Gallipoli to the Somme: Recollections of a New Zealand Infantryman by Alexander C. Aitken; Alex Calder (Editor)

$39.99 NZD

Category: NZ Military | Reading Level: near fine

Alexander Aitken was an ordinary soldier with an extraordinary mind. The student who enlisted in 1915 was a mathematical genius who could multiply nine-digit numbers in his head. He took a violin with him to Gallipoli (where field telephone wire substituted for an E-string) and practiced Bach on the Wes tern Front. Aitken also loved poetry and knew The Aeneid and Paradise Lost by heart. Aitken began to write about his experiences in 1917 as a wounded out-patient in Dunedin Hospital. He writes with a unique combination of restraint, subtlety, and an almost photographic vividness. He was elected fellow of the Royal Society of Literature on the strength of this single work--a book recognized by its first reviewers as a literary memoir of the Great War to put alongside those by Graves, Blunden, and Sassoon. Long out of print, this is by some distance the most perceptive memoir of the First World War by a New Zealand soldier. For this edition, Alex Calder has written a new introduction, annotated the text, compiled a selection of images, and added a commemorative index identifying the soldiers with whom Aitken served. ...Show more

Fearless: The Extraordinary Untold Story of New Zealand's Great War Airmen by Adam Claasen

$59.99 NZD

Category: NZ Military

More than 1000 New Zealanders served in the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Air Force. Several, including Sir Keith Park, later became senior air commanders of the Second World War. Among them were leading air aces, including Keith Caldwell, Ronald Bannerman and the famous ten nis player Anthony Wilding. A special type of New Zealander who craved risk and adventure, and who loved speed and engines, they went up in tiny, fragile aircraft to face enormous danger. If they survived their training -- and many did not -- then they had to survive encountering the German air aces. Historian Adam Claasen tells their fascinating and little-known story, and explains how their courage enabled military aviation to develop. ...Show more

ANZAC Battlefield: A Gallipoli Landscape of War and Memory by Antonio Sagona (Editor); Richard Reid (Editor); Mithat Atabay (Editor); C. J. Mackie (Editor); Ian McGibbon (Editor)

$76.99 NZD

Category: NZ Military

Anzac Battlefield: A Gallipoli Landscape of War and Memory explores the transformation of Gallipoli's landscape in antiquity, during the famed battles of the First World War and in the present day. Drawing on archival, archaeological and cartographic material, this book unearths the deep history of the Gallipoli peninsula, setting the Gallipoli campaign in a broader cultural and historical context. The book presents the results of an original archaeological survey, the research for which was supported by the Australian, New Zealand and Turkish Governments. The survey examines materials from both sides of the battlefield, and sheds new light on the environment in which Anzac and Turkish soldiers endured the conflict. Richly illustrated with both Ottoman and Anzac archival images and maps, as well as original maps and photographs of the landscape and archaeological findings, Anzac Battlefield is an important contribution to our understanding of Gallipoli and its landscape of war and memory. ...Show more

From the Uttermost Ends of the Earth: The New Zealand Division on the Western Front 1916-1918 : a History and Guide to Its Battlefields by John H. Gray

$33.99 NZD

Category: NZ Military | Reading Level: New

The New Zealand Division's campaign in France and Flanders was the birth of the modern New Zealand Army. At Armentieres, First Somme 1916, Messines and Third Ypres 1917 it established a high reputation. This was enhanced in its great encounter battle when it closed a gap in the British Line on the Ancre in Second Somme, during the German Spring Offensive in March 1918. Following this, it was in the vanguard of the final Advance to Victory in the Last Hundred Days, culminating in its heroic, medieval Relief of Le Quesnoy in the Battle of the Sambre, at war's end. This story tells of national sacrifice. 13,647 New Zealanders died within the Division's ranks in two and a half years; more than in all three Armed Services combined in the six years of World War II. The book demonstrates that casualties were consistently under-reported in Stewart. The campaign in France and Belgian Flanders has long lingered in the shadow of Gallipoli's legendary status. The author lightens that shadow in arguing convincingly that the Western Front was much more significant militarily and historically, and deserves at least equal prominence in New Zealand's national consciousness. This was one of his aims in writing the book. The Western Front campaign was the only occasion in New Zealand's military history when its Division contributed to the defeat of the main army of the main enemy, in the main theatre of war. The foreword is by Dr Christopher Pugsley, New Zealand's pre-eminent authority on the Great War. ...Show more

Partisan: The Incredible True Story of a New Zealand Soldier Behind Enemy Lines by James Caffin

$25.00 NZD

Category: NZ Military | Reading Level: near fine

The gripping story of a New Zealand solider who escaped the clutches of a prisoner-of-war camp to join the Yugoslav freedom fighters during the Second World War After a daring escape from a prisoner-of-war camp in occupied Yugoslavia, John Denvir reached the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, where he join ed a partisan band as a machine-gunner. Believed shot and killed by New Zealand forces and his family in New Zealand, from January 1942 until the end of 1943, Denvir led brave and heroic attacks on German and Italian soldiers from behind enemy lines. He was wounded four times, received the Soviet Medal for Valour and was eventually appointed brigade commander. When 'Corporal Frank' was demobilised he returned to New Zealand and became a taxi driver in the small South Island town of Temuka. Originally published in 1945 and out of print for many years, this is his remarkable true story. ...Show more

From Taranto to Trieste by Jennifer Mallinson

$49.50 NZD

Category: NZ Military

Taranto to Trieste is an account of the author’s fascinating journey to retrace the actual path of the 2nd New Zealand Division in Italy from its arrival in October 1943 until the end of the European war. Although a personal journey with personal reflections, the real story is about the largely of f-the-beaten track places which the troops passed through, what they saw and experienced along the way and, in some cases what they missed. To complement the Division’s story, the historical context and military actions are explained with many maps as well as war-time photographs and colourful quotations from official military histories. As the author says, “There are many people of the post-war generation, and their children, with direct connections to the Italian campaign, who would like to know more about the small, mysterious places the Division passed through which appear in diaries, letters and on the back of photographs, but many of which do not appear on maps.” The author’s own photographs, descriptions of the places visited, the landscapes travelled and the roads followed will delight those wanting to follow in the footsteps of the 2nd Division in Italy. ...Show more

Eddie Norman And 25 Battalion by Elizabeth Kay

$40.00 NZD

Category: NZ Military

Shooting From the Shadows - New Zealand Special Air Service - Wings Williams Story by Michael William

$85.99 NZD

Category: NZ Military

Between 1956 and 1971 the New Zealand SAS were deployed on active service four times. Michael Wings Williams career in the New Zealand Army, and the New Zealand SAS, spans a significant portion of this period and this book takes the reader through two of those key campaigns; Borneo and South Vietnam.Thi s book gives us a glimpse into the world of an SAS soldier at that time through the eyes of one of New Zealand SAS most well-known veterans. This story is important for many reasons, not least because these Cold War experiences would be so critical for future generations of New Zealand Special Forces soldiers, including its most famous one; Willie Apiata VC. In his biography, author Paul Little writes that one of Apiatas best trainers was an instructor who had learnt from the Vietnam SAS vets - individuals like Wings Williams. Some stories are humorous, some are frightening and some ably illustrate the matter-of-fact candour that is a hallmark of this group of former elite soldiers. While many would cringe at being described in such a fashion, no member would disagree with their deep desire to achieve and maintain the highest professional standards that were expected from all SAS soldiers.This is what made the SAS soldiers; no glorified heroics, no outstanding deeds of daring-do but the application of unique Kiwi Special Forces culture of humility, commitment and unrelenting standards of excellence. While this book is much about Williams SAS career, it is considerably more than that. But for me, the real value in this book is Wings target audience. It is not the wider public nor is it the military historian, amateur or professional, even though this volume will be of immense interest to both. What pleases me more than anything is that this is a story for a family. There is a deep sense of duty and service that comes from reading this book, and it is my hope that Wings and his peers remain as proud of their contributions, sacrifices and accomplishments as I and many of the children within the SAS family have always been. Your stories are part of who we are, and many of us have been waiting some time to hear them. ...Show more

Soldiers, Scouts & Spies: A Military History of the New Zealand Wars 1845 - 1864 by Cliff Simons

$55.00 NZD

Category: NZ Military

As interest in the New Zealand Wars grows, Soldiers, Scouts and Spies offers a unique insight into the major campaigns fought between 1845 and 1864 by British troops, their militia and Maori allies, and Maori iwi and coalitions. It was a time of rapid technological change. Maori were quick to adopt west ern weaponry and evolve their tactics and even political structures as they looked for ways to confront the might of the Imperial war machine. And Britain, despite being a military and economic super power, was challenged by a capable enemy in a difficult environment. ...Show more

Whitiki! Whiti! Whiti! E!: Maori in the First World War by Monty Soutar

$69.99 NZD

Category: Māori Military History

This major publication about Maori participation in the First World War is written by NZ's leading Maori military historian Dr Monty Soutar, author of the award-winning Nga Tama Toa C Company, Maori Battalion. A fascinating look at the Pioneer Battalion (the Battalion created for Maori to serve) that wi ll shed light on the reasons why some men signed on to serve, and others staunchly resisted the call to join the imperial conflict. As with Dr Soutar's first book, it combines the story of the war and the role of Maori in it, with the words and thoughts of the men themselves, as well as those back home. Over 300 images, many from family collections and not published before. ...Show more

Le Quesnoy 1918 by Christopher Pugsley

$39.99 NZD

Category: NZ Military

The New Zealand Division's capture of the French town of Le Quesnoy was its last and most successful action in the First World War. Breaking through defensive lines and scaling the town walls by ladder, the New Zealanders overwhelmed the defenders, freeing the town after years of German occupation. It w as a victory that resounded around the world, and helped convince German high command they could no longer hold the front. Based on his intimate knowledge of the landscape and those involved, Christopher Pugsley puts together the story with his mastery of drama and detail - producing a book that is thrilling at the same time as a tribute to the New Zealanders who died (and whose details are fully recorded here for the first time). Strikingly illustrated with maps, photographs and the stunning paintings of the battle by George Butler, Le Quesnoy 1918 will be an inspiring read for this summer and many seasons beyond. ...Show more

With Them Through Hell: New Zealand Medical Services in the First World War by Anna Rogers

$65.00 NZD

Category: NZ Military | Reading Level: near fine

The thousands of New Zealand men who fought in the First World War went through hell. And right beside them was another fighting force, armed with scalpels, bandages and drugs. Hundreds of doctors, nurses, stretcher-bearers, orderlies and ambulance drivers,dentists, chiropodists, pharmacists, physi otherapists and chaplains cared for the sick and wounded, often at great personal risk. Veterinarians did the same for horses, camels and other animals. The challenges were enormous - horrific injuries, gas and deadly diseases, especially the influenza of 1918. There were some astonishing successes - most famously by plastic surgery pioneers Harold Gillies and Henry Pickerill - but the price was high, for patients and carers. The skilled, compassionate and courageous New Zealand medical personnel of the Great War have not always received the attention they deserve. Anna Rogers tells their remarkable story. ...Show more