb (MMMHP) – “NZ’s Involvement in the Boer War” (120th anniversary), by LTCOL (Rtd) Bryan Wells
12 Mar (MMMHP) – “Leadership in War – NZ’s Fighting Commanders in Two World Wars”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Dr Chris Pugsley, ONZM, FRHistS
9 Apr (MMMHP) – “The Knife Edge: The Battle for Crete in WW2 (1941)”, by Dr Aaron Fox CANCELLED. A recording will be made available asap.
14 May (MMMHP) – “NZ Staff College at Massey University and Caccia Birch”, by Dr John Moremon
This will be recorded and made available asap.
11 Jun (MMMHP) – “Fleet Air Arm in the Pacific during WW2”, by Denis O’Rourke
23 Jun (EPLP) – “NZ Airmen in the Battle for France in 1939-40”, by Dr John Moremon
9 Jul (MMMHP) – “The Merchant Navy in WW2”, by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson
13 Aug – “The Knife Edge – New Zealand and the Battle of Crete” – Aaron Fox (Cancelled – moved to 2021)
25 Aug (EPLP) – 75th Anniversary of WW2 VJ Day – Presentation on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, involving the PN Japanese Community
10 Sep (MMMHP) – “Singapore Strategy 1920-1942”, by CDR (Rtd) Richard Jackson
Singapore strategy Sept2020 Powerpoint presentation
8 Oct (MMMHP) – NZ Wars Month – “Battle of Ruapekapeka”, by Dr Chris Pugsley
Ruapekapeka Powerpoint presentation
11 Nov (EPLP) – “70th Anniversary of the Korean War” presentation, by Dr Ian McGibbon
12 Nov (MMMHP) – PNCC 150th Anniversary – City at the Centre: Themes and insights, Margaret Tennant and Leanne Hickman
The 2019 MMMHP Programme (click to expand)
The 2019 MMMHP Programme is well developed and will include another range of interesting and topical presentations. Note that the 2019 Programme deliveries will return to Level 2 of the City Library. From July 2019 the presentations will be held in Events Central, Ground Floor, Palmerston North Public Library.
Including linked invitation material and presentation material
14 February – “By Seafire To The Middle Sea” by Dennis O’Rourke
By Seafire to the Middle Sea- Mil Hist Poster 2018 June (Poster, PDF)
14 March – “Development of Maori Defence Systems 1860-1864” by Col (Rtd) Bryan Wells
Development of Maori Defence systems- Mil Hist Poster 2019 March (Poster, PDF)
11 April – Launch of the RNZE Corps History book, “Won By The Spade” by Peter Cooke and RNZE capability display at the Globe Theatre
9 May – “A Mighty Coalition? – The Allies and the Battles of Monte Cassino” (75th Anniversary) by Prof Glyn Harper, Professor of War Studies, Massey University
Allies and Battles of Monte Cassino9May2019 (Poster, MS Word)
Monte Cassino presentation (Presentation Slides, MS PowerPoint)
Warsaw talk A mighty coalition (MS Word)
13 June – “RNZAF Pacific Deployment in WW2 – A Credible Force ?” by Brian Oliver
The RNZAF to 1945 Te Manawa 2019 notes (Presentation Slides, MS PowerPoint )
Credibility of RNZAF in Pac WW2 (Research Essay, PDF)
RNZAF Deployments in Pacific- Mil Hist Poster 2019 June (PDF) RNZAF Deployments in Pacific- Mil Hist Poster 2019 June (MS Word)
11 July – “War in a small boat: the story of Lieutenant Commander James Macdonald DSO, DSC and Two bars,D (2) RNZNVR” by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson, retired Chief of Navy
War in a Small Boat- Mil Hist Poster 2019 July (Poster, PDF)
James Macdonald Research Essay (MS Word)
James Macdonald (Presentation Slides, MS Powerpoint)
8 August – “NZ Wireless Troop in Mesopotamia During WW1” by John O’Reilly
NZ Wireless Troop in Mesopotamia During WW1 8 Aug 19 (PDF)
12 September – “Restoring and Operating a Spitfire”, by Wg Cdr (Hon) Brendon Deere
Link to PowerPoint presentation on Google Docs. (please note the file is very large – over 500MB)
10 October – “’What is in a name?’ The New Zealand Civil Wars”, by Prof Michael Belgrave, Massey University
MMMHP_OCT2019_NZWars What is in a name? (MS PPT)
14 November – “New Zealanders Serving in Other Forces During WW1”, by Prof Glyn Harper, Professor of War Studies, Massey University
The 2018 MMMHP Programme (click to expand)
15 February – “Sinai Campaign and the Battle of Beersheba in WW1”, by Col Peter Wood, HQ NZDF;
15 March – “The Air War in WW1” – the book “Fearless”, by Dr Adam Claasen, Massey University;
9 April – “Laser Survey of the Arras Tunnels project – NZE Tunnellers in WW1”, by Richard Hemi, Otago University;
3 May – Special Presentation – “Operation Sea Lion – 1940 Nazi Invasion of England in Fact and Fiction”, by Professor Gary Sheffield, University of Wolverhampton (UK);
17 May – “NZ Division vs Germans in the 1918 Spring Offensive”, by Lt Gen (Rtd) Rhys Jones, previous Chief of NZ Defence Force;
14 June – “Battle of Britain and NZ’ers involved”, by Hon Wg Cdr Brendon Deere, Heritage Flight, RNZZAF Base Ohakea;
12 July – “New Zealanders in Mini-submarines in SE Asian Operations in WW2”, by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson, previous Chief of Navy (RNZN);
9 August – “History of the Red Cross during WW1 and WW2”, by Emeritus Professor Margaret Tennant;
13 September – “New Zealand Conscientious Objectors in WW1 and WW2”, by Lesley Courtney (Heritage Team Leader, PNCC City Library) and Margaret Tate;
11 October – “The New Zealand Land Wars” (focusing on the Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu and Kapiti areas), by Lt Col Richard Taylor, Commandant, NZDF Command and Staff College; and
8 November – “The Battle for Le Quesnoy and the end of WW1”, by Professor Glyn Harper, Professor of War Studies, Massey University.