page_title: Howard Kippenberger
section_title: England
hierarchical_section_title: Howard Kippenberger / Second World War / England
caption_attribution_description: English: Sir Howard Karl Kippenberger walking in military uniform in front of a crowd. Taken by an unidentified photographer, circa 1946. (Source incorrectly states 1940; note rank tabs/walking stick of subject inconsistent for this time period Howard Karl Kippenberger. Ref: 1/4-017467-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23196268) The Crown has released this work under the CC-BY 3.0 NZ license. Refer to source website for details: http://natlib.govt.nz/about-this-site/copyright-and-privacy. This work's copyright expired 50 years after creation in New Zealand and probably also in countries following the rule of the shorter term.
context_page_description: Major General Sir Howard Karl Kippenberger, KBE, CB, DSO & Bar, ED, known as "Kip", was an officer of the New Zealand Military Forces who served in the First and Second World Wars.
  Born in the Canterbury region of New Zealand, Kippenberger joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in late 1915. He saw action in France on the Western Front, participating in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. A serious wound in November 1916 saw him repatriated to New Zealand and discharged from the NZEF. He qualified as a solicitor in 1920 and worked in a legal practice in Rangiora. In 1924, he joined the Territorial Force and by 1936 had advanced in rank to lieutenant colonel.
  Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Kippenberger was appointed to command the 20th Battalion. He led the battalion for two years, through the Battles of Greece and Crete as well as part of the North African Campaign before being promoted to brigadier and taking command of the 5th Infantry Brigade. The pinnacle of his military career was as commander of the 2nd New Zealand Division during the Italian Campaign. He was wounded on 3 March 1944 during the Battle of Monte Cassino when he stepped on a land mine.
context_section_description: In April, Kippenberger was transferred to Queen Mary's Hospital in London to be fitted with artificial limbs. He was discharged from hospital in early September after a four-month period of convalescence. His wartime services were recognised that same month by being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and in December he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.
  Graded by a medical board as only being fit for administrative duties, Kippenberger still harboured hopes of returning to the 2nd Division. However, he was named to replace Brigadier James Hargest, who had been killed in France in August, as commander of the New Zealand Reception Group. This organisation had been formed to arrange accommodation as well as social and medical services for New Zealand military personnel who were expected to be released from prisoner of war camps in Germany when the war ended. These personnel were to be evacuated to England to await repatriation to New Zealand. It was recognised that transition from the harsh life as a captive to normal life may be difficult for some, and the Reception Group provided much needed support for these individuals. He threw himself into his new role, setting up facilities and accommodation centres around Dover. The first former prisoners of war began arriving in late March 1945, and Kippenberger made it a point to personally meet with each group of arrivals. By the following October, the overwhelming majority of released personnel had been returned to New Zealand, negating the need for the Reception Group.
caption: Major-General Kippenberger, in 1946
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