And yet ANOTHER New Zealand military history?
And, unapologetically, YES!
Almost every New Zealand soldier with service in the Middle East in World War II passed through Maadi Camp. Maadi was the single most significant New Zealand military establishment and played many roles in the lives and memories of our old soldiers.
We would do well to remember that a soldier who served in 1945, even if they lied about their age and enlisted at 17 years old, they would now be 81!
If the eyewitness accounts are not written now it will be only a few years until such sources are unavailable.
Maadi. Drill and discipline. Indoctrination and control. The idea was that the camp would transform 'civilian" soldiers into fighting machines. And, given the reputation the New Zealanders earned, they objectives were very successfully achieved!
But this is not just a tale of military discipline, boot shining, forced marches and sand in the rations. It relates the personal experiences, scraps and successes of a range of young, fit, active, healthy and independently-minded men far away from home. Combined with the foreign environment of Egypt and the proximity of Cairo the young New Zealander's experiences were many and varied!
An interesting, enlightening and informative item but the greatest pleasure is in the personal nature of the experience.
An excellent read with those for an eye for the historical. Critical that this has been produced now as, in a decades time, this title could not have been published in the way. Those interviewed could easily have taken their experiences with them.
Well done. Read, enjoy and take the inspiration to go and chat with a veteran. Readers will be richer for both experiences.
As an aside, the Maadi Cup is awarded for the winning New Zealand Secondary school under 18 boys rowing eight as recognition of the men, the camp and in remembrance of the rowing competitions on the Nile.
Recommended. Year 11+
Reviewed by David
Published by HarperCollins
1 comments:
This book is Ok
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