A New Zealand military battalion, formed seven decades ago, has been officially disbanded in Auckland.
The 24th Battalion served in Greece, North Africa and Italy between 1940 - 1945 in World War II. Its 3500 members were drawn mainly from the Auckland region.
A total of 522 were killed and 1600 wounded, but 120 members are still alive and have been part of the battalion's association.
On Saturday night, the battalion beat a final retreat at a full military ceremony.
Hundreds of people attended a memorial service for the battalion at Auckland War Memorial Museum on Sunday.
