Sixty years ago, in June 1942, the first American soldiers landed on New Zealand soil, to begin an 'invasion' which would have a profound impact on both visitors and hosts over the next 18 months.
The invasion began in Auckland on 12 June 1942 when five transport ships carrying soldiers of the US army (or 'doughboys' as they were called) sailed into the harbour. Two days later marines (or 'leathernecks') landed in Wellington.
Once the tide had turned in favour of the United States and its allies, American troops began 'island hopping' through the central Pacific, taking one island after another. Japanese naval power was destroyed in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines in October 1944, and invasions of Okinawa and Iwo Jima followed.
Extract from Meet New Zealand, a booklet created by the New Zealand government to introduce US servicemen to New Zealand NEW Zealanders have been well trained by your movies, so we cotton (catch) on to most of your ordinary slang.
American life in New Zealand between 1942 and 1944 was centred on the camps. Most of these were to be found within marching distance or a short train journey from Wellington or Auckland cities. Some of the soldiers were here to train for forthcoming battles on Pacific islands.
Although the American forces worked hard, they all craved some time off. But New Zealand leisure-habits were very different to American ones. So the visitors devised their own forms of entertainment and established enclaves of American culture.
For many people of both nations the most memorable aspect of the American invasion was the home visits. Often these were arranged formally, with New Zealand families signing up to offer the Americans a weekend at home.
Romantic liaisons between American servicemen and New Zealand women inevitably developed. The soldiers were starved of female company, and the Kiwi women often found the American men brought good manners and exciting new habits like taxi rides, ice-cream sodas and gifts of flowers.
The presence of thousands of well-paid Americans in the country and a large army to service brought about a minor economic boom in New Zealand and some long-term effects on local patterns of commerce.
There were considerable tensions between the Americans and Maori, so strenuous efforts were made to build inter-racial bridges. Princess Te Puea arranged a series of visits to Ngaruawahia in the Waikato, and the Americans were also welcomed by Ngati Poneke Young Maori Club in Wellington and on to a marae in Gisborne.
Between 28 August and 3 September 1943 New Zealand played host to Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States. She came to visit the American forces, inspect the work of the American Red Cross, and study the contribution of New Zealand women to the war effort.
The end of the American invasion was a gradual process which started in the last months of 1943. For some New Zealanders it was a relief to see the men go; for others it was an occasion of sadness and, before long, grief as many Americans died, especially in the invasion of Tarawa Island.
There were more than 9000 beds for wounded and ill American servicemen in New Zealand. One of the largest hospitals was the naval base hospital at Silverstream
At a country fair Sergeant Raymond Ganier, so the official caption tells us, 'is saying to pretty Miss Verna Short, Pukekohe, NZ who is an admirer of both the French horn and the marine
Marjorie Joyce Davis, representing New Zealand wives and fiancees of US servicemen, lays a wreath at the Wellington cenotaph on America's Memorial Day, 30 May 1944
'Feeding Old Dobbin can be made into pleasant work too' is the official caption of this photograph of Private Arlen Olsen and Corporal Al Cartwright with Dorothy Penny and Lindsay Horwell of Pukekohe
At a public gathering in Gisborne an American sailor, Fred Watson, discusses with Nancy O'Connor the differences between the American dollar and the New Zealand pound
The American Red Cross provided extensive facilities for the Americans on 'liberty passes' in town. Here marines line up to enter the Red Cross's Cecil Club in Wellington
