Recently, I reviewed an Osprey book covering the Australian Army in WWI. This is a previous companion book on New Zealand forces during the same conflict. New Zealand's story is quite similar to that of the Australians. They fought in most of the same battles and had the same experiences in those battles. New Zealand was also a relatively new country that had not fought in a European-style war before and like the Aussies, that experience helped to form a national identity for the 'Kiwi' troops. 

Like the Australians, New Zealand had no standing army in 1914, relying on Territorial Forces and the Royal Navy for its defense. However, New Zealanders were quick to join the call and by war's end, over 10 percent of the population had seen service.

This book covers Kiwi participation in the war a bit differently than the one on the Aussies. It starts off with their commanders and then the various divisions that took part. It then goes into the campaigns that were fought by New Zealand forces. This includes Samoa, Gallipoli, the Somme, Ypres and others. There were considerable numbers in the Middle East (which prior to this time was referred to as the Near East) with campaigns all over the Sinai.

The rest of the book is pretty much devoted to uniforms, unit markings and the weapons they used, a format that those who like this series are used to finding. Thanks to the excellent choice of period photographs and those done specifically for the book, we get an idea of how these men were dressed and outfitted. This all makes yet another great addition to the superb library of Osprey titles and one you can purchase with confidence.

August 2012

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