25th Battalion (New Zealand)

25th Battalion
Italians from the village of Barbiano welcome infantry of the 25th Battalion, 10 April 1945
Active	1940–1945
Disbanded	2 December 1945
Country	New Zealand
Branch	New Zealand Military Forces
Type	Infantry (1940 to 1945)
Size	~780 personnel[1]
Part of	6th Brigade, 2nd New Zealand Division
Engagements	Second World War Battle of Greece North African Campaign Operation Crusader First Battle of El Alamein Italian Campaign Battle of Monte Cassino

The 25th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the New Zealand Military Forces, which served during the Second World War as part of the 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd New Zealand Division.

The 25th Battalion was formed in New Zealand in 1940 and after a period of training, it, along with the rest of the 6th Brigade, embarked for the Middle East where it joined up with the 2nd New Zealand Division. Moved to Greece to help defend against a German invasion, the battalion participated in the Battle of Greece but was evacuated at the conclusion of the fighting in the country. It then fought in the North African Campaign and suffered heavy losses during Operation Crusader, when it was effectively destroyed by the 15th Panzer Division. From December 1941 to February 1942 the battalion was brought back up to strength before being transferred to Syria. It returned to Egypt in March 1942 and suffered heavy casualties during the First Battle of El Alamein.

After the fighting in North Africa ceased in 1943, the 25th Battalion participated in the Italian Campaign, fighting in actions at Orsogna and later at Cassino. It finished the war in Trieste, and remained there to counter the presence of Yugoslav partisans that had entered the city. After the withdrawal of the partisans several weeks later, the battalion moved to Florence while its long-serving personnel began returning to New Zealand. Not required for service in the Pacific theatre of operations, the battalion was disestablished in late 1945.