Miscellany

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28950, 18 July 1959, Page 3

Miscellany

The Tunnellers of Sandborstal. By Lieutenant-Commander J. Chrisp, M.8.E., R.N. (Retd.i. Robert Hale. 172 pp. During the German attack on Crete, the author was in charge of the anti-submarine defences (such as they were) at Suda Bay The book opens with his experiences when-intensive bombing in the vicinity of Maleme forced a frantic five-day dash across the mountain? to Spharkia. The opening chapters comprise a vivid account of a story already I well known to New Zealanders tend are thus of'compelling Interest. The author and his party were, however, not among the lucky ones, but were captured by the Germans after many gruelling experiences, and imprisoned first in Crete, then Athens and Salonika before being taken to Sandborstal, a naval P.O.W. ..camp a little to the north of Bremen. After many months the author won five days’ freedom by tunnelling. His second attempt to escape by stowing away- in a vehicle failed, and then at length he was sent to the notorious P.O.W. punishment camp at Colditz. For three years he lived with that restless, escape-minded community, saw and took part in many brave and many ludicrous attempts to get away. When at length the prisoners were liberated by American troops, the author’s reminiscences end. Combining the suspense and humour of both “The Wooden Horse’’ and “The Colditz Story,” Commander Chrisp’s book entertains, despite the familiarity of the theme. To every individual his own experiences are unique, and because the author succeeds in transmitting to the reader the excitements he felt, the interest of the book remains fresh throughout, and never flags.

Little Ghosts. By Ethel Anderson. Angus and -Robertson. 196 pp.

This book is a collection of Indian stories about a world that no longer exists. " They cover a period of time ranging from the sixteenth century to the last days pf British rule. It is a world of infinite variety, intrigue and richness; of white nabobs and princesses, rajahs and cameleers, English gentlemen and British soldiers, gipsies, Eurasians and ladies of the seraglio. Ethel Anderson lived for 10 years in India as the wife of a British Army officer and so was able to observe the Indian way of life at first hand. Her writing, while lively, has a certain quality of formality and a detachment which is particularly suitable for these stories. Even in writing of violence she does not involve the reader, so that the effect of the book as a whole is like a rich and skilfully worked tapestry.

The Great Civil War. By Alfred H. Burne and Peter Young. Eyre and Spottiswoode. 244 pp. Index.

This learned work is another sign of the interest at present being taken ' in seventeenth century history and ip the Civil War in particular. Several books dealing with this struggle have already appeared durjng the last 18 months, the most notable probably being Miss C. V. Wedgewood’s “The King’s War, 16411647.” To such works as this. “The Great Civil War” is a notable if somewhat specialised addition. It deals with only one aspect of the conflict. The authors are both distinguished soldiers, and have concentrated upon problems of strategy and tactics. It follows that their book will make its strongest appeal to those with an interest in military history. There are, however. some moments of relief for the ordinary reader. It is pleasant to light upon Cromwell's remark in a letter of August. 1643. “I had rather have a plain russet-coated captain that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a gentleman and is nothing else. 1 honour a gentleman that is so indeed.” In a military sense the Civil War is considered remarkable, because of the number and the variety of the problems it presented. It is interesting to

note that on each side there were resourceful commanders; the engagements in which they bore their parts ranged from skirmishes to pitched battles and sieges in form. Fighting took place on every kind of terrain, and it may be mentioned that the authors of this book appear to have visited most of the places they name in its pages. Further elucidation is provided by a series of detailed sketch maps. ;