Kiwi Battlefields

The history behind the major battlefields in which New Zealand soldiers fought

You probably have a tin of shoe polish tucked under the laundry sink bearing the little bird logo that has been in homes around the globe for over a century. Founded in Melbourne by William Ramsay in 1906, Kiwi is one of the most iconic and enduring international brands ever to have come out of Australia. One of Australia's best-loved journalists, Keith Dunstan tells the remarkable story of the Ramsay family and how they created and nurtured the Kiwi brand. Always quick to seize a marketing opportunity, the Ramsays sent Kiwi to England with the Anzacs in World War I, putting a brilliant shine on belts, bridles and leggings as well as boots. Soon there was a Kiwi factory in London, and in time Kiwi ran 24 factories worldwide, selling more than 250 million cans of shoe polish annually. In his inimitable warm and chatty style, Dunstan follows the fortunes of the Ramsay family as they built the Kiwi brand over the decades: business decisions good and bad, grand houses, the latest cars, constant travel, and their marriages, quarrels and friendships. He also tracks the clever advertising strategies that kept Kiwi in the public mind, including the notorious sign that caused traffic accidents in Richmond in the 1960s. Richly illustrated in full colour, Kiwi is the fascinating inside story of one of Australia's great families, as well as one of its great brands. 'I have not previously read a business story or family history that is so pithy and observant, and written with such a mix of fun and seriousness.' Geoffrey Blainey

World War I saw thousands of New Zealand men sail from their shores to fight for the Old Country. Those who returned rarely spoke of their experiences and friends and family were often left to wonder just what they had seen. One such soldier was Ira Robinson. However, he was a frequent letter-writer, mainly to his sister Lizzie. These letters have been passed down through generations of his family and have now been collected together and edited by his grand daughter, Chrissie Ward. Ira Robinson was a keen observer of his surroundings and of the people around him, and his letters reveal vivid details about the conditions of the soldiers and the civilians of the time. He describes the life and habits of soldiers in camp, in hospital and in action, including the infamous battle of Passchendaele. And his pen portraits of the desultory existence of the peasants in France, and the hardships of the villagers in England make fascinating reading. Illustrated with Ira's own drawings and with photos of military and social interest.

In May of 1941 New Zealand?s citizen soldiers, not long removed from their day jobs, were thrust into a type of fighting the world had not seen before: a land force against an airborne invasion. It was man against machines. In many ways, Crete became in the Second World War what Gallipoli had been in the First: another Dunkirk ? a scrambling effort to survive after defeat. This book breathes new life into the baptism of fire for New Zealand?s men of valour. It puts a human face on a military disaster, a failure that paradoxically was as large for the victors, the Germans, as it was for the losers, the Allies, among whom New Zealanders dominated. Crete tempered the New Zealand Division, and it went on to become one of the most respected and admired fighting forces of the Second World War.

This is a thrilling new military adventure for Captain Jack Crossman.Captain 'Fancy Jack' Crossman has been sent to New Zealand, where the Maori Wars are in progress. His remit is to map the bush country and to set up a network of spies. During conflict he finds that the Maori are an honourable and formidable enemy. However, nefarious Europeans are at work, enriching themselves as land agents.Jack becomes entangled with one of these agents, the brother of his lifetime burden Private Harry Wynter, and is in danger of being sucked down into a morass of evil affairs. When the final revelation comes, Jack realises just how heinous these crimes are, and he must hunt down and destroy these monstrous elements...

This illustrated guide includes a historical overview of the battle, maps, itineraries, and updated information on memorials, museums, and more. The Battle of Gallipoli was one of the most bitterly fought conflicts of the Great War, and a profound and tragic loss for Entente powers of Britain, France, and Russia. This guidebook to the battlefields and historic sites of Gallipoli is an invaluable asset for any visitor who hopes to get the most out of their trip. Along with complete and updated information on museums, memorials, and war cemeteries, Major and Mrs. Holt provide essential historical overviews and practical itineraries covering all of the battleground sites. FULLY UPDATED

When New Zealand forces arrived in Italy following the 1943 Armistice with the Allied forces, it was inevitable they would mingle with the local population. The Italians opened their homes and hearts to the New Zealand soldiers who delighted in finding young Italian signorinas everywhere. In Love and War tells of the liaisons and love affairs of New Zealand soldiers and their Italian sweethearts during World War Two. For some the result was marriage, leading to a new and often strained life for the Italian war brides on the other side of the world. For others, their wartime romance ended in heartbreaking separation when the Kiwi soldiers were posted elsewhere or returned home. Unknowingly, some left behind children who would grow up without ever meeting their natural fathers. While the New Zealand commanding officers did their very best to curtail fraternisation between Kiwi soldiers and the civilian population, for servicemen starved of female company relationships were easy to fall into. These touching stories of their romantic wartime encounters reveal the human side of war.