National Army Museum Newsletter

Wartime Propaganda

Wartime propaganda - Medallion obverse.

Wartime propaganda - Medallion reverse.

Contributed by Adam Moriarty, Assistant Curator Heraldry

Amongst the many exciting items held in the stores of the National Army Museum there is a small medallion that represents the powerful effect that propaganda art can play on the mind set of a population at war: the Lusitania Medallion.

In May of 1915, on a clear Friday morning, 1959 civilian passengers and crew of the ocean liner Lusitania were nearing Ireland after a long passage from New York. Little did they know that U-20 (a German submarine) was patrolling the area and, believing them to be transporting military munitions, had marked them as a threat. At 2.10 that afternoon the Lusitania was struck by a torpedo. A mere 18 minutes later she was resting on the ocean floor along with 1,198 souls.

Later that year a German political satire artist depicted the event on a propaganda medallion for the amusement of the German public. The artist portrayed the tragedy as a gross oversight of the British Government for allowing a civilian liner to transport military contra-band in an advertised militarized zone. German officials in the USA had warned the passengers of the risk.

This story is a reminder of how artistry can be used and even flipped on its head to rouse a nation. This is just one of the many forgotten memories behind the objects in the care of the National Army Museum.

Read the full Wartime Propaganda story.

Back to top ^

Rugby Player, Soldier, All Black

Sergeant Charles Brown's All Black cap.

Sergeant Charles Brown was one of only a few rugby players and soldiers who played for the All Blacks both before and after World War I, and his prized All Black cap is part of the National Army Museum's collection.

Like many rugby greats of his era, Brown interchanged his rugby jersey with a soldier's uniform at a time when there was no rugby at home, and Army rugby was world rugby.

This story is one of many coming soon in the new exhibition titled, Khaki & Black: New Zealand's Rugby Supremacy in Times of War which opens on 26th August 2011.

Read more about Sergeant Charles Brown.

Back to top ^

Military Vehicle Restoration

The National Army Museum has a large group of volunteers who spend one weekend each month in Waiouru working on the extensive collection of military vehicles owned by the Museum's Trust.

National Army Museum volunteers, from left Paul Lelieveld, Lee Clark and Allan Van Den Heuvel.

Diamond T Truck

Thanks to the hard work of a group of volunteers, the National Army Museum's Diamond T truck may soon be operational after almost 20 years.

The Diamond T Model 969A Wrecker truck is a 1940s model made by Kenworth. The volunteers have been working hard rebuilding its engine.

Learn more about the Diamond T Truck.

Valentine Mark V Tank

Prior to beginning work on the Diamond T, our group of volunteers recently finished the re wiring of the Museum's Valentine tank which now has all the running, headlights and engine warning gauges and dash lights working. It now only needs the turret motor repaired to be fully operational. The Valentine tank was one of the most widely used tanks of WWII.

Learn more about the Valentine Mark V Tank.

Hunter family working on M41 Walker Bulldog tank engine, from left Sam Hunter and son Scott Hunter.

M41A1 Walker Bulldog Light Tank

The Hunter family have spent over 2 years on the restoration of the National Army Museum's M41 Walker Bulldog tank.

This has involved painstaking hours of cataloguing over 50 boxes of spare parts onto a database with accompanying pictures, and more recently installing new rings, bearings and gaskets, repairing and replacing cylinders and valves, polishing and testing the crank shaft, replacing cracked conrods, and painting the engine.

Collectively the Hunter family has a wealth of knowledge and experience – Dad Sam is a mechanic, son Scott an electronics engineer, other son Craig a glazer, and Mum Judy is the boss.

Learn more about the M41A1 Walker Bulldog.

The National Army Museum wishes to thank all our volunteers for their ongoing support in the restoration and preservation of our vehicle collection.

Back to top ^

Churchill Collection donated to Army Museum Library

One of 34 books from the limited edition Winston Churchill book collection donated to the National Army Museum.

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, 20 August 1940.

The National Army Museum recently received the generous donation of the complete books of the iconic World War II leader Sir Winston Churchill.

The limited edition Complete Collection Edition of Sir Winston Churchill's books is one of only 3000 sets printed and was published in 1974.

Churchill was author of more than 50 books, over a 60 year period. He also wrote countless newspaper articles and contributed to many magazines and pamphlets containing the text of his speeches.

The first sets published of the edition were sold for around $2,500 in 1974, while set number 3,000 was recently found on sale at Abe Books for an amazing ₤25,000.

The collection was purchased by Lt Col Harry Low, MC, DSO, and donated by his son Mr Stuart Low. Low was awarded a Military Cross during World War II whilst serving with 23 Battalion and later a Distinguished Service Order whilst commanding the New Zealand Regiment (which was attached to the Fiji Infantry Regiment) in Malaya.

Read the full Churchill Collection story.

Back to top ^

New Structure for the Army Museum

The National Army Museum has a new Trust Board which collectively brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and business acumen to the Museum.

In October last year, on the advice of the Auditor General, the National Army Museum structure changed with the disbandment of its Trust Board, headed by the Chief of Army, and its working Executive Management Committee.

This change came about because the Auditor General was concerned that there may be a conflict of interest in having the Chief of Army holding the appointment as the Chairman of the Museum Trust Board.

On the 10th of February 2011 a new Trust Board assembled for their first meeting in Waiouru. New Board members come from a variety of backgrounds, including law, the museum industry, company directors and commerce.

Read more about the National Army Museum's new structure.

The out-going Trust Board members and the now dis-established Executive Management Committee are to be congratulated for their contributions and dedication to their responsibilities.

Back to top ^

Get In Quick – Exhibitions Closing Soon

New Zealand Special Air Service (SAS).

"NZSAS, In the Pursuit of Excellence" closes 7th June

'Special' or 'Elite' forces always conjure up an air of intrigue and mystery combined with an effective ruthlessness that usually results in 'getting the job done'. This exhibition looks to unveil some of that secrecy that surrounds the New Zealand Special Air Service.

"Fashion At War" close 31st May 2011

This exhibition looks at the impact of World War II on fashion and explores aspects including rationing, military influence in styles, fashion as propaganda, and restrictions to women's evening gowns. This is a travelling exhibition developed by the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, in Christchurch.

Find out more about the National Army Museum's exhibitions.

Back to top ^