On 26 January 1943 - just days after the New Zealanders were some of the first Commonwealth troops to enter the city of Tripoli - General Freyberg wrote to the New Zealand Minister of Defence about the North Africa Campaign.

"On 23 January, eight days after the first engagement with the enemy, the Divisional Cavalry and troops of the 5th Infantry Brigade entered Tripoli" wrote Freyberg, Commander of the New Zealand Division. "The capture of Tripoli completes a phase of successful fighting which started just three months ago. The enemy has been driven from Egypt, Cyrenaica, and Tripolitania. It is an important step giving the Allies a naval base and airfields, and completes the relief of the hard-pressed garrison of Malta."

"The Division is now resting in pleasant surroundings and taking advantage of an unlimited water supply to clean up after three months’ campaigning in the desert," added Freyberg. These pleasant surroundings are captured in the watercolour 'Signal Truck, Suani Ben Aden, Tripoli', by war artist Jack Crippen. It is just one of about 1,500 artworks depicting those who served New Zealand in times of war, and the arenas in which they served. The National War Art Collection includes both official pieces by artists commissioned by the New Zealand government, and other unofficial art works that were acquired by or donated to the collection.

This painting, as well as other items from the Archives New Zealand War Art Collection, can be viewed online at the following link - www.warart.archives.govt.nz/

Freyberg's letter can be read in full on the RSA Review website: www.rsa.org.nz/review/art2003february/article_5.html

Archives reference: AAAC 898 Box 339/ NCWA 572 www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=22498185

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