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Adam-Smith, Patsy: The Anzacs

Patsy Adam-Smith

The Anzacs, Sphere Books, Melbourne, 1981; first published 1978; later editions

Based on thousands of letters and diaries of World War I soldiers.

It is time to strip the film from honour-dimmed eyes and face the uncomfortable, terrible facts as well as the emotion-stirring flutter of pennants and silvery cries of trumpets and beating of drums. War is hell. But in our attempt to denigrate it, to outlaw it, we must remember not to castigate the victims of war – and every man who fights is a victim. We must remember that the hand that holds the weapon is not he who plans or benefits from the battle. (p.viii)