WAR HISTORIES.

Evening Star, Issue 17880, 28 January 1922, Page 15

WAR HISTORIES.

OFFICIAL NEW ZEALAND RECORD. ,OUE MEN IN FEANCE. MAGNIFICENT FIGHTING QUALITIES. , COLONEL STEWART'S NAEEATIVE. To place on record in permanent and valuable form the work o£ the Now Zealand .Division from the time it landed in Franca early in 1916 right up to the end of the wax was a task that required a groat deal of ability, military knowledge, and diligence in searching records. Unlike the Australian Commonwealth, the Government of Now Zealand did not appoint its official correspondent with the forces to placo on record, in historical form, tho deeds of our men in Franco; .but entrusted tho work to Colonel H. Stewart, C.M.G., D. 5.0., M.C., lato commanding officer of tho 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, an officer who saw a great deal of service, and who, as his decorations show, won considerable distinction. Colonel Stewart’s work, which is entitled ‘The New Zealanders in France/ forms volume two of the official history ,of New Zealand’s efforts in the Great War, tho first volume being Major Waite’s ‘ Tho New Zealanders at Gallipoli.’ The second volume, which is being sold at tho reasonable price of six shillings, is a compact and well-written history, complete with splendid photographs and maps, and dealing with evexy operation in which New Zealanders took part in France, Colonel Stewart has fulfilled his task in a manner deserving the heartiest congratulations, and the Government is to be commended for placing such a valuable record within tho means of almost everyone, Tho price of tho second edition of the book, to bo printed when tho first is exhausted, will be much higher. As tho author explains in his preface, the history was designed, in accordance with instructions from the Government, for the intelligent general reader. Technicalities have been simplified as far as possible, and the meaning of non-obvious terms, has been explained. Colonel Stewart alludes to the great difficulties to be faced by an historian who has to depend largely upon written record's. Had an “ historian,” as distinct from a press correspondent, boon attached to tho New Zealand division, _ writing contemporaneously with tho division’s action, he would, says tho author, “ have been able to interview participants, down to section commanders, if necessary, and_ thereby check statements, amplify official narratives, elucidate obscurities," catch tho atmosphere of the time, and describe the country at leisure from actual observation.” In such a way a picture ‘‘unique for truthfulness and interest,” might have been produced. The lengthy list of authorities and books to which tho author went, in addition to his own personal knowledge of some of the events, are indicative of tho great care and industry which Colonel Stewart must have used in compiling his book. “ Apart from the actual facts/' continues the writer, “I have endeavored to convey a faithful and sober idea of the atmosphere of war in which the division existed, of its complex machinery, its demands for strenuous and incessant labor, its hardships, squalor, waste, and its challenges to fortitude, self-denial, and gallantry.” In successive chapters Colonel Stewart deals with tho formation of the division in Egypt, its journey to Franco, and its introduction to a different kind of warfare from that which had prevailed at Gallipoli and in Egypt. New Zealanders first went into the lino to face the Germans at Arraentiorcs on May 13, 1916. The do veloping of tho offensive spirit against an enemy who in this sector had had_a comparatively quiet time, led to frequent “raids" by the New Zealanders, counterraids by the enemy, and' frequent artillery duels. It did not take our men long to adapt themselves to a new mode of warfare. From Armontiores tho division was moved south to take-part in the first Somme offensive, and its splendid work there drew unstinted praise from the higher command. From the Somme the division returned to trench warfare at Annentiorcs and on the Lys, and held the fine during the most severe winter experienced in England and Northern France for about sixty years. Frost, snow, and winds that chilled to the bone were endured by the troops with a fortitude that was surprising. , , . , The next big offensive In which tho division carried a large share of tho honors of tho day was at Mcssmes m June, 1917. Then followed Bassoville, Gravcnstafel, and tho tragedy of Pasachendaclc, in which thousands of young men from this country were shot down" in an operation in which the reasons for mistakes have not yet been adequately given. Colonel Stewart docs not taka us much further in this. However, hero as in other actions ho describes graphically the part our men played. Soon wo come to tho great German, offensive of early 1918, the brilliant work of tho division in stemming the onslaught, and tho commencement and progress of the great allied offensive which won tho war. From Hcbutcrno and Puisieux-au-Mont tho writer carries his narrative to the Battle of Bapaumo, Havrincourt-Epchy, Gambrai, and tho Hindonburg Lino, the second Battle of Le Gateau, Sello River, and finally tho Battle of tho Sambrc. Under each heading are included accounts of so-called minor engagements in. which special deeds of valor are quite as numerous and conspicuous as in the records of ths more important actions. Space docs not permit of from the writer’s narrative, but his description is graphic and interesting from first to last. Though tho narrativo of such dramatic and exciting events may scorn to some to bo portrayed in too cold and businesslike language, it has the redeeming merit of being entirely free from any suspicion of exaggeration or theatricality. But in most cases rhetorical flights are not necessary to emphasise the wonderful deeds of officers and men; tho bare records speak for themselves, and make the heart of tho reader fairly thrill with prido at tho noble achievements of his countrymen. To tho soldier who had a share in tho great adventure the book will make a special appeal, explaining many points which, owing to the immense nature of operations, were hitherto obscure. To tho general reader, even tho youngest, tho book should bo found extremely interesting and entertaining. Whose blood will not ho stirred with patriotic pride when ho roads of tho valiant deeds of our men on the First Somme, at Mcssines, in repelling the German onrush at Bapaumo, amidst the mud at Passchendaelc, and in tho capture of Lo Qucsnoy? Such a history will increase in value ns tho years pass. Perhaps tho most eloquent tribute which the New Zealand Division received was that from Field-marshal Haig, who stated:—“The story of New Zealand’s share in the Great War needs no introduction from anyone; but I am grateful for the opportunity to express to the people of New Zealand my high opinion of the troops they sent to fight under my command. I ran assure them that my opinion is shared by everyone with .whom New Zealand troops came in contact. 1 Tho pages of this book will tel! you of tho exploits of your division, I can only add that no division in France built up for itself/a finer reputation, whether for tho gallantry of its conduct in battle or. for the excellency of its behavior nut of the lino. Its record docs honor to (ho land from which it came and to' tho Empire for which it fought.” Of - Major-general Russell, the commander of the Now Zealand Division throughout Franco. Colonel Stewart' writes: —“To the very remarkable and outstanding qualities of its commander the division owed an inestimable debt. A born leader of men, witti natural gifts for tho military art which fell little short of genius and were developed by study and experience, General Russell speedily enhanced in France the high reputation already won on Gallipoli. By personal acceptance of danger, untiring application to duty, and intense devotion to his

1 officers’ and men’s interests, ho set an example which could not have been bettered and which reacted with the most stimulating effect on all who oven for a few moments came into contact with him. , . . In character absolutely sincere, transparently honest, devoii- of the slightest trace of solf-seeking,. ho devoted his whole mind and thought to the common cause. Implacably har'd and intent upon efficiency, he was at the same time frank, straightforward, and genial, with a singular charm of candor and manliness. Not merely by position, but by abilities and character, *’ho was far and away the dominating personality of the division. Some measure of his prestige may be gathered from the indisputable fact that throughout the whole of the division’s history no whisper of criticism was over raised against General Russell.” The author has some interesting things to say of General Godley. “It seems not out of place,” he says in the last chapter, “to allude briefly to the eminent and loyal services rendered to the New Zealand Forces as a whole by General Godky. These did not generally meet duo appreciation, partly because on him foil the onus of licking the splendid but undisciplined raw material into shape, partly owing to certain characteristics of temperament. Moi who never saw him repeated garbled gossip from the' strenuous days of training in 1914-15. Ignorance and rancor over grievances found in him a natural target for detraction. He was at once too far removed from a genera! contact which would have dispelled preconceived prejudice, and also of too strong a personality to court or care for popularity. When he liked no one could be more gracious with an exquisite finish of manners,_ but as. a rule disdaining to lower the dignity of arms . . . ho appeared to the ordinary man somewhat devoid of humor, sympathy, aloof, austere, ambitious. Constitutionally not robust, of somewhat highly-strung nerves, he was actuated by a natural inclination to severity of criticism and by a soldier’s stern conception of duty.”

The printing and binding ol (ho book are excellent, being carried out in Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs’s well-known style. There is an exceedingly large number of illustrations of a most interesting nature depicting scenes in the field, camp and trench life, pictures of distinguished officers, etc. The volume is of over 600 pages and of tho same height and style, though considerably thicker, than the first volume’of tin official history. Those who possess a copy of the first will do well to procure one of the second as a companion volume. It is extremely cheap, a fact which cannot he said of many books nowadays.