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Stepping Stones to the Solomons: the unofficial history of the 29th Battalion with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Pacific.

Foreword

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Foreword

The success of this book will be not so much in its historical or literary value but rather in its ability to refresh the memories of those who served in the unit, to provide a background for reminiscences and to give our friends some knowledge of our everyday doings. The present time—June 1944—is a time of change. We have passed through several phases, the formation of the unit and its service in Fiji, the return to New Zealand in the critical days following the Japanese attack on the allied nations, the move into the South Pacific area under the command of Admiral Halsey, and now our return from the Solomons area to our base in New Caledonia at the conclusion of the South Pacific operations.

Whatever the future holds for us, this is definitely the end of a chapter, and we think an opportune time to record our impressions of our service and everyday life in this theatre of operations. This book is a unit effort and I do not think it necessary to record individually the name of all those who have had a share in its compilation. They are numerous and they know they have our sincere thanks.

If this book brings a smile or a happy recollection to any of you in the years to come we shall be well repaid for the effort.

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