Frank Rennie - World War II

World War II

For the first two years of the war Rennie continued to an instructor, as the instructing staff could not be spared for active service. During this time he helped select the initial officers and NCOs for the 28th Maori Battalion, and was for a period 'in interregnum' the RSM of Army Schools. Rennie observed that he, "must have been the youngest to have done so and, I am sure, with the most curious assortment of ranks-I was a substantive lance-corporal, temporary sergeant, acting warrant officer first class." After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the 37th Battalion was rapidly raised to help reinforce Fiji and three instructors including Rennie were allowed to join with the rank of Sergeant. During his time in Fiji Rennie was commissioned and transferred to 30th Battalion as a platoon commander.

After spending two years mainly garrisoning islands and training, Rennie participated in a reconnaissance in force to Nissan Island on January 31, 1944, which future US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon were also involved in. He also took part in the seizure of the island the next month. When the 3rd (NZ) Division was disbanded later in 1944 Rennie joined 2nd (NZ) Division in Italy, arriving early in 1945. He was posted to 23rd Battalion and commanded a Vickers MG platoon, seeing action in the river-crossing 2 (NZ) Division conducted as it pushed northwards through Italy in the final months of the war in Europe. His unit finished the war near Trieste, and was involved in the stand-off with Yugoslav Partisans.