The Years Back - 5, The Desert (Episode Five)

In this episode of the The Years Back presenter Bernard Kearns explores New Zealand's part in the famous campaign against Rommel in the Libyan Desert. Using rare footage of the action and contemporary post-battle reconstructions, the episode follows the New Zealand 2nd Division in the lead up to the battle of El Alamein and pursuit of the German Afrika Korps, and victory under the guidance of legendary British commander Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery. A notable moment is Kiwi Sergeant Keith Elliott being presented with his VC for his deeds at Ruweisat Ridge.

They (the Egyptians) weren’t pro-German, I think they were just pro themselves really, they certainly weren’t pro-British. You see, of course, what had happened in the Middle East, all the racial problems and tensions had merely been put aside for the duration of the war. They’d never been settled, there was the Palestine and that meant anti-British sentiment.

– Ronald McIntyre, war cameraman

Key Cast & Crew

Derek Wright

Director, Writer

David H Fowler

Producer, Writer

Ron McIntyre

Subject

John Van Der Reyden

Sound

Geoffrey Scott

Executive Producer

Martin Barriball

Studio Camera