10th of June 1943. A day those 1600 Kiwi personnel of all ranks who were granted furlough under the Ruapehu Scheme will have long remembered. The married and boys from the first three echelons such these three soldiers above were about to go home for three months.Though it was unknown to them at the time for many it would be the final goodbye to their beloved units, companies and battalions for whom they had served alongside.

The end of hostilities in North Africa and the Japanese Pacific aggression changed the geo-political balance and requirements at home and abroad and so those to return where effectively hand picked for reasons unknown, but to most partly understood.

These four undoubtably rather excited 28 Battalion B Company soldiers are up for kit inspection before leaving Maadi Camp en route to Alexandria and port Tewfik. On arrival where they'll board a ship bound for Australia and  New Zealand.. a well earned break and return to whanau.

Left to Right- Arthur Midwood (Rotorua) kneeling Haami Perenara (Matata) Lt. Edward Morgan (Rotorua) and Edward McCausland (Whakatane)

New Zealand Division Casualties in North Africa totalled - 14030

Killed in action and died of wounds - 2989

Wounded - 7000

Prisoner of war - 4041