Book Launch For Important WW1 Diary
< Media release 7 November
2008 Book Launch For Important WW1 Diary "The Devil's
Own War", a book capturing a unique time in our nation's
military history will be launched at Defence House,
Wellington on Armistice Day, Tuesday, 11 November. Edited
by New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) historian, John
Crawford, "The Devil's Own War" contains the diary of
Brigadier-General Herbert Hart which is now widely regarded
to be one of the most important personal sources relating to
the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The book, which will
be officially launched by the Chief of Army, Major General
Lou Gardiner, includes gripping descriptions of both combat
and life behind the front line during World War I.
Brigadier-General Herbert Hart left New Zealand in 1914
as a major in the main body of the New Zealand Expeditionary
Force and returned in 1919 as a much decorated brigadier
general. He commanded the Wellington Battalion during the
closing stages of the Gallipoli campaign, and then served as
a battalion and brigade commander on the Western Front
between 1916 and 1918. Several descendants of Brigadier
General Hart will be travelling from Northland and the
Wairarapa to the launch. Hart's granddaughter, Merrilyn
Bartram of Masterton, will make a short speech. The book
launch is part of a series of events held around the country
to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day.
Armistice Day is the anniversary of the official end of
World War I, November 11, 1918. It commemorates the
armistice signed between the Allies and Germany, for the
cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, which took
effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the
eleventh month.
The NZDF will donate one copy of "The
Devil's Own War" to each secondary and area school in New
Zealand to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of
the First World War, in a gesture aimed to foster a greater
understanding of the conflict by young New
Zealanders. ENDS Media wishing to attend are required to
register with Denise Landau, Defence Public Relations 04 496
0463 or 027 290 6009 before 2 pm Tuesday 11 Nov.
Appropriate photo ID must be on display at all times while
on Defence property. Editor's note: World War I was
undoubtedly the most traumatic event in New Zealand's
history. From a population of a little more than one
million in 1914, the Dominion sent just over 100,000
soldiers overseas as members of the New Zealand
Expeditionary Force [NZEF] during the War. In addition,
many New Zealanders served with the British and Australian
Armed Forces. The loss of 16, 697 members of the NZEF
overseas meant that approximately 15 in every 1000 New
Zealanders became victims (in Britain the comparable figure
was 16, in Australia 12 and Canada eight). When deaths
among NZEF personnel in New Zealand and those who died after
discharge from the war-related conditions up to the end of
1923 are included, New Zealand's death toll rises to 18,
166. Since the end of the World War I, much attention the
New Zealand has focused on the Gallipoli campaign, but it
was the Western Front in France and Belgium where the
majority of New Zealanders fought and the majority of
casualties were suffered. Hardly a family was unaffected by
these terrible losses, which continued to have a major
impact on New Zealand society long after the end of
hostilities. John Crawford - New Zealand Defence Force
Historian In 2007 John Crawford edited, with Ian McGibbon,
Exisle's book New Zealand's Great War. His other major
publications include: To Fight for the Empire: An
Illustrated History of New Zealand and the South African
War, 1899-1902; Kia Kaha: New Zealand in the Second World
War; and with the assistance of Peter Cooke, No Better
Death: The Great War diaries and letters of William G.
Malone. A number of Armistice Day activities will be run
by government agencies under the theme Homecoming Te Hokinga
Mai, go to www.nzlive.com for more details. ENDS