The Devil's Own War: The Diary of Herbert Hart - Gallipoli, the Somme and Passchendaele as they happened

Brigadier-General Herbert Hart commanded the NZ Wellington Battalion during the closing stages of the Gallipoli campaign, then served on the Western Front. Throughout the war he kept a diary, in which he recorded his experiences in the great battles on Gallipoli, the Somme and Passchendaele. As a first-hand account of life in the firestorm of WWI, Hart's diary is widely regarded as one of the most important personal sources relating to the war, both combat and life behind the frontline. Brigadier-General (later Sir) Herbert Hart left New Zealand in 1914 as a major with the Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and returned in 1919 as a much decorated brigadier-general. Initially, Hart served as William Malone's second-in-command in the Wellington Infantry Battalion. 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. During this time Hart kept a diary, which is now widely regarded as one of the most important personal sources relating to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. His service on the Western Front is the principal focus of the diary. Only one diary by a New Zealand battalion or brigade commander has previously been published (William Malone's), and because he was a more senior commander, Hart was involved in and comments on a much wider range of issues than are dealt with in that or any other published New Zealand diary. There is also included an introductory chapter on Hart's early life, and a concluding chapter about his diverse and distinguished career after the war, including his term as Administrator of Western Samoa from 1931 to 1935 The First (hardback) Edition Of This Book Sold Out Before Its Official Publication Date, And Public Demand Has Been So Great That A Paperback Edition Will Now Be Published. Brigadier-general Herbert Hart Landed At Gallipoli On 26 April 1915, Commanded The Wellington Battalion During The Closing Stages Of That Campaign, Then Served As A Battalion And Brigade Commander On The Western Front Between 1916 And 1918. Throughout The War He Kept A Diary, In Which He Recorded His Experiences In The Great Battles On Gallipoli, The Somme And Passchendaele. Hart’s Diary Is Now Widely Regarded As One Of The Most Important Personal Sources Relating To The New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Exceptionally Well Written, It Includes Gripping Descriptions Of Both Combat And Life Behind The Front Line And On Leave In France And United Kingdom. While Hart Can Appear Quite Detached At Times, He Is Also A Very Human Observer Of The Events Around Him, Understanding The Plight Of His Men, Finding Humour In The Most Unlikely Situations And Noticing Unexpected Details At Moments Of High Tension. As A First-hand Account Of Life In The Firestorm Of World War One, The Devil’s Own War Is Hard To Beat. Brigadier-General Herbert Hart commanded the NZ Wellington Battalion during the closing stages of the Gallipoli campaign, then served on the Western Front. His diary is a first-hand account of life in the firestorm of WWI, and is regarded as one of the most important personal sources relating to the war, both combat and life behind the frontline Brigadier-General Herbert Hart landed at Gallipoli on 26 April 1915, his diary is now widely regarded as one of the most important personal sources relating to the war. A first-hand account of life in the firestorm of World War One of both combat and life behind the front line and of leave in France and the United Kingdom