Preface

This record of the arduous and splendid service of a fine battalion has, in the main, been based on the unit's war diaries and their accompanying operation orders, maps and sketches, and reports. Reinforcing these were private diaries and letters and personal accounts by members of the battalion, sent to me direct or collected by others, a valuable source which, however, I feel has by no means been exhausted.

The assistance rendered me by all the staff of the War History Branch has been invaluable: the accurate day-by-day account in detail of the operations of all units of the 2nd New Zealand Division, prepared by the narrators for the campaign histories, furnished a ready and vital guide; and in the preparation of the history for publication the work of the Sub-Editor, Mr W. A. Glue, greatly facilitated its completion. The maps are the work of the Cartographic Branch of the Lands and Survey Department and the index was compiled by Mrs W. G. Woodward.

I wish to extend my grateful thanks to those who have assisted me, including the 25 Battalion Association Committee and all the Commanding Officers (other than Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. MacDuff, abroad), who perused the draft and contributed to its interest and accuracy.