How elite forces fought two very different wars

The Salamander's Brood, by Watty McEwan (Fraser Books, $35), and 3Para, by Patrick Bishop (HarperCollins, $34.99). Reviewed by Kingsley Field.

Two books that will be of considerable interest to the military history buffs have hit the shelves in recent weeks, each from a completely different sphere of war and both of them cracking good reading.

The Salamander's Brood by Watty McEwan, recounts the work of Lt General Sir Bernard "Tiny" Freyberg's watchdogs his divisional protective troop, whose task it was to look after "The Boss" while he was leading his troops from the front.

This World War II story, written by one of only two people still alive from that handful of hugely resourceful men, is a tale of tough, hard, unrelenting work as they raced to keep up with Freyberg and his need to be in amongst the thick of battle.

Watty McEwan was a volunteer wireless operator throughout Freyberg's Middle East and Italian campaigns, and as such was privy to much of the master-soldier's thoughts, plans, concerns, rage and pride as he tried desperately to carry the battle to Rommel in North Africa.

McEwan was there to see a great part of Freyberg's brilliance, his fighting and tactical skills, his remarkable leadership, his bravery, and his belief in, and closeness to, the men he led.

His story is detailed, highly readable, and a very good addition to the collective knowledge of New Zealand's most outstanding 20th century soldier.

3Para, by Patrick Bishop, is a story that is less than two years old, set in the battle-shattered mountains and deserts of Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan, and beginning in September 2006 when the elite British 3 Para battle group was sent in to carry out six months of supposed development projects. The story of the group's hectic six months as they faced firefight after firefight is told through the eyes of many of those who took part, via interviews by renowned military historian and writer Patrick Bishop. This too is a very good story.

Kingsley Field is a Hamilton author and news media consultant.

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