The 28th: A Record of War Service in the Australian Imperial Force, 1915-19, Vol. I / Egypt, Gallipoli, Lemnos Island, Sinai Peninsula

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25341

Title

The 28th: A Record of War Service in the Australian Imperial Force, 1915-19, Vol. I / Egypt, Gallipoli, Lemnos Island, Sinai Peninsula

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Colonel H. B. Collett's firsthand account chronicles the 28th Battalion's journey from Western Australia to the Western Front. Blending military history with personal observation, this volume details the battalion's formation, harrowing experiences at Gallipoli, and subsequent service in Egypt and the Sinai, offering a poignant record of camaraderie, hardship, and sacrifice during World War I.

Summary up to 500 words

Colonel Herbert Brayley Collett's *The 28th* stands as a definitive chronicle of the 28th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force, detailing its journey from Western Australia to the Western Front between 1915 and 1919. The narrative begins in 1914, capturing the battalion's authorization, rigorous training, and the poignant emotional farewells at Fremantle before embarkation on the transport *Ascanius*. The voyage through the tropics leads to Egypt, where the text vividly portrays the atmosphere of the camp, local life in Cairo, and the underlying tension of impending war. The central focus shifts dramatically to the Gallipoli campaign. Collett provides a harrowing yet detailed account of the landing at Anzac Cove, the strategic establishment of positions at the Apex and Chunuk Bair, and the brutal realities of trench warfare. He meticulously describes the conditions in the trenches, the constant threat of artillery and sniper fire, the innovative use of periscope rifles, and the devastating impact of poison gas. The narrative covers the eventual evacuation of the peninsula and the battalion's transfer to Lemnos Island for recovery, followed by a return to Egypt. Upon returning to Egypt, the book documents the move to the Sinai Peninsula to defend the Suez Canal. Here, Collett highlights the immense challenges of desert logistics, severe water scarcity, and the prevalence of disease. The text concludes with the preparations for the battalion's transfer to France, marking the end of this first phase of their history. Throughout the volume, Collett emphasizes the daily lives of the soldiers, their amusements, the tragic loss of friends, and the enduring spirit of the unit. Supported by extensive appendices listing casualties, honours, and personnel rolls, the work serves as both a military record and a loving tribute to the volunteers who served, fulfilling the desire of friends and families to know exactly what their loved ones did and endured.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg25341.epub

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Categories

• Biography
• History