3rd Division (New Zealand)

3rd New Zealand Division
Soldiers from the New Zealand 3rd Division land on Vella Lavella
Active	1942–1944
Country	New Zealand
Branch	New Zealand Military Forces
Size	17,637 men all ranks[1]
Engagements	Second World War Land Battle of Vella Lavella Battle of the Treasury Islands Battle of the Green Islands
Commanders
Notable commanders	Harold Eric Barrowclough Robert Row

The 3rd New Zealand Division was a division of the New Zealand Military Forces. Formed in 1942, it saw action against the Japanese in the Pacific Ocean Areas during the Second World War. The division saw action in the Solomon Islands campaign during 1943–1944, during which it undertook landings on Vella Lavella, the Treasury Islands and the Green Islands. Due to manpower shortages, for most of its existence the division consisted of only two infantry brigades in addition to support personnel, with its third brigade being disbanded shortly after formation. In 1944, manpower shortages in the New Zealand economy became acute led to the disbandment of the division. The majority of its manpower was returned to civilian employment, although around 4,000 men were sent to Italy to reinforce the 2nd Division, seeing further action before the end of the war in May 1945.