Chief of Army launches Devil’s Own War

11 November 2008

Family members of Brigadier General Herbert Hart, New Zealand Defence Force personnel, researchers, historians and other guests attended a special function to launch The Devil’s Own War edited by NZDF historian John Crawford at Defence House, on 11 November, Armistice Day.

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 was 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.

MAJGEN Gardiner said in his speech that, “like many soldiers, Hart had a dark sense of humour that helped him deal with the horrors that surrounded him.  Hart, who was a keen cyclist, informed his much loved wife Minnie that he had been wounded at Gallipoli with a telegram that read: ‘Double puncture; being vulcanised; well soon’.”

For many years Hart's diaries have been one of the key sources used by New Zealand historians writing about the Great War.  In the Wairarapa where Hart was born and lived, when he was not serving our country, his qualities have always been appreciated. 

“The publication of The Devil's Own War will make his insights and experiences much more accessible to a wider audience, and will help New Zealanders appreciate what a significant figure he was,” said MAJGEN Gardiner. 

“The Defence Force is delighted to be contributing to this process by donating a copy of The Devil's Own War to every New Zealand secondary school.

“Herbert Hart was an outstanding military leader who always enjoyed the respect and trust of both his superior officers and the men he commanded. 
Many of the attributes that made him one of New Zealand’s greatest citizen soldiers are still relevant to the men and women of today’s Defence Force.  The values of courage, commitment, integrity and comradeship continue to be central tenants of our organisation. 

“The Devil's Own War is a fine book and a fitting tribute to an exceptional New Zealander. I would like to congratulate John Crawford, our Defence Force Historian; Exisle Publishing; and all the other people involved in its production. 
The book again brings home to us how much we all owe to the men and women who served our country in the First World War,” MAJ GEN Gardiner said.

A number of Brigadier General Hart’s descendants travelled from Northland and the Wairarapa to the launch.  Hart’s granddaughter, Merrilyn Bartram of Masterton, spoke of her special relationship with her grandfather who taught her to drive and to shoot. 

The book launch was part of Coming Home Te Hokinga Mai, an official programme of government events to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day.

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