Most decorated · 18 medals and honours, 2 for gallantry
Major General Howard Kippenberger
Howard Kippenberger was a Rangiora solicitor who, as a teenage private, was wounded on the Somme in 1916, and who went on to command 2nd NZ Division in Italy in 1944 until a mine took both his feet. He won the DSO for Galatas on Crete and a bar for the 1942 desert fighting, then added the CBE, CB, a US Legion of Merit and a knighthood. He is among the most decorated New Zealanders of the First World War because his 18 items (2 gallantry) span two wars and a string of orders.
Gazetted: Announced in NZ press 18-20 Sep 1941 (first Greece/Crete immediate-awards list); citation also printed in NZ Gazette, 21 Sep 1944 (per Cenotaph). London Gazette issue not traced.
Kippenberger, a battalion commander thrown into leading a scratch brigade of mixed units, won the DSO for the defence of Galatas. The citation praises his disregard of danger, aggressive spirit and tactical skill in organising counter-attacks against strong attacks backed by heavy air, mortar and machine-gun fire. Though short of sleep and nursing a sprained ankle, he met the German attack of 25 May with cool courage. When the line had practically broken, he was almost entirely responsible for stopping the advance and setting up a new line behind it. General Auchinleck pinned the DSO on him in Egypt on 4 November 1941.
Cenotaph gives the citation date as NZ Gazette 21 Sep 1944 which looks like a later republication of citations; the award itself was public by Sept 1941.
Counted in his gallantry totalSource: Online Cenotaph record C33576, https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33576; Manawatu Times 20 Sep 1941, 'Courage, Coolness and Skill', https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19410920.2.42; Wikipedia, 'Howard Kippenberger', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Kippenberger
Bar: a second award
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order
28 June - 14/15 July 1942 (Minqar Qaim, El Mreir, Ruweisat Ridge) · Western Desert, Egypt · Brigadier, 5th NZ Infantry Brigade, 2nd NZ Division
Gazetted: Announced in NZ press 23-24 Jan 1943 ('immediate awards'); citation published 31 Jan 1943; also NZ Gazette, 21 Sep 1944 (per Cenotaph).
The bar recognised his handling of 5 Brigade in the desert fighting of mid-1942. At Minqar Qaim on 27-28 June he moved from unit to unit under shellfire to hold the position together, and when the brigade's troop-carrying transport was cut off he improvised the remaining vehicles and got his men out in the night breakout. In early July he manoeuvred the brigade south-west of the El Mreir depression and mounted raids that drew German strength away from El Alamein. On 14 July, at Ruweisat Ridge, he drove a Bren carrier through a screen of enemy tanks at first light, narrowly avoiding capture, to get help and reorganise the ridge position. The citation says he showed great dash, determination and good judgement.
Sources conflict on the bar's occasion and date: Cenotaph cites Minqar Qaim (28 June 1942); Wikipedia ties it to Ruweisat Ridge; TracesOfWar says 'February 1942' (wrong - the events were mid-1942 and the award was announced Jan 1943). The 1943 press citation covers both actions.
Counted in his gallantry totalSource: Press 2 Feb 1943, 'Award to Brigadier Kippenberger', https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19430202.2.46; Press 25 Jan 1943, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19430125.2.82; Online Cenotaph record C33576, https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33576
Every other medal and honour (16)
British War Medal 1914-19201916-1917 (service) · Western FrontQualified by overseas service with the NZEF in 1916-17 (Egypt, then France from September 1916).Victory Medal1916-1917 (service) · Western FrontPaired with the British War Medal for WW1 service in a theatre of war.Coronation Medal 193712 May 1937 · New ZealandCommemorative medal for George VI's coronation; listed by the Cenotaph, presumably as a Territorial officer.Efficiency Decoration (ED)c. 1930s-1940s (Territorial Force service) · New ZealandTerritorial long-service decoration for officers, earned from his Territorial service from 1924 (commanding the Canterbury Regiment 1936-39).1939-1945 Star1940-1944 (service) · Middle East, Greece, Crete, North AfricaAwarded for operational service with 2NZEF from 1940.Africa Star1941-1943 (service) · North AfricaQualified by service in the North African campaign.Italy Star1943-1944 (service) · ItalyQualified by service in Italy up to the day he was maimed at Cassino (2 March 1944).Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)Announced 24 Aug 1944 · ItalyHonour for distinguished service in Italy, announced while he was recovering from the loss of his feet.Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)Announced 22 Dec 1944 · ItalyAwarded for his gallant and distinguished services in Italy, where he had briefly commanded the Division.Legion of Merit (USA), OfficerAnnounced 9 January 1945 · ItalyAmerican decoration for leadership and service to the Allied cause in Italy, announced in NZ newspapers on 9-10 January 1945 under headings such as 'American Legion of Merit'.Defence Medal1939-1945 (service)Home/Empire defence service qualification for the medal as listed by the Cenotaph.War Medal 1939-1945 (with oak leaf)1939-1945 (service)Full-time service in the war; the oak leaf is the emblem of the mention in despatches (counted separately above as one item).New Zealand War Service Medal1939-1945 (service) · New Zealand / overseasNZ medal for volunteers who served in the Second World War.Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)1948 King's Birthday Honours (June 1948) · New ZealandKnighted for his war service and his post-war work as editor-in-chief of the official histories and head of the RSA, becoming Sir Howard Kippenberger.Coronation Medal 19532 June 1953 · New ZealandCommemorative medal for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.Mentioned in Despatches1941-1942 (before Jan 1943) · Greece/Crete or Libya (Operation Crusader) - not establishedAt least one mention in despatches for his war service; the Cenotaph and NZ press confirm one, and the oak-leaf emblem is worn on the War Medal 1939-1945. Counted once under the rule.
His story
Underage enlistment
Aged 18, he put his age up by about 18 months so that he could be sent overseas, and joined the NZEF as a farmer from West Oxford. He trained at Trentham with the 12th Reinforcements.
Source: Online Cenotaph record C33576, https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33576; Wikipedia, 'Howard Kippenberger', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Kippenberger
Diverted to Egypt
His troopship (HMNZT 51, Ulimaroa) was diverted to Egypt, where the reinforcements spent about two months at the Tel-el-Kebir camp before going on to England and France.
As a private in 1st Bn, Canterbury Regiment, he reached the Somme front and took part in the battle of Flers-Courcelette, staying in the line for over three weeks while the battalion took heavy casualties.
After volunteering as a battalion sniper at Fromelles, he was badly wounded in the arm by shrapnel (reportedly from a New Zealand shell). He spent two months in hospital in England with temporary paralysis and was discharged in April 1917.
Source: Online Cenotaph record C33576, https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33576; Wikipedia, 'Howard Kippenberger', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Kippenberger
Solicitor and Territorial
He qualified as a solicitor in 1920, practised in Rangiora, was commissioned in the Territorial Force in 1924 and commanded the Canterbury Regiment as a lieutenant colonel 1936-39.
Source: Online Cenotaph record C33576, https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33576; Wikipedia, 'Howard Kippenberger', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Kippenberger
Galatas, Crete
Leading 10th (Composite) Brigade after the Greek and Cretan fighting, he held and rebuilt the line at Galatas, earning the DSO.
Source: Manawatu Times 20 Sep 1941, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19410920.2.42
Crusader: wounded, captured, escaped
Wounded and briefly taken prisoner during Operation Crusader (25 Nov), he escaped on 4 December with about 20 others by commandeering a truck. He was promoted brigadier on return and given 5 Brigade.
His handling of 5 Brigade in the breakout at Minqar Qaim and the attack at Ruweisat Ridge earned the bar to the DSO, announced in January 1943.
Source: Press 2 Feb 1943, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19430202.2.46
Mine on Mount Trocchio
Having taken over 2nd NZ Division in early 1944 as a temporary major general, he trod on a mine reconnoitring Mount Trocchio at Cassino and lost both feet. The CBE, CB and US Legion of Merit followed within a year, and he led the NZ Reception Group for returning prisoners of war until 1946.
Source: Wikipedia, 'Howard Kippenberger', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Kippenberger; Timaru Herald 23 Dec 1944
Rank and insignia
The ranks he held, and the badge a soldier of that rank wore. These are simplified illustrations.
Private1916-1917 · WW1No rank badge: a private soldier wore noneSecond Lieutenant1924 · Territorial ForceShoulder strap: one pipLieutenant ColonelCO Canterbury Regiment 1936-39; 20th Battalion from Oct 1939Shoulder strap: crown and one pipBrigadierDecember 1941 / January 1942Shoulder strap: crown and three pipsMajor GeneralFebruary 1944 · temporaryShoulder strap: crossed sword and baton, one pip
His ships
HMNZT 51 UlimaroaWW1 troopshipLeft New Zealand in the 12th Reinforcements in May 1916; arrived Suez 9 June 1916 (Cenotaph).
Afterwards
After the war Kippenberger was Editor-in-Chief of the 50-odd volume Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War from 1946 until his death, and wrote the memoir Infantry Brigadier (1949). He was Dominion President of the Returned Services' Association 1948-55 and Honorary Colonel of the Canterbury Regiment. Knighted in 1948, he died after a cerebral haemorrhage on 5 May 1957 and was buried with full military honours at Karori.
Later awards, not counted here: Distinguished Service Order (Crete, 1941); Bar to DSO (1942, announced January 1943); Mention in Despatches; CBE (1944); CB (December 1944); Legion of Merit, USA (January 1945); KBE (1948).
This is the Service Record sign as we would make it from his record: his rank, name, regiment, number and date of embarkation. The medals on the sign are worked out automatically, so the medals listed above are the ones to rely on.
The Service Record
Photograph
We haven’t hosted a photograph here
Rather than copy someone else’s image onto our own site, we’d rather send you to see it where it’s properly held: his full record at the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Online Cenotaph.
The brief says he was wounded at Gallipoli; he was not - he enlisted in 1916 and was wounded on the Western Front (10 Nov 1916). No 1914-15 Star.
Cenotaph lists 'DSO and bar' as one entry; counted as two items (DSO and bar).
Cenotaph omits the KBE (1948) and the US Legion of Merit (Jan 1945): both added from Wikipedia/Gazette reference, Papers Past headlines and TracesOfWar. Legion of Merit degree 'Officer' rests on TracesOfWar; newspaper article bodies were not machine-readable.
CBE and KBE are counted as two separate honours (distinct grades received at different times); CB is a separate order.
Bar to DSO: occasion/date conflict between sources (Cenotaph: Minqar Qaim 28 Jun 1942; Wikipedia: Ruweisat Ridge; TracesOfWar: 'February 1942'). The 1943 newspaper citation covers both actions and was announced 23-24 Jan 1943.
Cenotaph cites NZ Gazette 21 Sep 1944 for the DSO and bar citations; the awards were announced in the press in 1941 and 1943, so that date is probably a later NZ Gazette printing. London Gazette issue numbers not traced for DSO, bar, CBE and CB.
Mention in Despatches counted once; number of mentions not established (at least one).
Coronation Medal 1937, Defence Medal and Efficiency Decoration rest on the Cenotaph (ED also on Wikipedia); qualifying dates not independently verified. Coronation Medal 1953 rests on Wikipedia only.
Gazette date for KBE: Wikipedia cites London Gazette issue 38312, 10 June 1948, p.3397; the NZ Wikipedia honours list shows the KBE in the civil division (TracesOfWar says military).
Argues against listing as a 'New Zealander of that war'? Nothing: he was NZ-born, served in the NZEF in 1916-17 (private, 12th Reinforcements); service was short (about 5 months at the front).
Embarkation date: Wikipedia 1 May 1916; Cenotaph voyage page shows departure 1 May, arrival Suez 9 June 1916 (one summary gave 1-9 June).
