Where The Flaming Hell Are We?

By Craig Collie

Published by Allen.and Unwin

ISBN 9781760879198

Craig Collie 's writing style transports the reader stepping into the boredom, the angst, the terror and horror of war and the kindness of locals in villages.

It is a gripping read and one that many of us of a certain age may find they can relate to as our fathers and grandfathers, people close to us fought in WWII.

We may have heard snippets or indeed stories or not anything at all first hand, but this brings the situations that young men, some extremely young, faced. I read of one soldier who was only fifteen when he voluntarily enlisted giving his age as twenty-one.

Beginning as the Australian and New Zealand troops arrive in North Africa and then Greece and Crete in March 1941 in a desperate attempt to stop the Wehrmacht from capturing the country, we read that the majority of the troops are overseas for the first time.

Many have enlisted as an adventure, they want some excitement from their daily lives, especially those from country towns and regions around Australia and New Zealand. Whatever they expected when enlisting and on the journey, the reality was completely different.

Their experiences in harsh conditions especially in winter in the mountains when it is not only bitterly cold but also raining with winter clothing that wasn't suitable for a European winter is awful. One soldier saying that the bottom of his coat felt like it was piece of timber hitting his legs as he walked and marched.

Told through the soldiers experiences often for the first time, highlights the human spirit, camaraderie, gratefulness and kindness of locals in the worst of circumstances.

Craig Collie, bestselling author of The Path of Infinite Sorrow and Nagasaki, brings to the fore Greece and Crete, major events in Australia's and New Zealand's shared history. The campaigns in Greece and Crete may not be as well known as as Gallipoli and the Fall of Singapore, but now you have the opportunity of reading about this brevity and the errors of judgement from the British leadership.

Where the Flaming Hell Are We would make a good Father's Day or birthday present.

Far from being all plain sailing there have been many trials and extraordinary circumstances, some lasting for years for Gemma and her dedicated team to overcome. This is a story that is well worth reading and discovering the difference that one person can make.

This is independent review, I am not paid by the publishers, so.If you Liked this review, Buy me a coffee