Foreword

While the New Zealand Division was still in France, in 1918, it was decided that preliminary steps should be taken to compile the histories of the different units of which the Division was composed. In August, 1918, a Divisional Order was issued directing the senior officer in each Regiment or analogous formation to make proposals for the commencement of this undertaking, and the method of effecting it. The rapid progress of the war during the autumn of 1918, and the quick demobilisation which followed the Armistice, prevented the idea being executed as originally intended. No steps were therefore taken towards writing the history till the Division had returned to New Zealand, and much time, and, what was still more important, the opportunity of collecting valuable material had then been lost.

The committee commissioned 2nd Lieutenant O. E. Burton, M.M., to write the History. Mr. Burton's personal connection with the Regiment was extensive, he having joined with the Fourth Reinforcements, and having had almost unbroken ser-page breakvice in the field down to the Armistice. The narrative has been entirely in his hands, the manuscript being submitted to the Committee for correction of such inaccuracies as to facts as were within the members' own knowledge. The colloquial style, anecdotes and personal views expressed throughout the book may serve to give an insight into the mentality and general viewpoint of the average soldier, which a more matter-of-fact record of places, names and events would have failed to provide, and will compensate to some extent for the lack of detailed reference to the tactical phases of the operations and the relations of the regimental units to larger formations which a strictly military history should no doubt provide. These can, however, be found by the student in the excellent histories of the New Zealand Division as a whole which have already appeared. It must not be assumed, however, that the writer's personal views, as expressed in the book, are also those of the members of the Committee.

It is believed that substantial accuracy has been obtained in all names and dates in this book, especially in the appendices. Some errors probably have occurred, and the Committee will be grateful for notes of any corrections that should be made. The thanks of the Committee are due to Lieut.-Colonel N. W. B. B. Thoms, D.S.O., M.C., and Major E. Puttick, D.S.O., for their assistance in preparing the maps. The maps have all been drawn by Major Puttick, who has been kind enough to give a very great deal of time and trouble to their preparation.