The Impact on New Zealand at the time and since
The contributions of various New Zealanders during the Libyan Campaign had a significant impact to New Zealanders both at the time and since. New Zealand's involvement had economic, social and political impacts on New Zealanders. The conditions of the Libyan Campaign also impacted soldier physically and mentally. Similarly the homefront was impacted mentally as they waited for soldiers to return home
The Libyan Campaign had significant economic impacts on New Zealand society. At the time there was an economic boom as companies like Watties had demand for over a million cans of food. This production boom would have had an overall benefit on the New Zealand economy at the time. During the period of the campaign the government also enforced regulation in order to support the Allied effort. During this period with the ration of foods such as: wheat, butter, sugar and flour in order to aid the Allied effort. The rationing of these foods had a major impact on the daily lives of New Zealanders with everyday items being limited. New Zealand also had to deal with the combination of coal shortages from increased production and petrol rationing in order to aid the war effort. The combination of these events made travel difficult as travel by both public and private transport was limited.Overall the government regulation in order to increase production and maintain the economy resulted in reduced living standards. The overall economy of New Zealand made great strides; however this came at a cost to the day to day lives of New Zealanders. The home front made great economic sacrifices for the Allied effort as whole including the Libyan Campaign.
The allocation of men to the Libyan Campaign also had an impact on New Zealanders both socially and economically. As the jobs of these had to been occupied by other means. The gaps these men left needed to be filled and thus compulsory registers were established with 22 centres nationwide. Thus this saw many women enter the workforce in order to keep the economy at home running. The Government had directed a total of twenty-seven thousand persons into essential work, by 31 March 1943. Women had wartime jobs in the Government services, food, clothing and munitions industries. New Zealand women in employment totalled 230,000 by the end of the War compared with 180,000 in 1939.’ This impacted the New Zealand economy at the time and since as it resulted in more women joining the workforce. However this also had a social impact. Although the wages for women were less than half that of men (minimum wage at £2 17) this was a step forwards for women's rights. The need for women to enter the workforce saw a shift of social structure as women gained greater rights and roles in New Zealand society.
The Libyan Campaign also had a social impact as it contributed to better race relations in New Zealand. During the Libyan Campaign Maori fought alongside Pakeha. An example of this is the 28th Maori battalion which fought alongside Pakeha in battles such as: Operation Crusader. This improved race relations on return home as many Pakeha and Maori had developed greater relationships whilst overseas.Tau Henare stated that “the fact that Maori took an active part in the war produced a number of positive things. Maori have a higher profile in New Zealand life.” It is evident that the involvement of Maori and Pakeha together during the Libyan Campaign had a significant social impact on New Zealand both at the time and since.
The Libyan Campaign also impacted New Zealand politics as New Zealand developed greater national pride. During the period New Zealanders made a considerable effort which led to increased national pride as they contributed both overseas and at home. The New Zealand media amplified this idea by publishing titles such as:“New Zealand Drive Succeeds”. The efforts of New Zealanders during the Libyan Campaign and across the campaign contributed to New Zealand developing its own identity. This new found identity impacted New Zealanders both at the time and since as it resulted in New Zealand is drifting away from Britain as New Zealand began to look at its own self interest. This has an impact on substantial matters such as: Foreign Policy and International Relations. New Zealand's identity saw New Zealand look to Non-Commonwealth powers for its own interests. New Zealand established embassies around the world during and after this period including in Washington in 1942. and Moscow in 1944. High commissions were also established in Canberra in 1943 and Ottawa in 1942. These established the premise for future international relations. It is clear that the Libyan Campaign and World War Two as a whole impacted New Zealand’s identity result in greater international relations.
The physical casualties of the Libyan Campaign had the most direct impact on New Zealanders at the time. The deaths of both combat and non-combat New Zealanders had huge impact on families and communities. The death of these young New Zealanders left families and communities broken. Wounded New Zealanders were also impacted as many faced long rehabilitation and significant wounds often meant men were unable to return to their jobs. This impacted the economy as these men had to be replaced. It is clear that the casualties of the Libyan Campaign had an impact on all aspects of New Zealand society.
The Libyan Campaign also had an impact on the mental states of soldiers as did any other campaign during the war. The presence of mines in particular left bloody scenes and dismembered limbs which would have had a major impact on the psyches of soldiers. Many New Zealand soldier would have suffered from symptoms such as: hyper vigilance, paranoia, depression, and loss of memory. These symptoms were long lasting and many veterans did not wish to discuss the events. Margaret Lindorff believes that most veterans “hope that war experiences could be forgotten, it is clear that for many veterans the memories linger.” This shows the impact that combat during World War Two including the Libyan campaign had on New Zealanders as they were unable to forget the horrific scenes which they experienced. This idea is affirmed by a participant; a New Zealand soldier stated that “I could never speak about my experience to anybody and do not like to think about it. It was so depressing”. This impacted New Zealand society as well as in December 1949 the War Pensions Branch had a total of nearly 7600 psychological cases, placing, “a great strain … on the shoulders of the doctors.” It is clear that the experiences of New Zealand soldiers had a large impact on their mental health and subsequently New Zealand society.
The Libyan Campaign also placed a great strain on those waiting at home. This is described by Sheila Smith who states “I did [worry] especially when the Italian campaign got going and there'd be lists and lists and lists in the paper each day, when it came, of 'killed in action', and 'wounded', and 'missing presumed killed' and that sort of thing. You know, you felt very anxious.” This quote clearly shows the worry and anxiety waiting families and communities experienced for the men overseas. This quote from Katherine Phillips also reveals this idea; “During the war, you just kept thinking that life cannot begin until this is ... years of waiting and worrying for their loved ones overseas to come home safely. ... the person you love so, and you have no control over it at all,”. Jyoti Prakash provides a historic and scientific perspective describing “These prolonged and frequent separations not only impact a soldier's life significantly but also affect their wives and children, who are manning the home front in a varied manner.” It is evident from these quotes that the Libyan Campaign had a significant impact on the mental states of New Zealand society during the period.
The Libyan Campaign impacted New Zealand society in many different ways both at the time and since. The war production saw significant ground gained by the New Zealand economy at the time. The development of greater national pride also had social and political implications following the war. The Libyan Campaign had various impacts on the health and lives of New Zealanders as they made great sacrifices for the campaign. The Libyan Campaign affected New Zealand during the campaign and had lasting impacts on New Zealand society.