![]() RNZAF pilots, many trained in the Empire Air Training Scheme, were sent to Europe. New Zealand was prepared to have New Zealanders serving under British command. New Zealand provided personnel for service in the Royal Air Force and in the Royal Navy. ![]() "It is with gratitude in the past, and with confidence in the future, that we range ourselves without fear beside Britain, where she goes, we go! Where she stands, we stand!" The New Zealand Prime Minister of the time Michael Joseph Savage summed this up at the outbreak of war with a quote that would become a popular cry in New Zealand during the war: There was also a strong sentimental link between the former British colony and the United Kingdom, with many seeing Britain as the "mother country" or "Home". Economic and defensive considerations also motivated the New Zealand involvement - reliance on Britain meant that threats to Britain became threats to New Zealand too in terms of economic and defensive ties. The state of war with Germany was officially held to have existed since 9.30pm on 3 September 1939, simultaneous with that of Britain, but in fact the declaration of war was not made until confirmation had been received from Britain that their ultimatum to Germany had expired.ĭiplomatically, New Zealand had expressed vocal opposition to fascism in Europe and also to the appeasement of Fascist dictatorships, and national sentiment for a strong show of force met with general support. New Zealand entered the Second World War by declaring war on Nazi Germany with Britain.
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