Author(s): Harold Paton

NZ Non Fiction

Harold PatonâÂÂs evocative Second World War photographs record the hardship, camaraderie and daily rituals of the North African and Syrian Campaigns of 1941âÂÂ1943. This is the book produced from an exhibition of photographs of Kiwis in the North Africa campaign, 1942-43, during the Second World War. It includes extra photographs and captions in the photographerâÂÂs own words. PatonâÂÂs amazing photographs show how war really was, not how Hollywood has since portrayed it - âÂÂlong periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terrorâÂÂ. These photographs graphically show us the daily lives that our fathers and grandfathers endured, as nearly every New Zealand family had a loved one involved in this campaign, and many of course did not come back. They also capture the lighter side, when the soldiers found time to entertain themselves by organising team sports, boxing matches, making toys and trinkets for their loved ones back home and enjoying the sights.